Favorite Tutorials: Free Motion Quilting

A few posts back I showed you my recently finished Layer Cake quilt. This quilt was different from others I've made because it was my first attempt at Free Motion Quilting. (FMQ) I am NOT an expert, nor never plan to be, but I thought I'd pass along some of the tutorials I used and a few tips I learned along the way.

There are a gazillon tutorials out there on how to FMQ which is great because if one doesn't speak 'your language' - does that ever happen to you with a tutorial? - you can just try another one. I looked at dozens of tutorials and the ones I will mention here were my favorites.

My two three cents:

Cent #1: PRACTICE. Not once, or twice, but several or a dozen times before you try it on your beautiful quilt. I made and practiced on at least a dozen mini quilt sandwiches before I attempted my quilt. Just take pieces of batting and sandwich between two pieces of fabric, 12x12 is a great practice size. Once you have a handle on the practice squares, dive into that quilt!

Cent #2: Thread matters. I tried different types of thread when I practiced on my mini-quilt sandwiches. My favorite 'look' was achieved by using Gutterman's 100% cotton machine quilting thread. You can find this at any JoAnn's and with a coupon it isn't too pricey. Oh, Frannson's Freemotion Quilting tutorial, see below, gives great suggestions for thread.

Cent #3: In my opinion, you really don't get the feel of the whole process until you are doing your quilt. The feel is just completely different with a quilt compared to the little quilt sandwiches. So don't be surprised if it takes a little time, even with all your practicing, to get the feel down of doing a quilt. My first attempt at FMQ was not perfect, but no one will notice. :)

K...on to the pros...

Favorite Tutorials:

First off, if you need a good overview of quilt basics, check Elizabeth Hartman's series over at Oh, Fransson!. She writes wonderful tutorials and is very detailed in her explanations. 

Making a Quilt Sandwich by Oh, Frannson!

Basting by Lella Boutique
After she adds the borders to her quilt, she shows you how to baste your quilt sandwich with basting spray. (Have never tried this technique, but I will on my next quilt.)

Finish a Quilt by Cluck, Cluck Sew
Gives clarity to that vague statement of baste, quilt, and bind that we all read on quilt patterns. Gives it all to you from start to finish. Her tutorial is in a Google Doc located in her right-hand side bar under the heading 'My Buttons and Links.' Just look for the below picture.

Freemotion Qutiling by Oh, Franson!
Again, very detailed and great information. She has great info on thread selection.

Freehand Machine Quilting by Lella Boutique - After reading several tutorials about how to  FMQ, it was great to actually see the process 'in motion'. I found it helpful to see how to guide the quilt as you FMQ.




So there you go! This is one of the many reasons I love the internet, people are so willing to share their knowledge on various subjects. If you are looking to learn how to FMQ I hope these tutorials help you out. I know they helped me loads and I look forward to attempting another quilt soon. :)

Happy Tuesday!

LeAnne

Favorite Tutorials: Purses & Bags

I've decided to start a new little segment called Favorite Tutorials. I know there are a gazillion blogs out there that collect all the tutorials out on the blogosphere. So every now and then, I will post of collection of my favorite tutorials on a given subject. I will have tried at least one, and make a SHORT list of ones I want to try. I thought my favorite accessory of purses would be a perfect place to start.

I love purses! My daily purse is my beloved diaper bag. However, everyone needs a fun purse especially when going out without the diaper bag.

My all time favorite purse tutorial, the Buttercup Bag by Made by Rae.

This tutorial is quick, easy to follow, and only requires a fat quarter! (A fat quarter is a 18"x 22" piece of fabric, or a 1/2 yard cut in half width wise.) It is the perfect size for a wallet, cell phone, keys, and Chapstick. The essentials in my book. The instructions are very straight forward and easy to follow. I did change how I attached the strap. I also like adding some interfacing to the strap on this bag. Just makes it a bit more durable.

Another great tutorial is the Hip Mama Diaper Bag Tutorial by A Mingled Yarn.

This was my basis for my diaper bag. I added a zipper closure and again made my strap different. It is a great bag tutorial.

Tutorials /Patterns I Want to Try:

Scrappy Clutch by From An Igoo
I absolutely ADORE the fabric she uses, it is Flourish by Studio E. It is being discontinued so I need to get my hands on some.

The Weekender by Amy Butler

I want to make my own 'weekend/overnight' bag. This one seems just right. Anyone out there tried it?

Do you have any purse tutorials/patterns YOU love? Leave a comment if you do!

Thanks for reading,

LeAnne

Favorite Tutorials: Ruffle & Flower Onesie

So my pile of white onesies were looking a little sad and need of some personality. (I also made an amazing sewing machine purchase...a ruffle foot.) After I learned how to use it, I was wanting to do a project involving ruffles.

I found this great tutorial on U-Create for a Ruffle Onesie. I don't have a serger, sigh, and didn't want raw edges for my ruffles. So I thought to use ribbon! So cute. I attached my ribbon following the tutorial directions except with my ruffling foot...so fun! You can ruffle your fabric/ribbon the regular way too. If you use ribbon I reccomend at least 1" wide, that is what I used. Anything less might make it not so fun...for you to sew. I also recommend heat sealing the ends of your ribbon with a lighter. Easier than turning the raw edges under and sewing.

Then the front was looking a little lonely and in need of personality too ... enter the fabric flower. I used Heather Bailey's fabric flower tutorial for inspiration, then did my own thing. (Her tutorial is great...so use it! Especially if you will be gathering the traditional way.) I want to make a fabric flower to wear with cardigans this fall. Just attach a broach pin on the back and you're in business. They are so easy you could make one for just about every outfit...not really...but you get the idea. :) Below is just what I did...no pictures...

I cut a 2" x 12" piece of fabric, folded it wrong sides together. I pressed the strip in half to make it easier to feed through my ruffler. (Again, you can just baste long stitches and pull to gather it up.) After ruffling I turned under the raw edges on the short ends and straight stitched them where the stitching wouldn't show. Then I made the fabric strip into a flower shape by turning it on itself. Then I sewed it into place just below my ruffling stitches. The leaves are two cuts of ribbon looped, and tacked to the back. I have a bunch of flower die cuts so I cut some different flower shapes out of felt and decided on the fun fushcia color. This helped cover up lots of my stitching lines. Then I sewed on a button, going through the felt and fabric flower, to secure everything in place. Then I tacked it onto the onesie. Easy peasy.

And so cute!

Make Your Table {Spookalicious} This Halloween

Make your kitchen table truly 'spookalicious' this Halloween with a great runner.

There is a great tutorial on the Purl on how to make quick napkins, table runner, or table cloth using the same technique. It is super quick and on requires little prep. I've made two runners using this technique and you honestly can't mess it up. So go grab some fabric, a cutting board, and an iron and get sewing! (This would also be a great holiday gift.) If you don't read the Purl's blog...you are missing out.