(I'm back...)
Hoooooray, It's Jenny Lyon's Blog Hop Day!
I got my hot little hands on my copy of Jenny's new book,
Free-motion Quilting from Ordinary to Extraordinary,
when I was in Houston at Quilt Market and Festival
But...
Due to an unforeseen delay in my studio yesterday
...torrential rain outside..
and a lovely light shower INSIDE ...coming through my skylight..
I had to abandon ship,
pack up the ark
and head home...
And in my haste to evacuate I forgot to bring home my
"PLACTICE" (Jenny's term) pieces!
So I'm back...
Jenny's Book is a treasure!
I've been free-motion quilting for years but I've never attempted to use these skills
to fill in spaces on a quilt. I use my sewing machine as a drawing tool.
I 'draw' my images from my imagination and I rarely plan a specific design.
I doodle and I meander and I very spontaneously and intuitively stitch.
If I do have a plan, I go off script and simply go rogue.
So, for this Blog Hop my idea was to practice a bit of self-discipline (not my super power).
Jenny's book is loaded with ideas about how to approach connecting motifs,
and where to find inspiration for designs all around us.
Since I don't make quilts from soft cottons,
I pulled out some of my canvas scraps to "PLACTICE" on.
Jenny's idea is to Play and Practice..."PLACTICE"!
As a warm-up, I doodled a floral design. (Just having fun)
And then, I played with making one continuous motif using a plant as an inspiration.
So much fun! And a bit addicting!
Next was to play with grids...a motif I love to use.
Again I loved the free-play. My spontaneous side took over for a minute
and I added some little loop-de-doops. Sometimes I just can't help myself.
On to Spirals...
My first attempt is missing from my pile of samples. (sorry... no photo.)
But I needed a lot more practice.
I knew I should back up and, as Jenny suggests, revert to drawing on paper.
I did that with some spirals and then sewed some more. Better, but again, I went rogue
and added some loops and swirls.
And I love it!
That's the Whole Point!
Next up are some fun star burst shapes...
And then I channeled my 12 year old self and reverted to my blob-shaped doodles.
(Hundreds and hundreds of these were made during boring lectures at school.)
I had SO MUCH FUN playing and "PLACTICING" my free-motion stitching
(and I clearly need to work on my self-discipline).
This is SO MUCH FUN!
Here's how you can have a chance to win Jenny's book.
Leave a comment here on my blog saying what your favorite thread is.
If your ID doesn't link back to you, please leave a valid email address or way to contact you.
I will (randomly) choose a winner on December 15, 2018.
a great place to try new free-motion quilting ideas. With minimal
investment in time and materials
A few notes about the hop:
– You can enter each day but can only win once.
– Each blogger will leave the comments open for 8 days and then will choose a winner using a random method.
– Jenny will send winners a signed copy of her book.
– If you find a blog along the way that you find interesting, sign up to receive notices of each future posting. This is a talented group!
– International winners will receive a digital copy.
– You can enter each day but can only win once.
– Each blogger will leave the comments open for 8 days and then will choose a winner using a random method.
– Jenny will send winners a signed copy of her book.
– If you find a blog along the way that you find interesting, sign up to receive notices of each future posting. This is a talented group!
– International winners will receive a digital copy.
The more the merrier-feel free to pass my post on to others so that we can all play along.
Here’s the schedule:
Dec 1 Jenny K. Lyon https://quiltskipper.com/
Dec 2 Lisa Chin http://www.lisachinartist.com/
Dec 3 Catherine Redford https://catherineredford.com/
Dec 4 Lyric Kinard http://lyrickinard.com/
Dec 5 Heidi Proffetty https://www.heidiproffetty.com/
Dec 6 Debby Ritenbaugh Brown https://www.debbybrownquilts.com/
Dec 7 Libby Williamson https://libbywilliamsondesigns.blogspot.com/
Dec 8 Barbara Black http://bbquiltmaker.blogspot.com/
Dec 9 Cindy Grisdela https://www.cindygrisdela.com/
Dec 10 Teri Lucas https://terificreations.com/
Dec 2 Lisa Chin http://www.lisachinartist.com/
Dec 3 Catherine Redford https://catherineredford.com/
Dec 4 Lyric Kinard http://lyrickinard.com/
Dec 5 Heidi Proffetty https://www.heidiproffetty.com/
Dec 6 Debby Ritenbaugh Brown https://www.debbybrownquilts.com/
Dec 7 Libby Williamson https://libbywilliamsondesigns.blogspot.com/
Dec 8 Barbara Black http://bbquiltmaker.blogspot.com/
Dec 9 Cindy Grisdela https://www.cindygrisdela.com/
Dec 10 Teri Lucas https://terificreations.com/
Click on the appropriate link for the day, make a comment, and you’ll be in the running to win a free, signed copy. Come Play!
Your 'Placticing' looks great. I usually use Aurifil thread
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jayne! Placticing is fun!
DeleteI need a lot more 'plactice!' Don't have a favorite thread at the moment, it depends on what I can get that is the right color. Not much selection in a small town, and sometimes, I need it now.
ReplyDeleteI'm not too choosy about thread. I use what I have and I have all sorts of miscellaneous stuff.
DeleteMy favorite thread is Aurifil.
ReplyDeleteHi Sandy, Aurifil sure is wonderful thread!
DeleteHi Libby-Plactice is always a good thing and you look like you had fun. Thanks for the opportunity to win! I really like YLI thread for most of my art pieces and Madiera if I want it to shine and sparkle.
ReplyDeletePaula Dean
Hi Paula! I've never tried YLI thread so I'll have to give it a try. I do love Madiera for the sparkles! Its always great to connect with you on FB. Hugs
DeleteI love your "blob" Plactice. Since I have never machine quilted, I'll have to say hand dyed embroidery floss. LOL! I've never been able to get the hand/eye coordination down. I am hoping Jenny's book will convert me. Sorry about the indoor flood. Have the happiest of holidays!
ReplyDeleteHi Jeannie. The indoor flood turned out okay! Phew! But now I do have to deal with that leaky skylight. Happy Holidays to you, too! Thanks.
DeleteLibby, great post about Jenny's book; and thanks for showing us your plactice pieces. I love King Tut and So Fine by Superior. Please pick me!
ReplyDeleteHi Martha! I've used King Tut a bit but haven't tried So Fine. I'll have to give it a go. Hugs!
DeleteThanks for the chance to win this wonderful book! Today my favorite thread is Essential.
ReplyDeleteHi Sylvia, I thought I'd heard about every thread but you've got me. I've never heard of Essential. I just googled it...Aurifil! Now I know what you're using. Beautiful stuff!
DeleteI am fond of Aurifil. I love the wide range of colors and weights. Thanks for sharing the giveaway! Your blob looks like shells to me. Nice work!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to try Aurifil again soon. So many people here are loving it. I use a lot of Wonderfil Thread. And everything else!
DeleteLooks like you had a lot of fun with this!
ReplyDeleteHi Janice. Yes, I had a blast!
DeleteLibby, I prefer to practice by sewing rather than drawing! My fav thread is Magnifico for quilting.
ReplyDeleteHi Erilyn. I agree with you. I much prefer to practice with thread rather than drawing. Thanks!
DeleteBoy do I ever need to practice, must make more time for that. I like Superior and Aurifil, also like Wonderfil but they are all quite hard to get in our small town in Canada. I usually have to order them on line or occasionally when I visit Toronto I make sure they are on the shopping list.
ReplyDeleteHi Bev. Thanks for visiting my blog. I seem to stitch the same things so this exercise was good for me. I need to Plactice more, too!
DeleteI love Magnifico too! And I also use king tut. Enjoy your blog too! I hope I win the book . Yea!
ReplyDeleteHi. Thanks for visiting my blog. I'll have to try Magnifico. I've never used it.
DeleteI love Aurifil but need to try superior, so fine and now wonderfil after reading all the comments
ReplyDeletedawngilbert21@aol.com
Hi Delta. It's fun seeing all of the different threads people are using! Thanks for visiting!
DeleteLove your free thinking doodles. I may try that. My favorite thread is still aurifil.
ReplyDeleteRobin
Hi Robin. I don't have a favorite thread but there are a few top contenders. Thanks for stopping by!
DeleteIt depends on whether I want the thread to show or fade into the background. I’m on a constant journey of discovery, but right now I like Aurifil and Isacord with Bottom Line in the bobbin.
ReplyDeleteHi Celeste. I's been so interesting to find out about everyone's thread choices! I use all sorts of brands. Depends what I'm working on, too!
DeleteSuperior's Magnifico is my favourite thread, oddly my Bernina hates Bottomline.
ReplyDeleteHi. Isn't funny how sewing machines can be so picky! Sheesh!
DeleteI think Jenny’s book would be very helpful for improving my FMQ. I’d love to win a copy. Thank you
ReplyDeleteHi Robbie. Thanks for stopping by. And yes, Jenny's book is wonderful!
DeleteLove all your samples! Such inspiration. I use 50 weight thread for free motion quilting.
ReplyDeleteHi Melissa. Thanks for the comments and for visiting my blog. Free motion stitching is so much fun!
DeleteNo favorite thread, as I don't FMQ yet. That's my goal for 2019, to learn how. This book looks great!
ReplyDeleteHello. I have so many favorite threads that I really don't have a favorite! I love them all!
DeleteMy favorite thread for all-over designs is Fantastico by Superior Threads! I would love to win Jenny's book!!
ReplyDeleteHi Brenda. I'll have to give Fantastico a try. I've never used it. Thanks for the visit.
DeleteMy favorite thread is difficult to name -- I've had many favorites over the years, different ones for different uses. Right now I prefer Aurifil for piecing and have fallen in love with Sew Fine for both piecing and quilting.
ReplyDeleteHi Sandy. I guess I need to really pay more attention to thread brands. I use so many different ones. I usually sew through painted canvas so I need something really strong. I, too, don't really have a favorite!
DeleteThis looks like a terrific book. I prefer King Tut by Superior for fmq.
ReplyDeleteHi. I like King Tut also. My good friend Frances introduced me to it and it's great stuff!
DeleteI’ve been practicing off and on since I took her class. Need to try it continuously for 21 days. Using my favorite thread of Isacord because it works well in my machine, but with 50w aurofil in the bobbin my stitches are even better!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear you've been in Jenny's class. She is a treasure! I need to Plactice more, too!
DeleteI love Aurifil threads - they don't break as often as other threads on my machine! Mumbird3atgmaildotcom
ReplyDeleteHello! I agree with you. It's funny how some machines are so picky about thread!
DeleteI love Aurifil for piecing, but for quilting, I seem to have greater success with Isacord.
ReplyDeleteHi Vicki. I think I'm going to try Isacord. I've heard good things about it! But I really like Wonderfil.
DeleteI use Aurifil. Your samples are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHi Dixie. Thank you for stopping by. I hope you are enjoying the blog hop!
DeleteI just use Coats. It's never given me any issues so I've never felt the need to buy more expensive thread.
ReplyDeleteHi Kim. I agree. Use whatever works for you! I use Coats sometimes. And also Gutterman. And I also have a ridiculous amount of other thread! Use east you have that works!
DeleteMy machine only seems to like Masterpiece or Isacord...I LOVE your samples!
ReplyDeleteHi Sherrye. It's funny how some machines are so picky! It's lucky that you've found what works for you. We've got to keep our machines happy!
DeleteI have enjoyed using Aurifil thread, thanks for giveaway.
ReplyDeleteHi Donna. I have so many different threads that I have trouble keeping them straight. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteI like to use Aurfil thread, but also use Coats for piecing. Thanks for the giveaway oppportunity!
ReplyDeleteHi Jen. I'm glad you stopped by. Good luck with the drawing. There will be a random drawing in a few days!
DeleteI have no real thread preference, just which ever one has the color and texture I envision for my project. Lately that seems to be Aurifil or Superior but I have lots of different ones in my cabinets and racks. I usually go to the LQS to pick a fresh spool for a fresh project and that's why I have so many partially used spools at home.
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer. It sounds like your thread cabinet looks like mine, except I envision your nicely organized. I've got bins of spools all over the place. I need to take control of my threads before they swallow me up!
DeleteMy favorite thread at the moment for quilting is Isacord and Aurafil, I use craftsy thread for piecing. Thanks for a chance to win
ReplyDeleteHi Denise.
DeleteI haven't used Isacord but I keep hearing about it. Thanks for stopping by!
Aurifil for everything except some of my hand quilting, and I always use hand quilting thread to hand stitch down the back of bindings.
ReplyDeleteAurifil sure is a popular thread...and good choice to use hand-quilting thread for bindings!
DeleteAgain, my favorite thread is Aurifil 50 wt, sometimes 40 wt. I like using Superior’s Bottomline in my bobbin.
ReplyDeleteHi Penny,
DeleteAnother fan of Auriful! It sure is a popular thread!
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ReplyDeleteAmazing i m really impress with your content and very useful it. .
ReplyDelete