Today’s Topic: American Quilter Subscription Giveaway!
Welcome to Week Nine of The Better Machine Quilt-a-long based on my book 25 Days to Better Machine Quilting.
Find all of the previous Lessons HERE.
Sign up for emails of the class HERE.
Good Morning, Quilters!
Let’s celebrate! We are heading into our tenth week of quilting already!–We’ve come so far already–and most of the technical stuff is behind us. Now we can dive into the fun design aspects of machine quilting.
Speaking of good design…
American Quilter Magazine
For more that six years, I have written the “My Line” column in American Quilter Magazine. (Thank you to Ann Hammel, editor-in-chief who was an early follower of The Inbox Jaunt!)
American Quilter Magazine is one of the perks of being a member of the American Quilter Society. Membership also includes early access to shows and workshops and discounts on products and classes.
The magazine is chock full of great patterns, product reviews, award-winning quilt inspiration….It is a must-have in YOUR quilt library. (Not to mention an exciting prize in your mailbox!)
The Giveaway
To enter the American Quilter subscription giveaway please leave a comment today here at Lori Kennedy Quilts.
Please share a small quilting victory.
We would LOVE to hear about what you’ve learned over the past weeks. Perhaps you’ve discovered you work better with a hoop than with gloves. Or you’ve overcome your fear of adjusting tension. Maybe you’ve discovered the joy of doodling…
Everything you’ve learned is a small victory!
Have you finished quilt or project, or learned a new motif…Victory!
Sneak Preview
We will announce the winner (drawn at random) on Friday, August 21, 2020.
(Winners outside of the US will receive the digital subscription.)
The Lesson next week is on directional stitching and we will create the Sunny Day Quilt! It’s fast and easy and sure to add a little sunshine to YOUR week!
Note About Seamstresses in Fine Art
For the past five years, LKQ Saturdays have been dedicated to “Seamstresses in Fine Art”. While I’m sure I can find another five years worth of Seamstresses (they were a very popular subject) I would like to change things up a bit…For the next several months, I plan to highlight art by museum. In August and September, I will share highlights from the collection at The Art Institute of Chicago. I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago so it was my introduction to fine art, and I suppose will always be my favorite museum. Last Saturday, we started with Georges Seurat’s A Sunday on LaGrande Jatte.
I hope you will continue to be inspired by and enjoy Fine Art Saturdays--one museum at a time!
What are YOUR Little Victories
What lesson has been most helpful to you?
Is there a small insight that has made quilting easier?
Have YOU tried the Fast/Slow Exercise?
Did YOU try the spray starch smooth glide experiment?
Have YOU created any of your own experiments?
What’s YOUR quilting super power?
We’d LOVE to hear!
Your Proud American Quilter,
Lori
PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy Quilts and are intended for personal use only. Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to LKQ. For all other purposes, please contact me at Lori@LoriKennedyQuilts.com. Thank you!
Visit my Etsy shop: LoriKennedyShop for all of my books! They are ALL bestsellers!
238 comments
Linda Isfeld
I do like to doodle and keep the muscle memory going! Thank you..
Debbi Russell
Making the Farmers Wife quilt top was the catalyst for learning to FMQ with Lori. I’ll need to be skilled in order to do the quilting on this top. This free online class has been not only easy to follow but fun. An enjoyable experience.
Mary Kay
I am best at messy spirals. This class has helped me lose some of my fear of not having it just so and trying new things.
Karen Fairbrother
I love AQS and American Quilter magazine; I’ve been a subscriber for many years and was delighted when they started using Lori’s tutorials! I usually start from the back of the magazine and check that feature out first! If you don’t win Lori’s give away, I would highly recommend subscribing to AQS, they have so much to offer at a very modest price; it is so worth it! The favorite thing that I gained from this quilt a long….. I purchased a “Boogie Board” to learn new designs… draw, repeat, erase, draw, repeat, erase…. so much fun!
Donna W.
I just applied extra starch to the quilt backing I will be quilting next. I have a Supreme Slider also but haven’t used it much. Hope those two ideas will bring me better results.
Bonnie Larson
Wow. Amazing giveaway. I held a membership for a time years ago and then due to circumstances had to drop it. I do miss the magazine, so this would be an awesome prize. Thanks. I have been focused on finishing UFO’s during Covid, so have been practicing more FMQ and the consistency has really help build my confidence.
hhedrick3516
I have learned that i can doodle. I still don’t like it but i can see how it is helping me. Thank you for all your instruction!
Cathy Wilson
Spray starching the backs of my quilts has been a game changer! Your blog was one of the first I started reading when I began to quit and I’ve learned so much from you!
BoxySweaterGal
I love messy spirals but am learning not to “overfill” them because I like them better when I leave lots of empty space.
The second best thing I’ve learned so far is to slow it down a bit so my hands don’t get ahead of my brain. When I remember to do this, my stitches are more even and I have fewer Curve eyelashes on the back.
The best thing: doodle and have fun. When I’m doing both, my stitching goes much better.
Nancy HUGO
Lori, I so love your free motion quilting!
Beth S.
I learnt that I don’t really like wearing gloves, but am able to move the quilt using a hoop. Funny thing, my hoop came with my extension table, and I never even tried it before these lessons.
sondra ordway
My biggest victories are that 1) I can use different color bobbin and upper thread workout it coming through very often and 2) I no longer feel I have to hide my quilting (stitch length more even and stitches smoother). Both of these enormously expand the possibilities of what I can quilt.
Jocelyn
I was a doodler in high school but quit during my busy mothering and teaching years. And now, I have given myself permission to doodle away!!
Patty Woods
I’m learning so much! Too much to write in a sentence. Love the messy spirals and discovering I am better going with some speed!
EllenB
For me, I’m learning that perfection is overrated. I’ve been so pleased with my quilting on my piecing!
Barbie D
You have so many good tips in your e-mails! The most important tip, so far, is to PRACTICE doodling! Thanks for sharing your talents!
Yvonne Blush
I so enjoyed your tutorials as I had no idea how to go about fmq. I have tried many of your designs and love how they look. Thanks
Shari Henry
I am having fun and learning so much about free motion quilting.
Terry Helms
Doodles really do help me. I’m trying to leave lots of paper in room where I watch TV so I can doodle during every commercial.
Nan Wilson
I a enjoying the tips. Sometimes it’s the little things that make the difference. Doodling!!
Beverly Towne
Don’t know where to begin, I’ve learned so much. As a novice quilter the whole process seems overwhelming at times, but this part has been pure fun. Thank you Lori.
Elaine Koehler
I have been enjoying doodling and stitching as many new motifs as I can. The sneak peek of next week’s lesson looks lucsious ! Thank you for your encouragement to keep trying.
Patti Neavin
I’ve learned that it’s ok to not be perfect. Perfection stops you from starting.
Susan Stanton
I’ve been working on my tension settings, one increment at a time. I was happy to find the one that is perfect for me and my machine! Now I have the quilt sample to refer to for future stitching. Thanks, Lori!
Kathy Meunier
Enjoy your blog, it is terrific. I recently mastered the square flower, when I doodled it, it came together quite fast and even looked good on paper, to my surprise. I have now quilted it 3 times with great results. Thank your Lori for inventing and teaching us this design.
Debbie Thornton
Love, love, love your books and your emails I get everyday!!! You are quite an inspiration & I have learned a ton from you! Thank you so much!!!
Betsy
My “little victory” is finally trying FMQ and learning that with the help of you, these tutorials and the other members I CAN DO IT!
Deborah King
I can do this! I have learned to stop critiquing my stitches. I am still struggling with designs for blocks but I am not afraid to anymore. ore.
M teresa García alfranca
Me ha gustado mucho tu curso. Me he quitado el miedo a acolchar. Ahora práctico tus diseños. Gracias por el sorteo
sewwonderful
I fell in love with quilts when I was 5. I clearly remember sitting in the sun on a scrap quilt and looking for pieces of fabric from clothes my mom had made for us. The quilt was made by my grandmother and her church group. The quilt was thrown out when I 6. My mom had an unplanned home birth and the quilt was used during the delivery. Even though I learned to sew at an early age, I did not make my first quilt until I was pregnant with my first child at the age or 25.
sewwonderful
Oops, I hit send before I finished my comments: Now, after 40 plus years of making quilts, I am determined to learn FMQ. Lori’s class is helping me make this goal possible. Thank you for the wonderful free lessons and support in the Facebook community.
Jenny Garcia
I’m so much more confident now that I’ve had specific practice. Thanks for all the tips and encouragement, Lori!
Karen
I have loved every tutorial.and the opportunity to learn quilting techniques. I’m trying to doodle and it seems to get easier each time! I especially like messy spirals and wishbones and even used them on a quilt sashing! Confidence is growing but I’ve still got a LONG way to go. Thanks so much for your teaching and encouragement.
Helen Johnston
Practice, practice, practice, and a hoop work best for me. Love reading your blog, Lori!
Valerie J Garrison
Hello Lori. I’ve learned that every expert was once a beginner! This gives me hope! Thanks for sharing your expertise with all of us!
Debby Timson
I have been quilting for 50+ years. With the exception of the last 15 years, it has been all self taught. As I started in free motion quilting, I would practice on paper different designs. With the internet, I see it is called doodling. I have kept a notebook of all the practice sketches/doodling that I’ve drawn. As I have followed your blog, I continue to learn new patterns and techniques.
Jean Hart
I like doodling and improving my memory with these designs it makes it easier to sew. More confidence in using FMQ taking this class. Thanks
Becky A Himle
I have followed you faithfully I have been working very hard on my stitch consistancy. I look at sampler that acame with your book. I am getting better.
Shelley Kaurin
I am a novice, the pace of the lessons and progress is spot on. Loving it all and gaining confidence. Boogie board fantastic. Perfectly timed as I am learning how to use my new 770qe at the same time. I love the facebook page to see everyone’s efforts and ideas. It is wonderful to have a community to learn with. Lori is an amazing teacher. So glad to be part of this all.
Barb Applegate
I can’t say any one thing, they have all helped me overcome my fear of just do it and see what happens. I have improved over the weeks and am really enjoying seeing the changes. I have a Christmas quilt top that I am just about done with and want to put my new skill put to use.
Trisha Lediard
I would love to read this magazine during this time of quarantine. Your instructions are always so helpful. ✂️✂️✂️
Willa Jessee
Nine weeks ago I had never done one stitch of FMQ. I’m so amazed and proud of my progress. I’ve a long long way to go, but it’s going to be a fun journey!
Terry
Leanring all is all better than just quilting in the ditch!
Maureen Welch
I just starting quilting this year. I love the the process from beginning to end. I made my first quilt for my great granddaughter and I just finished my first HST quilt for my second great granddaughter.
Susan N.
I have not done any FMQ prior to this nor did I doodle specifically with quilting in mind. Now I find myself (especially during meetings:-)) trying different simple designs without having to stop because I have blocked myself in.
Kathy Clark
I have learned that I didn’t move my hands when I should have while fmq. Also, doodling a lot before quilting really helps non-artists like me to sew a better design!
auntiepatch69
Time after time, my inability to hold the top thread and the fabric under the needle to start a seam was driving me mad! After 50 years of sewing, I finally had a flash! I cut a piece of double-sided tape and put it to the right and behind the needle. Now, before I start a new seam, I make sure my top thread is stuck to the tape and I don’t have to re-thread my machine again and again. When the thread doesn’t stick anymore, I replace the tape.
nanasew
I love all the tips in this series. i bought a supreme slider and i am going to starch the back of my quilt.
Wendy Wish
Had my first fmq win finishing some long procrastinated over items. I’m loving the daily email link and the warm inspiration of the Facebook group!
Renee
I have so many quilt tops made that need quilting. Your class and your new book has inspired me to get busy and finish them. Have been so busy making masks, lost my mojo for quilting. Thank you. The doodling tips and suggestions for patterns are my favorite, but the reminders of how to set up area to hold quilt was helpful. So on to doodling this weekend and quilting Monday!! Thank you
Linda
Spray starch is now my best friend. Has really helped me with the latest quilt.
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