September results for the SewCalGal 2012 FMQ Challenge

Here is my FMQ for SewCalGal's Free Motion Quilting Challenge. TheSeptember Tutorial was by Paula Reid and we stitched out a circular feather motif.

This was done with a 90/14 needle with gold Coats and Clark in the bobbin.

By the way, "Happy 200th Birthday Coats and Clark!"

This month, I got a new machine (remember my fiasco with tension issues last month?) called the Pfaff Creative Performance.  (See reviews here.)  With Coats and Clark thread, this machine can fmq like crazy without tension issues.  I'm SEW happy to be able to fmq sans headaches once more!  I look forward to using different types of threads and battings and sharing how they work here on RocknQuilts.

Of course, it looks like I'm beginning all over again - because I am - with a new machine, anyway!

I'm sure I will improve with time, however.

Here's my new purple beauty:

I used Don Linn's recommended method for pattern transfer this time:

(There is tulle in the blue embroidery hoop, but it's practically invisible!)

Here's the top with teal Coats and Clark over blue marking pen on muslin with a new batting I hadn't tried before called Hobbs Heirloom Premium Cotton 80/20, aligned fiber, lightly needle punched.  It can be quilted 1/4" to 3" apart.  It comes in 45" x 60", 90 x 108", 120" x 120" and 96" wide by the yard from Harriet and Carrie Hargrave.

I really enjoyed how easily everything moved under my needle with this batting.  I would use it again and recommend it to others.

Looking forward to reading and learning more about FMQ through theSewCalGal 2012 FMQ Challenge.  Thanks for all you do, SewCalGal!

@

SewCalGal 2012 FMQ Challenge Results for August - challenges galore!

1.  Study Wendy Sheppard's post on SewCalGal.  Check.  Read posts onSewCalGal's August FMQ post.  Check. Doodling for days...drawing ready.  Check.

2.  New quilt sandwich with a batting I haven't tried before.  Check.

3.  After 15 minutes of re-arranging, machine is completely ready to go.

New 90/14 top stitching needle, 30w Sulky in top, Aerofil in bobbin, feed dogs down, replaced embroidery bobbin case with free motion quilting bobbin case, lowered table, etc.

4.  I'm ready to rock like Jack Black in "School of Rock"!

5.  My machine is NOT!

Spend 10+ minutes checking over everything...I find the...

More adjustments.  Change bobbin cases back.  Adjust tension many times.  Try, try again and...

A little better, but thread breaks after six to eight inches of quilting.

Tension is still off.

I've used this same spool of 30w Sulky before with success.

???

Any suggestions?

Maybe I'm missing something completely??

I am thinking about using 30w Sulky in top and bobbin....what do you think?  

Would it be too thick for the bobbin or not?

By the way, I love the Jester's hats design that Ivory Spring demonstrated for this month's SewCalGal 2012 FMQ Challenge.  Thank you - I love the design!!  Apparently, it doesn't love me!  LOL!!!

April FMQ with SewCalGal and Don Linn

Don Linn's book entitled "Free Motion Machine Quilting" arrived on April 5th and after enjoying his free, online tutorial on SewCalGal's blog and reading his book, then visiting about fifteen quilting blogger's websites to see what they experienced, I felt ready to prepare a baby quilt I am working on with an image of Pooh the Bear.  



Here's my pictoral:

I chose Aurifil 50w for both top and bobbin with a 70/10 needle, but switched to an 80/12 later after breaking the smaller needle (I believe it was due to the heavier flannel in the quilt).

I traced Pooh from a coloring book page, but left out a few of the finer details.  I did stop and start for each eyebrow, the eyes, the nose and his little mouth.  It was worth it!

I borrowed this ironing board idea from quilter's at a recent festival I attended.  This is simply an $8.50 USD wooden folding TV tray/table that I covered with an ironing board cover (cut to fit) and stapled to the underside.  It's portable, lightweight and great to work with!  

Thanks to several other SewCalGal FMQers who advised setting the Sharpie-marked bridal weight tulle with a nylon setting!  This helped alot since this is going to be a present!

I tried light-colored chalk first, but couldn't see it, so I decided to use the blue wash-away marker.  I was tempted to use the Frixion pen, but chickened out at the last moment.

***Isn't Pooh such a happy little guy?  His face brightens my day :-)***

Open-toe quilting foot on my Brother Innovis 4000D (you can get Disney machine embroidery designs for this machine from www.ibroidery.com).  Feed dogs down.

Here's the little guy (easier to see with the blue marker since I used ecru colored Aurifil.

Can you see Pooh's little nose and mouth after I washed his face? 

This was a very timely challenge - thank you Darlene of SewCalGal and Don Linn, free-motion machine quilter extraodinaire, a.k.a. Mr. Quilt!

Best wishes for a successful April FMQ to you!  

@

FMQ Brother Innovis 4000D

Success on my Brother Innovis 4000D today using free motion quilting "stippling" - I use the term loosely because I've gone outside the lines and crossed over more than I should have, but...it's pretty good for my first fmq quilt.  I've got Sulky 30w variegated in the top thread, Presencia 60w in the bobbin and with tension set to 4.0 I'm quite happy with the result.  I've noticed today how important it is to secure the beginning and ending with four stitches or so in the same spot so that the fmq doesn't come loose.  Amazing what little, but so important, things you notice.  I was very pleased overall with the result.  My machine didn't skip stitches, I broke no needles (knock on wood) and managed to impress a quilting buddy.  All in all, a good day!  Many happy returns, Mary Ann

Day 14 Mary Ann/ND

Today is the last day of the free motion challenge for me...

Finally, I felt ready to quilt on a baby quilt!

This is my largest project to date.

My FMQ experience

16 days total:

2 in Nov. 2010

14 days

April 22nd - May 5th, 2011

Baby quilt made from six blocks found in a thrift store from 1930's original fabrics.

warm & natural batting

flannel back

90/14 metallic needle

100% polyester Guetterman thread in top and bobbin

tension 4

Baby Lock Quest Plus

Detail of the back of the quilt.

Machine embroidery, FMQ, and tie

Sentiments for little ones

Machine embroidery, Ellageo, Madeira embroidery thread

Machine embroidery and FMQ

Completely free motion - no markings

Thank you for the opportunity to FMQ with you!

Please click HERE

FMQ 13 Mary Ann/ND

Thirteen isn't exactly my lucky number today!

I like how "Mountain Mist Gold" went through the machine - there was a little 'pull' to it, but it was fluffy and light, too.

Switched up the tension to 4 (up from 2 yesterday) 'cause today's there's high humidity, but I still wasn't happy with the back threads - and it being so late in the evening, even after snapping twenty some pictures, this is the best one I could get:

Threads aren't going 'in' all the way, just 'riding' above the fabric on the back there.

Since this is my fourth time, I didn't feel it was completely necessary to mark the entire design with blue wash away marker, so allowed myself some freedom this time.

I know I can do better!

I really need to play with fabric and batting to set my tension before tomorrow's final Day 14 of the FMQ Challenge. www.fmqchallenge.blogspot.com

Link to my give-away and guest blogger:

QUILT PATTERN GIVE-AWAY ends 5/16/11

*******

In the meantime,

I did it! I ordered two instructional DVDs from http://www.kimmyquilt.com/

Machine Quilting for Beginners

http://kimmyquilt.danemcoweb.com/shop/product/machine-quilting-for-beginners/

and

Twirly Whirly Feathers

http://kimmyquilt.danemcoweb.com/shop/product/coming-in-january-twirly-whirly-feathers/

I can't wait to receive them and get started with short-arm quilting when my New Generation quilt frame arrives!

The FMQ Challenge has been a perfect way to begin and I want to keep challenging myself.

Here are two more gals who've made FMQ instructional DVD's. I've also found some that offer free youtube videos on FMQ, too...

Nicole Webb DVD's are available on her site at www.yesyoucanquilt.com. She also has e-books. There are some preview videos on the website, and she has quite a few videos on youtube. Here's a link to one of them: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuSGcsQBZe0&feature=related At the top there's a section that says 11 videos. If you click on the arrows next to that, it will list all her videos. That will give you a good sample of her DVD's.

Patsy Thompson's website is www.patsythompsondesigns.com You can order her videos, and if you click on "education" at the top, it will show you free preview videos and you

can download free instructional sheets.

The Golden Threads website is FULL of WONDERFUL ideas for all quilters - hand, machine, short-mid-long armers, etc. WOW!!! http://www.goldenthreads.com/ldenthreads.com

Here's beautiful examples of what great quilting can look like:

http://ceciliaquilts.blogspot.com/p/long-arm-quilting.html

This video directs you through the 'thought process' of FMQ designs:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OnX5v1Qeh8&NR=1

and here's one on how to free form roses on your quilt:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Ub9QYgZOWk&feature=related

I would like to thank fellow FMQ Challenger "The Cozy Quilter" from http://www.thecozyquilter.blogspot.com/ for her advice yesterday about tension control with using a very thin nylon top thread like I've been using. A tension of 2 should be tightened, so I have changed it to 4 for today. I will play with tension again tomorrow - perhaps 5 or six would be better?

FMQ Challenge Day 12 Mary Ann/ND

Oh, my!  The third batting choice with the same threads (YLI clear nylon on top, Mettler 50w cotton silk-finish in bobbin, same tension set to 2) did NOT turn out as well as the first two.  The tension was not right for this type of batting and I have a mess on the 'back'.  This is an interesting batt choice...Mountain Mist Eco-Friendly Batting Blend of 50% cotton and 50% PLA Fiber (made from corn).  It can be quilted up to 4" apart, comes in 90" and 108" (do not prewash this batting).

Have you ever used this before?

It's really different - Personally, I would chose something else before this.

Here are my results from Day 12:

The good news:  I've done this pattern so often now (third time), I was done really quickly today.

It would be a very good idea to plan your quilting, then practice sketching and making practice squares for three days before actually quilting your quilt.

This is sure a wonky looking back - the tension set at 2 is not correct for this batting.  

You can hardly even tell this has been quilted!

**********

Last night and today, I spent time 'researching' about FMQ and short-arm quilting.

I found the article from "The Quilter" in the Dec. 2010/Jan. 2011 issue pgs. 98-100 from Wenda Coburn interesting.  The title is "Short-Arm Quilting:  What Do You Need?"

The machine requirements list 9" harp space minimum, one straight stitch, ability to lower the feed dogs, a stitch regular and quilting frame and has pictures of the following recommended machines to be your dedicated quilting machine:

Pfaff hobby 1200 GrandQuilter

Janome 1600 Professional

Juki TL-98Q

Viking Mega Quilter

Baby Lock Quilter's Choice Professional

www.wendacoburn.com

short-arm machine quilting educator from Syracuse, New York

Has anyone taken her classes?  Do you short-arm or are you considering it?

I have purchased a Baby Lock Quilter's Designer Series Quest Plus and a Grace frame with stitch regulator.

(Just waiting on the frame installation.)

Can you recommend good websites/blogs for short-armers?

**************

I also read this post about free motion quilting from Diane Guadynski:

http://dianegaudynski.blogspot.com/2010/01/right-foot.html

and noted that

Diane Gaudynski said...

"It is easier to pull the fabric and work smoothly away from yourself than to push and plow. In a marked straight line it doesn't matter, but in many freehand designs it is SO much easier to build them by starting at the bottom of the design and building UP, or away from yourself. Give it a try!

In the first photo, rather than turning the quilt (I try not to ever turn the quilt) I will quilt one of the lines in this double line design towards me, then the second one away from me. It isn't hard at all if you have a foot that lets you see behind it....and I do.

Explore your machines and see what they have that makes quilting better and easier. And also work with what is best for you. You are the final say in anything you do."

I personally have been starting in the middle and working my way out from left top to right top and then bottom left and bottom right.  I will have to give Diane's recommendation a try!

Do you design up or away from yourself?

Day 11 Mary Ann/ND

The FMQ Challenge is now also The Batting Challenge for me beginning today!

Yesterday I worked with Mountain Mist 100% Natural Cotton Batting (Left)

100% Cotton - no resin

quilt 1/4" - 1" apart. Comes in 81" x 108"

(Do not pre-wash this batting)

Today I worked with Mountain Mist Blue Ribbon (Right)

100% Cotton Batting

Quilt 1 1/2" to 2" apart

Comes in 45" x 60", 72" x 90" & 90" x 108"

(Do not pre-wash this batting)

Here is my side-by-side comparison for you to see:

I have noted that the Blue Ribbon (right) lays flatter than the 100% Cotton without resin batting. Blue Ribbon is recommended for an antique look. It will shrink considerably after washing. A queen may not be a queen afterwards, so if using this batting that is not pre-washable, then be sure to size your quilt top and back a few inches larger. 1/8" to 1/4" loft. This would be a terrific choice for a traditionally pieced quilt!

The 100% Natural Cotton batting without resin from Mountain Mist (left) offers a light loft of 1/4" and will provide a tradition, puckered look, too, after washing. This needs heavier quilting than the Blue Ribbon.

Neither batting is recommended for tied quilts.

Nicely detailed explanations of when to use which particular batting from Mountain Mist:

http://www.cumulusfibres.com/market/mountain_mist_catalog.pdf

...and here's where my FMQ Challenge and my set of sixteen batts from Harriet Hargrave are stored:

Great future reference when making that all-important decision for a quilt!

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What's happening today at my blog

http://www.rocknquilts.blogspot.com ?

A give-away of three cute, original quilt patterns from www.b-bumble.com !

Direct link:

http://rocknquilts.blogspot.com/2011/05/guest-blogger-and-three-give-aways.html