Project Simplify - Day 24
May 30, 2011 Kay. You'd think I'd be used to making a fool of myself. I admit it's getting easier, but still ...
See, when it comes to all things quilting I usually can pick up a new skill relatively quickly. I think that must be why I love quilting so much - it's one of a VERY few things I can do well with little or no practice. And I really thought that with the amount of time & effort I've invested already on this particularly elusive element of quilting, I'd be a lot further along by now.
Here's the latest damage ... (wimper).
This is supposed to be a neat, symmetrical design. Not this wonky, amoeba-shaped ... mess!
It LOOKS so easy to do ... why can't I GET this?
I had a little (ok, an embarrassingly huge for someone my age) tantrum - which I kept on the inside, but let me tell you I was craaaaabby! I thought, "Keep trying, you'll get better." I didn't.
I once heard that the definition of insanity was repeating the same action but expecting different results. Well, it's official. I'd gone banana-nuts-crazy.
But after, like, an hour of unpicking all 12 of these very badly stitched designs (seems my helper has lost interest in the job for the moment - I think I burnt her out), possibly a few bad words and an imaginary blog post in which I shamefully admit defeat, a light bulb came on. I thought of trying a new tactic - s.l.o.w.i.n.g d.o.w.n.
And suddenly ... voila!
Still not as good as I'd like, but waaaaay better than when I started.
But here's the thing ...
You know that saying "Can't see the forest for the trees"? In this case, I think it means that if you look too closely at the details, the occasional imperfections that exist on a tiny scale can ruin your ability to appreciate a perfectly decent quilt.
This happens to me a lot - when I'm making something, I notice every.little.mistake. But more often than not when it's all bound, washed and in situ, the little "blemishes" disappear into the overall loveliness of what I made with pretty fabrics and a pretty design and then, well ... just never mind the trees, I love the forest!
Here's a look at all three FMQ designs together in the quilt.
So if it's not too arrogant, I think I'll give myself a C+ or B- for execution ... ok, maybe a B ;) ... but a big fat A for effort!
I can pretty much guarantee that I TOTALLY would have given up on FMQing by now if it wasn't for Project Simplify. Thank you Camille for graciously giving me permission to blog my way through your book. I know it was a big leap of faith on your part to let me - a virtual stranger with a fledging blog - use your book this way.
And thanks to all you quiet and vocal visitors for hanging out here with me. Your advise, encouragement & support mean so much to me.
I'm feeling much better now. :)
Project Simplify 
Reader Comments (13)
Kristyne, you are WAY too hard on yourself...I wrote a few days ago that I am impressed with your FMQing and that is an understatement! I think you are doing a lovely job, you should pat yourself on the back, or maybe ask the absent seam ripper out-er person to do it for you :)
Your quilt looks FANTASTIC!! I just made a table runner from that pattern, and really wanted to quilt it that way, but was way to intimidated to even try. I can do stippling pretty well, but all other FMQ patterns seem to elude me. I ended up just straight-line quilting it. I like yours much, much better!! :)
Wow I love how it all came together! Using different styles in the same quilt is sooo cool! Lovin' it!
I'm so scared to try that sort of extra design work. But now, again, you're inspiring me. Perhaps my next quilt... as this one is already underway.
By the way... I'm hoping to have my latest attempts of FMQ on my blog sometime tomorrow (I hope!) All for you... um, mostly!
I have taught machine quilting for years....not because I was good, but because NO ONE else wanted to tackle it. I too am a slow machine quilter and marvel at those girls who are speed demons.
My work is OK at best, but you know what...ok is just FINE!!! I guess if I machine quilted daily, I would be GREAT. But life gets in the way of spending that much time on my hobby.
One thing that works great for me are machine quilting gloves...have you given them a try. They give traction on the fabric and make things go much more smoothly. And I have tried one more thing with great success. My machine has the ability to sew without using my foot pedal. SEW....I set it on a speed that works for me, hit the button and go for it. Nice and even stitching. I stop the machine by using my knee lift to STOP the action. If you can, give this a try.
But mostly ( how long is this post) I thank you for your inspiration. You are and continue to be THE BEST!!!!
I think you are amazing! Have loved following you through the process. I will say that whenever I am struggling on machine quilting, if I just slow down so that I have more control it always goes smoother. Great Job!!!
Sometimes you can just try too hard! Then your muscles tighten and you get jerky lines instead of flowing curves. Stop being so hard on yourself - your quilting is excellent!!
I think it looks absolutely gorgeous!!
Here's to forests' everyhere. :)
Vivienne x
I want to Echo the sentiment of "Thanks to Camille for letting [you] use the book in your blog". However, I want to thank you so much for blogging your journey to master (as much as possible) free motioning. I have extreme craft ADD and if I don't see definite progress I get bored very easily. This is the very reason i decided to do an entire quilt in free motion after only three practice swatches. Sometimes the stipple looks really good and sometimes I would like to cry but I am doing it (mostly) thanks to you. So far I have taken a no seam ripping policy because mistakes and all it is a journal of me learning to free motion. The imperfect quilting won't make it less snugly when I am done anyway. Thanks for the inspiration and "real" side of quilting.
Well, I think you worked this out just wonderfully on your own!! The quilt looks GREAT and kudos to you for your persistence and positive attitude (I always like when I read quilting bloggers who say that little imperfections make the quilt more special-- and its true.) You are the one who sees the little imperfections way more than anyone else. I admire your perspective and sense of humor--and you've learned to let the little things go. Believe me, I need to learn that lesson more than anyone, so thank you!! Congrats on slowing down and learning FMQing!! Cheeers!! (with my imaginary glass since I'm now in bed-- and so are the kids-- big day at the pool). Looking forward to more Project Simplify posts!
You're too funny! I'm always amazed at how many errors I think I've made during the quilting, but then when it's all done, the eye can't find them as easily. You quilting is sure looking good from here!
Brovo!!! Give yourself a BIG OL' A+!!! Your quilt and quilting is beautiful!! Now relax and enjoy that beauty!
I did quilt too and I followed the same pattern for quilting. Some of mine looked quite interesting, but I just called it good to go. Your quilt looks wonderful.