SewCalGal - FMQ Challenge - May

Directions: To make double stipple and train variation.

May

Leah Day

Before:  The lesson is very clearly written including a very nice refresher or orientation to FMQing.  Leah is really the best with including information for beginners, and I'm sure she challenges more advanced quilters too.  The designs are both very nice, I anticipate the double stipple will be easier than the train tracks as points are sometimes hard to do.

First Try May 2 - First I drew the double stipple design on paper.  Since I had finally finished my Big Star quilt, it was easy for me to set up to test out the patterns on my test sandwich. The white thread doesn't show up in the photo very well...  Here are my first interpretations:

Back First Try May SCG

First try at both May designs for SewCalGal

My practices did not fill the space as evenly as Leah did in her video demos, but I think they look really nice anyway.

These will be nice designs to use to surround some busy piecing or to have in the background.  Check out Marie's blog to see the pattern done in a larger block - very nice.  (Need to scroll down a bit to see the photos.)

May 25 - in FMQAYGQAL block.  I finally had time to sew the pattern in my quilt blocks!

Front - Leah's Double Stipple

Back - Leah's Double Stipple

I'm having a little problem with the thread getting too loose at the top of the machine, but by going slow (and traveling to be sure some skips were secure) I have a second example of the first design by Leah Day.

This is such a forgiving design, it still looks good with uneven loops!  I think it would be wonderful as an all over design!

May 26 - in FMQAYGQAL block.  I did the second Leah Day design for the SewCalGal challenge.  This time I just did one simple curve so there is plenty of unquilted area.  I really like it!

Front- Leah's Tracks

Back - Leah's Tracks

These designs were really fun to do - I know I'll be using them in my future projects.  Now they are part of the FMQAYGQAL project I'm working on too!



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I'm linking to SewCalGal for my May entry!
http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com/2012/05/may-2012-fmq-challenge-tutorial-by-leah.html
I'm #94!


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You too can join up with the 2012 SewCalGal's Free-Motion Quilt Challenge now to become a better free motion quilter and have the chance to win fabulous prizes!!  

 To enter the May drawing:
1. Write blog entry or post a photo on Flicker. Copy and save the URL.
2. Then go to http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com/p/free-motion-quilt-challenge.html
3. Click on the May link - you'll go to the screen with information about the challenge for May. The direct link is: http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com/2012/05/may-2012-fmq-challenge-tutorial-by-leah.html
4. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and add the link to your site.

I'm #94 on this list! I'm coding all my entries about this project with SewCalGalFMQ2012 so clicking on that will show the most recent post on top.

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http://www.with-heart-and-hands.com/2012/05/praying-for-miracle.html