Free Motion Quilting Challenge Summary for 2012
SewCalGal has generously provided an excellent year-long Free Motion Quilting Challenge to increase and better our free motion quilting skills. In accordance with the challenge requirements, I am publishing my summary of the year:
In January Frances Moore challenged us to do a leaf meander motif. I chose to use Wonderfil “Accent” thread, a 12 wt rayon that gave an almost hand embroidered look.
February’s tutorial was given by Diane Gaudynski who taught us how to do beautiful feathers. I created a postcard and put the feathers upon that.
In March we studied under Ann Fahl and I honestly forgot what the tutorial was but this is what I created-it was a lot of fun.
April’s Challenge from Don Linn showed us a unique method for transferring our images to quilts.
In May I chose to do the bonus tutorial by Linda Moran using her fabulous hand marbled fabrics. The challenge was to use the marbling as an inspiration for free motion quilting.
June’s challenge came from Cindy Needham who gave some wonderful basic information on how to successfully free motion quilt. Her tutorial showed us how to “divide and conquer”.
July brought us Angela Walters with her signature “tile” style of quilting.
In August I chose to take Susan Brubaker Knapp’s bonus tutorial on how to find fabulous motifs in your own environment to add to your quilting. This particular month was my low point for sure-and it was not Susan’s fault!
Paula Reid was the September instructor and she walked us through quilting a feathered wreath. She also provided a great deal of information on free motion quilting.
In October Teri Lucas taught us how to doodle various motifs on paper and then turn them into something fun in a quilt sandwich.
In November Sarah Vedeler taught us how to do beautiful spirals.
And finally in December Patsy Thompson shared her tips on how to quilt borders.
As you can see all the teachers of the challenge were incredibly generous with their knowledge and I am grateful to SewCalGal for organizing this challenge. It has been enlightening, fun and I’ve “met” new friends as a result. Thank you to all!
It’s so fabulous seeing all these exercises in one post! Glad it was such a rewarding challenge for you.
It really was a great year!
All are gorgeous! Such a fun challenge and great way to make new quilty freinds! Happy New Year!
Happy New Year to you too Kelly! This was fun and the best part was “meeting” new friends!
Inspiring summary! This was a terrific challenge from SewCalGal!
I agree-it was a great challenge. I’ll miss not doing it!
Jenny, it is lovely to see the year’s challenge all together. I found it incredibly difficult, and after a few sessions, decided to leave it to others, and apart from that my life became so very busy, Hugh (husband) was not well, I needed to work more outside, and then he had a heart attack, so any more FMQ was out. Your blocks are ,well words fail, but superb, gorgeous, fascinating, and for those who quilt, inspiring. Greetings from Jean
Thank you Jean! And of course FMQ is nothing next to the health of Hugh. I hope he is on the mend and you can get back to “normal” life. I love your photos by the way-what a beautiful land you live in! Wishing you a Happy New Year full of love and health.
All of your pieces are amazing and you took to each as a ‘duck to water’! Each one was produced in such a small window of time……the results really showcase your talent!! Way to go!!!!! Hugs, D
Thanks for all the hugs-Happy New Year to you!
Back at ya!-b
I’m quite taken with your Ann Fahl piece, especially the paisley octopus near the center. I also like the circles in the midst of the stripes.
Thank you! Ahh, the paisley octopus! That’s something I learned from Diane Gaudynski-if you even have a chance, take her!!!
You do beautiful work! This challenge was so much fun. Just wish it could continue! :-)
Thank you! Yes, it’s been so much fun and I’ve loved looking at what everyone else is doing. I don’t want it to end.
December’s Free Motion Quilting Challenge from SewCalGal was provided by Patsy Thompson . Patsy encouraged us to have fun free motion quilting borders. So I created this 22″ piece with a center medallion and 5 borders for the challenge. I used cotton sateen, wool batting and a variety of threads. I marked the feather spine, center medallion circles and the squares-the rest was unmarked.