Good Morning, Confident Quilters! (YOU will be soon!)
Today we are starting The Inbox Jaunt’s first ever
MYSTERY FREE MOTION QUILT-A-LONG.
(To my knowledge this is a first in quilting history…LOL!)
Every week we will have a short assignment—less than thirty minutes.
The end result will be a surprise…
I can tell you this:
- The project is a small wall hanging.
- There is no piecing or appliqué (whole cloth)—just free motion quilting.
- There will be prizes in the end…(Sign up for FLICKR now!)
- EVERYONE can do this.
- If this goes well, we will do it again…
There are several lessons built into this project. My hope is that YOU will have more confidence in the entire quilting process by following along.
Of course, there will be a special emphasis on free motion quilting.
We will learn a little about:
- Design
- Quilt Preparation
- Marking/Marking Tools
- Thread
- Binding
- Personalizing
- Free Motion Quilting
- And much more…
It’s going to be fun and it’s going to help me accomplish my #1 goal for 2015:
Getting YOU to Free Motion Quilt with Confidence!
So let’s get started:
TODAY’S ASSIGNMENT:
Choose your fabrics:
You will need two fat quarters (18 x 22 inches) of solid
The top fabric:
A medium to light fabric in a color you LOVE—no leftover scraps….no muslin…no white… You must choose a color that inspires you right now!
The backing fabric
A light or medium light solid. White is okay here, but any light color will work. Again, choose something you like…not the dregs of your stash…(Which begs the question…why do you keep those fabrics…but I digress…)
As you know, I love Robert Kaufman Kona solids. I buy them at my local quilt shop whenever I can (We must support our quilt stores!) or From Hancocks of Paducah.
Choose and wash your batting:
If you’re not sure if you should wash your batting, you might like this blog post by the amazing quilter, Sue Garman. Sue pre-washes all her batting. Scroll down the post for step by step photos of how she washes and dries her batting. Sue claims that ALL battings shrink–despite what the label says–and I have to agree.
NOTE–I don’t usually wash my batting, but I think I am going to try a few samples with and without washing…If YOU have time, add this to your assignment this week.
Light weight battings like Warm and Natural cotton work well for wall hangings, but use what you have…(For an more on battings read HERE.)
This might be a chance to try a new batting like bamboo, silk, or wool. (Wool might be too puffy for this project so if you want to try it-pull the layers apart and use 1/2 layer. (Read more about separating wool.)
Cut the batting
Cut the batting two inches larger than your fabric. Batting is cut larger than the top fabric to allow for shift and the shrinkage that occurs with quilting. (Note-if we were stitching a very large quilt, we would cut the batting eight to ten inches larger than our quilt top. We would cut our backing fabric larger as well.)
Iron the fabrics and batting
Iron the fabrics with a little spray starch. It’s important to begin with a wrinkle free quilt. Once the quilt is quilted, the wrinkles will never come out! Also, If you are not using a Supreme Slider on your sewing machine bed, the starch on the batting will help the quilt slide better.
The Quilt Sandwich
Baste the layers of the quilt together. Because this is a small quilt, you have a few choices:
- Pin Baste
- Spray Baste
- Iron Baste (see Hurry Up Recipe for a Quilt Sandwich)
NOTE-We will be marking our quilts next week so you may prefer to wait to layer the quilts sandwich.
The Practice Sandwich
Each week we will be practicing techniques, motifs and threads on a scrap sandwich. If you have time this week, create several practice sandwiches to have on hand. The practice sandwiches must have THE SAME batting, and similar fabrics.
That’s it!
If you have any extra time…DOODLE…always, DOODLE!
Be Confident!
and START TODAY!
Signed,
Agatha Christennedy
PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy and are intended for personal use only. Feel free to re-blog, pin, tweet with attribution to The Inbox Jaunt. For all other purposes, please contact me at lckennedy@hotmail.com. Thanks!
126 comments
Luanne Little
What I want to know is can I join, but still have access if I don’t get started right away? Also, I’m confused about all the comments being a year or more older?
WordPress.com Support
We did this project last year. You have access to all the lessons in this project on the top bar under “quilts longs”. Enjoy!
polly edwRds
Hi Laurie I just started this mystery series and am so excited. I love your site and am improving my.machine quilting because of you. Thank you so much. My question is can I use a bag in or marbled fabric for the top?
WordPress.com Support
Sure!
polly edwRds
Oops meant to say BATIK not bag in. Yikes!
eslarchie
I’m joining today too! Looking forward to it. I love that it is just the small wall hanging!
Lesa Lee
Just joining today. Sounds like so much fun, but I need to catch up! LOL I am washing my batting now. Seems weird, but will be fun to see if it makes a difference. Thanks Lori for this cool project QAL!
Donna Rickman
I was in hospital, now wanting to join this group, which I already did, making a copy of the instructions for the past month, and trying to catch up…You have already done a lot, very impressed with your tutorial, and I can even ask questions,…this will be a lot of fun….I like all the questions from this group, you have helped me lots with your questions. Lori, I love your sight and have today exposed a lot of people to the inbox jaunt,…..all good things I have to say! Thanks for doing this, I also really appreciate your sharing of your expertise. …..Donna
Lori Kennedy
Donna, Thanks for your kind words! Hope you are well now! The Mystery quilt has been fun to plan and write.
muttmomkay at gmail dot com
I am a late enterer (some might say a late bloomer because I always seem to be late), but I am joining in. I love your free motion quilting. Are you really sure that I can do this? I have been trying for a long time now. Thanks for doing this. I really appreciate it… Kay
Pam
Count me in. Sounds like fun to me, been wanting to learn how to machine quilt for a long time. I have a quilt top finish just needs to be quilted. Was going to find someone to quilt it for me, but the time has come I need to learn how to do it myself. Thanks so much for your time and helping all of us.
Pam
From Ohio
Denise Smart
Okay I’m late, but I will try to catch up. My first question is you say to use a solid that you love, but solids leave me cold. Can I use a subtle tone on tone solid that looks like suede?
WordPress.com Support
Sure!
Eunice Donges
Should we pre-wash the cotton fabrics, also?. I have pre-washed the batting.
WordPress.com Support
Yes
Fiona
great…. I will be joining in too….
Hugz
Lorraine Doyno Evans
So, after reading the posts here yesterday, I am still a little confused. You said 2 FQ’s. Is that one for the top and one for the bottom, or are the 2 FQ supposed to be for two tops of sandwhiches?
WordPress.com Support
One for tge top and one for the back.
Karen
This sounds great. Bought my fabric today and just signed up for Flickr. I’m in. Thanks!
Sylvia
Oh Agatha, this sounds like fun.
anita Fullerton
Do we need to starch batting after washing it? Sorry if this is a dumb question….
WordPress.com Support
No need to starch the batting.
Pat Vacek
I’ve been following your blog for a couple of months and am FINALLY getting the hang of FMQ. I actually finished two baby quilts with your snowflake motif. Practice has been the big learning tool for me. Really looking forward to this series! Thanks for all your efforts.
Lori Kennedy
Thrilled to hear it! Please post some photos on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/groups/2361409@N23/
Valerie
I will enjoy joining in with this since have many UFOs – mostly tops awaiting quilting. So, what I really need to do is learn how to do it myself instead of paying someone else to do it!
Marta. south Georgia
My main sewing machine is totally nonfunctional now despite 6 times to the shop in 14 months for repair.I have an old mechanical machine someone gave me that only sews straight and zigzag with no supplemental attachment feet. BUT I will be reading along to learn what I can. Thanks..
Lori Kennedy
Marta You can still free motion quit on it. If you cant lower the feed dogs you can cover them with aSupreme Slider or with a taped down notecard with a hole cut out for the needle. Thats really all it takes.
Marta. south Georgia
I don’t know what a Slider is but I have a great supply of all sizes of notecards! Thank you…I will be ready, set, go !
Linda
I am in as well and I don’t know how to join licker either but looking forward to the learning thanks
Lori Kennedy
Here’s the link:https://www.flickr.com/groups/2361409@N23/ It can also be accessed from my sidebar.
Heather
I have the same question I have never been on flicker how do I sign up for it . I’m totally looking forward to this FMQ thank you Lori for your site it is so great
Lori Kennedy
Here is the link to the Flickr group:https://www.flickr.com/groups/2361409@N23/
It can also be accessed from my sidebar–see the blue mini quilt with FLICKR
Jodi Wolf
Okay I cannot wait to try this but I have a question or two. First what size should out practice sandwiches be? Where is the flicker group I join?
Lori Kennedy
The Flickr group is here:https://www.flickr.com/groups/2361409@N23/
Lori Kennedy
Jodi, Make practice sandwiches out of the leftover batting and fabric you have around…No smaller than 10 by 12 inches and no larger than 20 by 20. That should work well and be easy to maneuver in your machine.
DreiPunkteWerk
Oh, I’m very happy, your QAL comes to the right time. I love your blog and your tutorials. I’m an absolute beginner, but I will follow you <3
I wanna pin your project, so it would be nice to have a good picture/icon/sign for the Quilt along 🙂 please…
Now I will prepare the pieces – and I will use no dreg 😉 Promised.
Liebe Grüße from Germany,
Kathrin
Lori Kennedy
Kathrin, Please pin any photo from the blog…I would’t want to give away THE MYSTERY! So glad to have you in the group!
Karen Miller
What a great idea Lori — I am always so inspired by your FMQ designs. Finally a mystery for someone who doesn’t do much piecing. Thanks so much!
Colleen
What a fun idea Lori! I can’t wait. I’ve found that mystery quilts conflict with my Type A personality, but I think FMQ will be different. No worrying about style and fabric color. Thank you!! Are we posting pictures in the Inbox Jaunt Quilting Guild group or will you be creating a new group.
Lori Kennedy
Let’s post in the Quilting Guild.
Jen Endres
I’m looking forward to solving the mystery!
Lisa G.
Dear Agatha (a.k.a. Lori) – This is a fabulous idea! I can’t wait to get started. Can you give us a suggestion of how many practice sandwiches we should prepare? Should they also be fat quarter sized? Just want to know how much of the dregs of my stash I can use up! 😉
Carolyn Stewart
I left a comment first off this morning asking about thread weight to use. you may have missed it as I notice that some one this afternoon has asked the same question. I really would like an answer.
Joanne Goodman
Early in the posts Lori replied that we’ll be learning about the threads as we go along. No need to be concerned about it now. She did say if you’re out shopping and see a thread you’ve been wanting to try to pick up a spool. I hope this helps.
Lori in NC
Oh, Lori! This sounds so exciting! I’ll be at my local shop tomorrow, and shall pick some new fabrics then. But is it okay if I use the dregs of my stash for the practice sandwiches? 😉
Lori Kennedy
If you must! LOL! Maybe as the backing?!
Jana
What a terrific project! Thanks for doing this, Lori. I’ve sworn off mystery quilts after my one and only attempt (never had so many missing points before), but I’ve always kind of wanted to try a QAL. I can’t wait to get started on this one!
Lori Kennedy
Funny about swearing off Mystery Quilts. I did one once and vowed to never do another…ironic…This one is different…only one color fabric, and it’s small. Not a huge time commitment with fabrics you wouldn’t combine!
Carola S. De Pasuale
Thanks for taking the time to prepare this mystery. I am looking forward to it.
Vivian
This IS a very new way to do a mystery quilt and sounds like a great way to try/practice FMQ! Really hoping I can get set up for this.
One question regarding the Practice Sandwiches: when you say they have to have the same batting and similar fabrics, does that mean all the PS’s have to be of the same materials or that they have to have the same batting and similar materials as the actual mystery piece?
WordPress.com Support
Same as the mystery piece
Lori
Thank you for doing this project ? I’m really excited to get started ….
ann waddle
I have to have a list:) This week, we prepare by getting together:
2 fat quarters and batting
several practice sandwiches (with same batting), if time permits
I can’t wait!! I do a lot of trial and error so this will be great:)
Nan
I am so so excited to be joining in the free motion-along. Thank you very much for doing this.
Denise Z
I will be playing along. I’ve got a few other projects underway (a gift that must be done by June, a BOM, a mystery quilt that starts this month, and now a mystery quilt-along) but I promise to take the time to follow along here and do each step
Heather H
So excited for this! Thanks Lori. ..i am wanting to be confident and your help is wonderful.
Kerri Robinson
This sounds like fun!
jerrilmadsen
Lori
Just what I need. My husband is currently sheet rocking my craft room. So the challenge will be to get to the sewing machine. Look forward to this.
The FRIDGED UP NORTH MN girl
Jerril
Lucy
I’m in for this journey!!! Can you update on the wt. & thread recommendation to use, PLS.
Rhonda Rannow
I think I will give this a try too! Sounds like fun 🙂 Now…just keeping up with it will be the trick — lot of things going on — new baby with one daughter, wedding next month for the other daughter…..so much fun!!
Judy Buzby
I am really excited… it goes along with my goal of two FMQing projects a week. I will get better! See my post card with Wolly Mittens on flickr. If I remebr my pass word…
Lori Kennedy
There’s at least three of us with password problems! Another of my NY resolutions–get them all written (and up to date) in one place! Could take until July! I’m off to view the Wooly mittens now!
utahoosier
I, too, laughed at the comment about why do we keep the fabrics we don’t love! Well, I keep mine because I make a lot of pillows. I prefer to make pillows with an opening in the back (buttons, velcro, zippers) so that you can wash the cover and maybe change it for a holiday or something. This requires a form instead of just stuffing. Pillow forms are pricey in comparison to making your own. So, that’s what I use mine for–making my own pillow forms. Love this QAL idea. Now to remember that password for Flickr… thanks!
Lori Kennedy
Hilarious! The darn passwords drive me nuts! and pillow forms are definitely a good use for the “dregs”…
utahoosier
Alright! got into my Flickr account!! Yaay for me. 🙂 Anyway, obviously I don’t use it much. You’ll post the group name for us to search for or something like that?
Ann D
Since I don’t feel comfortable with FMQ, and since I want to become better, I’d like to begin my journey with your guidance. With the New Year just starting, this is a good time to improve my skills.
Lori Kennedy
The New Year always seems like a good time to jump into something new! Glad you’re aboard!
LJ
I love your idea of this QAL but feel I just absolutely continue with my current projects. I needed to add my note of CAUTION when deciding to wash batting. The first quilt I made, I washed the fabric and the batting (My background was garment sewing and washing fabric was an absolute.) Much to my horror, when I opened up my washing machine at the end of washing the batting, ALL I had was a big pile of cotton!! That scared me so bad I’ve never washed batting again. CHECK THE LABEL OR WITH THE MANUFACTURER BEFORE WASHING.
Holly Ann W.
I read Sue Garman’s instructions for pre-shrinking batting …
As I suspected, she specifically instructs to just SOAK the batting in a washing machine. One DOES NOT let the machine go through the agitation part of the cycle; instead, after soaking, manually forward the setting dial to the SPIN cycle. Then proceed to the drying instructions.
Common sense threw up red flags when contemplating pre-shrinking batting, given the nature of the beast. What a relief to learn of Sue’s method.
Lori Kennedy
Thanks for clarifying, Holly!
Lori Kennedy
Always good to read the label. I appreciate the warning. As I mentioned, I have never washed my batting before.
Terry Chase
Do we sign up? Or just quilt along?
Lori Kennedy
Just Quilt-a-long. Sign up for Flickr if you want to show your project…or we can check out your blog?
Terry Chase
Thank you. Another question–I have Hobbs wool batting that I washed 3 times to remove a processing smell. It got nicer and softer with each washing. Also a piece of Aqua silk has been languishing in my stash for a couple of years. I love the silk and the wool. Would it be OK to use them and practice on cotton? I do know how to split the wool if you think that’s best. I do have cotton batting, too.
Marcia R
Doing it!!! Thanks for offering this. Your signature threw me for a moment. LOL So clever!
Barb E
Sounds like a lot of fun. Count me in.
Judy Donnelly
This is awesome!
Carolina
I’m totally prepared.
A few months ago, I bought several 1/4 and1/2 yard cuts of Kona cotton in various colors.
I did this because my stash fabric prints aren’t necessarily the “modern” prints. (Tho I do have a lot of Kaffe Fasset).
Now my stash can be matched up with the solids, along with the more modern patterns.
It will be fun to choose my two favorite solids.
Lori, you and the quilt along are a bright spot in a cold Winter!
Diane
This is going to be so much fun. I’m not at all confident so I look forward to the project.
Quilt Musings
I can’t wait to get home so I can prepare this! This is going to be lots of fun 🙂
Lori Kennedy
Love your enthusiasm!
janet moilanen
Ok Lori (Agatha), I am going to take a deep breath & try to sew along with you on this one! I have my FQ’s, batting & backings cut – still have to starch/size & press but I’m good to go, I hope!
Lori Kennedy
You’re way ahead of most of us! I like the deep breath idea…We could all use that! LOL! Thanks for joining!
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