Getting back to it...

For a while I haven't been doing any FMQing...but this past week I did two small projects. Both were writing...

A table runner with Bible verse selections from Psalm 1...

 and a mug rug with some words added...

These turned out well for having not done any FMQing for a while. Also, I think the tension being fixed on my machine just after Christmas has helped it too!

How is everyone else doing with FMQing?

Amanda
For more detail on these projects, check out my blog... homedesignsbyamanda.blogspot.com

Americana Patriotic Star Wall Hanging...

Some Free Motion quilting was done today to finish this wall hanging...

Here's a close up of some of the FMQing...

I can tell that I havn't been doing as much as I should...but I do enjoy it! However, I'm not sure I'd want to do FMQing on a full size quilt...Hmm, I'll have to ponder that one!

If you want to see a few more pictures of this wall hanging, visit my blog at http://www.homedesignsbyamanda.blogspot.com/ I'd love to have you click over...

Amanda

Fun FMQing...

This Patio Table centerpiece...

has been a long time in progress...I believe I did this FMQing in June...it was alot of fun. The cute flowers and squiggly lines are some of my favorite things to draw...so why not quilt with them too!

Today I hope to FMQ some leaves onto some (masculine) coasters that are belated Father's Day gifts. Hope everyone is having a great summer...and staying (at least) somewhat cool!
Amanda
www.homedesignsbyamanda.blogspot.com

My Last Three Days...

How quickly time moves along!

This was a practice piece for my FMQing Challenge. I did this on my day 12 (Tuesday). I had watched a FMQ video earlier on Tuesday, so as I was practicing, I think I had a better idea of what I was suppose to be doing!

On Wednesday and Thursday, my day 13 and 14, I was quilting a mother's day gift...So I'll show just part of it! (I'll post a full view on Monday.)

I also did a small practice piece, but the pictures would not turn out...so the stitching didn't show up. (Sorry there's no picture.)

So, I've finished the FMQing Challenge...and have improved!

However, I may continue to challenge myself for the last week of the challenge as well because now I have a new tool... an extention table for my sewing machine! To see what my loving husband made, visit my blog!

I've Completed the Challenge!
Amanda

A Good Day...A Bad Day...

So on day 10, I did my FMQing on two log cabin blocks to be made into potholders. I thought they turned out alright...the back got a tad bunchy.

I like the loops. It was kind of obvious today, day 11, I tried to do some different patterns on some small scraps... loops seemed to just keep coming out of my machine :) !

front

back

Then I briefly looked at a couple of magazines to get some pattern ideas. So I tried these... on the pink scrap, I started on the left and worked to the right...and got worse as I went.

Everyone else is doing such beautiful work...I definitely feel like the amateur that I am with today's practice pieces! I just couldn't get what I wanted.

Happy Quilting!

Amanda

Nice Loops...

Day 8 - I did long wavy FMQing line on a plastic bag keeper. It was good for a larger practice piece. I liked how most of them turned out...but they definitely are not symmetrical.

 I did do some stitch-in-the-ditch before I did the FMQing.

I really like how it turned out. If you want to see the finished project, check out today's post.

Now, for today's accomplishments...I made a log cabin block and quilted it for my FMQing practice for day 9. The loops turned out good, still not symmetrical, but Oh well...if I want to keep FMQing, I better not worry about symmetry for a while!

 

I really like today's results.

I've noticed with FMQing that I think I like the results better when I hold the sandwich a little father away from the needle and just pull it around. Also, pulling the material towards me rather than pushing it away.

The fun has just begun...
Amanda

Long Wavy Lines...

Yesterday's practice of FMQing was on a Log cabin block. I began in the middle and started curling outward...but I didn't like it and started the long wavy lines. So I took out the middle with the seam ripper, and then went over it with wavy lines to complete the same look all over. I liked it but you could see the holes... go to my post Fabric Forgiveness to see more.

I like the long wavy lines. But I also tried a few other patterns yesterday on an extra rag quilt block...

Today, I didn't get very much FMQ practice in.  What I did do was start on my FMQing on my Carpenter's Wheel block...but I didn't like how it looked...so out came the seam ripper. You can see the needle holes in the picture...hopefully this material is as forgiving as what I used on the log cabin block.

Day 6 and 7 complete...yet progress seems a little slow on my consistency of nice pattern. Halfway done!

Amanda

   ~ the Mad Fabrictist

Gaining control...

On Monday - my day 4 - I did a few very small items. A pin cushion top, a small plaque, and what will become a coaster...

Pin cushion top

Pin cushion top back



Plaque and coaster

Then Tuesday - day 5 - I used an extra square that had been left over from a quilted rag bag I made around Christmas. I think I might bind it and use it as a mug rug...

The FMQing seems to be getting easier. I'm gaining a little more control, however, I do feel like I'm fighting the machine at times. It feels like it wants to pull the fabric it's own way. Is this because the feed dogs aren't lowered? I don't have that option on my machine. Before I even started my FMQ the lady at the sewing machine shop told my to put the stitch length on 0, but that didn't seem to do anything. I'll have to keep working at it... I still have 9 days of regular practice to work on my FMQing.

Amanda
     ~ the Mad Fabrictist

Continuing to progress...

I did today's FMQ Challenge - however it only consisted of two small pieces of scraps so I could continue to get the hang of it.

 Each day seems to be getting easier! The tall 'feather' was roughly sketched on to the felt to see if I could follow the lines with my movement...it worked some, then others were really off. I'll try more tomorrow...I have more time to practice this week - no school for me till Friday!

See you tomorrow!
Amanda
    ~ the Mad Fabrictist

Day 2 was more fun...

even if it was very late! I made Amber another bib and a matching burp rag. The fronts are cream floral with a purple back. The FMQ seamed allot easier tonight, however, I was messing around a little with the settings on my sewing machine to see which I liked better. The one I liked the best was when I forgot to but the foot lever down...but that caused issues with the stitching on the backs...which you can see in the photos.

So I think I've decided on a setting of 4 for stitch length and the tension on my thread. We'll see if I stick to this as the challenge progresses.

Before I started stitching on the bib and rag, I did a small sample that ended up with a flower on it.

Sorry about the blurry picture...hope you can still see it.

Happy Easter, Celebrate the Resurrection of the Lord, and see you tomorrow for my 3rd day of FMQing!

Amanda

What a Challenge...

So, mid-morning today I went to the sewing store to purchased my darning foot, then once we returned home from town, I was able to begin my FMQing with my new sewing machine foot.

WOW! I didn't think it would be this awkward. My first piece was this bib for Amber.

Here is a closer look at the quilting...

Sorry for the bad lighting.

And then I finished it by adding bias tape to the edge...

My FMQing is a bunch of lines, squiggles and bad loops...and one meager attempt at a flower. I'm going to continue my practicing on another bib, the oversized mug rug, and possibly, before the end of the 2 week challenge, a grocery bag dispenser.

I've decided to do quilting I'm a little more familiar with - which will probably include my walking foot - on the casserole carrier, since it will be seen in public :) !

I am looking forward with anticipation to the progress I make during the Free Motion Quilting Challenge...especially since I've never FMQed before in my life!

Thanks for the encouragement!
Amanda

Practice, Practice, Practice...

That's exactly what I need...on more than just FMQ...but I'm excited to get started on the quilting of some of my sandwiches.

So yesterday, I did get one of my practice pieces for the FMQ Challenge all ready. However, the piecing of my squares turned out terrible. Good thing its all practice! So not only do I need a FMQ Challenge to better (well, actually start) my quilting skills...I NEED a piecing challenge!

Warning! Don't look to close at the piecing...it may scare you!!

Happy Wednesday...Looking Forward to Friday's start of FMQing!
Amanda
http://www.homedesignsbyamanda.blogspot.com/ or use the quick link to the right of the page! Great idea Wendy and Joanne!