Hi Gloria,
I have instructional DVD's for free motion quilting that show how to do all that stitch work and it is FUN!!!! Keep with it and you will really fall in love with it! On the home page of the website, if you click on the side section called "Instructional DVD's," it will take you to a page where you can click on each DVD and watch a preview that will give you a sense of what is covered. There is a 3rd dvd that is coming out in 3 weeks and there will be a preview clip available for it once it's out. If you don't need help figuring out how to stitch things but just want designs, there is a section called "free downloads" and you can print out those designs that are on the "Fast and Free" series of DVD's. The free downloads for the 3rd DVD should be posted in the next 2-3 weeks.
I just posted the picture of a midarm machine with a plexiglas extension table-I think it gives you a good sense of just how much extra space a system like this would give you. Good luck with your free motion work!
Patsy
http://www.patsythompsondesigns.com

Patsy, I just saw your system on your web site. I think I'll look into your DVD. I may look into the HQ machine too. Thanks so much.

Oh my gosh Patsy. I am a cave woman next to the wonderful things you have on your site. You said something about a DVD. Do you teach how to do that?

Hi Gloria,
I have worked on a frame system as well as in the traditional "push-through" system for free motion work, and I think people often think that working on a frame will get them out of having to develop free motion skills. Working on a frame system requires you to learn a whole different set of skills. For some people, frame skills are easier and for others, frame skills are harder than traditional sit-down, push-through quilting. If you are enjoying push through quilting but feel "held back" by the struggles of having to cram a large quilt through a small space, you might want to consider trying a mid-arm, (i.e. HQ-16 or similar machine), or a long arm with an extension table rather than a frame. This eliminates the struggles of trying to maneuver a bulky quilt through a tiny space. I own an HQ16 and use it with an extension table and I can very easily move a king sized quilt through it. If you give me an hour or so, I'll post a picture of my setup on my website, (http://www.patsythompsondesigns.com) and you'll see how easy it is to set something up like this. It also saves you several thousands of dollars over the cost of a frame!
Having said that, I do more than 90% of my quilting on a Pfaff because my HQ16 is set up in my basement and all my sewing stuff is upstairs! If you're interested in learning how to stitch free motion feathers on a HDSM, I have an instructional DVD that details this as well as several variations on feathers and you can view a preview of what's in the DVD on my website. All of these demos are done on a HDSM, so it's very possible to do neat featherwork on a regular machine...it's all about PRACTICE!
Patsy
http://www.patsythompsondesigns.com

Thanks for the advice. I guess that might be my problem. I have never been able to draw I do well with tracing a pattern and then stitching over that. My quilting looks pretty good that way. Isn't it too bad that we get notions in our head about what we think we should be able to do and then stress when it doesn't happen. Back to the hot pad practice squares. Any one know of an outlet for hot pads?

Gloria, before you invest in special tools, try just diving in and doing it! Remember, you are only quilting a small piece of the quilt at any one time, so take it in small bits. Just cram the quilt in under the machine however you best can -- some people roll and clamp, some people accordion-pleat, some just plain shove. Ricky talks about throwing the excess over his left shoulder. That doesn't work for me. Instead, I pull my ironing board up beside me, drop it level with my sewing table, and let it support some of the weight.

First, practice drawing some feathers, or whatever design you want to make. Just get the feel of the loops and all into your hands a little. Trace some if you like, or just freehand your own. It will help take the mystery out of them. If you can draw them, you can sew them, right?

I've been working on feathers, finally, after being afraid of them for a long time. Mine aren't beautiful, but they are getting better in a hurry. Yours will too!

I just finished machine quilting a stack and whack. As I was going along ( stitching fairly fast) I was wondering when I was going to be able to do things like free motion feathers etc. After all the quilts I have done, I haven't gotten enough better to tackle some of the more complex patterns. Would I be able to get better with a machine quilting frame? At this point I'm seriously considering it. I gets so hard to manuever the quilt with something larger than a twin. Any suggestions? Gloria

I have found that when I am breaking needles it is usually that the thread is getting caught someplace along the way. Is it wrapping around the thread spindle? Have you tried turning your spool of thread the opposite direction on the spindle. Try using the thread holders you can buy that sit away from your machine. Are you using the correct size of endcap if you are using a horizontal spindle. Hope you are having better luck.

quiltedkathy

Thank you so much for your suggestions. You have given me something to think about. If I understand you correctly, I can use a single piece of fabric on the top, batting, and another single piece of fabric and then practice using the quilting machine on that. Thank you so much for sharing with me...I still have so much to learn, and I am LOVING it!
Thanks.

Cynthia, as someone else suggested, I practiced on some of the juvenile panels that are inexpensively available. When the quilting was completed I put a binding on the piece and donated it to Project Linus. It's a wonderful way to "practice."

JUDY

Cynthia, a good way to learn machine quilting is to buy fabric with a design you can go around and use clear thread. I took a class, but needed a lot of practice. I also have to warn you that batting is not washable unless it is quilted. Different battings have to be quilted close. You may want to try using a flat flannel sheet, which is also a good choice for toddlers quilts. Hope to hear from you again, Susan

Have to agree, the disolvable thread is pricey, so what you're making up on cheap fabric you're spending on thread... besides, you want to get a feel for the products you'll really be working with! That said, I'm trying Ricky's machine trapunto method now that uses water-soluble thread, (see his Grande Finale video) which will be quilted over before washing, so I am looking at that as a sort of practice (although I'm not brand new at machine quilting) I see it as a way to practice that's not "wasted"-- Florence

lovetocraft..sorry, but.that seems like a waste of time and money to me...water soluable thread generally is used more for basting and priced way different than regular thread. I would suggest using a preprinted panel (cheater's cloth) or a large pretty floral to practice on. there are lot's of charitable organizations who would gladly take your practice pieces...kids rescued from meth houses are stripped of all their clothes and belongings.

Thanks for the info. I am purchasing the Mega Quilter by Viking and the Quilt Frame that extends to 10'. Someone said that it takes about 300 hours before you start to really get the feel for quilting. I am brand new at this and have not taken any lessons on quilting yet. When I heard about dissolvable thread, I thought I would make a quilt from the cheapest fabrics I could find and then learn how to quilt on the new machine with that quilt. Since it is a "junk" quilt, it will not matter if I mess up. Once I have finished quilting it, I can throw it in the washer, wash out the thread and then continue to practice quilting techniques on the same quilt...that will save a lot of time, not having to make a new quilt just to practice on. When I am finished, I can throw it in the trash. Any thoughts or comments?