Free-Motion Quilting

When I got into quilting in 2007, I was determined to "do it all myself".

I did not have the $$$ to pay a long-arm quilter to finish for me. I was also drawn to the look of FMQ.

detail of "BowWow" 2009

I dove in. No lifejacket. No one around to teach me. Started free-motion quilting the tops I was finishing. (I am over 100 quilts now!)

Read everything I could get my hands on.

Kept doing it. Ripping out bad stitching (unsewing).

detail of "October Sunset" 2009

Kept sewing. Raced through simple piecing projects just to get to the FMQ.

Then, found a class in 2009. Learned some tricks, received confirmation on some of the tricks I had learned on my on.

detail of "PoppyWood" 2011 - KING SIZED

Kept reading and stitching.

Refining.

detail of "Forest for the Trees" 2011

Started teaching others. (Love teaching!) Kept sewing.

Seems everyone has something they say you "should" do to be successful at FMQ.

 detail of "Scrappy Star" 2011 - Queen sized

Here's what I know for sure:

Everyone stitches differently, just like handwriting, your FMQ is unique.

Detail of FMQ practice - November 4, 2011

You must learn your machine, be comfortable making tension adjustments, and keeping it clean.

Nothing takes the place of practice.

Then more practice.

Detail of FMQ practice - November 4, 2011

Keep doing it, keep reading, take classes. You will get better! And I hope, you will grow to love the activity as much as I do! 

And feel free to email any questions or concerns to me. I will help you find the answers, and I will cheer you on!

Completed!

Here is "Shortcake", a small lap quilt I made for our United Fund drive at work.

Measures 50" square, free-motion quilted on my Baby Lock using Affinity 50wt cotton thread.

ALL fabrics from my stash!

Why quilts, as art, in public spaces

Reasons other than raw beauty!

Dr. Layne McDaniels' quilts in Faculty Office at Appalachian State University

Art in public spaces always seems to generate comment. The very notion of the spaces being intended for general public use means the art needs to appeal to a variety of people and tastes.

Student Union, Appalachian State University

It is also important, in indoor spaces, to take lighting and acoustics into account.

Quilts offer color, texture and perceived comfort. Since they are textiles, they also absorb echos and add to a pleasant environment.

Lately, Barn Quilts have entered our delightful public experience as well. They highlight and celebrate the humble beginnings of traditional quilts, as well as drawing the eye to magnificent barns and landscapes.

Quilts, not just for beds anymore!

Cool link about one of my quilting inspirations

Denyse Schmidt from the Wall Street Journal

Her book, Denyse Schmidt Quilts: 30 Colorful Quilt and Patchwork Projects,  is one of my favorites, for the yummy photos and the awesome "how-tos". 

Motivation*

*quite different from inspiration!

Painting is just another way of keeping a diary. [Picasso]

I have been asked how I get my quilts completed in what seems to be a short period of time. Well, I am a "completer", I have no UFO's {Un-Finished Objects}at the moment, just several quilts in different stages. I like having 1- I am piecing, 1- I am quilting, with one on deck. I have something I can do at any given time, to fill the time I have available. This is my therapy, my relaxation, my expression, my true passion. When I do not have the opportunity to do my quilting, I feel crappy.  

At the moment I have just completed a charity quilt for a fund drive at work, I am hand sewing the binding on my "Sargasso", I have the binding of "Phases" ready to hand-stitch and a new quilt top completed, ready to layer and baste. Then, on deck is a Christmas quilt for my son's room. It is how I like to work and it has evolved over time.

That did not answer the question, though. 

The important thing is to create. [Picasso] 

I have a full-time job, leave the house at 7am, return at 6pm. Most nights, my husband and I walk the dogs, fix dinner, eat, chat, etc. Then I head up to the studio for 1-2 hours. Saturdays are generally errand days, but I like to get 2-3 hours in; Sundays I like to get 2-4 hours in. I usually select fabrics and lay out blocks on the weekends, I have the daylight then. And then I have my projects lined up for the following week.

My husband and I are involved in community and family, they are also a priority.

My quilting, is my gift to myself. When my son was young, I did not have the time for it. I made collages, scrap booked, beaded, did smaller projects that were easy to put down and pick up. My creative urges have always been there and part of my life journey has been exploring the ways to express them. I still sketch, now I sketch quilt layouts and quilting stitch designs. 

My quilting is a priority for me. I have to create. I have so many quilts in my head, I need to make them, to get them into the daylight. Perhaps that is just me. The quilts motivate me to make them, to bring them into the world.