Free Motion Practice...Again!

Free Motion.  Free Motion Quilting.  Love it?  Hate it?  I keep thinking if I keep trying FMQ I will get better and better.  I would love to have this technique under my belt, something to fall back on.  

So, yep.  I've been trying it more and more lately.  Mostly little, small projects.  They seem easier to manipulate and manage.  I have yet to get comfortable enough to do a big quilt.  It feels very awkward to me, and I'm not one who likes to get 'down and dirty'!

The end of January I posted about finally trying and making  'Circle Of Geese' ~ 

Circle Of Color ~ Basic Geometry

Since then, I have finished it from top to bottom!  Plus, small project...I get to practice some FMQ!  How's that for a win win?!

Because it was my first try with the geese, I really didn't plan it out.  Besides knowing that I wanted a basic color wheel for the geese, everything else was on the fly!  

And the same is true for the quilting.  I have heard that you should pick a design and practice that design over and over until you are comfortable enough to do it without much thought.  I totally agree and plan to try that. However, this wasn't even close to that philosophy!  

I am in love with pebbles, circles.  They really make me happy when I see them.  I knew they would make it on my 'everything but the kitchen sink' FMQ sampler!  

When I say 'Kitchen Sink'...I kid you not!  Pebbles, geometric, fingers, stippling and some I made up as I went!  This was so fun!  

You have to have fun, right?!  I could wring my hands with worry about how I'm not that great of a FMQ, I don't do it right or follow the rules...what's the point?!  I love what I did, I had fun and I encourage you to give it a go too!  

I wish I had this mini quilt washed and crinkled.  It's gonna be amazing...to me!!  

  

Sneak Peek ~ my latest WIP:

Circle Of Color ~ Basic Geometry

Honestly my eyes glaze over thinking about math, any math. Geometry...what?  I may not be a math whiz, but I can hold my own with a sewing machine!  

With so many different social media venues these days, it sometimes overwhelms me.  With every click I see something new I want to try.  This makes my list grow and grow.  And grow some more!  I cannot possibly try everything I see, so when I finally get to something on my list...I am thrilled!  I may be a little late to the party (fashionably late) and that's okay with me!

My project for yesterday was A Circle Of Geese paper piecing.  Most likely you have seen it or tried it.  The pattern is available from Piece By Number, and here is the pattern and tutorial for A Circle of Geese.    

Not only will this be the first time making this, it is also the first project using low volume text prints! Woo Hoo!  Like I said...I have a long list.

My first block.  These blocks are 6" x 6".

Half a circle done!

I can see the end!

Four sections done!

This is the paper piecing template.  For all who are hesitant to learn paper piecing, don't be!  It really is a fun technique.  I am by no means an expert.  I am not hardcore.  There are many patterns, tutorials and information everywhere.  From easy to 'are you kidding me?' designs

I will admit I messed up on a couple pieces and had to redo them.  Have you ever had to rip out something that was sewn with 1.0 stitching?! Frustrating!  These tiny stitches are important for this next part...tearing off the paper!

Paper carnage!  This is the fun part!

Finished block.  Not a true color wheel, but it is pretty!  I was sure I printed the templates the right size.  I measured the red line after printing and it was 1".  My finished block is 11 1/2" even though the template says the 12".  Not a big deal for me.

I may add a funky border of some sort and make this in to a lovely little mini quilt.  This is a project I hope to make again.  It was fun!  Having one more thing crossed of my list is always a good thing!

What is on your list that you want to make?  Does your list keep getting longer and longer like mine does?

LINKING:

Fabric Frenzy Friday

Can I get A Whoop Whoop

Crazy Mom Quilts