Whilst in Australia, I bought a generic FMQ foot and crossed my fingers and toes that it would fit and work on Ellie. Hallelujah it did! And thus begun a new obsession…
I signed up for Leah Day’s free motion quilting class on Craftsy on a whim – it covers a range of designs and patterns for a beginner and is based around quilting the 2012 Craftsy BOM sampler quilt. So essentially, a range of designs for a range of block patterns! It starts right from the beginning with basting, and includes all the little bits and pieces like how to bring the bobbin thread to the top. Add in listening to Angela Walter’s QuiltCon lecture, and I’m so very happy with the basic tips and pointers I have learnt!
There’s not just one speed, there’s lots of speed in that foot peddle, and FMQ is all about finding all of those different speeds. – Leah Day
Big wide stitches = sewing too slow; tiny short stitches = sewing too fast.
If you rip a lot, you’re just going to get really good at ripping and not at FMQing!
Quilting is like make up – use it to enhance the quilt. – Angela Walters
And the most important point – No quilt is perfect! Don’t stress about perfect FMQ! To hear this from 2 prominent quilters is such a validation! It really gave me permission to just go for it and not stress about the odd wacky stitch here or there. Plus the great thing about Craftsy is that you can interact with the teachers – I asked Leah Day why I couldn’t get the bobbin thread to come up, and I had a response within 12 hours! For someone who can’t get to a physical quilting class, this is just bliss!
I’m not one for practising for the sake of it. I’m too impatient for that! So after just a little bit of a play and practising on scraps, I pulled out a block from my In Color Order HST BOM blocks and basted it up. I have decided to QAYG these blocks using Maureen Cracknell’s tutorial, except adding 2″ sashing around each block to provide some stability. I’m thinking of alternating white and… pink? blue? green? And I dug in.
I am so thrilled with the results! No, it’s not perfect. The corner triangles are a little wacky at parts, edging onto the sashing, but it doesn’t have to perfect, remember?? And it goes to show I can’t FMQ with the kids hanging around noisily as they’re a bit too distracting… But the radiating star points, the flower/cathedral window in the middle, the echoed tear drops in the corner coordinating with the green HSTs (unintentional!) just make me smile! Onwards and upwards!
My other WIPs this week has been catching up on BOMs and Bees. These blocks are for Quiet Play’s And Sew On… paper piecing BOM. I’ve just finished last month’s block, and my Aurifil-esque spools are from this month’s free spools pattern. Yes there is a floating spool, my mistake, but it just makes me smile and fixing it requires a lot of fiddly unpicking, so I’m keeping it. I’m loving using my Japanese sewing-themed prints, and if you link up March’s block, you’ll be in the running to win some of your own Japanese sewing-themed fabrics!
Marjorie's Busy Corner says
I think you did a fantastic job!!
audrey says
Wow, Alyce! This looks great!
BaublesBubblesBags says
I love looking at the intricate stitches on quilting…do you call that blocks? Yes not a quilter here, just an admirer. Those stitches remind me of when I was learning to use those industrial sewing machines and where we had to sew concentric circles – perfectly. Well, let’s just say they definitely were not perfect and like your stitching it required a lot of control over the pedal for that “just right” stitches. OMG I hope you know what I’m rambling about. :p
Jeneta says
Fantastic Alyce!
Gina says
Hi alyce! Nice to have you back and doing your regular posts! Great job on your first FMQ! I have been considering taking this class too as I want to learn FMQ and need a starting point. Your upcoming stars HST hop looks like a goodie too.
Sooli says
Isn’t free motion quilting great? It just frees up the whole quilt to be anything you want it to be, no restrictions! Perfection is over-rated and each ‘mistake’ is a learning curve. I say to anyone who is thinking about starting, just do it! Its a bit freaky the first time but its worth it!
Jess says
Woohoo! You’re so like me – I never practice first, learning as you go is way more fun!
Actually Amy says
It looks great, Alyce!
Kristy @ Quiet Play says
Loving your FMQ! Looking so great! As are your And Sew On blocks 😉 Perfect fabric choices!
Gemma@prettybobbins says
Great work Alyce! Well done 🙂
Sarah Lou says
Looks amazing Alyce! Thanks for the Angela Waters tip, I’ve just started FMQ so will have to listen in. Yours looks much better than my first few attempts!
Frances says
Thanks for sharing your FMQ adventure, your sampler is looking great.
Finding Fifth says
Great to see you inspired to try FMQ and the craftsy class. Looking good.
MsMidge says
Good on you! You sound similar to me – I couldn’t practice…..had to jump straight in too, and I love looking at my first effort and all its imperfections! lol
Flying Blind... says
You FMQ looks lovely, well done – I will give it a go again, one day xxx
Kathy@KayakQuilting says
Yeah! Your quilting looks great! I agree about the Craftsy platform…very easy to use and interact.
Janine says
This is looking fab! I love your fmq 🙂