One of the best ways to practice machine quilting is to make small quilts. I just finished a receiving blanket, and it was a quick project but lots of fun.
It's hard to see in the picture, but there is a yellow duck sewn on each of the striped blocks. To do this I used a method I learned in the book Show Me How to Plan My Quilting by Kathy Sandbach. I went on line and found a coloring page for a rubber duck (http://dulemba.com/BOOKS/Soap/Activities/CP-Duck-big.jpg) and traced it on a piece of freezer paper. I ironed it to the block and then stitched around it. I removed the freezer paper to do the wings, beak, and eyes. I sewed around the portions of the design three times to give it some 'oomph', and I didn't worry too much about tracing my stitching lines perfectly. I love the little ducks!
For the rest of the quilt I used a pebble, or circle, filler to mimic soap bubbles. Around the edge I quilted waves in the border.
As I quilted this receiving blanket I had a lot of fun NOT obsessing about perfection. I realized that I have finally achieved a rhythm to my quilting and that I am doing a pretty good job of keeping my stitch size regulated. I still had some unintended wildness as I tried to trace over my circles, so thank goodness this is a forgiving pattern. But I'm happy to be in a place where I am more concerned about relaxing and enjoying the process than being perfect. That, too, will come with time.
Stitch By Stitch
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Free Motion Challenge
I recently found SewCalGal, and she's hosting a Free Motion Challenge that started at the beginning of the year. I decided to join in, and I'm having fun so far. Each month another expert Free Motion quilter provides a tutorial and challenge, and there are prizes!
I love to use my Janome Horizon to quilt, and this time I decided to practice on black fabric with some Superior King Tut thread.
It's hard to see the colors on this -- here's a close up.
It was fun, but I was very surprised when I turned over the piece and saw the back. I used Superior Bottom Line in silver, and I'm not sure which side I like better!
I'll have to catch up with everyone else by doing two challenges per month, but I'm sure I'll learn a lot.
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
My First "Modern" quilt
For the last couple of years I've been making most of my quilts using a pattern. Of course I had to revise any pattern I found to make it more tailored, but I always had a plan in mind when I started. I decided that I wanted to try a modern quilt that sort of created itself. I found one fabric that I loved with an abstract flower pattern, then I purchased solid fabrics in every color within the pattern.
I cut random strips of the colored fabrics and put them in a bag. I fussy cut several 'flowers' and then reached into the bag and sewed on whatever color I grabbed. For someone who tends to be very symmetrical in thought and a planner, this was a definite experience for me! Several times I pulled out a strip and by brain screamed NO -- that won't go! I just said 'tough' and sewed it anyway.
I have to say I'm pleased with the end result! It won't ever be my favorite quilt, but I'm so proud of being able to be less structured in it's preparation.
I cut random strips of the colored fabrics and put them in a bag. I fussy cut several 'flowers' and then reached into the bag and sewed on whatever color I grabbed. For someone who tends to be very symmetrical in thought and a planner, this was a definite experience for me! Several times I pulled out a strip and by brain screamed NO -- that won't go! I just said 'tough' and sewed it anyway.
I have to say I'm pleased with the end result! It won't ever be my favorite quilt, but I'm so proud of being able to be less structured in it's preparation.
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