Friday, July 13, 2012

FMQ Challenge July/Friday Night Sew In

It's still a bit early but I've taken part in the Friday Night Sew In by getting the Free Motion Quilt Challenge done for this month. Unfortunately, I worked today and have to work tomorrow morning starting at 7. I'm already running out of steam! I chose my fabric and read this month's challenge which was taught to us by Angela Walters. She calls this pattern Tiles. You machine quilt your piece in segments. I thought it would be a great opportunity to practice some of the free motion quilt patterns I've been using since this challenge started way back in January. I tried some meandering, pebbles, loops, swirls and curls. One segment was supposed to be triangles but it came out a bit funky so we'll disregard that one tile!

I kept aware where each tile started and where it was supposed to end. I found some of the spaces rather small to free motion and was backed into corners at times. But I just traveled by sewing over an existing tile frame and kept moving. I thought this was fun and I really like the look. It's my first attempt so I hope I would only improve! I think this would be great if I had to quilt a large background. I like the idea of making that large space into a more manageable area.

I also started to think that you can make all sorts of designs. You could make circles instead of squares/rectangles. I've seen some squares where the sides are angles. This idea is so versatile and the possibilities are endless.

Angela Walters has a book out called Free-Motion Quilting with Angela Walters. I might just go buy it. The last thing I need is another book but I just love her approach. You can find her book here.

Time for me to take a nice shower and relax for a bit. I always go to bed early when I have to work so early in the morning. Have a nice weekend!!

18 comments:

  1. Your FMQ tile looks great! Love the pebbles...

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  2. Lots of good ideas in this piece. I like the tiles. Have a good night!

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    1. Thank you, Auntie Em. Let me know what you decide to do on your borders.

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  3. Outstanding! You are doing great!

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  4. That looks really great. Very neat tiling...like your idea of different shapes, mind you you might then get stuck more often. Need to try this.

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    1. Thanks! It was fun! I'd like to try it again since you have to learn how to travel and not get stuck in a corner!

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  5. I love it! I especially love how you used different fillers! So fun!!!

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    1. Thanks for the nice words and the great tutorial! I couldn't have done it without you! I really love how you break down a large area into smaller, more manageable spaces. Love it!!

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  6. good job! I hope to get to mine practice next week.

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    1. It's fun but you have to be careful not to get stuck! Hope you post some pictures!!

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  7. That looks like a lot of work. I know how long it takes me to do a practice sandwich. Great FNSI!

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    1. Thanks! Took a look at your blog and your granny squares look perfect! I think 2 blocks are good for FNSI. Love your swallowtail shawl. Thanks for stopping by!!

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    1. Thanks! Have you done yours yet this month? Can't wait to see it!!

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  9. This looks like so much fun! I've known I need to work on my FMQ skills, but doing a whole quilt in one design has made me hesitant. It would be fine if I was semi-confident in the design, but I need something I can just practice with...and stop doing it if I get a little bored. And this looks like it might be perfect! I might give it a go.

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    1. I liked that very same thing! Just doing a small part at a time seemed so much better! Give it a try! I think you'll like it!

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