I find stippling very, very pretty on quilts but I can't do it at all. There must be a trick to it. I can't keep from traveling over lines & can't make smooth curves. In a class I took the teacher gave a small lesson on stippling, but I was horrible at it. Seems like I can do it just "ok" on a little sample patch but can't get the hang of it with anything larger than a 8" x 8" patch. What do you think I'm doing wrong? Someone once told me that it just takes a lot of practice, but I've practiced & practiced & still don't get it. I need help!!! Everyone seems to be doing it but me.
Nicki
This message has been edited. Last edited by: nlk,
One time I heard a quilting 'expert' speak...she advised that you first draw the pattern on paper. Draw it over and over again. After you've done that, then go to your practice fabric. She says there is something about the drawing it on paper that does something in your brain. I do this a lot with machine quilting and I believe it does help me.
That being said, I have a friend that attended the same seminar. She says it doesn't work for her.
I've thought about buying a stencil too. The more I stipple, the smaller I end up making my designs. I have a hard time staying consistent.
I've not been able to get the hang of it either, despite hours and hours (months, nay years!) of practice. Let's put it this way: For every 15 minutes of stippling, it takes me 2 hours of being up close and personal with a seam ripper.
Whatchamean, "just follow the lines", Lumpy?!! If I could follow a line, I'd be a real quilter, lol!
Oh I thought of another problem I have with stippling. My stippling doesn't seem to be random looking & sometimes I get to a place on my sample & don't have anywhere to go...like I get to close to the edge & can't get back to the main part of the patch. Does this make sense? When you are stippling a full/lap quilt do you start in the center or on an edge. Yikes this is making me tense just typing abou it.
Nicki
This message has been edited. Last edited by: nlk,
I'm far from an expert at this, I just looked thru about 4-5 books looking for some instructions that helped me once. I can't find them, but they said something like starting off thinking of Mickey Mouse ears and build off of that.
Do you have to stipple? I am better at doing loopy meander. I use it in place of a stipple. Is there something you can get the hang of that is easier for you to do?
I learned I was sewing too fast. The second thing I learned is to concentrate on one small area at a time. With everything I have "learned," I still have trouble with the placement of stippling. It's supposed to look something like a jigsaw puzzle. Sometimes mine look like accordion pleats, LOL!
I think it just takes a lot of practice. Maybe those who are so talented have a much better machine than I do? I do wonder if a better machine would make a big difference.
Have you tried stippling with the feed dogs up?
Posts: 7495 | Location: Georgia | Registered: Jan 24, 2003
I agree with jb.. if you can draw the pattern you have a better chance of stitching it.I do better at meandering and loops and bigger designs also then doing all the stippling mouse ears. I am not an artist at all so I have found I must draw what I want the machine to do for any success.
That said,if you have a Joanns I would use coupons and sales and purchase a few machine quilting books that have patterns in them you like and think you can do. Just looking at the patterns do help me.
Some people have a hard time getting their rythm down to do meander quilting,the noise of the machine and the speed intimidates. It is not uncommon to have to stop and begin in another spot when quilting a larger quilt.I do begin in the center and work my way out and around to the edges.If I get myself in a corner and can't get out then I end it there and start in another spot. I do draw the design or a traveling pattern on the quilt even when meandering to give me direction to follow.You do have to "just do it" I'm certainly no expert,totally self taught,but I satisfy me with my machine scribbling.
This is the video I used to learn stippling. If you work going away from your self you will be able to see where you've been, and It also shows you how to keep from getting that echo look. http://www.taunton.com/threads/pages/tvt035.asp?
that was the one I was going to recommend also. jbk is right,practice on paper first. I do pretty good,but I find that gripping the fabric is my problem. I do wear the special gloves and they are wonderful,but I have to keep stopping to reposition my hands. I will keep at it. It is a learning curve,don't be so hard on yourself.
Posts: 1398 | Location: MI USA | Registered: May 01, 2003
I gonna tell you they usually show how to FMQ on small pieces but I quilt some pretty big quilts on my machine, and This is what I do. I use gloves but I lay one hand flat and with the other hand I actually grab up and grip the fabric to ease to load. It works better for me, I know that's not what we're taught but you just have to find what works for you. I just meandered a quilt that is 103x103 and I just started in the middle went up, turned it over started in the middle again and worked to the other end then did each side the same way. Here is a pic of the back.
Thanks so much for all the help & suggestions. The video was very helpful. When jbk mentioned Mickey Mouse ears I wasn't sure what she was talking about. The video explains it great! I also never related stippling to echoing. I love the look of echo quilting too so that explains why I like the look of stippling.
Downsouth: My feed dogs don't go down on my machine, but I have a little gadget that covers them. (I have an old Singer). I've tried it both ways...covered & uncovered. Seems to be the same for me.
TcMay: I think I'll try getting a book or pattern to look at. That sounds like it would help.
Jbk: I looked at the video in the RealPlayer mode & it was real blurry & I couldn't see it good. Then I tried it in the Quicktime & it was 100% better.
Everything: Thanks so much for this site to watch. I will practice today. The back of your quilt looks WONDERFUL. Oh to be a quilter like you some day. (in my dreams)
I think our brains can be wired differently. I have never had any problem with stippling - it seems obvious, to me. But feathers? OMG - I can't keep that straight for love nor money.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: PennyQuilts,
What do you think I'm doing wrong? Someone once told me that it just takes a lot of practice, but I've practiced & practiced & still don't get it. I need help!!! 
Everyone seems to be doing it but me.
It's supposed to look something like a jigsaw puzzle. Sometimes mine look like accordion pleats, LOL! 
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