Friday, 28 February 2014

Free motion fun

Last week I went to my first ever Free-Motion quilting class at Stitchin Heaven, which was taught by the aptly named Lucie, the Happy Quilter. As well as introducing a bunch of complete novices to the joys of Free-motion quilting, Lucie was also encouraging us to throw some raw-edged applique into the mix, very brave :)

DSCN9633 

This was my practice piece, lots of haphazardly appliqued scrappy hearts and a few swirls.

I stuck with the heart shapes for the applique in the final piece but decided that haphazard wasn't really working, so drew out a circle shape on the linen background with the Hera marker.

FMQ wallhanging

This is what I ended up with!

I really struggle to see the Hera marker indentations when the fabric is under the lights of the sewing machine so the circle wobbled a bit, but other than that I am quietly pleased with my first FMQ piece. I was even confident enough to have a go at FMQ'ing my initial in the middle, and surprisingly it is recognisably an F!

With the addition of two corner triangles at the top corners on the back when I added the binding, this is now ready to be hung above my sewing machine to remind me of a fun day out and, hopefully, to inspire me to greater things as far as FMQ is concerned :) All I need now is a dowel for the back and for my husband to deliver on his promise to hang it, I am still waiting for the shelf that was bought months ago to be hung so I am not holding my breath!

Lucie is running a FMQ sampler class in a couple of months, I am very tempted to give it a go!

Whilst we are on the subject of quilting I couldn't resist taking a photo of this very comfy looking chair, seen in a design gallery window in Prague!

Quilted chair

Isn't it just perfect for a quilter?

Linking up to Crazy Mom Quilts


Weekend Doings

26 comments:

  1. that's fabulous! yes, definitely a recognisable F in the middle! I love the circle of raw edged hearts

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  2. Well done! I must look for a class too.

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  3. Free motion quilting, Raw edged applique,.. Such audacity! ;) Sounds like a great class!

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  4. I'm so glad you enjoyed your Freemotion Applique day. You did an excellent job with your piece. It will look fab hung up over your sewing machine. It will remind you of all that you're capable of. I hope to see you at the Freemotion Quilting Sampler workshop in a few weeks. Keep up the great work.

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  5. Well done for doing FMQ - I think what you have made looks amazing. How great to do a day with other like minded people

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  6. Your FMQ piece is great - good luck with getting your husband to do his manly bit with hanging it:-) The chair is extraordinary. I do have to say it looks like a lot of little pink bottoms to me:-)

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  7. Looks great, Fiona! Good for you!

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  8. looks awesome Fiona!! i am so impressed how you have jumped in to learn FMQ and how quickly you have picked it up!!! i am sure you will have many Prague inspired quilt designs to come :)

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  9. That looks great! The F in the middle is quite a nice touch, actually. Congrats on such a pretty finish.

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  10. Beautiful job on the quilting absolutely gorgeous! I love the hearts Fiona! Marie xxx

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  11. I really like the result. Very inspiring!

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  12. Your FMQ'ing looks great - hope it is the first of many!

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  13. Your wall hanging looks great. Fab quilting :)

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  14. The chair is quite fascinating. And thank you for helping me to associated Fun with FMQ instead of my usual Fear!

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  15. I love the FMQ. I keep telling me that I want too do it then I get scared. Need to give it a good try one of these days.

    Richard and Tanya Quilts
    Richard and Tanya Quilts Patterns on Craftsy

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  16. Fabulous! Your FMQ looks fantastic you are quickly turning into a pro. I love your mini quilt with your initial in the middle. It is going to look fantastic adorning your sewing room.

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  17. It looks like you definitely had fun with FMQ. What a curious chair, my first thought was that it reminded me of a brain! Thanks for linking up.

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  18. see you are a natural for FMQ beautifully done. I have started using a berol papermate washable pen for marking lines, it really washes out very easily

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  19. Great work, it looks super! And yes that chair does look very comfy!

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  20. Great job! I probably need to take some class as well :-)

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  21. Your fmq-ing looks great, do you ever go to this site http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.co.uk/p/free-motion-quilt-along.html it's brilliant for ideas and guidance whilst developing your skills.

    ukcitycrafter@live.co.uk

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  22. The circle of hearts is beautiful, Fiona!!! And well done on the FMQ as well. Hope it doesn't take too long till it's hanging above your machine:-)

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  23. your wall hanging is beautiful. I love the circle of hearts and your FMQ is really taking off :-) Good luck to getting it hung up on your wall!!

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  24. Great stitching. The wall hanging has turned out beautifully. I do hope your hubbie will hang it for you promptly.

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  25. Your little quilt is wonderful. Well done.

    As to the chair...it looks like the sort that would be hard to get out of...both because it is so comfy and it is at an odd reclining angle. Give me that chair and a warm quilt and I would be done for.

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  26. Glad the class went well! I think you need to just get your own hammer and hooks out. Maybe if you start wielding the drill it will galvanise him into action ;o)

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