Free Motion Machine Quilting – Part 1 of ?

First Practice –about 30 minutes before school (reading instructions, setting up machine, etc)

I was eager to start so I took an 8.5 x 11” piece of paper and “quilted” it without thread – just to see if I could get a feel for pressing consistently with my foot on the speed pedal and moving the “fabric” so I had acceptable stitch length. I only did one sheet of paper – see photo. Obviously I have a lot to work on – my goal is to keep stitches short (no longer than if I was hand quilting).

I then took a small “sandwich” that I had never completed hand quilting, and again without thread, I attempted free motion quilting on it to get a feel for moving the fabric. I couldn’t see my “stitches” but I think I should do this some more to be able to control the fabric – I think I need to get better at keeping the fabric “square” as in don’t rotate it (I wouldn’t be able to rotate a large piece of quilt) – just move it around – practicing more on paper will probably help me there.

To save money I’ll do some more practice quilting on both paper and “sandwiches” without thread. I know the paper sewing will dull the needle and perhaps get more “dust” in the bobbin area, but I planned on buying new needles anyway and a good cleaning of the machine should take place frequently. FYI I’m using my Jeans Machine by White that has served my sewing/upholstery needs well over the last few decades – when looking in my instruction manual I saw I purchased this new in 1991 – my previous two sewing machines were used Singers.

I think with some daily practice (10 minutes?) for a week I can get a handle on the technique, but I’m going to need more guidance on how to move for an acceptable “pattern” (I’m used to hand quilting over pre-drawn guide lines). I think I’ll next try some freehand drawing on paper – maybe waves.

A nearby quilt shop is offering a 2-hour evening machine quilting class May 6. It mentions using a walking (or even feed) foot – I used a darning foot for my practice. I need to contact them for more information to see if I have what I need to be accepted into the class and if it's “free motion” or straight lines. A quilt shop I visited in Michigan last week also offers a class, but I’m not sure I want to drive over 2 hours each way for a 5-hour class that might not meet my needs.

Back to practice – hopefully part 2 will show some improvement! Any tips would be appreciated. ~~K

Reconfigure

…alternative uses

You already heard my “rant” about stores that are not “bring-your-own bag- friendly”! I still keep being the trout going upstream in this.

We had some T-shirts I was going to throw out until Martha Stewart provided an alternative – reusable bags! Click here for instructions.
The only drawback so far is that they are not free-standing like the bags I take to Aldi’s (see photo).
But, on the plus side, I can keep one in the glove box and at least consolidate several flimsy plastic bags to carry into the house.

Here’s another one of my reconfigured items - turn a broken mouse into a paperweight (just cut off the cable):
The curved top side of the mouse also works as a massager!

Think outside the box! ~~K

Cache Craft

You’ve probably heard me mention Celtic stones as swag we usually leave at a cache. Creating these has become a new hobby for D.

Using the Dremel hand tool he has been carving crosses, runes, and other symbols into flat, small stones. He then accents them with a bit of permanent marker.
I purchased some Celtic rubber stamps at the last Irish Fest in Dublin and have found they work well on flat smooth stones. I’ve been using a thin coating of acrylic metallic paint on the stencil. A bit of clear spray after the stencil paint dries serves as a protectant.

We also made our own “logo” to represent our geocaching username – BradClanOH. D likes skulls and crossbones and thought it tied in since we search for "treasures" and "X marks the spot"; of course, it had to have something Irish; and then we just piled it all on Ohio!
Can you tell we’re into geocaching? ~~K geocaching, crafts

Reuse

Plastic grocery bags were acting like rabbits in our pantry. It was time to get them under control, but I’ve never had (nor wanted) one of those cutesy bag dispensers.

We recently used up the last of a coffee container. It was rinsed, but not yet disposed. So, I’m sure you figured out by now what it became…
A plastic grocery bag dispenser!

I first cut a ½ diameter hole out of the center, then cut “pie slices” evenly around the lid.

NOTE: Most of the bags were NOT true grocery bags since I carry my own sturdy bags to Aldi’s. The offending bags included ones from Kroger, Meijer, WalMart, Dollar Tree, Dollar General, etc. I still don’t feel these stores are “bring-your-own bag- friendly”, even though they sell reusable bags plastered with their own logo! When I remember to carry my own bags to these vendors I first have to endure the “evil eye” of the “greeter”, then the cashier’s – most of the bagging stations can’t accommodate any bags other than their flimsy plastic ones. Can you tell this is one of my “pet peeves”? ~~K

Red, White, and Blue

Not very pretty, but these are the washer hoses D put in today -- awaiting the arrival of our new Maytag this coming Thursday.

While at a workshop in Aurora, Ohio, I came across this flag I thought would be a great school craft project. If you look close you can see the stars and stripes are all hand prints.

Was that R, W, & B a stretch for the title? ~K