In the last post I told you about the Foolproof Machine Quilting book. I am trying some of the techniques out on my Whirlygiggle quilt. Here soon I will have it done and will post a picture, but it’s going to be a bit. I’m just getting into quilting all three layers. Piecing and designing quilts are still my thing.
I did take the plunge and I dropped my feed dog and tried free motion quilting. It’s not as bad as I thought it might be. I have tried it before with little luck. I lack the luck because I did not stick with it. When in reality it’s just mind over matter. I just need to get in there and do it. Practice, practice, practice that is the key. A book that has helped me out is Learn To Machine Quilt with Pat Sloan.
Here is what I’ve been doing. It’s working for me. I take some fabric that I no longer like. The kind you say why in the hell did I ever end up with this. I know you have some. If not get some cheap cheap fabric to play with. I take batting and fabric and make approximately 18″ squares. I do not baste this with pins, but with spray glue. Remember we do not care what it looks like. We’re not going to show it to anyone. I used a fabric marker – the kind that will disappear with water or light. You could even use a sharpie, it’s only for practice. Never use a sharpie on your real quilt it will not come out! Draw some lines, curves, loops, swirls, a simple picture or any design of your choosing. Now start free-motion quilting. No, it won’t be perfect the first, second, third, fourth even fifth time you try it, but over time it will get better. Yes, over time it will get better and easier. Here is my first time.
Click on picture for close up
I am going to practice 3 times a week and before you know it I will get dang good at this free motion thing!
Wish me luck,
Charlie
Grand Reveal coming tomorrow.