I’ve been doing some free motion quilting lately. Just a little bit. You see I wanted to do something kind of fun for my quilt for the Fab Little Quilt Swap…the one with the girl.
I’m not horrible at free motion quilting, but I’m certainly no expert. And I need inspiration for quilting ideas as much as I do for piecing ideas. So I scoured my favorites and searched online looking for free motion quilting ideas that I thought I could reasonably accomplish. (always the trick right?)
I knew I would need to practice before I attacked my precious little quilt (eek! scary!), so I made myself a little quilt sandwich and practiced some ideas I had floating around in my head.
It was about 1 AM when I finished with these and I made the very WISE choice NOT to start quilting my mini right at that point.
Practicing is huge for me. If I feel comfortable I know that I can make it work. And you always have to remind yourself with free motion quilting (or any quilting really) that it is about the overall effect and not about any one spot. No one will find that little place where you zigged instead of zagged.
Ironically, in the end, I quilted my mini with a completely different style free motion than all those practice types. But I needed to go with something that worked for me and for the spirit that I want the quilt to have. So I wanted more movement with the quilting than I was getting with my practice ideas.
A little peak….
The quilt is almost done now… I just need to put the binding on it and make a label. I’m making myself not overwork this. I personally think I tend to do that with minis and I like the less is more approach. I’ll show off the whole thing to you all next week when it’s my day in Jennifer’s Blog hop for minis! You’ll have to wait until then!
It looks super cool!!! Like the texture on a tree trunk. Very cool.
nice job!
I also like to practice …or…get all the rubish out of the way first!! Have fun, looking forward to seeing the finished quilt xx
This mini is going to be a new all- time favourite with me, and with many others!!! Look forward to seeing it in all it's quilts loveliness !!
you are doing a fabulous job with free motion quilting!! Cute patterns and now I can't wait to see the finished quilt with the latest of your quilting.
What a tease! I can't wait to see the reveal – your FMQ is great!
That quilting looks georgeous!
THANKS SO FOR SHARING! A REMINDER TO ME 'ALWAYS' DO A LITTLE PRACTICE FIRST! I THINK YOU'RE VERY GOOD AT THIS!
Loving your FMQ. Can't wait to see the finished project.
Loving the look of that FMQ, can't wait to see the whole thing! I'm anxiously waiting for my first official lesson with my big sewing machine (that I got early last October, but we'll ignore that!) because I get to learn how to FMQ and what to do with all the FMW feet that came with it!
Hey, Great job with the FMing! I, too just started to FMQ. I started practicing on mug rugs, and just finished my first lap-sized quilt.
Thanks for the encouragement. It's good to know someone was just as intimidated as me, but gosh, I had a great time doing it!
Beautiful!! I love the fmq pattern you chose! I need to do more, it's so fun!
Seriously? This is amazing! I'd say you're an expert! Especially the bottom one. My husband looked at it and said, "Wow, she made wood grain!"
OMG I can't wait to see this! LOVING the quilting!
Those are both beautiful samples to see, Angela. I did really like what you did on the Dewberry print, but them the other pattern was beautiful too. Yes, it has more movement. Looking forward to the reveal!
I really like the quilting on your "little peak"…can't wait to see it in all its glory!
Very nice FMQ Angela.
SewCalGal
http://www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com
your FMQ looks fantastic!
You are so right that the quilting is about the overall effect not a single spot. I should do more practicing before I quilt on the real deal but usually I am so gung ho on finishing that my impatience wins. I should follow your example!
I always practice right before too. I use old sheets and cut them into 15 x 15 inch squares and then spray baste some mini quilt sandwiches. I would never try out anything first on a real quilt! Thanks for sharing!
Ooh, the leaves look amazing! Two things on my to-do-soon list: try spray basting and do more FMQ practice!