Free Motion Quilting

At our Tuesday night group (Night Owls), we had a class of Free Motion Quilting and this is the 'sampler' I completed.  It was quite a challenge and I still have a long way to go.  However I will keep practising!

MUG RUGS AND FREE MOTION

I have made these mug rugs today.  I have been practising free motion quilting and have done some meandering on these rugs.

The cushion was all done free motion - I found the design for the large flower in a quilting magazine.  It was supposed to have a tear drop filler in the background.  However, I decided on a swirl design would be more manageable for me.
I have added a pic of the flowers on a tree in our garden.  They are particularly beautiful this year - something to do with getting rain at the right time!

Mrs Lincoln's Dressmaker

I have received this book last Friday and it is taking me all my discipline not to keep reading and reading.  It has been raining on the Sunshine Coast since late Sunday, ideal reading weather.  However, I do have lots to do as I have been elected as President of Caloundra Quilters and have a couple of quilting projects I need to finish for our Quilt Show in July.

Free Motion

I have bitten the bullet and am quilting my 49 blocks of International Sunbonnet Sue.  I have been told to practise, practise and keep practising free motion and will get better.  However I have done this and have decided to just do it - although not all stitches are perfect, it is my quilt and I can live with a little imperfection as I will not be entering the quilt (when finished) at any judged show.  I am sure by the time the 49 blocks are finished I will have improved!!!!

Elm Creek Novels

This is a pic of the quilt I made to celebrate the National Year of Reading (2012).  The centre has the Elm Creek Manor with features mentioned in the novels, eg the grey stone building, full length front patio, apple orchard, tall trees and circular drive,  The flying geese circle is from a novel where Sylvia walks outside and sees the geese flying overhead.  I then completed it with chain stitch embroidery using a pattern in an Australian quilting magazine and a final border foundation pieced including printed images of covers of the novels.

This quilt was displayed in our local library (Caloundra, Sunshine Coast).

Mug Rug pics

These are the mug rugs I have made so far.  They are fun to make.  The size varies - your call.   A great project if you don't want to make a large quilt, or if you have no walls to spare to hang another wall hanging!

MUG RUGS

I have registered with Quilting Gallery for the mug rug swap.  I think mug rugs are great and especially when you don't want to make a large quilt.  I took the ones I have made (five so far) to Night Owls last night (the Caloundra Quilters night group) and these were met with much interest and many queries as to what a mug rug is!  I will post photos of the mug rugs in the next day or so.