Something to Practice
By Morley Hunt
@Morleyhunt (21741)
Canada
November 11, 2018 5:22am CST
Yesterday morning I was looking forward to attending a class teaching free motion quilting (FMQ) techniques.
The miserable wet, snowy weather meant that our class size was reduced (who wants to drive for 2 hours on slippery roads) giving us all more of a change to interact and exchange ideas.
The teacher told us how she was self taught and many of the frustrations she had encountered. (I can relate to some of them?). This gives us a head start...we can skip some of those mistakes and challenges.
Then it was time to sit down at our machines and start.....
The first sample was loops, and my machine was uncooperative. We played with the tension....tried different threads.....tried different needles and finally resorted to the last possible option....adjust the bobbin tension....
That worked....,my stitches were more what they are supposed to look like.
The next sample was the most fun....we made teardrops and built on them until our sample was full.
Now we get to practice, practice and more practice. The recommendation is to practice for at least 15 minutes per day. (Doesn't that sound like piano lessons?).
Guess what I'll be doing daily?
9 people like this
8 responses
@LadyDuck (502729)
• Italy
11 Nov 18
@Morleyhunt We do not always like what we do, but trying and trying again will surely bring great results.
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
11 Nov 18
I plan to practice a lot. This small sampler has been encouraging. Some of my other samples...not so much.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
11 Nov 18
@LadyDuck The treadle was cooperative this afternoon.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
12 Nov 18
@JudyEv The gloves have grips on them to help to move the fabric. I've tried with bare hands, but that is much more of a struggle. I want to try with glycerine....apparently if if apply that to my hands it will do almost the same thing as the gloves do!
I didn't think I could work with the gloves, but after trying it with and without...I decided that the gloves have their place!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382418)
• Rockingham, Australia
12 Nov 18
@Morleyhunt That's pretty cool. Do you wear the gloves when you are sewing?
@changjiangzhibin89 (17243)
• China
11 Nov 18
Is the quilting pattern in the picture your first work after taking the class? That is well done!
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (17243)
• China
12 Nov 18
@Morleyhunt Practice makes perfect! You will do even better !
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
11 Nov 18
This was done at the class. It was my second sample block. The first was spent mostly trying to get my machine to cooperate. I was pleased with the end result, but I also can see the multitude of imperfections.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
11 Nov 18
I'm hoping to get in some serious practice this afternoon and then to spend about 30 minutes working of a quilt that I have underway.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
11 Nov 18
Thank you.. I've made some progress, that makes me hopeful.
1 person likes this
@amitkokiladitya (171988)
• Agra, India
12 Nov 18
@Morleyhunt good luck dear. Good morning
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
13 Nov 18
Thank you, but much of what is considered talent is merely a lot of practice. You should see some of my early efforts.
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
11 Nov 18
It's a slow process until I learn to accomodate my speed of stitching and my speed of moving the fabric.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21741)
• Canada
11 Nov 18
I'm pleased. This afternoon I set the treadle up and managed to get in a few minutes practice before hubby wanted to go out for coffee. Tonight we'll try again.
