A Fun Day in the Neighborhood

...AND, learning a new skill.

I took a class at the National Quilt Museum...taught by Miss Cheryl Sleboda Whited....learning to "Free Motion Quilt." (FMQ)

Not as easy as I thought it would be, but I did learn a lot...

 

The main thing I learned...it takes practice!!

Where have I heard that before?   Learning to play the Ukulele!! It gets easier the more you practice...actually I should say
"the more consistently you practice."  Every Day...Every Day...Every Day vs a long practice once a week.  AND, almost any playing helps...does not have to be the piece you're struggling with right this moment! 
You know, that riff that goes from G to Bb.  Just playing and singing any 'ol song is good.

Well... surprise...surprise...FMQ also takes practice, consistent practice, and it's the little things that make the difference. 
For instance, Cheryl had us doodle with pencil and paper the pattern before we tried recreating with sewing machine and fabric.   "...the more you doodle, the better your FMQ will be..."

Has something to do with "muscle memory."   

Muscle memory is a form of procedural memory that involves consolidating a specific motor task into memory through repetition.  And, not to mention, for those of us who are no longer Spring chickens, it's very good for keeping our brains youthful.

There is many-a-night, when the work day is done at 7:00 pm (Central Time) that I just do not feel like going to the studio. 
Now, I can  doodle knowing I'm still doing something productive.  (The first thing I did after class was go to Office Depot and buy a sketch pad.)

 

 

 

I think the FMQ gloves are a big plus.  

It's more difficult to get that fabric to MOVE than I would have thought!!!

And, can I just say, Miss Cherly Sleboda Whited is really knowledgeable!  And, a wonderful instructor.  

What a pleasure to sit under her tutelage!

This was a great day!