Tag Archives: FMQ

My Comfortable “Go To” Quilting

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I pulled this fabric to make a quilt for a new baby boy at church.

The shower decor was my inspiration for the fabrics I chose.

Here it is in the flimsy state (quilt top).

Whenever I start a quilt, especially a smaller one, it’s always with the idea of quilting it w/FMQ (free motion quilting).

I’ve practiced FMQ in spurts in the past but not with enough regularity to allow me to feel comfortable and confident enough to finish an entire quilt, no matter the size.

I hadn’t practiced in awhile, but I thought that taking one of Angela Walter’s Quilting Clinics would be enough of a refresher. I did the Ultimate Block Busters class.

Angela is an amazing person! It was such a treat spending time with her. I learned so much and was so inspired by all she taught and the quilts she showed, I just knew I was going to jump on that Amara and stitch magically. Sadly, that didn’t happen.

I have quilted on a longarm using pantographs but FMQ takes A LOT of consistent practice and I hear tell it’s jumpstarted and enhanced with doodling.

Anyway, back to the baby quilt…I finished it w/my “go to” which is organic wavy lines quilted w/an even-feed/walking foot. And of course it turned out great.

But I’m never going to get better staying in my comfort zone. Therefore, on my honor, I WILL start doodling AND practicing FMQ more often! 🙋🏽‍♀️

A Thread for Life

Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think according to the power that works in us — to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. – Ephesians‬ ‭3:20-21‬ ‭HCSB‬‬

Linking up at:

Can I Get A Whoop Whoop?

Finished or Not Friday

A “Wild Hair”

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I promised myself I wouldn’t start another project, besides the QA Row by Row Round-Robin we’re starting in November, until I finish four other UFOs in my closet.

BUT…

I just had to test out my new AccuCut GrandMARK2, which is identical to the accuquilt Studio2…

 on a quick little project…

and so, this 12″ sq.  Dutchman’s Puzzle was born.

And then I got a “wild hair”,  and decided to practice FMQ.

Intending to do mostly Pebbling, this is what I accomplished.

It’s more wobble and cobble, but it is fabulous to me!

Thanks for stopping by.

Linking up at:

Finished or Not Friday

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop?

TGIFF!

A Thread for Life

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you;
he will never let the righteous be shaken. – Psalm 55:22

Craftsy Sweetens Up My Quilting Life! – WHOOMP #18

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This post contains ad links.

 Thanks for visiting my stop on the Craftsy Sweetens Up My Quilting Life Blog Hop! and my WHOOMP There IT Is! #18 Linky Party.

For those of you who haven’t already heard of Craftsy, I’m about to take you to school!  It’s an online platform that delivers crafts education classes via full-length, professionally-produced, interactive, high-definition videos. The beauty of Craftsy classes is that they never expire!  AND,  you can watch them anytime, as many times as you like, provided you have a proper internet connection.  Oh, and remember, it’s interactive! This means you can ask questions and/or  post pics to get help from the instructor or other peeps taking the class.  Craftsy offers a wide array of classes, from photography to knitting to cooking…however my class of choice is Quilting! And more specifically, Free Motion Quilting. 

 So how does Craftsy Sweeten Up My Quilting Life?   Craftsy Keeps Me in Motion!

I was very naive when I signed up for Start Free-Motion Quilting w/Elizabeth Dackson.  I thought I’d be an expert FMQ-er by the time it was finished. I couldn’t have been more wrong.  However, I did learn a lot of things from this class.  Important things you need to know before getting started, like needle and thread selection, how to start and stop, how to bury a knot and how to move the quilt. Thanks, Elizabeth!

The Secrets of Free-Motion Quilting w/Christina Cameli  is another class I’m enrolled. It’s also packed w/great information like sketching and stitching, staying in a straight line and getting out of corners. Thanks, Christina!

Help How DO I Quilt It? is my most recent class. This class will definitely help w/the dilemma of how to quilt your quilts.  It will also teach you how to add lots of texture and movement to your quilts.  Thanks, Angela!

All of these Craftsy classes are great and I’d recommend any and all of them. The instructors are extremely encouraging and the classes do exactly what they are designed to; build your confidence as you learn FMQ. They make it look easy but remember, they’ve been doing it for years. They all stress this important point:  Practice, Practice, Practice! And the MOST important point of all…Don’t compare your work to that of others!  Why? Because Comparison is the Thief of Joy! 

 Craftsy is also a place where independent designers can sell their patterns. There are thousands of sewing and quilting patterns to choose from and even a great selection of free patterns! Click here to browse my pattern store and be sure to download my Easy Grocery Bag Catcher, which is free for a limited time.  Thanks, Craftsy!

Here’s the complete line-up of stops.  Be sure to hop over and visit each stop to see how Craftsy sweetens up their quilting lives!

Wednesday 10 February

Helen @ Midget Gem Quilts

Thursday 11 February

Friday 12 February


Saturday 13 February
Anja @ Anja Quilts

Sunday 14 February

Monday 15 February

Julie @ Pink Doxies

Did you like reading about these classes? Does all this sweetness make you want to join one? Class discounts will be available for one week following each post, and while you’re there you can click through any bloggers in the hop to enter the Craftsy Giveaway.

And now the moment y’all have been waiting for…the giveaway!  Enter here for a chance to win.

Two peeps will win one class each, and 1 peep will win this fabulous grand prize:
1- Boundless Solids Crown Jewels by Amy Gibson Quilt Kit 

Boundless Solids Crown Jewels by Amy Gibson Quilt Kit - None

1-Boundless Solids Modern Brights Pre-Cuts 6″ Strips

Boundless Solids Modern Brights Pre-Cuts - None

1-Boundless Solids Modern Brights 10″ Squares

Boundless Solids Modern Brights Pre-Cuts - None

Enter the Craftsy Giveaway here, or on any site during the hop. One entry per person.  Enter until Sunday, Feb 21, 2016, at 11:59 pm MST.

The winners will be announced Feb 22 at Pink Doxies and Musings of a Menopausal Melon.  

 If you are still w/me and would like to show your stuff, it’s time to link up!

A Quilted Passion

A Quilted Passion

Thank the Host
Everyone likes to hear “thank you” and know their effort is appreciated.
Spread the Love
The more love you give, the more you get. Pick a number (mine is 5) and commit to visiting and commenting on that many link-ups. Let them know where you’re visiting from and ask them to visit you. (This works well for me!)
Direct Link
Use a direct link to a specific post, not your main blog.
Link Back
In your blog post, include a link back to my post/blog and/or grab the WHOOMP There IT Is! button above and put in your post or sidebar. Thanks for spreading the love.
Follow Me 😉
Of course, I would love for all you linky-uppers to be followers, but it’s NOT required.

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A Thread for Life