A class in Free Motion Quilting is one of the new things I am doing. I am taking the class on
Craftsy and it is taught by Leah Day. I am loving this class. I do believe that Leah is a natural born teacher. She has a great way of making you feel confident enough to go for it. While I have done free motion quilting in the past, I have never been very confident in it. The confidence the class is inspiring in me is a good thing.
Now I am going to show you the first two blocks I have quilted. I will be the first to say that they are not perfect. Ha not even close. But I have been able to quilt in spaces and maintain a design. I have never really managed that on a quilt before.
This is both of the blocks. For the green one, I tried to trace out a real block then stitch the seam lines before I started. I clearly need a better pen or pencil to make with. The red one was supposed to just be a large spiral. I was not consistent in my distances so it ended up off center. (maybe I started off center!) Anyway, I decided to just wing it and add some clam shell design to fill in the rest. I am happier with the red block than the green one.
Now some detail shots. First is one corner of the red block. You can see the clam shell design. It is rather organic (and not perfect either.)
Here are two of the sections with a paisley design. I need to work on this one a bit.
Here is a second detail picture of the red one.
Everything -including the block lines on the green block were done free motion. Here is a picture of the green block so you can see that.
Yes, I need a lot more work on this, but I am amazed at how much more I have learned since starting the class.
Want to see the back of the red block? Okay here it is.
I love the texture that the clam shells added around the spiral. I may try a wider spiral and add clamshells inside it.
There are lots of different classes on Craftsy. If you want to try one, click the picture below and go register. Maybe I will see you in class!
15 comments:
I have Leah's class in my queue. She is an incredible quilter. She lives in the same town as my Mom, and I have seen her work in person--just amazing. I always promise myself to quilt a square every day like she does, but somehow it doesn't happen. Maybe if I made a big stack of squares and had them ready to go, it would be much easier. My free motion foot just snaps on, so it isn't an issue of setup.
I saw this on Craftsy, how does it work? You are doing a fantastic job! This makes me like machine quilting even more when it's done by a real person. Lol
you are doing great! The paisleys look fabulous. Just keep practicing and you'll be smooth in no time (ha,ha that could be taken out of context!)
WOW , your free motion quilting looks great. I also am taking a class on Craftsy. the one on free motion quilting "feathers" If you check out my blog you can see how I am doing. It is fun to watch these classes. I have learned so much. I still need lots of practice, practice practice but I feel I am getting better.
hugs
beebee
Gene, I got one of those pens that erase when you iron on the marks. Very good pens. I have a black one. I am looking for something to use on dark fabrics.
Gene, don't undersell your skill, dear. You did a wonderful job! You rocked that concentric loop design on the green block.
From all the quilters out there, it's just like piano, practice, practice, practice!
Those are the first two blocks you free-motion quilted? I think they look great ... I especially love the paisley. We are our own worst critic. Don't be so hard on yourself (something I need to work on myself). Great job Gene. Thank you for sharing your progress.
Oh...I need to take that class!!
Gene, your project look great. I definitely love the green one because of the paisley work on it. Seem difficult. I'll have to look into taking those classes. Thanks for sharing!!
Gene, I think you are doing great! I'd love to take that class on Craftsy....maybe soon. :)
Wonderful quilting and I do enjoy doing free motion. I need practice too, but I have tops to do, so I will just go for it and hope I don't make too much of a mess, lol.
Debbie
At least you are trying, I have not even tried to FMQ. Put you have done a great job. I might just sign up for it myself. They say practice makes perfect.
Wow Gene you are really doing great. You are very creative and have an artist eye which is a big part of free motion so you are a natural you just don't know it yet. Free motion can be scary I have a quilt on my machine now I can't determine what pattern to use to quilt it with. Those iron away pens are great (Frixion) I got a set on Amazon. I don't know if they have one for dark fabrics I wish they did cause I like them.
You are doing so well with this! I love craftsy classes, escpecially the free ones :) I have Leah's on my wishlist so that when they send me an email to take a class for 19.99 I will take hers. I really like their platform for teaching too.
I really love the class by Angela Walters - I found it very easy & inspiring. Simpler than Leah Day - I love Leah's designs but there was something about Angela's class that really got me inspired. Check it out - let me know what you think! I love your work - your machine quilting is already excellent.
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