How I get ready to do free motion quilting

Today I thought I would share what I do to prepare for free motion quilting.

When I am working on a quilt, I will take time to look up ideas on how I might want to quilt it.  Usually I find ideas on Pinterest.
When I was getting ready to start this Christmas quilt, I knew I wanted Holly leaves.

  So I started looking at tutorials on how to do them.   I used 2 different ones.  One is www.lorikennedyquilts.com, just look in the menu and find motifs.  She has lots of ideas.  The other is Tracy at https://www.whirlsnswirlsquilting.ca/.  She also has a you tube channel so you can search that. 

Once I decide on the design then I have to practice it.  So, I take a sketch book or blank paper and practice drawing the design.  This aids in muscle memory.   I don't erase my mistakes, I just keep practicing.

Holly leaves practice

Leaf practice for the fancy fox quilt

The next thing I do, is practice on scrap fabric.  I always keep a scrap quilt sandwich by my machine.   Then when I have a few minutes I practice.

This is my practice swatch.   I just use it until I can't anymore. 

  When I feel confident I start quilting on my quilt.  Even with the practice it still doesn't always look perfect.  But the more I do it, the more confident I feel.

The back side of the fox quilt

So where do I get my ideas?  I use books I have.

 And I go to Pinterest.  I have quite a board saved of quilting designs that I want to try.   One of my goals for next year is to take the ideas and practice them.  I am aiming for 2 a month.  I will practice drawing them, then practice on scraps and then put them on the quilt.

4th quarter 2016 proposed finishes

Well, I didn't do so hot with finishes for the 3rd quarter. I got 1 quilt done. So, the list moves on, and I added more quilts to be done. These are in no particular order.

1. Metro Medallion by sew kind of wonderful.  This quilt is being done for a wedding at the end of the year. I am doing their wedding colors and favorite colors.

2. I call this one the Eagle quilt. Pattern being used is Frayed Edges from patterns by Jen. This is planned for a Christmas gift. 

3. Churn dash. This one is for a wedding and will be done in the wedding colors. I have just a couple of blocks cut for this one. But I will be getting more done soon.


4.  This is one of two Christmas  quilts I am working on. This one is ready for quilting. Yay!!

5. This is another Christmas quilt.

6.  This one is on the frame right now.  It is a dragon quilt, made from my own pattern. I am quilting it with stars.

7. This is a wall hanging for one of my daughters. Just needs the binding to be finished.  I may do some quilting on the dress. Binding in yellow.

cinderella wall hanging

8.  This one is ready for binding.

9.  I have those one almost ready for quilting. I just can't remember where I put it. I need to find it because it is for a grandson.

10.  Another one ready for quilting.

This is part one of my list. I have more to do, and more on my proposed list over on my instagram account @kathyskwiltsandmore.   I need to train my body for some long nights ahead of me. A lot of what I accomplish depends on work. If we have a lot of overtime, I won't get a lot done.

Linking up with Rhonda at www.rhondasramblings.com
Monday Making @www.lovelaughquilt.blogspot.com
Let's Be Social @www.sewfreshquilts.blogspot.com