My plan for 2012 is to learn to quilt on my home sewing machine. I've got three activities lined up that should help make that happen: I'm taking a day-long course in February, participating in Leah Day's Free Motion Quilting Project, and I've signed up for the 2012 Free Motion Quilting Challenge.
I got started on the January exercise for the FMQ Challenge as soon as the video tutorial was posted. The pattern to master this month is a network of heart shaped leaves. Since I'm very new at this, I don't plan to skip any steps. I drew the pattern out on paper to get a better understanding of it.
First, I tried a small sharp needle. Terrible! None of the stitches were catching at all. So I went the opposite route and loaded up the biggest needle I could find - that one that stays behind in the box because you can never figure out when to use such a big needle. That solved the problem. Yay! Finally, on my 3rd little square, I was getting smooth stitches and the pattern started to look pretty good:
Each square has one pink side and one burberry side, so they make a cute set. I'm especially proud of how the flower on the last one turned out. I'm pretty amazed at how much I've improved in just the first week of this challenge and can't wait for more! Most of my FMQ practice this year will be turned into cat blanket donations for my local humane society. Stay tuned next week to see the first blanket together with my first attempt at stippling.
Looking good! I like the heart shaped leaves and especially like the close up of the beige on beige.
ReplyDeleteNice leaves! See you later on the challenge!
ReplyDeleteStitching really looks great for first try. New needle always a big help for me too. Love what you did with the samples. Just great.
ReplyDeleteNice progress. Has anyone else noticed how hard it is to get black/dark thread to stitch out smoothly? Mine always look raggedy. I think the problem is more with the dark thread than the quilting process. Your light thread leaves look wonderful.
ReplyDeleteNice leaves and good idea to make a useful item out of your practice pieces.
ReplyDeleteVery well done!
ReplyDeleteKeep up the good work. Your leaves look great for a first time out!
ReplyDeleteYou are doing wonderfully!!
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