I had the opportunity to attend a workshop on Tuesday to learn how to machine quilt. The course was called 'Beyond Stippling' and was taught by Elaine Quehl, an Ottawa area fibre artist. She did a trunkshow of her work at our Guild Meeting on Monday evening. Amazing stuff! You can see some of it here! Then she stayed in Toronto overnight to teach us how to machine quilt the next day.
Since I have no way to get around at the moment, a quilting friend (quilting friends are so great, aren't they?) offered to drive me. So I spent Monday night at my DD's house. It was fun. Kind of like a sleep-over! Then yesterday morning my friend picked me up, wheelchair, sewing machine and all, and we went to the workshop. It was a lot of fun and the time went by so quickly I couldn't believe it! Here is some of the quilting I did. Before this I was only doing simple meandering stippling stuff, but now I feel as if I could handle much more difficult designs!
It is actually like drawing. We were told to practice everyday with pencil and paper to make machine quilting easier. That sounds good to me. I love to doodle! Everyone loved the class and Elaine! She had laryngitis, but kept on teaching anyway. What a trouper!
My friend drove me back to my DD's house after the workshop and I had dinner there. Homemade pizza! Yum! My DH came for dinner and then took me home last night. I know I was only away from home for one night, but it felt like a mini vacation. It has rejuvenated me. Now I'm off to my sewing room to see what I can do with what I was taught yesterday. I know I still have a lot to learn, but I feel much more confident of my skills.
8 comments:
he
that sound real good. sometimes just a break off everything can make you feel perfect and some new things too explore maked it even extreme super.
feeling very good , had one day free from work.
nynke
I predict you will be doing really beautiful new things with your machine quilting soon. I'm happy you had a nice break.
It looks like you had a very good time at the workshop. Little mini retreats are good for everyone. Even better than long times away from home.
Very nice Hetty. Yes practice is what is all about and in no time you will be amazed at how well you are doing. I just had a thought, you know all those orphan FBP blocks, this might be a great use for them. You were talking about turned some into placemats. That would be an ideal size to practice your machine quilting skills.
What a fun time....glad you had a mini vacation. I love your machine quilting....I need to do that....I think I am ready to go beyond stippling.....You have inspired me.
That sounds and looks like a great time had!
I remember the workshop machinequilting I took and it was so much fun. I have never ever tried the freemotion stuff again, but I should.
WOW Loving the look of these patterns Hetty.
Jan
I can see that you are a beginner, but you are doing very well, despite that!!
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