I love my Janome Horizon. It's an amazing machine, and does take quite a bit to get use to.
Free motion quilting is definitely an art form that takes a LOT of practice!
As such, I've read various books, magazines, web sites, watched numerous youtube videos, and recently purchased several of Patsy Thompson's dvds. Ricky Tims does some amazing work as well, far beyond my reach (at this time).
Following along with Patsy's dvd, Fast and Free! Volume 0.5 I've stitched up a few of her lessons. This is my progress so far. These quilt sandwiches are 8.5" x 11".
The first section is all loopy patterns.
Stippling
Loops
Loops with stars
Loops with hearts (these aren't easy)
Loops with flowers
Loops with sun bursts (I apparently suck at straight, pointy lines) :)
But, it all takes practice, getting the tension wasn't much of an issue, it's getting the speed of the machine coordinated with the movement of my hands that's not so smooth yet.
Today I'll do the next section which is all lines, triangles, etc.
As a side note, I found these pictures that I haven't posted anywhere. Jim and I went camping for the May 24 long weekend this year and Jake had such a wonderful, fresh air, exciting time, he was exhausted on the ride home... Jim snapped a few pics. hehehe
Falling asleep sitting up
He couldn't stay awake, rested his head on the center console from the back seat
I guess he had a fun weekend too
I had a few email conversations with Gina in Missouri from the QuiltvilleSwap yahoo group yesterday and she politely reminded me that I haven't posted anything on my blog since March. ugh! Thanks for the nudge Gina :)
It's not that I haven't done anything, moreso that I've been so busy and don't think to take too many pictures or post them.
So, first off, I didn't take pictures of that last batch of snow dyeing results. They turned out alright, but not as vibrant as the first batch. I think probably because there were 2 yards in each container, therefore, the dye didn't seep in and penetrate as much as it did in the first batch. They're still pretty and will make great backings for quilts.
Secondly, I finished the baby girl crib quilt for my friend Robbie to give away to a couple she knows for Easter.
Here are some pics.
I free motion quilted the entire center with a butterfly pattern I printed on newsprint (kids doodle pads from the dollar store), spray basted them where I wanted, then stitched through the paper. Connecting each one with trailing lines to small flowers, to connect to the next. The border I had a stencil that I used a washable fabric marker to trace, then just free motioned following the lines.
I'm happy with the result and Robbie and the couple she gave it to were very impressed and grateful.
I have all my blocks for RRCB done, including all the part triangle string blocks for the edges and corners. Unfortunately, finding a place to lay them all out so I can check the arrangement has been an issue. Guess I'm going to have to use our bed.
There's a wedding quilt I have all the blocks completed for, from Bonnie Hunter's Pineapple Blossom pattern. I should take a picture soon. Once I lay them out so I can figure out the arrangment I like with the sashing and cornerstones, I can put the center together and then the borders. Again, going to have to use our bed, 2 floors up to do this, then bring it down in sections to sew together.
There are a few other blocks I've played with, some batik pyramids that are just awesome! They'll make a beautifully bright quilt when I get it done.
Ok, enough for now. Have to head out with hubby to find him a new bike.
Oh! and in 7 weeks we're going on Bonnie's Cruise Counting down the days!
Well, my Saturday was spent working on the lap quilt. Friday evening I put the borders on and then Saturday I wanted to tackle the free motion quilting.
I found a few patterns I liked for each individual block, thanks to the books by Eva A. Larkin (Free-Motion Quilting Made Easy), and Pam Clarke (Quilting Inside the Lines).
Then, based on advice from Sarah Ann Smith (Thread Work Unraveled) I did a test swatch of one of the patterns I wanted to do. Copying it onto newsprint first, laying it on the test sandwich, and sewing along the lines. The threads worked pretty good, minor adjustment to the tension, but overall, I liked the effect of the varigated top thread.
What I didn't like was pulling the newsprint off afterwards. Yes it came off pretty easily, but the odd little bit was stuck in the stitches. I know it would come out in the wash afterwards, but did I really want to have to do that for each and every block? No!
I wanted to be able to free motion without the paper guides. I was determined to be able to do this, completely free motion. Practice makes perfect right?
So the first block in the centre of the quilt, I roughly sketched the design using a while chalk pencil. That worked well enough, but did I want to draw it every time? Again.. No.
Per Sarah's instructions, look to where you want to go... not just the stitches you're actually doing... just like driving a car... look ahead.
I continued on to the next blocks, slowly, my curves started becoming more natural looking, my stitches were a decent length and consistently so. Seriously, this does take practice! I tried several different designs in these 5" blocks, and I noticed that the more I did the original one, the easier it became.
Now let me tell you, that Supreme Slider is great! and so are the Machingers!
I did try a couple times without the gloves and they really make a world of difference.
One thing I have noticed though, I need to get a proper table for my Janome Horizon 7700 to sit in. Working with it on top of my table, with the extended quilting table is too high. I found, very quickly, that my shoulders started to ache.
All in all, it was a good day though. I was able to get all the blocks quilted, and Sunday morning started on one of the borders.
Unfortunately, as I was quilting one of the last pinwheel blocks, I realized it was sewn together incorrectly. Ooops! Oh well. I wasn't pulling it apart to fix it. Now it's definitely unique! :) Can you see it in the bottom left corner?
And a close up of one of the blocks, of the quilting pattern I became pretty comfortable with.
Now I'm feeling more confident, but not sure I'm confident enough to FMQ Bonnie Hunter's Roll Roll Cotton Boll once I have it all pieced together. We'll see.
