On the machine

I'm quite enjoying this machine quilting lark but I still have to schedule time for it otherwise it's just not going to happen. Ok, free motion Fridays are hard to keep up with but a regular play is still needed to keep practicing. After seeing this post by Jenny Bowker, I decided to run with the idea, killing two birds with one stone, I could make a good sampler piece that I could turn into a cushion. Jenny is teaching a class at Houston for her idea and demonstrated this in Australia at the quilt shows for Bernina. With her permission I am able to share this.

I had loads of fun playing around with different motifs as well as some background fillers.

The texture looks so good in the photos, I just need to wash it and turn it into a really useful item.

The next thing I want to get a grip of is to pay attention to the regularity of the gaps between the stitched lines. I still have to force myself to stop at certain points so I don't lose control of what I'm doing . I also have issues with deciding where to go next and how to get in and out of spots, for me this is the hardest of all.

I've been reading these two books authored by Diane Gaudynski and learning a lot. I didn't pay a lot of attention to my varied stitch lengths when I started practicing and as I've done more, it has improved enormously. It wasn't easy to learn to drive a car and this is similar, I find myself listening to the sound of the motor and adjusting the speed of my hands and the foot on the pedal. Co-ordinating them all takes time.

Just for fun, I thought I'd share my Grandaughter's fifth birthday cake story. All the kids get to choose their birthday cake and Sophie asked for a list of must haves.
1. A princess.
2. Some sheep.
3. A dog.
Then it got even more specific, the princess had to have a hat and be standing behind the sheep. The dog had to be chasing the sheep. The dog had to be black. This is while the decorating was in full swing. My daughter is a Mum that rocks! By the way, the sheep are made of cupcakes. Jeez, I only ever asked for a banana cake.