March’s Free-Motion Quilting Challenge

This month’s Free-Motion Quilting Challenge Tutorial was written by Ann Fahl. We were encouraged to start with doodling the designs then stitch them out once we were comfortable. 

This month’s tutorial was just plain 

Fun! 

No stress involved… just nice easy free flowing quilting movements. 

The Back- Looks much better!!  

Lone Star & Dinosaur Quilts are Finally Done!

Lone Star 

I am so happy that this quilt is finally completed!  I spent more hours picking out stitches then I care to admit.  I wanted to use my PC Quilter to make the feathered wreath but I am waiting for my regular quilting machine to come back from the shop.  I was using my Pfaff Creative 2.0 which is not really big enough to make the 12 inch wreath.  I tried to do the feathers on the frame.... BUT.....One big problem… I can’t see behind the quilting foot!!!  Rip… rip… rip out the stitches!!!  I quickly discovered this was not the way to go, so I had to do all the free motion quilting on my sit down machine. 

I first had to make the feathered template.  I used several layers of freezer paper ironed together to get a nice stiff pounce base.  I punched holes in the paper large enough for the chalk to go through.  I used the blue colored pounce against the cream background fabric. 

I am glad I joined the Free Motion Quilt Challenge by SewCalGal…  February’s Challenge were Feathers!! 

 

I finished Adam's Dinosaur Quilt as well. 

 This was fun to make, but really missed my Mid-Arm Machine.  I couldn't see where I was going because the quilting foot is so large and the IDT  (Walking Foot ) is in the way.  Can't wait till I get it back!!  

Free Motion Quilt Challenge by SewCalGal… January’s Challenge ..... Leaves!!  

And I am looking forward to March's Challenge!!!!  

Harbor Freight Tools!!

Today I reluctantly went with my DBF to a tool store called Harbor Freight....  All I can say is Wow - What great prices!  I found some wonderful "Quilting" Tools!!

Painter Tape - $3.49
LED Magnetic Head Lamp $4.99  - I can wear it on my head or place it on the head of the machine with with magnet. I'll let you know how works out. 
Ceramic Block Magnet set $1.49 - Hold my hand sewing needles

Round Magnet - $3.99 - Hold my quilt pins. I used a small metal pet bowl and the round Magnet on the bottom.

Pins in Bowl

Magnet on the bottom

Pick Set - $3.99 - I will use these to remove quilting stitches, but they are super pointy! So I know I will have to be careful with these.







Orange Suction Cup -$ 3.29 - To hold ruler in place








Vacuum Attachments - $8.99  (plus used a 20% off coupon)!!- I have been looking for something like this, but didn't want to pay too much for it. I can use my regular vacuum to remove dust and lint from my machine!! Yes!

Telescoping Magnet Wand - $4.99


One pass under my sewing table and look at all the pins!  And I swept under there today! How did I miss them??



Cutting Scissors 14 in - $3.99
The true length of the blade is about 81/2 inches.  Cuts the batting nice and straight!  What a find!!

Grand Total:  About $35.


One thing I forgot to look for were rotary blades. 


I also found this Sewing Basket at a Yard Sale for $5!!  I am going to remove the handle because it gets in the way when you swing the draws open.  Love it!

Lone Star

I finally had time to add the border on the Lone Star Quilt....

Now to put together the Dinosaur Quilt.

A Fellow Quilter /Machine Embroiderer

~ My Quilting Journey ~ 

I received a message from Mary today who said she was excited to meet a fellow quilter/machine embroiderer! I started to laugh because my Quilting Journey started with a Mouse.

 Up until about 8 years ago I was strictly a home sewer.  I loved making slip covers, curtains, clothing, pillows that sort of thing. The sewing bug would come and go depending on if I got bored with my decor.

I was also a very physically active person loving the outdoors: biking, rollerblading, swimming, camping.  While at work (I was coaching gymnastics) I suffered a very serious neck injury and needed spinal surgery.   I was in a neck brace for over 5 months and physical activity was out of the question!! Needing to find something to do with my time at home I turned to sewing.

My daughter was very young at the time and loved Mickey Mouse and anything Disney! I saw a Brother / Disney embroidery machine for sale at WalMart and thought “Hey, I can do that”!  I can put all the Disney characters on her clothing. Well…………. I had no idea what I was doing and I ruined more shirts than I like to admit too!  Mickey & Friends weren’t  looking so good. 

I found a small sewing store inside JoAnn that gave lessons on machine embroidery. I joined their embroidery club and loved it.  I had a wonderful teacher named Dorothy.  Not only was she my teacher, but I am proud to say she will be my lifelong friend!   She was very supportive and kept encouraging me to take a quilting class.  I was a little apprehensive having never having quilted before, but I took the beginner class and was hooked!  I have been quilting ever since! As the saying goes "It all started with a Mouse!! "


Here are just a few of my machine embroidered quilts. 

 Jenny Haskins ~ Beyond The Color Purple

 Center Block

Orchids and Roses

February's Free Motion Quilt Challenge - Feathers


February FMQ Tutorial, by Diane Gaudynski “Echo Feather Plume”


I love feathers but I haven't mastered  quilting them ....  Yet.... that is.....  LOL.

For me, mastering the paisley shape is the hardest thing to do. But then as a child I could never draw a good looking heart.  I drew pages of paisley shapes and practice feathers in my sketch book. One day I will get good at it.   

Sketching these were fun, because I really didn't have an idea 
in mind, I just doodled.  


I did the free motion on my DM. 

The feather below I quilted on my my quilting frame during the summer.  I was really happy with it, but it's not great.... but 

Even though its not perfect it still received a blue ribbon.  It was a Queen Size Kit from Connecting Threads called "Wildflower Quilt"  

Moving Along

Dinosaur Quilt

I finished embroidering my dinosaurs.  Aren't they cute? The designs are by Anita Goodesign.  

While these cute designs were sewing out I was busy making the Lone Star Quilt.

Lone Star Quilt

Never having made a Lone Star Quilt before I was kind of at a loss.  So I went on You Tube and found a wonderful video.  I was kind of hesitant at first, because it was a paid lesson.  It was GREAT! 

The name of the DVD / Video lesson was Jan Krentz Teaches You to Make a Lone Star Quilt.  It was a 72 hour rental... only for $3.99.  Well worth the price.  Its about a hour and half long. You can find it here at: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3klJB7PRts&noredirect=1

I used Jan's method through the whole process.

I cut my strips and sewed the strip set pieces together.

Each set was cut into individual strips.

Then sewn into a diamond shape. 

Following Jan Krentz's instructions, I made a smaller diamond shape to use as a guide. I cut out small diamonds out of scraps and used a glue stick to make the template.  I then numbered each strip so I wouldn't make a mistake while sewing the diamonds together. The smaller piece is used to help line up proper placement while pinning the strip sets. 

Here is my completed diamond.  Perfect points!!! 

I then blocked each diamond set.

And here is the center block! All I can say is Wow... It was very easy. Great instructions.  Can't wait till its finished.