Project Simplify - Day 23
May 26, 2011 Sometimes I can think outside the box and come up with good ideas on my own. But for now, I still need a crutch for deciding on a FMQing design. So why not copy (again) what is shown in the book?
Camille's used three different FMQ designs on this cute little quilt: stippling, that loop-dee-loop from "Little Man" and a sort of scalloped flower thing. At first glance, I thought that was a bit ambitious for me to attempt, but it is a small quilt and if I want to improve my skills, I might as well go for it. (You know, broadening ones horizons and all ...)
Here's my practice run. Not bad, eh?
The results: not perfect - still a little jerky here and there.
And a little accidental loop ...
Is it just me, or is it easier to get out of a tight spot with swirly twirly? Stippling just seems a bit less forgiving.
And then there's my old nemesis - tension. Hmmph.
One of these days I'll remember that if you practice your FMQ stitching with fabric/batting/thread that's not exactly the same as your quilt, you must double check your tension when you start sewing on the actual quilt! At least this stuff was easy to pull out. I gave the fun to you-know-who ... little Miss Loves-A-Ripper.
I'll show you the embarrassing part next time. That's right, dear friends, I'm not through humiliating myself for your entertainment!
Fabric, Project Simplify, Quilting 
Reader Comments (10)
Your quilting is getting better and better, it happens fast doesn’t it?? It just takes practice. With the tension issue, I finally got fed up when mine was doing what yours is currently doing. I made some quilt sandwiches, but black thread on my machine and just started testing over and over again with stitch length and everything until I found the perfect formula, then I wrote it all down. Whenever I sit to FMQ I pull out my notes and set up my machine just that way. Are you using a 90/14 needle? I found that needle made a world of difference too. I love that you are documenting all of this, I didn’t you are brave than me LOL, but know that you are not alone!
Proud of you for sharing it! At your encouragement, I am attempting an entire baby quilt. Ahem. Hopefully I'll have some pics to share from it next week. I took it out twice before getting a better start and now am just letting it stay... ahem again... imperfect! So. hard. for. me.
But you are getting so much better already, it gives hope!
Blessings,
Babychaser
Very proud of you! I could never imagine doing FMQ myself!! ill send my quilts for you to do for me :)
You're so funny. Your quilting is getting better -- practice makes perfect!!! ;-D
I am so impressed! Thanks for sharing
I'm with Heather, "Your not alone!" I don't know about Heather, but I am not lucky enough to have a little Miss Loves A Ripper!!!
One thing I found that helps me relax and get into the FMQ frame of mind, is to sit with a cheap newsprint paper pad and a ball point pen and doodle away WITHOUT lifting the pen! Once I get a doodle I like, I pull out the trimmings from a prior quilt that have batting in the middle, and I try out my doodle.
Try it, it's fun and relieves pre-FMQ stress!!
Lucky Lisa
Ooooh tension; that's my nemesis, too. Beautiful quilt.
It's so annoying when the tension goes wrong (of course it's not your fault, it's the evil tension fairy!!) You are making amazing progress - I'm looking forward to seeing more!
Great job! Yes practice, practice, practice! Ya know, if the loopys are more comfortable for you to do, then do them!! lol! Unless there is a quilt police squad out there, I say go for it! I love loopys! They are in alot of my machine quilting as well, I love loops and swirls and fanciful quilting!! Good luck keep going!!
Ya I agree your fmq is getting better and better and better and better! Minus the tension thing which I understand.....and hate....hubby doesn't like it when I say I hate things but he would understand in this case : )