Friday, April 29, 2011

Any lefties out there? Day 3

I did a practice square yesterday And was wondering why I can draw the designs on paper so nicely and then when I get to the machine  it all goes somewhere else.  Then it hit me.  I write with my left hand and almost everything else with my right.  I cut, bowl, eat right handed.  And I noticed when I free motion quilt, my right hand is the dominant hand.  Any lefties out there seeing the same thing?  Should I try drawing the patterns with my right hand?  I didn't realize I had a dominant sewing hand until I started the practice block.  Very interesting.


I did a practice block and liked the results.  I made my own star (just drew it on the fabric) as I wanted to see how I did staying the shape of a block.  This is my first attempt at pebbles and fillers.    I tried to do the loopy thing in the border around the block, but that's going to take a lot more practice!!  I have trouble when things need to be symmetrical.  I can't wait to get home tonight and practice some more.  I also tried a couple of different feathers.  

6 comments:

Cheryl M. said...

I don't have any advice about the right and left hand thing, but your block looks great. Great idea about drawing a outline block and filling it in. If you don't mind I might use that idea to pratice. It always gets boring just doodling on blank fabric.
Cheryl M.

Joanne said...

Your quilting is beautiful.
That is very odd to have different dominant hands - you must be doubly talented!

What Comes Next? said...

no help on the left / right issue, but let me say I love your practice piece!

Mary Ann said...

With enough practice, I believe it will be an advantage for you!

JayTee said...

I love your work

matate10 said...

I'm right handed so no help with the left handed deal, but I can't draw worth a hoot. the FMQ deal is a whole lot less about handedness though. You are using both hands, both arms, both shoulders, all ten fingers, and some back muscles and probably some butt muscles to keep you from falling out of the chair. Thats why drawing looks different than the FMQ. The importance of the drawing is to teach your brain the path you are going to take. After all, you aren't really "drawing" since you are moving the "paper" instead on the "pencil". Your brain has lots to learn at first -- sending commands to all those muscles -- whew, can you imagine?
Ever wondered why you are getting so tired when FMQing? your brain in working overtime. Keep going, it just gets better and better. You are developing your style,
Your quilting will be like your own hand writing, it may never look like what you have drawn, and that's Okay!

It's beautiful, by the way