 |
| Best of 2016 Linky Party |
Since my blog is about Quilting and Learning, I thought that I would focus on the lessons I've put into practice this year as well as some of the lessons I learned the hard way!
Lessons Put Into Practice
- The lesson that I put most into practice was to use tape to mark off the edges of a quilt before doing FMQ. I did add to this lesson - place the tape very carefully or your edges won't be straight!!! (January 14 and Feb 19)
Taping the edge to stop FMQ 
Make sure the tape is straight.
 |
| Practice drawing the stencil first. |
- Practice drawing a stencil pattern before free motion quilting it. It's well worth the time. (January 2)
- If the project isn't turning out the way you want it to, put it aside for a while. (February 8 and March 30)
- The hardest lesson that I had to learn this year was a big one. Quilting started becoming a full time job and wasn't any fun. That's not where I wanted to be. I learned this in October after working on the Gaudi Cathedral Windows project. I was so disappointed with the results that I didn't even include it in my trunk show. (November 18)
New Techniques Learned
I tried many new techniques this year.
 |
| The Feather |
- I worked on an English Paper Piecing project (which is still a Work in Progress - WIP) (July 31)
- I learned to make a t-shirt quilt with the guidance of Terrific T-Shirt Quilts by Karen M. Burns (August 23)
 |
| Great Hockey Jersey Quilt |
Parting Words of Wisdom
Here are a few things I've learned this year that may help you in your quilting.
- To colour or write on fabric, iron some freezer paper to the back of the fabric. This will stabilize it. (May 15)
- Account for your borders or finishing technique before you quilt it! (May 8)
- Beading is fun in moderation. (April 17)
- Free motion quilting is different when it's done on a larger scale. (June 24)
 |
| A Beautiful Day Baby Quilt - with large scale FMQ |
I hope some of these lessons learned will help you learn from my mistakes! Participating blogs have linked to Meadow Mist Designs. Encourage the participants by viewing their posts. I've also linked to Needle and Thread Thursday, Midweek Maker, Off the Wall Fridays, Can I get a Whoop Whoop?
Thanks for coming by. Happy New Year!
Thank you so much for sharing your lessons with us. Your hardest lesson - if it's not fun, what's the point - is something I've often heard from those who do not want to take their hobby/passion to the next level (but have been encouraged to do so). Thanks for including the book title for the T-shirt quilt - that is my next project and I need as much guidance that can come my way. Here's to great lessons learned in the New Year!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment. I do want to take my art to the next level, but it will have to be a slow process. There is no hurry. I couldn't have made the t-shirt without the book. Good luck!
DeleteVery good lessons indeed - thank you for sharing them on Midweek Makers
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan. Have a great new year!
DeleteThanks for sharing your lessons. I've enjoyed going back over the original posts to read more about them. FMQ being different on a larger scale really resonates right now, as I'm trying to fill some big spaces!
ReplyDeleteThanks Joanne. Good luck with the large scale FMQ. I'm going to be practicing this quite a bit in 2017 - if life goes according to my plan :-)
DeleteBeading in moderation..... you mean quit when you run out of beads?
ReplyDeleteWow, I couldn't even think of beading that long....After a very short while, I'm bored and want to quit! Sounds like you have more staying power than me!
DeleteGreat post! So many good tips - taping the edge for FMQ is one of those " now why didn't I think of that" head slappers. And If it's not fun, what's the point - no truer words were spoken. I can't tell you how many projects that. Have wasted precious quilting time on just because I was to stubborn to accept the agony of defeat. I should make that phrase into a sign to remind me to do just that in 2017.
ReplyDeleteThanks. I have more trouble ditching a quilting project than I did sewing projects when I was younger! I figure that I can recycle blocks etc. I was just taking my quilting too seriously. It's definitely going to be my motto this year - if it's not fun - stop!
DeleteThanks for sharing your learning with us.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Gwyned. I hope you have a great 2017!
DeleteLearning is it's own reward, you did a lot of that this year. Congrats on all your new skills. Good luck with your growth plans for 2017!
ReplyDeleteHi Kate. You're right - learning is it's own reward, but sometimes, let's face it, we'd rather not learn that particular lesson! Good luck with your 2017 plans. I haven't quite figured out mine yet.
DeleteThese are great lessons, all of them, thank you for sharing them!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for hosting the Best of 2016 Linking party! It's a great idea. Happy new year!
DeleteI like this focus...what you have learned. It looks like you have had a wonderful year of learning new techniques...wonderful!
ReplyDeleteYou've made some beautiful pieces in the last year. Thank you for your tips :)
ReplyDelete