Last weekend I decided it's time I really tried to do some FMQ rather than always relying on Big Bertha to do my quilting for me. I know, I must be mad, but there we go.
So I bought a Craftsy class called Free Motion Quilting Essentials by Christina Cameli and off I went. I watched the first lesson (twice) and made my sandwiches and played with my tension until I was fairly happy. I decided to really ask for trouble by using two different colours of fabric and two different colours of thread, so that I would always be able to see if my tension was good, so I used white fabric with a burgundy thread for the top and grey fabric with white thread for the bottom. Then I watched Lesson 2 a few times. I did the muscle-memory training thing that is always recommended, and then off I went with my machine. Here are the ugly results that prove a) I have a long way to go, and b) that my muscles seem to have a very short memory!
So you did this on your domestic sewing machine? You should try it on Big Bertha now, I found it much easier to quilt on my longarm than with a sewing machine.
ReplyDeleteI am sure it has to be a completely different feel after using the long arm. Don't they always say "practice, practice, practice."
ReplyDeleteLooks like you picked it up fabulously
ReplyDeleteThere is a different feel to the two machines - along with the memory muscle use. I borrow or pay for time on a long arm and so want one of my own. But I do a lot of minis and they work nice on the home machine.
ReplyDeleteAt least you're trying it! I'm still thinking about it. I did buy one of her books this week, and hope to get in some practice sometime in the next few days.
ReplyDeleteYou're doing the same thing I've done in the past, used high contrast thread and then critiqued myself when I'd probably really use something that blends in. Try in again with the same colored fabric and thread and then stand back a bit. I'm not quite so hard on myself then. Your practice piece is much better than you think it is!
ReplyDeletegood to see you have had a go Sue, I too tried on thursday struggled but feel quite pleased as I did it on the actual quilt.
ReplyDeleteThere is a big difference between guiding the needle and guiding the fabric, at least that's what I think. Your efforts look pretty nice. If I had a Big Bertha I'm not sure I would want to do FMQ on a domestic machine. I'm hoping to get a newer domestic that has the spacier harp area to make fmq a bit easier. What about finding one design you really like to do and practice just that until you like the results.
ReplyDeleteI think you're off to a great start!
ReplyDeleteI really must get back to my quilt frame and have another go.
ReplyDeleteThat is very cool! Practice, practice, practice.
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