Start Today–Open Line Friday

Free Motion Quilting, Fonts

Hoooooray!  It’s Friday!  It was a busy week at The Inbox Jaunt!

I loved hearing all the circus stories–One of our followers, “Boo Grandma” wrote about her  four uncles who were trapeze artists–And Boo actually travelled with the circus once!

I’m sure there’s a circus free motion quilting motif in our future…

On Tuesday, it seems we were all ready for more Fun in the Sun with the Sunshine Free motion quilting variations…

Wednesday was especially busy with two posts in one day–(oops!)—Thank you, Peggy for The Girl Sewing Paper Pieced pattern–it was very popular…

And a little improvisational appliqué…

WHAT IS IMPROVISATIONAL APPLIQUE?

Several people asked me about improvisational appliqué process.  So let’s begin Open Line Friday…

Improvisational quilting is…basically…working without a pattern or a real plan…just “winging it”

Improvisational quilting is intuitive quilting--doing what “feels and looks right” at the moment.  For example, this week my only plan was to use the fused fabric I had on hand to cut out shapes.  I have no idea what the final project will look like…(I might hate it, I might love it…) that’s part of the fun!

Free Motion Quilting, FontsOPEN LINE FRIDAY—MY QUESTION TO YOU 

Is there some skill, quilting or non-quilting that you would like to learn?  

What if you could give that skill just 15 minutes per day?

I KNOW if you gave Free Motion Quilting or Doodling 15 minutes per day for one year–you would be THRILLED with your progress…

Free Motion Quilting, FontsWHAT WILL YOU START TODAY?

Lori

PS…Today’s sample was stitched on my Bernina 820 (without a stitch regulator) with Aurifil 28/2 cotton on top and Aurifil 50wt in the bobbin using a Schmetz 90 Topstitch needle.

PPS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy at The Inbox Jaunt and are intended for personal use only.  Feel free to reblog, pin, share with attribution to The Inbox Jaunt.  For all other purposes, please contact me at lckennedy@hotmail.com.  Thank you, kindly!

28 responses to “Start Today–Open Line Friday”

  2. I’ve just started practicing free motion quilting again after being a bit afraid and not doing it for many years. I’ve found that I’m loving it and have committed to doing it regularly if not daily. The next thing is to start drawing and doodling. That I am really scared of!

  3. Rosemary B here:
    um…. EVERYTHING.
    Well, almost everything.
    I wish the days were longer.
    I have my parents finally moved into Ashby Ponds in Ashburn (Google it) and they are adjusting. I do give them still several hours a day– so I am good at that, at present.

    I would love to spend time every day doing back stitch applique, fmq, doodling, working with colors and color theory (I seem to be challenged), praying more, and being thankful.
    And going to the gym regularly and getting supah strong.
    Lastly, decluttering – a little every day. I do not want to put my daughters and their hubbies through this process.
    For now, that is my list, not in order of importance, just everything at once because that is the way I am haha
    Happy Friday Lori and also to your lovely followers old and new

  5. I try to practice FMQ daily, but with my 6 yr old granddaughter living w/me it can be difficult. . .she loves to help! But school has started and I will be able to spend more time with my sewing! I do love your tutorials and use them for inspiration! Thank you for sharing!

  6. My goal is to create a neater, less cluttered sewing space, one that I could proudly call my quilting studio. I know that if I would just spend 15 minutes a day for a year putting things away, weeding out, creating storage spaces, getting things organized, and generally tidying up that I would actually be more productive and just plain happier in my space. My excuse in the past has been that I have been too busy creating to take the time to straighten up. The problem is that at a certain point, it seems that I spend more time moving things around and searching for things in my small sewing space than actually sewing. Once I get things organized, continuing with 15 minutes a day would also keep things in order. Then my studio will actually be my “Happy Place”!

    1. ME too.!!! I get too discouraged by the piles. I once was reluctant to purchase storage containers, but not anymore. My ironing board is covered with my new fabric purchases I haven’t put away. Budgeting 15 minutes each day to clean up would go a long way. Thanks for the inspiration to do so…Roxanna

      1. I just did an overhaul of my sewing room-moved a lot of stuff to the basement. I feel so much more creative when there’s less clutter, but I hate having to run downstairs when I need something!

    3. Karen, I know exactly how you feel. I never feel creative when my sewing area is cluttered. I just moved a load of sewing stuff to my basement and I instantly feel more like working. I guess it’s good exercise, too–I have to run to the basement occasionally!

  7. I am getting better at FMQ but I think I will take your challenge and try at least once a day to do some doodling or FMQing. Just found you a few week ago and I admire your work very much. Thanks for the inspiration.

  8. I attended a FMQ class at a well known sewing school only to leave more frustrated than before I had attended. My threads kept breaking, I was using a furnished machine that I was totally unfamiliar with and I felt so inadequate upon leaving. Your blog has given me the confidence to try, try again!

    1. Renee, that sounds frustrating! I do think it’s important to learn on your own machine–the two of you form a rhythm that can’t be replicated on another machine. Glad you are at it again! I’m confident you will have more fun at home!

  10. Lori, thanks for making this blog available! I now read your posts and tutorial regularly. I have wanted to to FMQ for some time. Getting the equipment has been a slow process but now I’m focusing on getting my mind working. When I look at projects I can visualize designs on my quilts. Once I set up my space I will be ready to do the practice and complete several projects that are waiting. As you can see I have several steps to complete but thanks to you and the other followers I now have a plan. Hurrah!!

  11. I loved going to Ringling Bros circus in New York as a child. We must have gone almost every year and I never tired of the color, activity, costumes, animals, etc. It was fun to see your photos – took me back many years.

    I recently made a circus quilt and it was such fun. The more I stitched, the more ideas popped up. It won “Best Machine Workmanship” in the Hoffman Challenge 2014: http://hoffmanchallenge.com/2014challenge/winners14/2014mixedbmw.html

    [Mardi Carter]

    1. Mardi,
      What an awesome quilt! Congratulations on your award and thanks for sharing your news and the link to the photo with us! Quilt on! -LK

  12. We all seem to have the same problem. Too much “stuff” we have to move around or find and it gets in the way of our making some real progress. Something I’ve tried a couple times and it actually works is to set a timer for 30 minutes (or however long you want – 15, maybe 20 min).. I rush around trying to beat the clock. When the timer goes off I’m often tempted to continue, but refrain because then I won’t stop & will get burned out. By stopping at the bell, I’m actually anxious to get back to the cleaning the next day. All psychological.

    Now that I’ve reminded not only you, but myself, I’ve got to find my timer and will do 30 min. tomorrow.

    Tavette – South Florida

  13. I’m a day late on this as I have been camping. I would really love to learn my Nikon D3200 camera better and photography along with that. And I guess along with that, Photoshop Elements would be a quest. Thanks for throwing out topics for discussion – I don’t always have something to say, but I appreciate the chance.

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