Category Archives: free-motion quilting

Good Free-Motion Quilting Links!

Good Free-Motion Quilting Links!
Good Free-Motion Quilting Links!
Here’s a free-motion quilting tutorial fromElizabeth Hartman at Oh, Fransson!, free-motion designs from Melody Johnson at Fibermania and free-motion patterns you sew right through at Quilting Made Easy:

Adventures in Free-Motion Quilting

Adventures in Free-Motion Quilting
Adventures in Free-Motion Quilting
Yesterday was my birthday. All I asked for was time to play in my craft stuff. I decided to try my hand at free-motion quilting.

 I had tried once before and was extremely disappointed. Since then, I’ve read about it and watched videos and bought gadgets.

I bought a darning foot, a “Supreme Slider” and “The Fabulous Fabric Glide.” I used the first two. That’s not to say I won’t use the glider. I just didn’t yesterday. It was almost too much to keep up with. I also have a pair of rubber tipped gloves somewhere, but I just used my hands.

All the instructions say make yourself some fabric/batting sandwiches to practice on. I found these, instead:

See the price: 50 cents!!!!! There are 4 of these pre-stitched quilt squares in each pack!!!! I found them when my friend, Laura, and I visited a fabric and crafts outlet in Fancy Gap, VA. We both bought several packs, but I wished we’d bought all they had.

I tried to write. That was funny. It was also obvious that I had the bobbin tension off because little loops of the bobbin thread came up. When I took the bobbin case out to adjust it, I thought I went “lefty-loosey,” but I must of had it upside down. I got this on the back: 

I kinda like it. It reminds me of blanket stitch embroidery, but that’s not what I was going for. I adjusted the bobbin tension, again, and did a little better:
I understand why some quilters listen to music. You’ve got to get just the right rhythm between the speed of your machine and the movement of your hands and the fabric. It reminds me of calligraphy in a way, so I’ll try to write again…
and practice a whole lot more!