Free-Motion Quilting on Annie's Creative Studio -- part 3

Interested in learning to free-motion quilt on your home sewing machine?  If so, Annie's Creative Studio is publishing a series of episodes about free-motion quilting featuring ME!

Part 3 is available online now:

Annie's Creative Studio is a subscription-based platform where you can learn from experts (like me!) how to quilt, knit, crochet, and more!  If you aren't a member yet, sign up for a free trial to watch the entire episode.

Class description:

Knowing how to free-motion quilt will not only expand your quilting skills, but will also provide you with the ability to quilt your own projects on your home sewing machine. Knowing how to free-motion quilt will give you an inexpensive alternative to hiring a long-armer to finish your quilts.

Watch as quilting expert Debby Brown demonstrates how to machine quilt several pretty and versatile motifs using her sewing machine and open-toe embroidery foot. You'll enjoy watching as Debby combines flowers, swirly feathers, straight lines and pebbles into a pleasing quilted combination in this Quilter’s Skill Builders video episode. And, you can practice along with her with a whole-cloth sample that measures about 18-inches long by 18-inches wide.

In this Quilter's Skill Builders episode, you’ll learn how to:

•             Free-motion quilt your own projects.

•             Practice four free-motion quilting designs.

•             Combine four free-motion quilting designs into gorgeous machine quilting.

•             Turn a simple quilt into a stunning masterpiece.

•             Merge focus designs and background designs.

Sign in to Annie's Creative Studio and learn to free-motion quilt with me!

Grandma Got Busy

I just opened my hot-off-the-presses copy of Quilter's World Magazine containing my column about how machine quilting can change a quilt from stiff to snuggly

and I saw a project that I just had to make NOW!

I grabbed out some Kraft-Tex (my new favorite applique fabric) and made a plan.  The bags in the pattern were adorable.  And quick.  And easy.  And made with supplies I have on hand in abundance.  But I wanted to change the faces just a little bit.

I pulled out my Perfect Circles and my Bigger Perfect Circles and got to work making eyes and fins and spines from the Kraft-Tex.

I tried to turn one of these bags into a shark by changing to a side view and adding a fin.

Kind of shark-like?  Maybe just a generic fish.  I'll let the boy decide.

I tried again, this time thinking to make an alligator.

The other boy can decide what the green thing is.

I plan to fill these little bags with as much fun and yummy goodness as they'll hold so that the boys don't necessarily notice the "not life-like"ness of the creatures.

They can call their bags whatever they like, as long as they call me Grandma.

I Single-Handedly Launched a Class!

I'm absolutely in love with this quilt and this class:  "How Do I Quilt This? -- Big Cheese Cutie Quilt"

I filmed this class a few weeks ago and was tickled to share my tips for meandering, my favorite scroll feather, and the basics of machine quilting using rulers.  I love the finished quilt and may have to keep it forever.

So why was there a lag between filming the class and sharing it with you?  Well, I took a break.

No, really;  I took a 10-day break from life.  I took time off because I fell out of bed and broke my collarbone.*

I'm living life one-handed for a while so everything I do is single-handed.  For instance, "I single-handedly put on shoes this morning!"

Happily, I'm not in much pain (if I don't move) and I'm seeing improvement.  I'm hopeful that by the end of the year this will be a memory -- a randomly bizarre and frustrating memory.

Enough of the collarbone!  Back to the class.

Check out the class.  I single-handedly finished editing it last night and really love the content and love that I can bring the class to you for $5.

_____
* I try to convince folks that I broke my collarbone by heroically rescuing a small child from oncoming traffic, but am given that "Really?" look.  No really, I rolled out of bed and woke up on the floor with a broken collar bone.  I'm an extreme sleeper, apparently.

Free-Motion Class on Annie's Creative Studio, part 2

Are you Free-Motion Curious?  If so, Annie's Creative Studio is publishing a series of episodes about free-motion quilting featuring ME!

Part 2 is available online now:

Annie's Creative Studio is a subscription-based platform where you can learn from experts (like me!) how to quilt, knit, crochet, and more!  If you aren't a member yet, sign up for a free trial to watch the entire episode.

Class Description:

Are you warmed up and ready for more all-over free motion quilting? In this Quilter’s Skill Builders episode, quilting expert Debby Brown unveils three very doable designs to practice on your own home sewing machine.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to:

·               Plan a top to bottom swath in three designs.

·               Consider motif spacing based on the size of your machine.

·               Manage bulky fabric while machine quilting.

Sign in to Annie's Creative Studio and learn to free-motion quilt with me!

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!

I have some exciting news!

I've wanted to work with my friend Gudrun Erla for years and years.  I pinch myself every time I call her a friend because I was a huge fan of hers long before I met her personally.  And now the two of us have finally crossed paths professionally!

I recently made her Lil' Diana tablerunner:

Isn't it darling?

I quilted it using her Colors of Iceland AuriFil thread collection which matches this Kaffe Fassett charm square collection perfectly!

I filmed a video showing how to machine quilt this tablerunner and it will be part of Gudrun's "Tipsy Tuesday" FB Live video on Tuesday, July 9 at 7pm Central Time.  This video won't appear on my YouTube channel or on my blog; you will need to join Gudrun's Quilt Crew Facebook page and then log in at 7pm Central on Tuesday. 

See you there!

Virtual Cutie Quilt Club -- Field of Flowers

I travel so often for work (work that I love), but I miss the regular happenings at my local quilt shop.  Quilt Basket just posted a virtual Cutie Club wrap up on their Facebook page.  I was so excited since I missed Cutie Club last Saturday while I was teaching at Handi Quilter Academy.



I designed Field of Flowers using In Bloom by Sandra Clemons for Michael Miller Fabrics.  Ever since, I've intended to re-make this quilt; now "remake Field of Flowers" has moved higher on my to-do list.

I love the mist bottle for my Best Press, but I don't yet have the Folded Corner ruler.  I'll need to pick one up this weekend when I teach my Home Machine Quilting Club at Quilt Basket on Saturday.

Happy Quilting!

Market Bag Adventures!

Have you heard?  Annie's is giving away a free pattern to make this delightful Market Bag!  Simply join their Facebook group, download the pattern, and set off on a summer filled with adventure!

I made my bag from a Good Day charm pack from Me and My Sister designs.

The fabric isn't out yet, but this bag (and everything!) would look wonderful in any of their fabrics.

When I quilted the fabric for the bag, I used my walking foot to stitch 1/2" parallel lines using FabuLux Springtime thread.  It was a perfect match!

I may have to make more bags with other fun fabrics, but until then this Market Bag will be my constant companion.

What fabric will you use for your Market Bag?  And where will you take your bag?