Successful Quilting Starts by Looking Down the Road

The best analogy for better free motion quilting is from Harriet Hargrave.  Think about free motion quilting as driving.  If you drive by looking at your hood ornament, you’re likely to crash often.  Looking down the road and anticipating the next curve or stopping point is a much better driving plan.  Periodically check your mirrors and blind spot and slow down when you’re stopping or parking. 

The same philosophy applies to quilting.  Don’t focus on the needle hitting the fabric, not even when you’re quilting a marked line.  Look ahead for changes in a curve or towards the next point in your design and quilt towards it.  Trust that your peripheral vision will help guide you.  Slow down when you have to hit a specific point.  Look at the needle hitting the fabric only occasionally.