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Quilting: Lesley's quilt - 1st 4 blocks
13 kudoz

Lesley's quilt - 1st 4 blocks

1st 4 blocks quilted

1st 4 blocks quilted

Learn It

This project was made as part of a Craftsy course:
Free Motion Quilting a Sampler »
Difficulty:

Category: Quilting

Type of item: Functional

For: Home

Style: Casual, Romantic, Traditional

Materials

Cotton fabrics, Bottomline & Isacord thread

What was your inspiration?

Thanks to Leah's class and the other FMQ classes I have taken at Craftsy (Ann Petersen, Wendy Butler Berns, Cindy Needham).

What are you most proud of?

That I'm doing FMQ at all! I love doing the feather fans. A decent straight line is still a challenge but this quilt is giving me lots of practice at that.

What advice would you give someone starting this project?

Practice, practice, practice & don't give up! Four blocks quilted and only 16 more to go for this quilt - sigh - at least the whole quilted is stitched in the ditch so it's all fun stuff from here. I did end up stitching almost every seam in the ditch as I had a couple of slightly baggy blocks that needed to be stitched down - really helps.
Have chocolate handy!

 

54 comments

Add your comment:

Shawnee on craftsy.com
Shawnee
Nov 10, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Wow! I love your fabric/color choices! This is gorgeous!
Darns on craftsy.com
Darns
Nov 11, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Thanks so much!
sewwhataboutme on craftsy.com
sewwhataboutme
Nov 07, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Looks great. Inspires me to get back with getting my blocks made and practicing my FMQ again. Isn't Leah the BEST? I'm another sewer/quilter from Menifee, CA.
Darns on craftsy.com
Darns
Nov 07, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Wow! Another quilter from Menifee! You're the first one I've heard from in this area. You're right, Leah is great. I've been following her blog since I found her this year. Are you as hooked on Craftsy as I am?
Wazoo Sue on craftsy.com
Wazoo Sue
Nov 06, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Hey! You're going all out quilting this one! I'm excited to see the next installment of blocks.
Darns on craftsy.com
Darns
Nov 07, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
I think I got carried away with a couple of the blocks I'm doing now - too many ideas floating around in my head - some of them from you! Craftsy is killing me with these classes - now there's yet another one I want to do - quilting with templates - appeals to my OCD side.
jillp on craftsy.com
jillp
Nov 06, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Looking Lovely! I have only to do one more curved piecing block and then I can move onward to putting it all together...(after I post pics, right? :) ) You will see that ticking fairly soon! oh...and errors aplenty...not going to angst too too badly. I have learned and am learning. :)
Darns on craftsy.com
Darns
Nov 07, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Hey, jillp, every project is a learning experience. I keep trying new things because I like the variety.
Sister Tammie on craftsy.com
Sister Tammie
Nov 06, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Nice job
Darns on craftsy.com
Darns
Nov 07, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Thank you!
mo.sews on craftsy.com
mo.sews
Nov 06, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Oh Darns!!! This is looking WAY wonderful! I'm tickled to see your results. Somehow being classmates makes what others do.. possible for me too! Thanks for sharing your chocolate cand and wine tips too! (There just is no end to the list of supplies for quilting huh? :D)
Darns on craftsy.com
Darns
Nov 07, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
I love seeing other people's ideas - there is so much creativity displayed in these Craftsy classes. The depressing thing is that there is not nearly enough time to play with them all!
linynp on craftsy.com
linynp
Nov 05, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Amazing! I can't wait to see more!
Darns on craftsy.com
Darns
Nov 06, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Thanks, linynp! I'm trying to get a couple of blocks done each day but the way my shoulders & arms feel I must have a death grip on the quilt. Nothing like quilt wrestling!
Silverlining101 on craftsy.com
Silverlining101
Nov 05, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Fantastic. I hope that I can do as well. Just lovely.
Darns on craftsy.com
Darns
Nov 06, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Thanks so much!
Leah Day on craftsy.com
Leah Day
Craftsy Instructor
Nov 05, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Awesome! I love the way you've changed up the .quilting to fit the blocks best for you! The colors are terrific and quilting just amazing. Pat yourself on the back Darns
Darns on craftsy.com
Darns
Nov 06, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Thanks, Leah! I LOVE this class & your teaching style. The best line was that if your toe doesn't hook on the stitches, don't worry about ripping.
Beth245 on craftsy.com
Beth245
Nov 05, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Wow great work Darns - this will make me want to finish putting the sashing and border on my blocks then I will have to attempt the quilting - your quilting is great - can't wait to see the next installment.
Darns on craftsy.com
Darns
Nov 06, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Go to it, Beth! It's so fun to see quilt top together. Won't it be great to see all the quilts all done?
Beth245 on craftsy.com
Beth245
Nov 06, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Yes Darns, I cannot wait to see everyone's blocks come together as quilts - I will give us all a feeling of accomplishment. I have just put the sashing on my first quilt and am cutting the sashing for the 2nd. Just need some time.
Pam NZ on craftsy.com
Pam NZ
Nov 05, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Oh boy you're off and running now! Go Darns! Did Cindy whisper in your ear to ESS LOL? Love the asterisk block... FMQ makes a HUGE difference, it takes it from a plain blah block to a wow one! Can't wait for the next instalment ;-)
Darns on craftsy.com
Darns
Nov 06, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Funny, Pam, because I did think about ESS! Cindy may have the right idea. How about MESS - Most Every Stinking Seam? Mess kind of describes some of my traveling stitching also.
Pam NZ on craftsy.com
Pam NZ
Nov 06, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
I'm quite partial to the Aussie version she picked up on a recent trip... EBS (every bl**dy seam) LOL. Mess? what mess? It's called being creative! :-)
desna on craftsy.com
desna
Nov 05, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
This is wonderful... your quilting is fab thanks for sharing this it will spur the rest of us on:)
Darns on craftsy.com
Darns
Nov 06, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Thanks so much, desna! You can practice just so long then you really want to quilt on something real.
AlyxRansom on craftsy.com
AlyxRansom
Nov 05, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Have chocolate handy! *That* might be one of the best tips yet. This quilt is coming together beautifully -- Lesley will *love* it!
Darns on craftsy.com
Darns
Nov 06, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Thanks, Alyx! a glass of wine doesn't hurt either - -
DaleC on craftsy.com
DaleC
Nov 05, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Beautiful Quilting!
Darns on craftsy.com
Darns
Nov 06, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Thank you!
MimiandCorney on craftsy.com
MimiandCorney
Nov 05, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Wow!
Darns on craftsy.com
Darns
Nov 06, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Thanks for the wow!
Pamillia on craftsy.com
Pamillia
Nov 05, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Fabulous Darns, Your quilting is making your gorgeous quilt even better. Very well done. Thank you for showing us as you go. :-)
Darns on craftsy.com
Darns
Nov 06, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Thanks so much, Pamillia!
Freddieinna on craftsy.com
Freddieinna
Nov 05, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
beautiful! lucky Leslie!
Darns on craftsy.com
Darns
Nov 06, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Thanks a lot!
Tanya W. on craftsy.com
Tanya W.
Nov 05, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Your quilting is superb! Very, very nicely done!
Darns on craftsy.com
Darns
Nov 06, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Thanks, Tanya! I wonder if anyone is ever totally satisfied with their FMQ - I feel I still have so far to go
Barbara Hughes on craftsy.com
Barbara Hughes
Nov 05, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Beautiful work Darns. You tackled the free motion. This is something I am trying to learn but have not conquered it yet. You did a beautiful job.
Darns on craftsy.com
Darns
Nov 06, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Thanks, Barbara! But so not conquered yet - I think I have gotten to "acceptable" level - must work on stitch length consistency or foot pedal consistency
2strings on craftsy.com
2strings
Nov 05, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Leslie will absolutely love her quilt! Great FMQ!
Darns on craftsy.com
Darns
Nov 06, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Thanks for applying the 10 foot rule to the FMQ! Squinting helps too!
CL Tree on craftsy.com
CL Tree
Nov 05, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
VERY nicely quilted! Curious about whether you marked before stitching? I'm not very skilled at FMQ yet - and am practicing on smaller children's charity quilts my guild makes. Much less stressful. I haved signed up for a couple of FMQ Craftsy classes for some additional coaching - just haven't got that far as yet. Is there one specific class that really moved you forward?
Darns on craftsy.com
Darns
Nov 06, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Thank you! I did mark the grid on the wonky pound sign block because I can't seem to FMQ a straight line. The one class that really seemed to connect with me was Ann Petersen's Machine Quilting & Beyond. She really got me motivated to keep practicing - very relaxed teaching style.
patz in suffolk on craftsy.com
patz in suffolk
Nov 05, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
You're doing really well - the quilting looks marvellous! Keep up the good work!
Darns on craftsy.com
Darns
Nov 06, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Thanks, pat! more practice needed - always!
Sew bless on craftsy.com
Sew bless
Nov 05, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Beautifully done!
Darns on craftsy.com
Darns
Nov 06, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Thanks a lot!
WasaNewbieJean on craftsy.com
WasaNewbieJean
Nov 05, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Go Darns, go! You're doing great and make me wish I'd have taken the plunge earlier! Keep up the beautiful work.
Darns on craftsy.com
Darns
Nov 06, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Thank you, Jean! Seems like I've spent most of this year learning FMQ & hoping to get some consistency in stitch length (sigh!)
Darns on craftsy.com
Darns
Nov 08, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Hey, Jean, have you ever ended up following yourself when replying to other people's comments on one of your projects? It seems like when I press Enter after replying a box pops up telling me that I am now following darns - too weird. This ever happen to you?
WasaNewbieJean on craftsy.com
WasaNewbieJean
Nov 08, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Yes, that's happened to me more than once! Its been some time since the last incident. I hope it doesn't start up again. Always made me feel a little vain :D I used to go immediately to my home page and "unfollow" myself. Glad to know it wasn't only me!
Ann Rowley on craftsy.com
Ann Rowley
Nov 05, 2012    Flag as inappropriate
Wow! Will mine ever look this good I wonder?
Darns on craftsy.com
Darns
Nov 06, 2012   Flag as inappropriate
Thanks, Ann! All I see are the flaws of course but I am learning to let go of perfection 'cause it's not going to happen

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