learning to FMQ from what I learn from YOU!
 

I've been quilting about 1 1/2 years. For a while I was happy stitching around those ditches and sewing diagonal lines, but the FMQ bug has bitten. From this board I learned to think "snakes"
http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...ml#post5144232
but I started that on this one and didn't like the way it was turning out. I was using a varigated thread and didn't like the way it looked also so ... rrrriiippppp!

From this board I learned that you can stitch a few snakes going side to side - this may be a Leah Day idea - I can't find that link that showed it. That didn't feel right either.

I usually pin anything bigger than a baby size - and spray baste smaller projects. For this one I spray basted cause I wanted it to be more stable than I thought pins would do. So I was concerned the spray wouldn't stay if I maneuvered the quilt too much.

I decided to stitch around each big block - about 1/2 inch on each side of the seams joining the blocks together. That left me with 12 large outlined blocks to play in and a sandwich I did not think would shift too much. Then I meandered my way in each block and ... it's a start.

I wouldn't be happy if I'd paid someone to quilt this for me and this is what I got back, but as a start to getting to another place in my quilitng journey I'm quite happy.

Pattern: Turning 12 - uses 12 fat quarters. The scrappy border can't be made totally from the 12 FQ's - you need to add 2 more border strips - got those from my stashlette. (EVEN BETTER: I'm in a club at my LQS and at each meeting there's a "deal". One month the deal was $1.50 for any FQ in the shop (except batiks) and I got these beautiful things. Ye-haw!

Fabric: Moda's Etchings by 3 Sisters. LOVE THIS It feels so lucious.

Backing: 108" wide from my LQS (Wyndham Fabrics by Whistler Studios)

Size: 54X70

Binding: backing brought around

Giftee: a grandson's pre-school teacher. This sweet lady is truly a gift to children and a miracle worker indeed. (SHe is my grandson's second teacher this year. In the first class he was labeled with every alphabet combination possible from ADD to Aspergers to ODD - oppositional defiant disorder - security was even called on him when he ran to a corner and started screaming. Yes, security - he's 4. I started taking a day off from MY teaching job about once a month just to provide a family/school connection for him and saw miracles happening once he was moved to a new room. From the alphabet soup to a "normal" child under this dear lady's care. And THAT given while her husband served with the National Guard in Afghanistan for 2 of the 4 years they have been married. He returned near Christmas time. Sorry to go on and on, but you don't see miracles happen every day - or even every school year.)

Your quilt is amazing. So is your story. And you inspire me on many levels, particularly to keep trying to free motion quilt. Bless the sweet teacher receiving your gift!

Lovely...love the colours you used

I am so sad and also happy to hear about your 4 year old grandson. Having 3 girls go through the school system I know what you are talking about. Sometimes they just don't get it, the teacher, and others are so gifted.

I think your quilt looks very nice especially for a first one. It is a very lovely quilt and she would be happy to have it, sometimes we are really "the quilt police" and too hard on ourselves. She won't be looking for what you are looking for and will love it.

the quilt is terrific! congrats on your FMQ finish. and a great tribute to a wonderful teacher... such an opportunity that she came into his life :thumbup:

Your quilt is beautiful and you did a really good job on the quilting. Thanks for the inspiration on learning to FMQ. So glad to hear your DGS is doing so much better with his new Teacher!!!!

You've done a great job. I'm also getting ready to go to the next fase in my quilting. I'm going to make some practice pieces that I can use as quilts and then in June I'm signed up for a class at the quilt show for this and I want to take on on binding. I figure that my piecing is doing pretty well so this is the next step; this and embroidery. You should be really proud of yourself.

Beautiful quilt and story.

Your quilt turned out lovely! She's gonna love it!

nice quilt nice quilting