I recaptured that momentous occasion yesterday. Marks appeared. “I made them! I can make more marks.” What a revelation. Children do this around 16 months old (before that, they just put the crayon in their mouth).My epiphany was turning on the sewing machine and pulling a fabric sandwich around on the bed as the needle went up and down. I could make wavy lines. I could even make circles with stitches. Quite a thrill.
Diane Gaudynski advises beginning free-motion quilters to “Quilt your signature” in her book Guide to Machine Quilting. So I tried that next.
Whoops! The signature looked pretty terrible AND I spelled my name wrong. But, I did it. 
The next several hours were spent getting the tension adjusted and practicing lines and curves and shapes all over my little sample practice piece. I ran out of room and had to make another practice sandwich. My stuff looks pretty bad. Free-motion quilting is hard work. I have to do a lot more practicing before I try quilting on a “real” quilt. Now, for the first time, I really admire machine quilting.I’ll have to hand-quilt the little project I have waiting in the wings because I won’t have the skill needed to machine quilt it until I have months of practice with my free-motion foot.
I keep promising myself I will try! My attempts to date, have been... well, less than successful!
ReplyDeleteWell, it looks like you were at least having fun!
ReplyDeleteWell, except for the spelling (which is understandable under the cirmcumstances) I think you did great. Like they say - practice, practice, practice. I've not attempted it - and probably won't - but I'm proud of you for your determination and effort. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteGood on you! But don't be so hard on yourself. You didn't have perfect penmanship the first day you tried that either! I kept dragging my feet and ripping out until I finally told myself to lighten up! And now I just do it - I'm not trying to win prizes. The more you do it the more skill you gain. JUST DO IT! I believe in you. Del
ReplyDeletePractice, practice, practice and before long you won't even have to think about it. I LOVE to machine quilt but I've been at it a long time.
ReplyDeleteThat's so funny that you spelled your name wrong! That's what happens when you concentrate too hard! I have a piece of practice sandwich with my name on it somewhere too. Looks just like yours!
ReplyDeleteJust go with the flow,you have done a great job by just getting in and having a go. Have fun. Happy days.
ReplyDeleteBev.