Today’s Topics: Pace Yourself and Start Doodling (Flower Power, Claire’s Peony, Faye’s Flower)
Good Morning, Quilters!
Welcome to Day 2 of the quilt-a-long, 25 Weeks to Better Machine Quilting based on my new book, 25 Days to Better Machine Quilting!
Whew! Yesterday was a lot of links.
It’s confusing, I know….
The book is 25 Days to Better Machine Quilting,
while the Quilt-a-Long is 25 Weeks to Better Machine Quilting.
Learning a New Skill Takes Time
Here on the blog, we will be reviewing one lesson (the same as one day in the book) per week.
This quilt-a-long is unusually long by design! You will be taking a comprehensive, online class in machine quilting– FREE!
Every lesson is important and provides the building blocks for later lessons. By taking one lesson per week, we have the opportunity to take a very comprehensive approach to machine quilting.
The best way to learn any skill is to follow the sequence:
-Learn
-Practice
-Receive Feedback
-Practice
Weekly Schedule
We will focus on one chapter (one building block) each week.
I hope to loosely follow this schedule:
Mondays-Discuss the new skill, technique or material.
Tuesdays-Doodle and set up the new project
Wednesday, Thursday-Stitch the project
Friday-Open line discussion
Choose YOUR Own Pace
Pace yourself as you learn machine quilting!
If you take one lesson per week, you’ll be an expert by the end of 2020! (Wouldn’t that be something good this year!?)
One lesson per week is a leisurely pace. It allows time to learn a new concept and let it “incubate” as well as time for practice and experimentation.
However, if you are more ambitious, follow the book and complete the lessons more quickly.
Better Quilting Through Doodling-Start Today!
We will cover the topic of doodling in greater depth in Week 4 of the quilt-a-long. However, I would like you to start doodling today! It is one of the most important developmental skills to better machine quilting.
This week, focus on YOUR doodles. Most people doodle something. Some of the most common doodles are arrows, circles, flowers and your name. Whatever YOUR doodle is–use it to create patterns. Combine YOUR doodle in rows, then try columns. Fill a square with YOUR doodle, then fill a circle, Make YOUR doodle really small, then really large. PLAY with YOUR doodle!
In addition, doodle my favorite motif, Flower Power. Flower Power is a building block motif.
Once you learn Flower Power, try two variations: Claire’s Peony and Faye’s Flower. To create Claire’s Peony, echo stitch every row of petals before beginning a new row. To doodle Faye’s Flower, echo stitch every petal twice before adding a new petal.
Combine the three motifs to create a gorgeous bouquet and a fabulous background fill design.
Share YOUR Doodles on Facebook and Instagram #quiltwithlori #lorikennedyquilts #martingaletpp
Quilt Whenever Inspiration Strikes!
If your doodling inspires you to quilt-by all means grab a quick quilt sandwich and start stitching!
Don’t worry about thread or needles or technique. Lower the feed dogs and see what happens!
Here’s one of my first FMQ attempts–inspired by a flower I had doodled. As you can see, my tension was off, I didn’t iron the quilt sandwich, and I didn’t know anything about thread at the time. Yet–I got the idea down on fabric and I learned a few things. (This remains in my FMQ “Baby Book”!)
What About YOU?
Have YOU made a stack of quick quilt sandwiches?
Did YOU find YOUR machine manual and mark the important pages?
What is YOUR favorite doodle?
Can YOU turn it into a quilting design?
Do YOU have YOUR quilting buddy?
We’d LOVE to hear!
Your Snappy (Turtle) Quilter,
Lori
Order 25 Days to Better Machine Quilting at LoriKennedyShop
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!
25 comments
quiltprn
Lori,
Would I be able to trace over the doodles, etc in your book?
Karen
Marta
Today I am full of shooting off the comments.. going out of town and will miss for week or so. I have been sewing for 66 years and quilting for 11. Finally I learned a great lesson from quilting…go with my visions. If not up to my expectations, try again !! If that doesn’t work, kiss goodbye and donate !! And joyfully, with no recriminations at myself, move on! The next idea always bubbles up. Wish I had known that lesson many years ago toward
my life in general. I found Lori’s blog ….maybe 5 years ago and it has been a staple in my sewing life…better than eggs milk and flour are in kitchen. How did she get so wise and generous in her life younger than me? She had great mom and family. She is generous
because she has learned to be a thankful and sharing person. We are all blessed to be here!
Lori Kennedy Quilts
Thank you Marta!! Very kind of you! Looking forward to your return! Happy Adventures!
Angele Robichaud
You are very generous with your time and creativity. Throughout your blogs, I have learned lots in the last few years. The biggest thing would be to trust my vision of a quilting design.
Thank you for all you do
Genie
I love the fuschia flower but how did you do the bricks?? Can you please show an illustration for doodling in rows and filling up a square? I also was wondering what pens you used for doodling. This will be fun.
Lori Kennedy Quilts
So much more to come!
Dianne
Lori, Which Bernina foot/feet do you recommend? Do you use the Echo quilting foot #44? It looks like Bernina has free motion #24, darning foot #9, quilting foot #29. Not sure which one is best to use.
Thanks.
Lori Kennedy Quilts
My favorite is the #24 Open toe free motion embroidery foot
Dianne
Thanks Lori. Sorry to ask all these questions. I don’t have my book yet. I can see from your front cover that you use #24. That’s good as I have that foot. Also, I will try the BSR disconnected.
Lesley Hruby
Practicing doodling the flowers and pretty amazed at the different looks coming together with minor changes. Excited to be learning these techniques as I’m new to free motion quilting.
Marta
That turtle is so cute, but I fell in love with that flower blossom on the fuschia (SP?) quilt.
Susan
Hi Lori, your list of items needed specifies a quilting foot but can I use my Bernina stitch regulator instead?
Lori Kennedy Quilts
Yes! Also try quilting with the BSR unplugged!
Marta
Ok, now I am mystified. In your photos of the foot, it looks like what some companies title a darning foot or hopping foot! It that what is referred to here as a quilting foot? Thanks…
Lori Kennedy Quilts
It is similar to the darning foot—but the front is cut out. Many people quilt with the darning foot. It may be called a hopping foot because it springs up slightly between stitches to allow the quilt to move.
Terri
I got my book and tiny quilted leaf. I sewed a strip of elastic to both ends of the leaf to make a bookmark for Lori’s new book. Makes it so easy to mark the page I am working on when I have to tear myself away from my sewing machine to do daily chores.
Rita Scott in Iowa
Good afternoon Lori and all other FMQ ‘s. I pulled 2 of my books and waiting on the hard copy to arrive of the 3rd book, although I do have the e-book also. Yesterday I pulled solids and backings, and pieced some batting from leftovers. So 12 sandwiches are made, what a great way to reduce my stash. For some who like to doodle and erase, putting some graph paper into plastic sleeves and using a dry erase marker allows you to practice to your hearts content. It allows you to change your mind when you get into tight spaces.
Marcia Nobles
Thank you so much, I appreciate all your help.
Annie
Hi I’ve just bought your book on Amazon because I’m in the UK. I’m self isolating, alone so this quilt along is a really great way to enjoy myself, learn a new skill and pass a few hours carefree. I’m going g to doodle right now!
Julia
Good morning all… Just loved the video, Lori. After doodling I’m going to try 1or 2 of those beautiful flowers. Practice makes perfect, right??
Cheri
I do have all your books, Lori, and Love them all.
What I need to be consistent at is the doodling! I so agree
That it is most important building up that memory muscle!
I am going to write out “l will doodle everyday”
“I will doodle everyday”, and then make doodle around it!
Maybe that will help my brain muscle!!😂
CathyB
Hi Lori and all, made a few quilt sandwiches yesterday but need to get more batting. The three flower video this morning was great. Question, how fast or slow should I begin with the stitching? Even tho I bought the digital book yesterday I bought the paperback too so I will have all three of your books. Going to love this course!
Linda Craig
Thank you for offering this class! The doodled flowers look like fun. Found material for my practice doodles. Will work on the quilt sandwiches today. Ordered my book last week and hope it arrives soon. Have an awesome day!
Bonnie
Hi Lori, I truly love your square flower, along with these three flowers and have used them in a number of projects. Can’t wait to get your third book to add to the other two I have of yours. I did the pre order early on and still waiting but sure it’ll get here eventually.
Louise
Hi Lori and Quilters Good Morning! I found myself waiting for the post this morning to see what would be next! So I guess I am hooked! I will make some quilt sandwiches today, Yesterday I searched for fabric and batting scraps–a slow start but a start. I loved the doodle video. Seeing how the motif was drawn was extremely helpful. Thanks Oh, and I did send for the book!
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