I've got some sweet free-motion quilting (FMQ) plans for my Dresden placemats and also for the Craftsy BOM quilt. But before I put needle to placemat or quilt I thought I'd bone up with some FMQ practice.
Are you familiar with the unstoppable Leah Day of The Free-Motion Quilting Project? She shares a million and one free-motion quilting designs in video format! She's amazing, this young woman. I've been skulking around her site and taking a look at the various patterns she's created. The other day I started practicing with a freshly lubricated Betty, my old White sewing machine.
I've attempted several of Leah's FMQ beginner patterns with mixed results. But ain't that the beauty of playing and learning? No worries if you mess up right? I'm still learning how to use my machine in this new way, how to move my hands, control the speed and direction of sewing, and let my shoulders relax with the motion. It is tricky. But so far I've tried: Flowing Glass, Mario Vine, Trailing Spirals, Overlapping Arches, Sea Oats, Woven Lines, and Wave Chain.
I think my favourite of the batch is Flowing Glass. So pretty and easy to execute even for a beginner. The rest will need more practice, but you know what? It's darn fun!
And what about you? Are you trying anything new lately?
♥M
