Machine Quilting Challenge - Block #9

Good Afternoon,

Here is today's new stitch-out. I call it Furrowed Fields, because that's what it looks like to me. It's a great background filler and wonderful for borders too. The stitch lines can be as close together as 1/8" like mine are or as far away as 1/2". Just strive for consistency.

Before you start stitching, remember to doodle it out first with paper and pencil. Start by drawing interlinking sections on the paper making units that are about 2"- 3" squarish. Then go back in and add lines in each individual section. Make the lines move in different directions in adjoining sections. Double back on the section lines to change direction. This is another great stitch-out to help you get better at making long lines. Look at what great dimension it adds to the fabrics surface too!

Did you know that free style (un-marked, free motion) quilting is very similar to dancing. It's just you (with your quilt in hand) and your machine. You're dance partners. One of the best ways to learn any new stitch-out is by doodling first. Free style machine quilting is just doodling on your quilt.

When you doodle you have a pad of paper and a pencil/pen. When you machine quilt you have your quilt sandwich and the needle of your sewing machine. Which one is the pencil and which one is the paper?

If you said that the quilt is your pencil and the machine is the paper, then you're right! I know it sounds backwards, but when you draw, you move the pencil or the quilt. You move it around on the surface of the paper which stays in one place, just like your machine needle. The needle may be moving up and down to engage stitches, but it's the movement of the quilt under the needle that makes the design.

To become a better free style machine quilter - you need to become a better doodler too and you need to learn to be the LEAD when dancing with your machine. As you doodle any of the stitch-outs, exaggerate the movement of your arm and upper body so that you can feel what it feels like to move the quilt sandwich in the same manner.

Have fun and remember to breathe,

Till tomorrow,
Heather

Block #8 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

Remember that it will be easier to stitch out any new designs if you doodle them first.

I love this design because it has a South American, Mola sort of look to it. It's gender neutral and is great on both traditional and artsy quilts.

Today's stitch-out includes both straight lines and curves. I began with a flower in the center to show you how this stitch can be made to fit around other objects or blocks. You can stitch some sort of design in the middle of your block, or just jump into the 'combs'.

Some stitchers call this design Combs while others call it Bubble E's. Either way, the first thing you need to do is to decide on a size for each of the design repeats. I chose 3/4". You could choose 1", 1 1/2" or whatever you want. This measurement simply means that each comb or E is about 3/4" square.

Begin in one corner of your block and stitch the first comb/E by making a series of vertical lines that curve on the top and bottom to form the next line, one moves up the next down and they're all linked by curves or u-turns at each end. Make 3-4 passes or enough to fill up your chosen measurement and form a square. Now, look at your first comb/E. All of the remaining combs/E need to be the same size as the first one is. Moving either top to bottom or left to right on your block, make the next comb/E only this time move the lines horizontally. Continue making combs/E's, alternating vertical then horizontal until you have completed one row. Make sure when you finish the last one that your are positioned so that you can move down or over to the next row. You can shorten or lengthen the design to fit in and around the object in the center of your block.

I hope you enjoy stitching this design,
See you on Monday,
Heather

Block #7

Here is today's new stitch-out. It features three small flowers and echo quilting. Echo quilting is another way to increase your skill with machine quilting long lines. It takes practice to make them smooth and patience to get the stitch lines evenly spaced.
As a free style quilter - meaning that I'm not into perfection and I don't do much, if any marking - I strive for an overall neat, tidy, artsy look. Notice how my lines are not perfectly spaced, but that the block looks good anyway. Striving for perfection can often keep us from trying. Striving for really good on the other hand is more attainable!
To begin this stitch out. Stitch some sort of large motif or motifs in the center of your block. I used three smallish flowers. Then, simply trace around the design(s) as you stitch. Continue adding new echos of the design keeping each row of stitching somewhat evenly spaced. Choose 1/4", 3/8" or 1/2" spacing. Notice how I handled the bottom left corner area. Once I can no longer get around a section because to do so would be to run off the edge, I continue stitching in a spiral then knot off and move to another area. This adds lots of visual interest because it breaks up the line.

I hope you enjoy this new block,
Till tomorrow,

Heather

Blocks #5 and #6 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

Here are the next two machine quilting stitch-outs for you to try. Both make great background or border designs. The top one is a large, Double, Wavy Cross-hatch and the lower one is a small, Single Wavy Cross-hatch.

To stitch the Double, Wavy Cross-hatch, begin by drawing or creasing (with a Hera marker) a diagonal line in the area you plan to quilt. Stitch along the marked line with a slightly wavy stitch line. Stitch a second line right next to the first line, a scant 1/4" away. Stitch a second pair of lines about 3/4" away from the first pair. Continue making pairs of wavy stitch lines each about 3/4" apart. Complete all of the lines in one direction. Draw or crease a diagonal line in the opposite direction and use it to stitch pairs of wavy lines, again keeping them about 3/4" apart.

For the Single Wavy Cross-hatch, use the same techniques as above using single lines instead of double and stitching a scant 1/2" apart.

Both of these stitch-outs will help you learn more control in the straight-aways - areas of quilting with long continuous lines. Remember, that a wavy line is always easier to free motion quilt than a striaght one.

Enjoy,
Until tomorrow,
Heather

Good Morning!

Here are today's new stitch outs. Don't worry about replicating the flowers, we'll get to those later, just work on the all over designs. The block on the top has a loop d'loop that travels between the larger asterisks and the block on the bottom is a straight stipple.

Remember to doodle the designs on paper before you try to stitch them out on your machine. Use exaggerated arm movements as you doodle so that you can begin to feel the stitch's movements throughout your body.

The loop d'loop is very simple to do. It is like a curvy stipple because of its gentle movement. To make this stitch out look neat and tidy, the loop d'loops need to be quite a bit smaller than the asterisks. Here, the loops are about 1/4" in size and the asterisks are about 1". To make an asterisks, make a long line that is about 1" long, double back on the line half way, thus making a middle point. Then, move out from that middle point in a straight line about 1/2" in another direction then double back to the center again. Make about 8-10 of these 1/2" long lines, radiating out from the center point. Once all of the spokes of an asterisk are completed then curve away with lots of loops until you get to where you want to form another asterisk.

Did you know that artistically speaking people can be divided into two group; Classics and Romantics. For Classics, the straight line is easier to accomplish whereas curvy lines come easier to the Romantics. You can be one or the other, or somewhere in between. Most Classics choose careers such as doctors, lawyers or accountants where precision is a must. Most Romantics choose careers such as grade school teachers, nurses or counselors, with more 'touchy/feely' requirements. I bring this up because it will be easier for you to practice what comes naturally to you first. If you are a Classic, choose stitch outs with straight lines to practice on first. If you are a Romantic, choose the curvier designs.

The straight stipple above can be a little tricky. Like the angled stipple from yesterday, you need to stop your hand movement momentarily each time you change directions. For this stitch out to look nice and tidy, you want your corners to be as close to true 45 degree angles as possible. As you first begin stitching it, verbally or mentally, tell yourself to "stop" each time you turn a corner. Remember to stop just your hands and not the machine. The stopping action lasts less than a second, but it is required. If you stop for too long you will end up with a knot in each corner. If you don't stop long enough then you will end up with curves rather than corners.

Remember, practice will make you better at this and the better you become at it the more you will start to enjoy it and the more you enjoy it, the better you will be at it - ahh! a never ending cycle!

Till tomorrow, have a great day!
Heather

I Really Love to Machine Quilt

I really do love to machine quilt - and I believe that it is that love that has made me a better machine quilter. If you really enjoy doing something then you are more likely to do it and the more you do it, the better you will become at it, so then the more you will like doing it and so on - now I'm tired!
Click on the photo of the table runner above to get a better image of it. I made this for my friend Chris for Christmas a couple of years ago. It is made out of lots of wonderful silks in a variety of tans, blues and blue greens. I quilted each area a little differently. It is filled with flowers, feathers, leaves and lots more. It's one of my all time favorites. It was really hard to give away, but Chris is one of my all time favorites too - so it's a good match.

Till tomorrow,
Heather

Learn to Machine Quilt - Challenge

One of the most common questions that I am asked is; How can a quilter become a better, more accomplished, more artistic machine quilter? When I teach beginning machine quilting, I always suggest that my students practice quilting for at least 20 minutes a day for 21 days in a row. This time format is what it takes for humans to form a habit. Machine quilting is a body language and like learning to dance or play the violin, it takes lots of practice to get proficient and enjoyment to become a master. Anyone can grow their skills regardless of machine type or experience. You just have to be willing to put in the time.

So, here is the challenge I'm putting forth to you all; 20 minutes of machine quilting a day for at least 21 days in a row (no skipping days!). I will add a new design each day or two designs every other day, as time allows. You can practice the new design, add it to other designs that you all ready know or from previous days and build yourself a machine quilting sample book. I used 10" squares because they are easy to handle. You can make your samples any size you want. I plan to zig-zag the edges and place grommets along one side and hold the pages together with ribbon. I began with 11" squares that I trim down after quilting. Choose solids or near solids for the fabric so that you can really see the quilting. Also use thread that is in the same color family, only lighter or darker.

Above are two 10" squares each quilted with a stipple. The block on the top has an angled stipple and the block on the bottom has a curved stipple. The word stipple can be used to describe any continuous stitch design whose lines do not cross over each other to form shapes. The curvy stipple is one of the most commonly used stitch outs (quilting designs) in today's quilting. Because no shapes are formed, it quietly pushes back negative space. Switching up the stipple to the angled design adds a little more interest and energy. Both are great for negative space and can be stitched in just about any scale from a tiny 1/4" to a big 1 1/2".

Before you begin either of these designs, try doodling them first with pencil and paper. Use exaggerated hand/arm movements as you doodle so that you get used to how the stipple feels with your body. Once it feels comfortable on paper try it on fabric. The curvy stipple requires a constant, smooth, curvy movement whereas the angled stipple requires your hands to stop momentarily (while the machine keeps on going) each time you change directions so that you get an angle rather than a curve.

Enjoy!
Till tomorrow,
Heather