I have to admit that when I started it yesterday I thought it was a horrible technique and that I'd never get the hang of it. But after an hour of quilting I was getting the hang of it and learning to think ahead so my design would flow fluidly. I really think free-motion quilting is good for preventing dementia because you have to think ahead so your design flows smoothly and doesn't have jagged starts and stops. Its not as easy as you might think!
After a while my stitches became much more even and the stippling is looking good.
There are still a few areas where you can see my indecision about where to go with the design, but I'm getting better at it. Honestly, I can't wait to get another quilt top done so I can do some more FMQ (free motion quilting). I can see that an extension table would be very helpful because a few times the quilt would start to drag and I'd have to rearrange it. I'm sure it would do the same thing even with an extension table, but I doubt it would happen as often. You'd also have more room for your left hand with an extension table. Anyway, FMQ is very cool and I'm glad I finally got around to trying it.
Now for a book recommendation....
Professional Sewing Techniques for Designers is an awesome, but pricey book. I am not a designer, nor do I intend to be, but the clothing construction techniques in this book are top notch and it lists all of them. I couldn't think of anything that was left out of this book and I'm seriously thinking I can get rid of my other clothing construction books. Well, all of them except for my next book recommendation. :)
Another book I think is great is:
The Bishop Method of Clothing Construction. Its a very inexpensive book and is really a "classroom in a book" type of book. Its an old book, but I still love it. It clearly and easily guides you through projects, including aprons (I love aprons!), and that's what I love about it. It also guides you through pattern alterations (for sway back, big butt, no butt, big boobs, little boobs, etc...) which is really helpful. I've read some books on fitting and have come away believing that learning Russian would be easier than learning to fit clothes. But, this book wasn't like that for me. That's why I like it so much.
Have a wonderful Thursday!
4 comments:
Ok- that stippling looks great. What foot are you using? :) And I'm off to purchase the Bishop book- since I'm not buying fabric I can justify a book!
Thanks for meeting for coffee last weekend, it was fun to meet you!
The stipling looks great - I cannot wait to see the whole quilt!
Kris
Free motion can be very fun! For a long time I dreaded it, but then one day I realized I didn't any more. And now I teach a class called Quilting With Less Stress on a Rinky Dink Machine. It's a confidence building class. My advice: get the extension table! It is well worth it!
Your stippling looks good, love the cars theme.
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