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Friday, October 21, 2011

YAHOO! It's Free Motion Friday

I can't tell you how much I look forward to Friday. It's the end of the work week, but more importantly it's Free Motion Friday link-up over at Fluffy Sheep Quilting! I have an excuse to play and doodle with my sewing machine needle. To think that I had never dropped my feed dogs until just a few months ago. My mom never did any free motion quilting. Finally my years of doodling (first in class, then at work) are starting to pay off!

Leah Day's Slate Tile




My Front

My Back

 Last Tuesday I decided to add Drop Art andShadow Wave to my FMQ Sampler Quilt, I think with some success. Sew, this week I added Slate Tile to the quilt.





This week I really worked on my "travel" stitches (retracing already stitched lines). I think I did okay. There is a lot more to think about when you add the designs to a quilt, such as how to go around corners, fit it to the space, etc. But I guess that's why I started a FMQ sampler to practice all of those things. One of the big take-aways from this week was having your sewing at a comfortable level. I stitched this quilt block yesterday at my retreat and the chairs were lower and tables higher than I have at home. Much harder to stitch that way. Ergonomics matters!

Just for fun I stitched some flowers in the center blocks. Here's a close up of one of them.



 Finally, thank you to all of the other FMQer's that said such nice things last week. Your encouragement means the world to me!

Well, just Color Me Quilty!

Pat
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15 comments:

  1. Rebecca LynneOctober 21, 2011 at 10:57 AM

    Oh wow! I love that you are already incorporating these new talents into a quilt! Whew hew...those flowers are stunning. So did you enjoy the slate tiles? I found it kind of boring until I switched up the sizing a bit...then it was more creative I think. Can't wait to see next week!

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  2. Dianne NealeOctober 21, 2011 at 12:13 PM

    Wow, you're quilting is brilliant. Especially those flowers. I think that must be week 56!
    One thing I've learnt from your sample quilt is that a patterned fabric is far more forgiving. Of course, I'm not saying there is anything wrong with yours, but any mistakes would get hidden in the fabric. We are practicing with dark thread on light fabric so that we can see it - and all the mistakes too!

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  3. Strawberry PatchOctober 21, 2011 at 2:46 PM

    A-maz-ing! Your fmq is brilliant, I am in awe of the flowers :)

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  4. IreneOctober 21, 2011 at 3:11 PM

    Amazing! Your quilting is just perfect.

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  5. mammafairyOctober 21, 2011 at 6:10 PM

    This is fabulous. I love that you are sharing your imaginative use of the FMQ as well. It looks lovely round those flowers!

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  6. MandaOctober 21, 2011 at 7:40 PM

    Wow love that flower!
    Your slate tiles look great. And a fab idea to do a FMQ sampler. That's one of the things I stuggle with about Leah's designs how to translate them onto a quilt!

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  7. Jodi B.October 21, 2011 at 9:03 PM

    Pat,
    Nice work. And a sampler - what a good idea. Your fmq looks perfect to me.
    Jodi B

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  8. What Comes Next?October 21, 2011 at 10:12 PM

    Your quilting is looking fabulous! Great job!

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  9. LynnOctober 22, 2011 at 2:30 AM

    Wow your quilting is fab.

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  10. NickyOctober 22, 2011 at 8:50 AM

    I like your sampler idea and I see that it is not so much about the stitches but the texture you are creating - so one or two wobbles don't really matter on a quilt! Phew!

    But great job and glad you are having so much fun! Me too!

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  11. AnnabellaOctober 22, 2011 at 4:58 PM

    A-MAZING! Love your quilt - the slates look beautiful and that flower is to die for!

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  12. beeceeOctober 22, 2011 at 10:49 PM

    aren't retreats just the best! I leave for one on Thursday and can't wait! Your sampler is smashing - what a qreat idea. So many projects - too little time.

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  13. AlicaOctober 23, 2011 at 9:00 AM

    wow, these are perfect! Love the flowers too!

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  14. CindyOctober 23, 2011 at 11:51 AM

    Wow! I love the idea of a sampler FMQ quilt. What a great way to apply your practiced stitches! Your tiles look great and your flowers are beauties :)

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  15. Janine @ Rainbow HareOctober 24, 2011 at 4:24 PM

    These are fabulous - you're really taking it to the next step!

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