I did it (FMQ) and I liked it! It's a start!
09-30-2012, 03:38 PM
#1
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Join Date: May 2012
Location: Houston
Posts: 687
I did it (FMQ) and I liked it! It's a start!
I have been a piecer for 20 years, but rarely finished my tops myself. When I first started quilting, I had a few tops quilted by a long armer, but realized it was too expensive for me to do that and continue to buy fabric for piecing. I used a walking foot to quilt a few tops, but mostly just stacked them in my closet and moved on to the next. I figured I would get a short arm and frame someday and finish them myself.
Thanks to Rachel, who organized last Sunday's virtual quilt day, I've accomplished some firsts! I spray basted a lap quilt last Saturday so I could quilt it on Sunday. I used to have a basting phobia, but found the spray made it much easier and quicker. Last Sunday I started to FMQ my top with a loopy meander and got about half of it done. Yesterday, I finished the quilting, and there were even moments when I thought "I like this." :-) Today, I sewed the binding on and decided to do it all by machine, which was also a new thing. It's not too bad, and I think I would do it again, especially on a kid's quilt.
I have two tops for a great-niece and -nephew to quilt and another lap quilt just like the one I finished only in a different colorway. I think I will stick with my loopy meander for now, and then move on to something else - a flower meander maybe?
I have taken several classes through the years on FMQing, but never got past the small sandwich stage. I know I was concerned about "ruining" a good top, but at this stage of my life it's quilt them myself and let them be used, or end up with a stack of tops that never see the light of day. What was I waiting for?
Oh, I used a size 16 denim needle and left the feed dogs up. I don't have a camera, but will try and get a picture up later. Thanks for letting me share my happiness. :-)
Thanks to Rachel, who organized last Sunday's virtual quilt day, I've accomplished some firsts! I spray basted a lap quilt last Saturday so I could quilt it on Sunday. I used to have a basting phobia, but found the spray made it much easier and quicker. Last Sunday I started to FMQ my top with a loopy meander and got about half of it done. Yesterday, I finished the quilting, and there were even moments when I thought "I like this." :-) Today, I sewed the binding on and decided to do it all by machine, which was also a new thing. It's not too bad, and I think I would do it again, especially on a kid's quilt.
I have two tops for a great-niece and -nephew to quilt and another lap quilt just like the one I finished only in a different colorway. I think I will stick with my loopy meander for now, and then move on to something else - a flower meander maybe?
I have taken several classes through the years on FMQing, but never got past the small sandwich stage. I know I was concerned about "ruining" a good top, but at this stage of my life it's quilt them myself and let them be used, or end up with a stack of tops that never see the light of day. What was I waiting for?
Oh, I used a size 16 denim needle and left the feed dogs up. I don't have a camera, but will try and get a picture up later. Thanks for letting me share my happiness. :-)
Those quilts will be very appreciated by the people you give them to! Keep up the FMQ!!!
09-30-2012, 04:09 PM
#6
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Michigan's Upper Peninsula
Posts: 857
Your success story is encouraging me to try the FMQ. I wimped out this afternoon and started another top by cutting out the pieces.....
Thank you for taking the time to share with us and challenge us to just do it!
Thank you for taking the time to share with us and challenge us to just do it!
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