FMQ Challenge

Darlene from QuiltShopGal  (formally known as SewCalGal) is sponsoring a 2015 Free Motion Challenge.   There were several options for a January challenge all ending in a pillow.  I chose the feathered star.

I like to FMQ but am still learning.  Feathers are my favorite but I suffer from the blank slate problem - I look at the empty fabric canvas and can't figure out what to do.  So for this one, I just followed the instructions!

Here is is all quilted

My actual pillow form did not arrive yet so I've just basted things together and covered another pillow.  I found a gorgeous fabric in my stash for the backing.   The day is rainy and gray so this indoor picture on my couch was the best I could do!

I'll be linking up my finish and looking forward to the next challenge!


Happy Stitching!

Dream

Dream.

Live.  Laugh.  Love.

4 simple words adorn my mini quilt that I am donating to the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative.   This quilt measures 8" by 10".

SewCalGal ran a series of FMQ challenges in 2012 - each month, a new teacher and a new technique.  She is continuing to challenge us in 2013 with a different set of challenges.  You need to complete 4 as part ofSewCalGal's 2013 FMQ.   This particular challenge was to make a small quilt (no larger than 9" x 12") to show off the FMQ techniques you learned.

I decided to use the techniques learned in October from Teri Lucas to write words with your FMQ.  

My result is a very simple quilt with an important message.  It will be fun to see how much money it earns in the process.

Completing this mini was my June goal for Another Lovely Year of Finishes.



Happy Stitching!

A Year of FMQ

SewCalGal hosted a wonderful challenge for 2012 to complete a monthly FMQ lesson.  She invited a wonderful and talented group of FMQ experts to share information and assign us a lesson.   I completed all 12!!

This month was to experiment with different border designs. 

I had a lot of fun with this small quilt.

Patsy Thompson posted this month's lesson.  Her video on making feathered borders is really good.   These were so much fun to make.  My choice of the variegated thread turned out to be a design element!

Not quite a mirror image but then, not bad for my first try.

What did I learn from a full year of challenges?

1. FMQ is fun.   Singing some song over and over (for me anyway) is a great way to relax and get in the rhythm.  (Your a mean one Mr Grinch was stuck in my head as I did this one!)
2. Feathers are fun and easier than they look - assuming you don't care about having a perfect feather.
3. A good filler instead of stipple is the leaves (hearts).  It is easy to do and you don't end up stuck in an odd spot like I did with some of the other fillers.
4. Practice does help!  (See, kids, mom was right!)

There are a few things I still need practice with especially deciding on the design and the thread choice is very hard for me.  I sit there staring at a blank canvas and can't figure it out.  

Thanks Darlene for a gathering today a wonderful set of guests to teach us.  Thanks to all the wonderful teachers who took time to share some basics with us beginner FMQers!

Happy Stitching!

FNSI Results

FMQ was on the agenda for last night's FNSI.  I

SewCalGal's FMQ challenge this month was fun.  I practiced writing my name and then wrote the alphabet.

Before I even had this much success, I struggled with tension issues on the machine.  After thorough cleaning, rethreading, needle changes, different bobbins, I put one color (red) in the bobbin and white at the top thread so I could see what was going on.  This picture is FMQ.  Shouldn't be seeing this on the top.

 I put my regular foot back on and started adjusting the tension until I could no longer see the red thread on top.  I had to put the tension dial lower than I've ever had to before to get the line white on top.

My baby is going in for a checkup.

To finish out the evening, I put my real FMQ project aside and decided to hem my daughter's halloween costume.  She took a skirt that I wore 25 years ago and cut 12 inches off the bottom.  I remember wearing that skirt - it had been a favorite - and I had donated it to 'dress up' clothes years ago for my girls.  I was hesitant to cut the skirt - did I really think my waist would ever be that size again? - until I looked at it up close.  It was filled with little holes.  Great for a costume, not for anything else.

Finally, I pressed my Marmalade strips - I just love this fabric from Bonnie & Camile.  Yummy!  These are going to be beautiful 9-patch blocks.

Happy Stitching!

FMQ Challenge for June

SewCalGal has done it again lining up a fantastic guest for this month's FMQ challenge.  Cindy Needham's tutorial was filled with really helpful information.  


As directed, I started with a squiggly line with loops (technical term there!), and then filled in each of the areas with some FMQ.  I tried feathers, echo quilting, free motion lines and pebble quilting.

These photos aren't the best - hard to get enough contrast so I marked each thing in the photo below.

Happy Stitching!