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Friday, 7 October 2011

Free Motion Quilting Friday Week 1 - An Act of Kindness to Put a Smile on Your Face

Cindy has kindly agreed to host a Free Motion Quilting Practice every Friday.
Today is Week 1.

Yesterday I fixed my darning foot to my new machine.

I watched this tutorial as recommended by Cindy.

This morning I started practicing `the wave` which looks like this when Leah 
(who luckily has a very soothing voice) does it...
  

...and looks like this when I do it...it was clearly a very calm sea that day.


...and the back...


So what do I conclude from this exercise, apart from the fact that free motion quilting is tougher than it looks and I need a lot of practice? That it is fun. frustrating at times, uses a lot of cotton, is harder to pull than to push, that gloves would help a lot, that my curves are too angular and I need a lot of practice, and that I certainly coudn`t attempt anything bigger than a mug rug yet!

Linking up with Cindy and the other crazies having a go today...pop over for a giggle.  After all, it is World Smile Day and this is my random act of kindness for you, which hopefully put a smile on your face!





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22 comments:

  1. www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com7 October 2011 at 13:17

    looks good to me!

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  2. Rebecca Lynne7 October 2011 at 13:21

    OH Annabella - I saved yours for last because I knew I'd just die. Yes, true, it is a calm day on the sea but look at your stitching! So uniform, so peaceful, not at all the jaggedy dagger mess I made of mine... What did you do? I saw on Lucy's site you left a comment about the stitch length being at 00 -- what is all that about. Did I miss something? So glad we are doing this together!!!

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  3. dutchcomfort7 October 2011 at 13:38

    Looks great Annabella! I learned to let the machine do the work and not to pull or push to hard on the fabrics, but oh my dear, I’m really a straight line quilter. I admire anyone who succeeds in FMQ!
    Happy weekend!

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  4. Collette7 October 2011 at 13:46

    Looks good and isn't it nice learning this way x

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  5. Mrs Flying Blind...7 October 2011 at 13:52

    Looks more like my straight lines!! - I haven't even tried yet I am so slack!

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  6. Lynn7 October 2011 at 14:03

    true not many waves but look how neat it is, I get a wobble everytime I stop n start lol ...well done you.

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  7. Janine @ Rainbow Hare7 October 2011 at 14:05

    A calm day at sea is a lovely description and I think it looks great - you've invented a new design :)

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  8. Nicky7 October 2011 at 14:50

    Top of the class Annabella! Fabulous ! Couldn't get the hang of that pattern at all - hoping for better results next time! May have a glass of wine with!

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  9. Archie The Wonder Dog7 October 2011 at 15:04

    Wow, it looks wonderful! Your stitches are so consistent...if it's too hot for gloves try a couple of pieces of the (thin) rubber matting used in kitchen cupboards and under microwaves, etc. to stop things slipping...Think you're a natural!

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  10. Little Dotty Bird7 October 2011 at 15:33

    I love freehand embroidery, Its one of my favourite ways to use the machine now. It is like learning to draw all over again...but with a needle moving fast and dangerously close to your fingers! My teacher gave me a good tip, to make sure you take your foot completely off the foot pedal before changing thread or fiddling with anything near the needle (she knew someone who'd had an unfortunate accident! ouch) Maybe its obvious advice, but thought I'd share it anyway. Take care, lisa x oh and it looks great by the way!!

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  11. Krista Schneider7 October 2011 at 17:53

    looks great, even though the ocean is calm! My go wasn't near as suscessful, hehe. I use gloves and they really make it so much easier. I can't believe yours looks this good without using gloves!

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  12. Jennifer Mathis of Ellison Lane7 October 2011 at 17:58

    I think it looks great Annabella. Gloves absolutely will help. I use grabaroos although I've been told machingers work great too.

    Great job!

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  13. Irene7 October 2011 at 19:40

    Looks good to me.

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  14. Catherine7 October 2011 at 20:08

    your comment about a calm day at sea has put a smile on my face, so it worked :-) I know I need to do loads more fmq practice and I will follow the tutorials, but finding the time to practice.....

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  15. Amanda7 October 2011 at 20:42

    There is absolutely nothing wrong with calm seas!!

    I've always wanted to try free motion, but never had the courage. Kudos to you for trying! Love it!

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  16. Sheila7 October 2011 at 21:20

    I think that is a great efort - best tip? Breathe.

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  17. Katy Cameron7 October 2011 at 21:56

    Sure, it's just experiencing a touch of the doldrums ;o) Still far less tangles than my first go at it, and I haven't had a chance to try this yet, will have to wait till I'm back from Skye now

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  18. Canadian Abroad8 October 2011 at 13:21

    Oh you did make me smile indeed. Actually it was a big fat grin. Love our straight(ish) line fmq! All you have to do is be a little braver and move that fabric more. You'll get there!

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  19. mammafairy8 October 2011 at 15:18

    Very even works really well Calm seas do it for me!

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  20. Cindy8 October 2011 at 22:41

    I am having the best giggle ever! Calm seas!!!! That's funny! Maybe you were going for something more wavy, but your quilting looks great! You're a natural.

    I thought the same about Leah's voice - calm and collected. She should do GPS voice-overs.

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  21. Sarah @ FairyFace Designs9 October 2011 at 09:43

    Love your calm seas! Your stitching looks great :-) off to try mine this morning!

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  22. Mommarock9 October 2011 at 16:44

    I think your free motion looks FANTASTIC!! If mine turned out anywhere near that nicely, I would be thrilled!

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