I have been trying to practice some FMQ every day and, although I don't realistically have the time every day to do this, I have tried to practice on a regular basis and have even made myself a chart to fill in which is pinned to my noticeboard to encourage me!! I started back at the beginning and completed all the exercises in Christina Cameli's Craftsy class for beginners and was pleased with my progress. You can see the individual blocks on my FMQ Diary page. When I had completed all the exercises, I had fifteen quilted blocks which I thought I would make into a quilt.
I joined them together using a quilt-as-you-go technique and I am thrilled with the finished quilt. I have also been working on some other blocks which I am going to put together into another QAYG quilted sampler quilt. This quilt is a design from Christina's first book 'First Steps to Free Motion Quilting' and you can see the blocks I have completed so far on my FMQ Sampler Quilt 2016 page.
With all my practice, free motion quilting was really starting to click into place when I came across a mystery Quilt-a-long being hosted by Lori Kennedy of The Inbox Jaunt so I decided to join in! The last post for the QAL was earlier this week and I have now finished the cute little quilted wall hanging that we made. It was a lot of fun and I am really pleased with the finished quilt although, I should probably have used a heavier weight thread for the stitching to be more obvious.
It is very exciting to have this elusive skill within my grasp and, I am determined to continue practising and improving as much as possible. If you want to make the QAL quilt the posts for each step are all still available at The Inbox Jaunt.
HiChristine ,wow you are amazing it all looks fantastic,well done my friend xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Shez! I am very happy with my progress! Christine x
DeleteWow! Das hast du schon toll hinbekommen. Üben könnte ich das auch mal, aber es liegt mir nicht so gut. Deswegen habe ich nicht si die rechte Lust dazu!
ReplyDeleteGruß Marion
Thank you Marion! Now I am getting the hang of things I am enjoying it much more. It does take a lot of time to feel comfortable with it. Have a lovely weekend! Christine x
DeleteAbsolutely gorgeous quilting, Christine!
ReplyDeleteThank you Renee! I am very pleased with the quilt and the progress! Have a great weekend! Christine x
Deletebeautiful work Christine, the quilt is lovely.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sheryl! It has been a struggle to get to this stage but I do finally feel more confident! Christine x
DeleteIt looks like all your practice is paying off - well done! It's all looking good xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Janet! I am really pleased with the progress I am making! Have a nice weekend! Christine x
DeleteInspiring : ) My free motion skills are still in the box ... I will remember the key words ... Start small and Practice , Practice, Practice. : ) Do you use a Supreme Slider? I have thought about ordering one. Leah Day promotes them. Are you familiar with her blog? Janita
ReplyDeleteThank you Janita! I did get one but I am not sure that it makes a huge amount of difference. I think all these things are very personal choices... I will have to look at Leah's blog. Have a lovely weekend! Christine x
DeleteI would seriously like to know where you find more than twenty four hours in your days - you get so many projects done! Your latest quilt is so pretty!
ReplyDeleteThank you Mary Anne! I promise I do sleep.... although some days I do burn the candle at both ends! Christine x
DeleteChristine! Your quilting is looking wonderful! You always do such lovely stitching by hand, and now you have nailed machine stitching too! Love it!
ReplyDeleteThank you Karen! It has definitely turned the corner and I am so pleased to be able to add the extra texture to my projects with the FMQ! Christine x
DeleteChristine, this looks amazing! I don't dare to face a whole project with FMQ, although I took a class... I think my machine is too small, and I don't work comfortable at all with it when it comes to FMQ. I also have a Supreme Slider and for me it works, but I just think it depends on every machine and person. I bought it in my local quilt shop ;-) and the advice was the same "practice, practice, practice". For the moment I just think I would leave FMQ aside (too many things to learn right now!...). I'm sure this new skill will add lots of fun to the new projects. It surely makes a difference, when you know you can face quilting in all its varieties at the end of the process! Regards, Ariadna.
ReplyDeleteThank you Ariadna! This whole process has taken a lot of time to get to this stage! I am just so pleased that I finally feel more confident with FMQ! Christine x
DeleteBeautiful, we have so much in common, its crazy! I love to make quilts one block at a time.
ReplyDeleteThank you Caroline! It certainly helps to practice the quilting techniques on smaller pieces and put them together! Christine x
DeleteWow! That machine quilting is inspiring stuff!. I get a bit frustrated with practicing at times. But you are right it is the only thing to do. It sure looks like you've nailed it!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I have been very strict with myself over the practising.... and if I am getting frustrated I stop and try again another day. Christine x
DeleteWow, you're coming right along on your free motion! I just saw your blocks on the Splendid Sampler website, Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteThank you Heather! I am gradually improving! It was exciting to see my blocks on the Splendid Sampler website! Christine x
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