Free Motion Challenge

by SewCalGal







I'm not new to Free Motion Quilting but I can certainly use

the practice and to challenge myself to improve and learn

new techniques. That's what this Challenge is all about - it's

not a contest or a class.

There is also a Facebook page where we can chat,

show photos and ask lots of questions.

Every month there will be a FMQ expert teacher to give us

tips and tutorials. This month it's Frances Moore -

You can read her blog Click here

Frances does beautiful work and we thank her for taking time

to help us out!

I haven't done FMQ in quite awhile, so I'm a little out of practice.

Getting my space prepared:

I cut a piece of plastic shelving to put under the
foot control so that it doesn't slide while I'm sewing.

Sometimes I use the extended table and
sometimes not.. But I always use the thread
holder for FMQ - it doesn't let the thread
get tangled and it flows freely.

I wear the quilting gloves - I don't really like
the rubber tips. The gloves help me to move
the fabric more easily.


I always warm up before I FMQ and also
test new threads, needles, tension, etc.

I'm using my old faithful Kenmore sewing machine -
I don't know how old it is....??
But the needle goes up and down and it works!
It also loves to do Free Motion Quilt best!



Most machines have a Presser foot pressure dial -
**** check your manual ****
Example: 3 - is for regular sewing 2- for applique
and free motion
1- sewing chiffon, lace and other fine fabrics


I cut out the front of my darning foot with a wire
cutter so that I could see where I was going a little
bit better. I got this idea from Luann Kessi
May Your Bobbins Always Be Full blog
stop by and see Luann's quilts - they're gorgeous!!



Practice drawing out the leaf design that
Frances showed us on her blog - first -
to get the feel of the motion.



Keeping the stitches even and smooth
is very difficult but with practice will improve.



My first practice piece (in a long time) - not too bad.
I write what thread, needle and whether I used
the feed dogs up or down. In this case
I put the feed dogs up - for some reason the
stitches came out better.

I'm looking forward to more tutorials each month
and to challenge myself to practice a little each day.

Thank you SewCalGal and Frances - Miss January!

Updates

Ha, I think I finally have gotten rid of
the pesky little fat gopher!
Probably a male.
I saw him come out of his tunnel
(food hunting no doubt) and so I
immediately ran over and put a huge
piece of slate over the hole! Yeah me!
So far he hasn't tried to dig around it
(fingers crossed)

Bush Fire Quilt Project: My blocks are in
each corner and one in the middle. Yeah!
It's the first quilt on the top. Thank you
Tia for doing this project. The quilts are
just wonderful!
click here

I have a Ta Da moment to share! I have
finally finished my Rose of Sharon quilt
Here it is:

Here's the back. You really can't see the seams.

It only took me a little over four years to complete.
Here's the story - which was on
a previous post.
I learned a lesson doing this quilt. Never take apart
a quilt top that has been lying around for four years.
As I was still an inexperienced quilter; I bought the
cheapest white fabric from Joanne's store. Well,
what happened was when I went to free motion the
squares; the fabric was stretching! The result was
some puffyness in areas. Not a good thing.
Nevertheless, I'm happy that it's finished and ready
to bring to my Guild meeting next week for the UFO
challenge. (and to collect my prize!)
I think it's very pretty and of course my daughter
Lisa wants it. (daughters want everything (-: !)

The free motion design is compliments of
Patsy Thompson Designs
Thank You Patsy! I first discovered Patsy on
"youtube.com" looking for free motion demos. Free
motion is still new to me. I try to practice as much as possible.

I did "Quilt as you go" after reading
Quilters Cache
Practice first on some spare UFO
blocks that you may have around (somewhere -: )