Dear Blog,
You know how I yearn to be a better quilter. You know how I'd love to confidently set out and create some of the beautiful free motion quilting designs that you see on the web, in books and on other peoples quilts? You probably also know how often I have watched video's on You Tube on how these marvellous little designs get carried out. How often I've sat and read and watched the designs on blogs in pure astonishment and awe.
Have I ever really relaxed enough to get stuck in ? That would be a big No! How many books have I acquired, how many patterns have I collected and admired? All of them nicely organised on my computer. How many quilt tops are there upstairs just waiting?
This has to end!
I've bought all the threads that have been recommended...(and that's a few) I've bought calico so I don't have to be concerned about how much fabric I may destroy... but have I actually really started and got stuck in ? err! That would be a big NO!
But then I acquired this book (yes - another book) but it's entirely fitting to where I am right now.
This is Free-Motion Quilting by Angela Walters of Quilting is my Therapy.
I want to actually DO something, otherwise I'm going to be stuck in this place forever ... always wanting to and never actually doing. Yes, I know that it's only practice that will make perfect and it's only practice that will give me the confidence to just get stuck in. But I also need a little bit of hand holding...
That's is where this book resonates with me. I love the designs ... the swirls, the hooks, the leaves, the 'squarey' designs and the circles. I love the way this book is written and presented
OK - so the instructions are static (It's a book, so no surprise there.), but the little diagrams show quite clearly where to go next... how to develop the design across a quilt top and that's actually really helpful because you're not being distracted by anything else that may be going on.
Angela stresses the part about trying the design out on paper or a magna-doodle in her case, until you understand the pattern, the way it joins to it's neigbours, how to avoid getting trapped in corners. You've probably read that before but have I actually tried it ... not with any real conviction.
So, dear blog, this time I feel inspired enough to start and I am going to make this work. Each week I'm going to tackle one of these designs, practicing it until it feels fluent enough for me to claim it as part of a free-motion quilting repertoire. (My 'free-motion quilting repertoire' now doesn't that sound grand - but definitely exciting :) )
Any one want to join me? You will need the book and some fabric that isn't too precious plus threads and obviously a sewing machine with a darning foot and the ability to lower the feed dogs so that you can free motion stitch.
See you here on Friday?
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