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
Mary Honas
I am an instructor of basic quilting classes at my local quilt shop and have a long arm–hand guided. I love how you break all the steps down to its simplest components. The parts that I was good at I understand better and the other parts I’ve gotten better at doing. Everything feels so much easier.
Glenda Britten
This has been a wonderful journey. Every lesson has been so helpful. My confidence has grown tremendously. Thank you Lori for taking on such a large class of us.
Vickie Bell
I am not overly confident yet doing FMQ… probably because I am intimidated by my guild members who do such an awesome job and have been doing it for years. However I have made some progress. Not enough time to practice and piece all the projects I want to do! Thank you for all the information.
Ping
I’ve been so blessed by your generosity and gift of teaching over the years that I’ve followed your blog and bought your books. It has taken me a while but I’ve finally learnt to accept that the quirks and variations in my imperfect quilting are what makes it MY quilt and adds to its personality. I’m a bit OCD and used to be so frustrated that not each and every stitch was perfect or symmetrical, so this revelation has almost been life changing! Now, I can say I truly enjoy the process of quilting and relax knowing that I’m not going to be judged on how perfectly I can quilt. Thank you so much, Lori!
Eva
Lori you gave me the inspiration to try FMQ. I’ve now completed many quilts and wall hangings. The more I quilt the better I get. My granddaughters quilt has “hidden” motifs throughout the whole quilt. Such fun to quilt! Thank you for the inspiration!
Jen D
Thank you so much for having this quilt along! I enjoy all three of your books and try incorporating your designs in my fmq🥰
Cindy Clark
WOW! I don’t even know where to begin! Well, I guess I do…doodle, doodle, doodle! This has helped me immensely, as well as gentle reminders to use a fresh needle, clean out the lint, oil my machine, and adjust the speed (never realized I could) and tension. Practice, practice, practice…relax the shoulders! But, the best thing to come out of this pandemic quiltalong is all the great support, encouragement and ideas from my fellow class members and of course Lori’s sense of humor, which puts a smile on my face every day. Thank you everybody… you bring me JOY!
Cynthia J. Clark
Oh, and best of all, I have weaned myself of my BSR!
Alice kish
Hand position and using your thumb and index finger to guide gives me so much more precision than I have had. It makes me concentrate to always be aware of hand position.
Elizabeth Boyle
I’ve started! That’s big for me. I love your book. I had it spiral bound and it is open by my side as I doodle and practice. It’s like an encouraging friend!
Janette
Have followed for years now, but constantly learning. You have given me the knowledge to doodle ,FMQ,
constantly to improve. Have finished some quilts , that l am very proud of. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and creativity. God Bless!
Jill McCormick
Love this FMQ tutorial. So much more comfortable with the whole idea. I am practicing up to take on a queen size quilt for my daughter and her soon to be husband, which I would have never considered before. Thank you!
So creative and it’s contagious.
Jill McCormick
Janet
I’ve followed you for a very long time. You have shown me how to not be afraid to try new things and that doodling is helpful and fun. You’re blog has inspired me to finish many of my quilts with confidence. Thank You.
Elaine in North Texas
I have loved your new lessons this year. I have been a follower for several years. Now with staying home so much I am quilting quite a few of the tops that have been completed in the past few years. Your lessons have been great reminder of things I may have forgot about. Love your quilting designs. Thank you so much.
Karen McMahon
I have been doodling and really like doing it. I think I even see some improvement.
Anne
I finally learned to get over my fear of doodling.
Donna noble
I been following your posts for years and have learned so much. I went from I can’t free motion quilt to having the confidence to do it. While it still is not my favorite part of quilting I am getting better and as I get better I like it more.
featherweight48
For me the plastic overlay was a wonderful way to see a particular motif would work for what was in my head. Before that I would finish the top and was stuck on how I wanted to quilt. So I just put it away. I had the extra vinyl so made several. I also use it to go over my doodles a few times to make it clear in my head which direction I want to move. These classes are so much fun!!
Rita Montgomery
I have learned many things but am really enjoying doodling.
Mary Seurer
The importance of doodling first!
susan jane konkel
Enjoy looking…praying for the day I will again have time to sew.
Joan Finn
I have learned to gain confidence and patience in my free motion quilting adventure!
Nancy Thone
I’ve learned that fmq is just like anything else I try to learn in life – practice, practice, practice! It’s also a good idea to tell myself it is just fabric and thread – it’s not as hard as I’ve told myself it is (tell yourself the truth!).
barbmorgan24gmailcom
I didn’t ever like gloves either. I like to use secretarial finger tips on my thumb and middle finger. I have found that you need to have something for your hands. Thank you for so much for your inspiration throughout the years. If I am stuck for an idea I come here. I also break open your books.
Heartland Honey
My small victory was investing in a Super Slider for my Bernina 830 that resides in an Emu cabinet. I always thought the clear insert and stainless steel bed was slick enough but after reading your article decided to try a Super Slider. My quilting is much smoother. I can’t believe a small item would improve my quilting so much!
Patricia Stein
I have learned about the importance of doodling and warming up on a quilt sandwich before I dive in on the actually quilt. Because of this class, I have lots of quilt sandwiches prepped and ready to go for this purpose. It really helps!
P.S. I was born in Wilmette, IL and my parents grew up in Highland Park.
Linda
I have loved this “class”! I need the daily instructions and videos to help me dare to try what I didn’t think I could! I’m a visual learner so just “reading” a book about fmq wasn’t enough to help me try. I’m still doodling, although not much better than I was when I started, but I think that’s the piece that’s helped the most….getting the muscle memory for the design in my head before I start with the machine.
Mary Ann Fogleman
I discovered I could fmq better without my BSR! Who knew??
Rebecca J
What I have gained most in these tutorials is CONFIDENCE! having you to guide me and gently show me the steps to improve my skills has been a huge help! I have gone from someone who says ‘I really don’t do this very well..’ to being someone who says, ‘I can do this! Let’s see what Lori Kennedy says about this!’
Deb Erwin
I have learned how important doodling is. Your tips on solving tension problems have been very helpful. Thank you Lori.
Cheri
Where to begin! I’ve been a quilter since 1986, but never felt comfortable quilting for myself. I really think quilting started for me when I saw your first book, gifted to me! I wallowed in negative thoughts about being unable to produce a piece as good as others. I’ve followed you for a long time, but this latest quilt along helped me achieve a comfortable level of quilting. I do think that the critique of others on this journey as well as your guidance has lifted me to being ok with my style and that to me is huge! Thank you so much for the time this endeavor took for you and members of your family!
Barbara Blum
Everything you have taught us so far has helped me! Doodling, practicing, relaxing but the one thing that will help me finish my multitude of quilt tops is the plastic overlay. I have a difficult time deciding how to quilt my project and being able to try different motifs on the actual top without marking it is a game changer. Also, when I am practicing I talk to myself as if Lori is right behind me guiding my hands😀.
Mary Cortez
Doodling mindlessly gives me a good jumping off point for my quilting. It frees up my mind and gives me confidence that I CAN do it!
Margy Holloway
I finally learned to get out of my comfort zone and take the plunge into FMQ. I’m still learning and enjoy the lessons! Ty
Joan Heard
I guess the biggest victory or breakthrough came when I learned to slow down. The tension problems and stitch length issues that plagued me for a long time were mostly resolved. Doodling and then using practice quilt sandwiches also helped. Thanks LKQ you have made such a difference to my quilting!
Kathleen Boutin
I have always been a doodler…which always made the notes in my business journal look like I wasn’t paying attention to the discussion. Your course has given meaning and focus to that habit. I definitely need to practice more at the machine. Thank you Lori for being so generous with your time!
Lorraine Doyno Evans
I love how to combine the motifs into a pretty table runner. I am going to try starching on my next small project. For small projects I do not use gloves, but for a large quilt I just use squares of shelve lining. (We also use a big piece of shelve lining under our kitchen cutting board so it doesn’t slip while chopping).
Rose Pruitt
I am enjoying learning to quilt! I do have some frustrations mainly due to lack of space to make quilts. I think the FMQ is calming and relaxing. my biggest obstacle to over come is how to get all the layers straight and inline with each other so the backing does not crease when quilting the designs. I love your book though I have just received it. I look forward to learning more and having less frustration with the layers of the quilt. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to learn with you!
LInda M. Gutsell
I am enjoying the Better Machine Quilting event, and am following and saving every step. I can’t wait to actually do each exercise. But, to be candid, this has been really bad timing for me. What time I have for quilting has been given over to making masks, which will continue to be my priority until the health crisis has passed.
Emma Kemmis
I was so excited to finish my table runner, the contrast between the square flower and the spirals worked so well. I am also a doodling convert, it takes the stress out of FMQ. Thank you for the lessons, I look out for them each day.
Karon
I’ve used my boogie board to doodle, and also my journal, advancing to practice as a warm up to using my sit down mid-arm. i am still practicing on placemat size, but am almost ready for a larger wall hanging. Thank you for the great inspiration and opportunity to win the subscription!
Sue Sharer
I’ve been following you in AQS for years, but rarely had the confidence to try your motifs. Now i will try most anything, first doodling, then on a practice sandwich. I’ve been doing additional practicing on charity quilts. I think had placement may have been the most helpful so far, besides just practicing.
Teresa T
Doodling has been very beneficial for tense times.
Jackie Belton
Three of my quilting friends and I have been following your quilt along. I have been helping them with their quilting for a while. We have enjoyed following your blog and have learned a lot of new designs. Thank you.
Elaine c
Your weekly lessons have given me confidence in my quilting. I have used the Rose on a lap quilt and even included ivy in the smashing. I remember someone telling me nature is not perfect. There are three more quilts ready for quilting and with all your informative instructions and practice, practice, practice I know they’ll look great. Thanks. Looking forward to all your lessons..
Elaine. C
P. S. I have enthusiastically told all my friends how easy your lessons are and to get on board.
Betsy Schneekloth
I have been a follower and fan for years. You have taught me how to doodle. When I was working I would doodle with the kids during indoor recess and taught them some of your designs. These lessons have gotten me back to using my Boogie Board and doodle quilting on my quilts. Thank you!
congelfer
I’ve learned that I do not need a ruler for everything, and I don’t need to draw everything out on my quilt with a chalk pencil prior to quilting it. When I evaluate how I’m going to do something, I ask myself, what do I want to quilt with a ruler, and what can I just do free motion. When I look at the results, like my halloween table runner, I am very pleased with my free motion results — all done without rulers. So I guess this class has given me practice and confidence to be free and creative with my quilting.
Laura Love
I love the reminders about basic moves and the helps to keep your hands, arms and shoulders relaxed.
plmcquadegmailcom
I’ve learned how important practice is. I’m not as good as I’d like to be, but I’m getting there.
Ruth Janssen
I already receive the AQ magazine and am a member, but just wanted to let you know that I always look for your column as one of my favorite things about the magazine. I have used several of your quilting designs in quilts that I make. I started FMQ about 10 years ago because I was going to retire and was afraid that I couldn’t afford to pay a long armer to quilt my quilts. Also, I wanted to be able to say that I (and only I) made my quilts. BTW, I grew up in a Chicago suburb also – Villa Park, and have been to the Chicago Art Museum – a long time ago. I do get back there once in a while to see my sister and brother.
Genia
I love the idea that I am a quilt artist! I think that is freeing. My designs do not have to be perfect or just like yours. In fact they shouldn’t be. I guess the doodling has helped make it feel more like art and less like a prescribed method. I think every lesson has helped because the more I practice the more confidence I have.
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