4/16/11

Free-motion quilting post 2

This is the second post. If you haven't seen the quilting video, you might want to check it out first. So, I couldn't get pictures to post into that post. But, I wanted to show what I meant when I said I wasn't using my thumbs right. See how I lay my hands out? Having my thumbs like that keeps the fabric taut and I don't get that ridge of fabric in front of the foot that you see in the video.


Last tool. My favorite quilting book. I have other books with patterns and books that talk about how to make feathers or fill space with free hand free motion quilting. But, the best book for the mechanics of quilting in my opinion is Heirloom Machine Quilting by Harriet Hargrave. I am not knockin' anybody when I say this. Every book on quilting has it's place and I also use Leah's site as a resource for new background filler patterns and ideas. But, Harriet's book is a reference for me. If I can't figure it out, there's no need for me to go searching. I just pull out the book. I thought I had the old version, so when I ran into a copy of the revised edition in Half Price Books last sunday, I snatched it up. Imagine my surprise when I got home and realized I already had the revised edition. So, as part of my first free motion quilting video post, I'm going to give away the extra copy.


You have to comment or email before I get up on Tuesday morning. I'll randomly pick from the comments and let you know on Tuesday who won. But, nothin's really free. In your comment or your email, you have to tell me whether you free motion quilt and if you do, what you love about it. And if you don't, why you don't. I'm betting that if you don't, when you read your reason, you'll laugh at it and give free motion quilting a try. Let me know if you already have a copy of this book and want to be left out of the drawing.



Have a great Weekend. I'm off to do some cutting. My leader/ender project needs red squares and I've been cutting hexes. I want to sit in the swing today and sew.


Lane

25 comments:

Mary Ann said...

I was blog hopping and saw your site - I was very excited to see someone else using Harriet Hargrave's Machine Heirloom Quilting book. I am beginning to learn (last Nov. 2010 I had a free motion class with Harriet herself) and just purchased a Baby Lock Quest Plus and a New Generation quilting frame (to be delivered this coming week). I also am quilting my way through the Harriet & Carrie Hargrave "Quilter's Academy" series, which works in conjunction with Harriet's Machine Heirloom Quilting book. I hope you'll come and see my blog at http://www.rocknquilts.blogspot.com

Shevvy said...

Lane, loved the video - you did really well. Sounded very calm and in control.

I do free motion, but still consider myself a beginner. I don't have such a flat surface on my machine and have it set on a dining table. One day I am going to treat myself to a sewing table that it can drop into, then I think I'll be able to get a lot better accuracy.

Jocelyn said...

I do free motion quilt on my DSM. I enjoy free motion, and I'm trying to get better at it. Harriet Hargrave is the pioneer of machine quilting. I've checked her original book out of the library, but it's a study, and I'd love to add it to my library.

Christy said...

Lane - I really enjoy your blog and seeing your quilts. I have been doing piecing for a long time, but have either tied the quilts or sent them out to a LAQ. Last summer I purchased a new Elna 7300 and am trying to learn to FMQ, but am not very good at it. I have a couple of books, but not the one you are giving away. What I need to do is practice, practice, practice, but find that rather boring. Thanks for the video... I'm going to keep trying.

Laura said...

I don't free motion quilt yet because I make big quilts and have been afraid to try it and mess up. I usually pay a long arm quilter, but that is getting expensive. I'm ready to start quilting some baby quilts, and I thought I would give free motion quilting a try. If you can quilt on your Bernina, I should be able to do it on mine, right?

regan said...

Hi Lane! I FMQ, and I love it! The best part for me.....is that the quilt is entirely done by me! I guess I'm a bit of a control freak, so the thought of someone else working on my quilt is just not right! I also love Leah Day....her 365 project is fabulous....I've used many of her filler designs (I love Radio Static), and her videos are so helpful (yours was great, too!). I have not seen Harriet's book....but I'm guessing it's fabulous! Would love to win it!

KatyTrailCreations said...

I am a follower who just did a "first"...I machine quilted my first quilt. I used, however, a walking foot & just stitched in the ditch.Getting ready to blog about it as soon as I finish the binding (this afternoon). I also have a Bernina & think I would love to try the free motion. Thanks for the chance to win!

lw said...

My favorite part of FMQ is watching the pieced top take on dimension and shape, going from a two dimensional top to the softly curving, cozy three dimensional shapes. I use a Janome 1600DB, and it's loud but does a great job otherwise. I use the sound of the motor to figure out how fast to move my hands.

Terri in BC said...

Hi, Lane - I've been following your blog for a while (thanks to Bonnie of quiltville.com) and want to congratulate you on a great tutorial. I am just learning how to free-motion quilt so I can't say what I like about yet - still at the frustrated stage. I would love to win your book, thanks for the opportunity! Terri in BC

lindaroo said...

I love FMQ because of the feeling of interaction with the layers and textures of the quilt I've only done meandering, though, and I'm amazed at your beautiful pictorial quilting. Thank you for sharing!

Jittina said...

I'm still new at quilting, so I haven't tried free motion quilting on my sewingmachine (yet). I would love to win the book so I can give it a try. Your video looks great.

Jittina, the Netherlands

INKcredible Girl said...

Hi Lane I have been reading your blog since just before christmas took me a week to read right back to the start. Please never stop blogging!!
I have been quilting for about 2 months now, I had a go at free motion I suck! I will take a class on it I have my name down for that and an intermediate class on curved piecing . I too found you on bonnies site.I also have a teen girl so i related to Sydney story's well. Thank you for sharing your life with us. Megan

Pauline said...

Great tutorial! Very professional, as are your quilts. Thanks Lane. I've been doing some FMQ lately, I'm afraid it's rather amatuerish though. You've given me some excellent tips I can't wait to use. I do have that book in my "library" so you can pass me by this time. Surprised at all the responses that a freebe brings out! The quilt in my ID is one I did by hand using #8 perle cotton.

Lynette said...

Hi Lane,

I found your blog through "The Wednesday Quilt show." Wow! That was some quilt! Love your blog, too. I'm adding you to my reading line-up.

I would love the extra book! I just started free-motion quilting. I laughed and laughed and laughed at the first baby quilt I did last week, but I know I will get better with practice and study of other people's tips.

AnotherEwe said...

Thanks for the great tutorial. I found your blog a month ago and really like your posts. I am a knitter who started quilting recently and am working on my first queen sized quilt. I just had my first lesson in FMQ two days ago and I love it. There is lots to learn!

Anonymous said...

Hi Lane, I've been reading your blog for a while now. I also have a middle schooler, so enjoy your posts on that too. I do free motion quilting on my little Singer. I enjoy FMQ because you don't have to figure out how to mark the quilt pattern...lol...Sometimes I go to Leah Day's website and browse her videos to get inspiration and then go to my machine and quilt. I always use those quilting gloves. My machine bed is flush with my table, so that helps alot with manuvering the quilt on the table. I haven't seen Harriet Hargrave's quilting book yet, but it sounds great. Keep up the good work! Sally j s p w a r r e n at aol dot come

Kathleen said...

Hi Lane - I really enjoy your blog! I adore machine quilting, mostly because I HATE pantographs, where the machine quilting is in a different universe from the design... I like a lot of stitch in the ditch to outline the patchwork architecture, and then some filler and fancies to fill it out!!! I'd Love love to have the book! Kate... http://quiltingprofessor.blogspot.com

Sheila said...

found your blog via Bonnie at quiltville. I liked watching your video, you made it look so easy. I have recently begun to play with free motion quilting and could do with reading Harriets book and having it as a reference although you may not want to ship to Australia

Tammy said...

Hi Lane,
I'm so impressed with your free motion quilting video. I don't own Harriet's book but sure would enjoy reading it. I have been free motion quilting about ten years. I love being able to create my own unique design on my quilts. Besides that free motion quilting it tons of fun!

nana yvonn3 said...

I free motion quilt because i don't have the room for a long arm. I recently bought a Mid arm machine. I figured I was so new at free motion I might as well have 16" to work with. I am still in the learning phase, but I think I shall all ways love free motion. I like the creative spur of the moment freedom free motion gives. I can throw a butterfly or a star or a heart (that's all i can do) anywhere I want.

Paul said...

Lane... Great tutorial.

I do Free Motion Quilt, but not on my machine at home. I rent a long arm machine on a full frame at my LQS.

I have tried on my machine at home, but even with the extension that is available for it, it is smaller than 8x10. That is so little room, it is nearly impossible. BUT, I saw a cool home made extension on a machine the other day... If I can get my hands on some strong thick plastic, I might be able to make one!

Paul
www.OutnumberedQuilter.blogspot.com

Paul said...

Oh, Yeah, One more thing... Instead of tossing your practice sandwiches, keep 'em, sew them together and take the resulting quilt to a homeless shelter... Your scraps can keep someone warm that way.

Joe said...

I don't FMQ (yet), but I'd like to. I'm afraid my lines will be all jagged, because that's how it looks when I try it on a practice quilt sandwich. I can't seem to get in the zone and relax enough to get smooth arcs and lines.

SubeeSews said...

When I tried Free Motion quilting for the first time I was hooked. I guess it may be my guitar playing that made it seem EASY to do. Since I am able to write with both hands, I never stumbled at all. No "eyelashes" in my curves or heavy stitches at the stopping point. I use a 9" throat machine (Janome6500P).
I am hooked! And now I want a "big set-up". But the rooms in my house are too small.
XOXOXO Subee who is crossing her fingers here in Indiana

Jcmar10 said...
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