One of the skills I want to learn this year is free motion quilting. I’ve always been in awe of those who can do it and their beautiful pieces. I’d like to add some of of this stitching to some pieces I plan to finish this year. However, I’m wondering now how long it actually will take before my free motion scribbling turns into quilting.
I’m really starting to think that maybe I should have tried this before now. But then as they (whoever they are) say, better late than never!
So I’ve been playing a little bit and have come up with free motion scribbling. I read that sewing your name is a good place to start. I don’t know about that.
I am taking a Craftsy class on this and have learned quite a lot. One thing she said was it does take practice. Well, That’s for sure!
I’d love to hear your free motion suggestions. What about batting? What about needles? How long did it take you to master it? Any help will be appreciated.
Wish me luck. Meanwhile if you are looking for me, I’ll be all hands on my sewing machine trying not to hold my breath while I scribble away.
Bobbin thread was an issue for me at times. The same or lighter thread in the bobbin works best for me. I do a lot of thread sketching using regular black polyester sewing thread of a good quality.
Eileen Gidman recently posted..Translating a Charmed Life into Textile
I feel the same as you about free motion. But I haven’t been practicing. I have the crafty videos but they don’t work by osmosis. You have to play them…..LOL
Maxine Oliver recently posted..New Necklace
Lynda, while I don’t consider myself any where near expert when I started I promised myself 3 bobbins a day. They didn’t have to be all at the same time, as long as I did 3.
Also, didn’t work on any project, just sat at the machine and stitched, trying to get the feel for the machine and fabric and get into a rhythem.
This really helped me to get over the fear of free motion stitching and to also develop my own style, which is totally different from what I thought it would be.
angie knowles recently posted..Friday Fabric Feature–Night Garden
I haven’t done a lot of free motion embroidery but I have heard, and this is what I did, that drawing/stitching something that you have done many times is a good place to start. That is probably why using your name is a good place to start – that muscle memory thing. I used leaves which are shapes I have drawn many, many times. Of course, practice, practice, practice!
A couple of things. Which Craftsy class are you taking? Also I highly recommend Sarah Ann Smith for all things thread, needles and thread coloring and quilting. She is fantastic because she does experiments and carefully examines what’s happening when thread and needle meet cloth. She has a website, as well as a DVD and a wonderful piece with Quilting Arts TV where she really does a great job of explaining how the type of needle really influences how thread goes through the cloth. Enjoy the journey of learning and don’t rush the destination.
Eileen,
That was a great suggestion from one of those classes – same thread in bobbin. It made a big difference. Thanks for the tip on black polyester.
Maxine, they don’t work by osmosis? Darn! 🙂
Yep, I think it’s all about practicing.
Angie, three bobbins? Wow! What a great suggestion. It’s all about practice, isn’t it? Thanks for the tip.
Susan, I like the idea of leaves. Yeah, it’s about muscle memory. Thanks for the suggestion.
Debby, my class is with Leah Day. I’ll check out Sarah Smith. Thanks. It’s hard not to want to rush it though! Thanks again.