Thursday, December 13, 2012

2012 Free Motion Quilting Challenge Wrap Up

I took the pledge at the 2012 Free Motion Quilting Challenge to complete 12 FMQ tutorials this year.


I've posted 11 month and 1 bonus. Now I need a wrap-up post for the year. If you click on the name of the month, you will get to the original post. And way at the bottom of this post, you'll see what I learned!

1. January  Frances Moore gave us a tutorial on quilting leaves. I was brand new at free-motion quilting and it really showed!

2. February  Diane Gaudynski had us quilt feathers. It is still hard to believe how much these actually looked like feathers!
3. March  Ann Fahl encouraged us to develop our own style. I thought stippling with loops would be good.
4. April  Don Linn, Mr. Quilt, showed us how to transfer quilt markings with a method I'd never seen!
5. May  Leah Day had us practice two foundation designs. The first is called Double Stippling. 
The second design is  Railroad Tracks, a variation of Double Stippling.
6. June  Cindy Needham had us quilt a curly line and then filled the spaces with quilting. 
7. July  Angela Walters had us quilt Tiles with our choice of the filler design.
8. August  Wendy Sheppard gave us a "simple but fun quilting motif" called Jester's Hat. I found it hard!
9. September Paula Reid had us quilt a beautiful feather design. 
10. Bonus Tutorial Susan Brubaker Knapp had us finding quilt motif designs in our environment.


11. October  Teri Lucas had us trying different motifs and different threads.

12. November Sarah Vedeler had us practice drawing spirals and also suggested practicing FMQ 15 minutes every day.



What I learned:
2012 was my year to learn free-motion quilting. I began my journey in January, not knowing how things would progress. I followed the 2012 Free Motion Quilting Challenge, the Quilt As You Go Free Motion Quilting Quilt A Long with Quokka Quilts, and Leah Day's Free Motion Quilt Project.

When the 2012 Free Motion Quilting Challenge began, I thought I was in way over my head! But I had signed up so I decided to just try. I learned to relax and to practice, practice, practice. I began with samples and finally decided in March to use my limited skills on real quilts. I still do sample pieces, but in July, I decided to make blocks to use in a quilt-as-you-go quilt. 

When I quilted feathers in February that looked like feathers, I was overjoyed! And I loved finding a way to transfer patterns to dark fabric. The Jester's Hats were very hard for me - I think I should have drawn more of them like I later did with the spirals. I find quilt ideas in my environment constantly but it had never occurred to me to look around for quilting motif ideas.

I tried different threads, different battings, and different ways of moving my quilts while quilting. I learned that I can achieve different effects by making some changes.

I learned to free-motion quilt and I learned that this is an on-going journey - there will always be more to learn and ways to improve. It has become part of my life!

Thanks SewCalGal!

14 comments:

  1. How wonderful to see your progress like this Jeannie - and how wonderful that you stuck with it all year! blessings, marlene

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    1. First I found FMQ interesting and challenging. Then it became fun and rather addictive! ~Jeanne

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  2. You have come so far (of that you are very aware, I'm sure!)! It, truly, is a journey, isn't it?? It is such a "fluid" art....and subject to so many variables. I know that I am totally addicted and give thanks to all who have assisted me on my path. What a wonderful post!! Hugs.....

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    1. Thanks! It has been a very neat journey and it is really fun to look back to see how far I've come. Of course a year from now, I'll be able to look back at now ...! ~Jeanne

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  3. It's so much fun to see these wrap-up posts and see how we've all progressed through the year. And this is only the beginning. We should all check back with each other next year this time to see how much farther we can go. Congratulations on completing the challenge and Happy Holidays to you!

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    1. Thank you! I really enjoyed the challenge - I think we all did! At times it really was a challenge but definitely worth it! It really would be fun to check in next year! ~Jeanne

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  4. What a great write up for the 12 months - Isn't it wonderful what we have each learned :)

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    1. Thanks Joan, I am definitely proof that you can teach an old dog new tricks! This has been great! ~Jeanne

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  5. I agree with Joan - what a great write up! It is wonderful to see how you have progressed, and the confidence you gained - Congratulations!!

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    1. Thank you Joanne! It has been a wonderful journey that I look forward to continuing. ~Jeanne

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  6. You did a great job with your challenge. Isn't fun becoming more relaxed with it!!!! I may never be great at it; but am much better than I was; for sure. Thank you for visiting my post and for your wonderful comment.

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    1. Thanks Marjorie! I agree that I may never be great at FMQ but I am much better than I was! And hopefully I'll improve more! ~jeanne

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  7. Practice Practice Practice is what I always keep telling myself too. I found the jester hats hard too but I really like the look so I plan on practicing those more.

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    1. Didn't someone say "Practice makes perfect"? Well, we know that's not true! But it does make us better! I truly enjoy FMQ so I really don't mind the practice - especially now that I'm working on real quilts instead of sample sandwiches. ~Jeanne

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