More FMQ ...

I am still working on the FMQ with Leah Day and I think I am getting a hang of things.  Leah's quadrant concept is quite logical and it gives the randomness of stippling a direction of sorts.  From the front of a busy pieced quilt you can't tell that it was worked in rows but from a solid back it's only slightly easier to figure that out.

Christmas Quilt.  Designer: Cheri Payne

I completed Lori's QAL Pink Lemonade top.  I don't know when I'll get to quilting it as I want to zoom into some sewing, at least till end of February.  I don't usually work with such bright colours but I bet the antique quilt was once this bright too.

Pink Lemonade. Size:20" x 26 1/2"

Just Takes 2 - Jan 15th

The house block was a royal pain, but it'll have to do!

An old lap size quilt top that needs to get quilted.  This was one of my early largish quilts that I pieced.  I didn't know about the importance of stitch length then.  I had to hand stitch all the seams tight before quilting further on this baby ... sigh.  Straight line machine quilting for this.  This quilt will be for my aunt who is not well.

My sewing book finally came early this month.  Still reading it.  Wonderful techniques and finishes.  Since cotton and linen are my preferred fabrics to wear and work with, this book is right up my alley. 

I did not need to add to the crotch line length to the front pattern after all.  So I removed the slashes that I made previously.  

 I altered my pants block yesterday and even cut out a new piece of muslin for the front. A tedious task because I had to unpick the waistband, inseams, side seam and hems, fortunately I used basting stitches.  I suppose I could just as well cut out a new back piece but I thought I should be frugal with my muslin.

The pants fits well now and I have a basic pants block to refer to.  Next will be to learn how to draft a bodice and sleeve block pattern.

Free Motion Quilting

 I have been following Leah's blog for some time now.  She does FMQ so effortlessly.  If only I can muster half her skill, I'll be happiest!  I've bought some essential tools from Leah's shop some time back.  Although I've had spurts of practice but not enough to really get out of the 'ditch' (pun intended).  Stippling / Meandering has always eluded me but I hope that will change this year.

 My humble practice piece.  I took an old bed sheet and sandwiched with a high loft polyester batting, the cheapy kind.  It took quite a bit of getting used to but it was quite free-ing!  I am using the speed slider on my Brother sewing machine with the foot pedal disengaged.  That way the speed of the sewing machine is regulated and I just had to work on my hand movements.  I find the FMQ were more coordinated when I increased the speed.  So perhaps I may have found a happy medium. When my hand movement got wonky, the stitches on the front of the quilt was bigger and they in turn formed eyelashes at the back.  So that's something I should look out for.  I tried to relax but only before the machine starts up :(   I hope to try stippling in some doll quilts with low loft polyester batting and better quality thread.  Hopefully these changes will help me look good!  I can only wish ...

I've completed all the blocks for Lori's Pink Lemonade QAL.  Now to find a suitable fabric for the setting squares.  The amount of pink in this quilt was getting to me.  Although I did tell Lori that I'd keep it as true as the antique quilt, I added some mauve here and there.

Designer: Kathleen Tracy.  Book: The Prairie Children & Their Quilts.  Size: 26" square

Completed the quilt top for the January 2012 challenge on SQT.  I had the opportunity to use this large floral print for the border.  It was in my stash for some years!

Some repro fabrics from This-N-That.  The picture directly above are fabrics from a 1 lb grab bag.  Very happy with the cut sizes and variety!