JaniceC Posted February 4, 2015 Report Share Posted February 4, 2015 Another suggestion. Load something that isn't a quilt top - a table runner, or a small wall hanging, or a baby quilt, or something else small and more 'manageable'. I remember loading quilt tops and not knowing what to do, and hating the thought of having to finish the whole thing. Then one day, I pieced a table runner and loaded it. It was really only about the size of the throat space so I could see the whole thing. I just started doing circles and swirls and practicing those shapes. Before I knew it, I was done and it wasn't too bad. I pieced another table runner, and another, and another. Then I made a small wall hanging ... and another .... and another. Each time, I tried to do something a little different. If they weren't 'perfect', at least I hadn't 'ruined' a whole quilt! Somehow, for me, the whole process was a lot less intimidating, if the project wasn't too big. By the same token, though, if I was generally pleased with the outcome, I could use it or gift it (as opposed to just another practice piece that the dogs got to sleep on). Just my two cents. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
o2b Quilting Posted February 4, 2015 Report Share Posted February 4, 2015 Do you have a smart phone? I find that if I download books on the Audible app from Amazon that I really like listening to the books while quilting. I can get so engrossed in the story that I don't want to quit working. I listen through earbuds. I only put one in and stick the other in the collar of my shirt. I use a small black paper clip thing to clip the cord to my shirt so it takes the weight of the cord off my ear. My earbuds also have a speaker/mike on them so I can visit with a friend while working...keeping my hands free Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barbm Posted February 4, 2015 Report Share Posted February 4, 2015 Linda, I have hosted one Longarm Retreat, in conjunction with one of APQS' Road Show loops, which gave me access to a good selection of machines. If I can coordinate with the guys from APQS again, maybe we could do this again, if there's enough interest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primitive1 Posted February 4, 2015 Report Share Posted February 4, 2015 Me again.....on the subject of Long Arm retreats....if you can go to MQX and take a hands on class it would be very helpful....I really enjoyed the two years I was able to make it up to MQX. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myrna Ficken Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 Joan,. don't be so hard on yourself. It is such a creative outlet. and as someone said not many are fabulous in the beginning. It takes some time and adding bits here and there. Educational classes help. Trying to learn all on your own is not always best. I don't know where you live but I am having a week of classes at My APQS showroom and Education center in St. George UT. I posted the classes earlier today but here they are again. A good confidence buster is worth its weight in gold! Yes you can do these! Stop thinking you can't Ialso have several DVDs that would help you. March 16, Rulers Rule, 10-2, 4 hour class $ 125.00 Rulers need not be a scary thing. Myrna will teach you how to hold then, and move you hand when stitching with them. So many wonderful designs can be created with a simple ruler. This class will only be the beginning to upgrade your quilting style. Follow up with Fear No Borders and Sashing to add some spice to your ruler work. March17, No Fear Borders and Sashing, 10-2, 4 Hour class $125.00Myrna will teach free-motion designs you can use on everyday customer quilt. Leaves, flowers, and geometric without turning your quilt for you side borders. You will also learn how to use mark with a couple of simple rulers to make fun and beautiful borders March 18, Fill Er Up Background Designs, 10- 3, 5 hour class $175.00Longarm applique doubled with many fun background fill. You will have everything you need to create your own masterpiece. Optional fun extras you might want to add to your piece will be available to purchase. " Modern Style top will be included in price. March 19, A to Z, 10-2, 4 hour class. $125.00 A class to discuss and try whatever you are wondering about. Thread choices, choosing designs, tensions, pricing, and custom verses E2E, Modern Quilts. Please bring four different orphan quilt blocks you can stitch on, no larger than 8" please. Backing and batting will be provided. Backing will black fabric or muslin. This is just for practice showing you things that you may use for your next masterpiece. March 20, Feathers fun and Formal, 10- 2, 4 hour class $125.00We all loves feathers and everybody has their own style! Learn techniques for long and lean and full and frilly and E2E feathers. See how to fill the space fast and beautifully with no stress of getting in and out of area Myrna FickenA Quilter's Choice LLC / APQS West144 W. Brigham RD, Suite 20St. George, UT 84790435-414-2026 Showroom435-229-2703 Mobileaquilterschoice.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myrna Ficken Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 Also keep an eye on the APQS calender for retreats and classes listed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quilterbme Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 When I first got my long arm I didn't have any problem doing simple stuff. But, as time went on I wanted to do more free hand motifs and I really struggled. One thing that helped me was using a white board and just drawing what I was wanting to learn over and over again. It take time to get it from your hand to your brain. Remember, no matter how good you get there will always be someone better at it than you. Don't be so hard on yourself, we all struggle at times. You will never know how many hours that quilt you're admiring took the person to do. Maybe hours of unpicking or whatever. Practice is absolutely the key. Practice without any thread in the machine just to get comfortable with the movement. Don't give up, you can do it. good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parm Posted February 5, 2015 Report Share Posted February 5, 2015 Hi Joan, I'm a forever beginner longarmer quilter! I don't have much time to practice as I would like, but when I do quilt I always doodle on paper first. (I doodle whenever I can)., The more I doodle on paper the better I get on the lonagarm. And as always, whenever I complete a quilt, I never want to give it away!!! Lately my quilts have been baby quilts for gifts. Oh I do not like pantographs. I enjoy quilting from front always. Enjoy, and PPP. You will get better!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K. Szymaszek Posted February 8, 2015 Report Share Posted February 8, 2015 Hi Joan, I don't have any inspirational words to add, just my story. I began my LA journey in 2008. I had a cleaning svce that I worked myself. After years of this I needed to find another way to make an income as my body was shot. I had wanted to work from home and loved quilting, so this seemed like the right thing for me. I was told I could do 2 to 3 quilts a day, ha, not me. I think I thought the quilts would just jump on the machine and off I would go. What a rude awakening. I used to love to piece and make my own patterns. I don't get to do that as much as I would like to. Some time ago i decided I had to focus on the LA. I needed to make it work. Recently I got red snappers and they make loading a quilt much faster. I don't really know when it happened, but I have to say, I am a longarmer. I do love it. I am still trying to make it work financially. I don't make anywhere near what I used to make cleaning, that really burns me. Hopefully, I can figure out how to be compensated properly for my work soon. I can understand any ones frustration that goes along with LAing, it isn't easy. K Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mestuart Posted February 9, 2015 Report Share Posted February 9, 2015 Give yourself permission to PLAY. just load up a piece of material or a user friendly quilt panel and stitch. Don't unstitch, just PLAY. you will find freedom in play, When you started school, you didn't start in Gr 5, you started in Kindergarten. So PLAY. Hugs, you will get it, we all had to start somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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