Pages

Tuesday, September 04, 2012

Today's Photo Journal: The Big Winner

There are few things in this world more satisfying than a good yard-sale find.  Mine was this magnetic doodle board for a measly 25 cents.  I picked it up for Big Boy, but then Angela Walters convinced me to steal it.
No really!?! 

Turns out the only thing better than a great yard-sale deal is a genius sewing tip.  A few weeks ago I won a copy of Angela's book, Free-Motion Quilting from Daisy Jane.  That's right:  THIS GIRL (imagine my thumbs pointed proudly at my collar bones) never wins ANYTHING, so I feel no shame in admitting that I entered another blogger's giveaway.  :)

So, clearly it was MEANT TO BE.  I have so many quilting books that SuperHusband would've scoffed mightily if I had suggested that I might purchase Angela's book outright, but since I won it from Jan, he had to let it cross the threshold.  Turns out her book is the BEST book on free-motion quilting that I've ever read!  Her approach helped me break free from some conventional advice I'd been given, and she had one brilliant little tip that rocked my world: 

Instead of practicing my freehand designs on paper, which I've been doing since I got my longarm three years ago, she suggested practicing them on a magnetic doodle board.  Holy schnikees.   Why didn't I think of that?

 I only quilt on a long arm, but her book applies to free motion quilting on any machine.  If it's an art you already enjoy, or even if you're thinking about getting into it, I heartily endorse her book.  (And she has absolutely no idea I'm writing this.)  

 Meanwhile, all that chicken scratch at the top is my practice for the four borders on Momma's quilt.  What do you think?
Posted by at
Labels: , , , , , , , , ,

Comments (6)

Loading... Logging you in...
Dashboard | Edit profile | Logout
  • Logged in as
0 Vote up Vote down
Olivia's avatar

Olivia · 659 weeks ago

Myra - I like the way you think! The Etch-a-Sketch is a great idea in terms of developing the continuous-line motifs you need to make a "picture" from the running stitch, but it's only downfall as an alternative is that the knobs don't mimic the grip and movement of the quilting machine so much. Even when I do a sharpie on paper or the pen on the magnetic board, I hold it very high and loosely to mimic the dexterity you give up when you control an entire moving platform with a couple of handlebars.
0 Vote up Vote down
Katie's avatar

Katie · 660 weeks ago

Ok, this pattern: I died. So in love with it; it suits your Mom perfectly!
1 reply · active 659 weeks ago
0 Vote up Vote down
Olivia's avatar

Olivia · 659 weeks ago

Yay! I'm glad you like it. It seems a little busy to me, but once it's divided by the different colored borders, I think it will work nicely. I'm going to try to get it started this weekend and finish early next week. :)
0 Vote up Vote down
Angela Walters's avatar

Angela Walters · 660 weeks ago

Wow!! Thanks for the such great compliments! I am so glad that you like it!!!!
1 reply · active 659 weeks ago
0 Vote up Vote down
Olivia's avatar

Olivia · 659 weeks ago

Well, seriously, thanks. I love your style and techniques. Your lovely overall leafy pattern doesn't come as naturally to me, but I can do it in small sections. I definitely like it interspersed with the flowers. Can't wait to see the new fabric line in all its whimsy glory!

Post a new comment

Comments by

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)