Free motion quilting (FMQ) has been a goal for years. Much like zippers, it scares me. Maybe it’s the idea of learning something new? Could it be that I’m concerned it will look like my free hand drawings…awful.
With wonderful support of my IMQG friends I successfully quilted a small quilt with FMQ.
At the retreat I came prepared with my darning foot and an ancient WIP, it’s been around since 2011. What I didn’t expect was how nervous I would feel. With sweaty palms and a racing heart I pushed the pedal and started guiding my fabric. Loops, I can do loops, yeah, let’s do that was my thought process.
Okay we’ve made a few, they look decent. Even better the back looks good, the tension is correct.
Then I started to question myself and I slowed down. Stitches started skipping and the frustration mounted. UGH! “I knew I couldn’t do this” began to creep into my mindset. After stopping, breathing, and adjusting the fabric, I tried again. I kept the seam ripper nearby for the number of errors that occurred.
Here is what I learned:
- My machine likes to go fast.
- Trust my gut and just keep moving the fabric.
- If needed, stop and adjust everything.
I have a project in the works to try FMQ again. This time will be at home. I’m sure I will be texting my friends before for moral support and possibly having some wine to help me relax.
Quilt details:
Fabric: Botanica and coordinating Kona Solids from Fabric.com
Pieced by various members of IMQG ~2011
Style: Improv log cabins