FMQ 1,2,3

Tips for free motion quilting

1. Practice first.  Start with a small 'quilt sandwich' (2 pieces of fabric with batting in the middle) of approximately 12" square and get used to moving it back and forth under the needle. Invest in basting pins which come in two sizes and are slightly curved.  Pin your quilt or practice sandwich up every few inches and take out the pins as you go.  Don't pull, tug, or push your quilt.  Just try to move it smoothly and keep the needle straight up and down.  My machine has a special needle plate with a small needle hole which I use when free motion quilting. I  also use a combination of quilting gloves (with sticky fingers) or finger cots that give me a little grip on the quilt. 

2. Relax.  It takes time to learn to FMQ.  Sing a song or hum a nursery rhyme.  The latter always works for me and I use it still when I find myself getting tense.  Row, row, row your boat was always my fave although I hummed 'sew, sew, sew your quilt' instead

3. Use good quality threads like King Tut, Aurafil or Mettler.  They come in fabulous colors and you can use them in the spool and bobbin. 

Most new machines have automatic feed dog control.  You need to drop them (or cover if it's an older machine) and set your stitch length to zero or engage your FMQ function.  Use a proper quilting foot.  Just check with your dealer for the right one.  I prefer a foot with an open half moon shape but there are many options.  Use nice quality quilting needles.  Generally a 90/14 is the best size with the cotton threads. 

If your thread is breaking try a new needle. Or adjust your machine tension.  Or take a little break and adjust your own tension and come back and try again.  Some spools prefer to stand up instead of lying horizontally and your dealer can advise on that.  Loose threads on the underside of your work means the tension of the spool is incorrect.  Rethreading often fixes the problem.  Don't overfill your bobbins, I usually fill mine 3/4 and just pre-load a few depending on the size of the quilt.  

I use stencils and a 'pounce pad' filled with chalk to transfer my design to the quilt.  You will find many online at www.fulllinestencil.com

I also use plastic stencils available at my local quilt stores and online at places like www.quiltingcreations.com. Many online companies will make their designs in different sizes if you inquire.  Start with something simple - loops or repeating spirals.  Another option is to draw your own design onto the quilt (before you pin baste) and there are numerous water soluble pencils for that function. 

Prep your quilt - iron the top and back.  Unfold your batting and flatten out the creases or put it in the dryer for a few minutes on a fluff setting. I tape the backing to the floor using masking or painters tape, stretching slightly. Then I layer the batting and smooth it out and lastly the quilt top.  I pin baste strategically so the quilt layers are stable but not too heavy.  Then I'm ready to hit the machine. 

There is nothing quite as pleasing as finishing a quilt top and then augmenting your work with a beautiful quilting design.  There are many professional quilters including myself who can finish your work for you, but it's really rewarding to do your own quilting so give it a go. Mostly, don't give up!! I've been FMQing for years and I still have days where nothing is working right.  I take a break, a deep breath, and go again.  Sew, sew, sew my quilt...

Below is an example of 'stipple' or 'meander' and is a basic pattern that can be simple and effective and one of the best to use when learning to free motion quilt. 

 

The second picture is a looping heart block design that's a little more complex but you'll get there 

And here is an example of feathering. It takes a bit of practice but not as much as you might think

Good luck!

Introducing the TQ©

My online store has a new product.  The TQ© a tote quilt with its own free carry sack.  Available in custom colors or themes.  Quick turnaround on orders, all premium cotton, machine wash and dry.
My online store

A simple quilt tutorial

I often try to use my stash (extra stored fabrics) inbetween other projects.  I've had quite a few requests for purple quilts recently and my drawer was overflowing.  So here is an example of a simple, but effective, quilt design that can be laid out in many different ways and uses up some of that stash.

Start with 6.5" blocks of whatever color and background fabric you wish to use plus 3.5" blocks of your color.  Per block you need 2 each background/color at 6.5" and 2 of the 3.5" color.  Mix and match colors as you choose.  I made 36 blocks but this pattern adapts easily for many sizes and once you see the layout options below, you might choose a different number of blocks.  

So that's four 6.5" blocks and two 3.5" blocks per finished block. Here's my pile of cut fabric.  You will see strips for borders but won't see them in the finished project.  

I took a few minutes to mark the back side of all the small blocks.  I find it makes for easier sewing and keeps me straight.  Even advanced quilters don't always sew straight lines without some help!

Time for a bunch of chain piecing.  Sew all the small colored blocks to the large background blocks.  Then cut the extra fabric away leaving a 1/4 inch seam, press open. Easy stuff!

Once you have all your pieces together you can create your block.  As you can see below there are various options.  You can mix and match your colors, your middles, or group all the same together.  When you are pleased with the effect, lay out your four blocks to make the one large block and get to some chain piecing. This is a fun baby quilt if you choose a child oriented background fabric as your feature and then keep the colors to blues, pinks, yellows etc.

Press your completed blocks well and then have fun laying out the quilt top design.  As I mentioned I made 36 blocks so my layouts below make these designs.  Depending on how many you create, your layouts might vary.  You will see that I ultimately chose slightly differently.

Ok. That was fun!  Now that you've chosen your layout get your rows together and your top competed.  I ended up splitting mine and went with two smaller quilts.  One is completed without borders and the other will end up having simple borders added once I finish.  I chose a purple backing fabric, layered with cotton batting in the middle and opted for a simple quilting pattern.  Be brave and do your own quilting if you can.  Or pay someone else to do it!  Here is my competed top using 20 of the blocks.  I plan to use the remaining 16 in one of the other layouts with a simple border.

Keeping things organized

Here's a simple trick I use for sewing.  I always load the plain/clear bobbins that generally come with a machine with my regular polyester blend threads for piecing.  Most companies make colored bobbins which are easily purchased through your dealer or online.  I use my colored bobbins for my cotton and quilting threads.  This way, even if I don't work on a project for many weeks I know that I'm using the right thread especially when I am piecing and quilting with the same colors such as white or black.  Although you won't ruin a quilt by using cotton thread to piece your blocks, I don't think you'll have quite as nice a result if you use a non quilting thread (cotton, metallics etc.) to finish the top.

Make sure you pre-load at least 3 bobbins with your threads as it saves time when you're working hard to finish that project.  

You will use more thread for free motion quilting than you do for straight line sewing but all thread spools are easily marked with the amount on it and it's not too hard to guesstimate how much you will need.  I favor King Tut superior cotton threads for quilting.  It comes in 500 yard spools and 2000 yard cones and boasts a wide range of colors.

 If you use the cone version you should invest in a thread holder which sits beside your machine and threads through the rest of the machine normally.  Most machines won't accommodate the size of the cone.

If you are blessed with space then invest in a thread wall rack.  It keeps everything organized and you will quickly see that you do (or don't) have the color you need.  Happy sewing!

Natural inspiration

Anyone who knows me well is likely aware that I enjoy color, especially jewel tones.  I have made many a neutral quilt of late but bright, rich, saturated color is what appeals to me the most.

Choosing colors for a quilt can sometimes be tricky.  Sometimes a client requests "purple" but it isn't clear If that means lavender or amethyst.  Often I fall in love with a fabric and then get stumped on what to pair it with.  So here's an easy trick for you to help navigate the often overwhelming color choices In a fabric store.

Take inspiration from nature.  Look around you, trees, flowers, the sky against the mountains etc.  You will quickly see what colors work well together or where you can make a bold choice.  Flowers are among my favorite inspirations.  Below are some lovely examples of a variety of choices working together.  If you think the picture is pretty then you will likely enjoy the finished quilt if you use fabrics in the same tones.  Remember to vary your tone, shade and pattern size.  Also make sure to stand back from your selections as it is much easier to see what works (or doesn't.)  

Be bold.  Don't be afraid to try orange and pink together or pick six different shades of the same color and add a splash of something unexpected.  Neutrals are lovely and have their place in harmonious decor but it's those splashes of color that bring it all together.  So branch out, recreate that field of pansies or grove of trees and have fun bringing nature indoors.  Happy coloring!

 

Quality products

I'm in production mode just now, finishing up some of my UFOs (unfinished objects.). But I will be back soon. In the meantime check out the latest products in my Etsy shop.  They wash and wear well and are ideal for the spare room, wall decor, cubicle at the office, visiting relatives, or the much anticipated grandchild.  One of my offerings shown below.  If that's not a mouth watering quilt I don't know what is! Almost guaranteed to help keep you eating healthy.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/CatesQuilts

Quilt Shops

One of the many aspects of quilting that I enjoy is exploring quilt shops outside my local area.  Whenever I travel, I always google ahead and check if the town has a quilt or sewing store.  I've visited stores in Oregon, Idaho, North & South Dakota, Montana, and London to name a few.  Here are a couple of my favorites.

Last year, when visiting one of my son's at University in Reno, I first discovered Windy Moon Quilts.  It's a large shop not too far from the 'strip' in a slightly odd location, but easily found.  The staff are helpful, the selection is vast, and they are also a Bernina/Janome dealership (my machines of choice).  I headed back there this past weekend and took two of my friends with me.  We came away with a little fabric, an interesting ruler, some bobbins, and a pattern. Plus we had a nice chat with the owner who located to Reno from Napa a few years ago.  So if you happen to be in Reno, make sure you check out this shop.  Tell them I sent you!

www.windymoonquilts.com

Address: 440 Spokane St, Reno, NV 89512

Phone:(775) 323-4777

Another shop I discovered on my travels a few years ago is located in Sisters, Oregon.  The Stitchin' post is at one end of a lovely main street in beautiful Central Oregon.  I remember a picturesque drive through an abundance of lush forest and the countryside was inspiration for a nature themed quilt.  The store was beautifully laid out and had some amazing fabrics and my kids were good sports about indulging their mama visiting a store while we were on vacation.

http://www.stitchinpost.com/

Phone: 541-549-6061

Last but not least is for the overseas traveler.  If you find yourself in London, my birthplace, make sure you head down to Liberty's.  Located inside a gorgeous Tudor style building in the West End of Central London near the Oxford Circus tube station, Liberty's of London houses an array of "haberdashery" and homewares. I treated myself to a gorgeous piece of fabric in the softest lawn cotton called Liberty Tana Fawn that I ultimately used in a wall hanging.  

Regent Street, London W1B 5AH, United Kingdom +44 20 7734 1234

www.liberty.co.uk

 Here is a shot of my dear friend and I outside the store anticipating our visit to Liberty's!
Please let me know of any shops you've visited that are worth knowing about.