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!

Small Projects Add Up to Big Finishes

Finishing up a bunch of small projects and getting ready to travel.

Small quilts for my Small Quilt Wall:..One of them Auntie Nyla's only attempt at FPP*. 
(She hated this block and threw it away...I rescued it....I love it!!)

 

Quilt it.

Bind it.

Hang it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pretty Little City:  Embracing my new "home state." This is a Muppin's Sewing Emporium exclusive. 
Cheryl created this pattern for out-of-town visitors to her shop. (The Heart button is Paducah.)

The Small Quilt Wall is nearly Full!

The Pincushion Doll also by Muppin's Sewing Emporium.  I shall call her "Polly" (for Polly Pincushion.)

Hummmmm....my first attempt was NOT a success!
The dress-base is too small.  There are fabric cutting calculations in the pattern based on the size of the doll body, but somehow they didn't translate from
paper to product.  

 

 

Can you say "Date with Jack"?

 

 

 Sew Much Better!

 

 

I'm sure someday I'll make her another frock and then I'll have a better idea of how it all goes together (I wrote it in the pattern.)

I think she looks cheery, though, don't you?
Makes me want to do-si-do.
I imagine her wearing cowgirl boots,
muddy cowgirl boots, under her costume.

When you purchase patterns, fabric and notions from your local shop you have a resource available for help get you out of a conundrum. 
Thank you, Cheryl Sleboda for setting me on the right track. 
Buy local when possible!

Crayon Pouch for the coloring Catalina:  A video popped up on my FaceBook.  It looked cute (and easy) so I followed the link...they wanted $22 for the pattern!!!  I'm sorry...that is too much money for a downloadable pattern....so, I made the little zipper pouch without a pattern!  So There! 

 

Well...not so fast....I'll admit there were more than a few "gosh darn" moments assembling this thing, especially the zipper. 
And it didn't turn out in real life quite like I'd imagined. Hind-sight being what it is...I should have purchased the
pattern--should-a, would-a, could-a.  If you're interested in watching the video and purchasing the pattern, HERE is the link. 

And can I just have a short hissy fit about zipper feet?  

The feet that came with my Janome are not worth a plug nickel! 
I have all these (on the left): I tried the two top feet....they just wouldn't hold the fabric...
I broke two needles trying.

 

 I finally retrieved the foot from one of my older machines (on the right)....PERFECT!!!
Sometimes the tried-and-true are the best choice, just sayin...

Ok, I'm done. Leave me a comment if you want me to send you the Janome feet.

 

 

Rounding out all the small projects for March,
Hat-on a-Cat** for April: 

And now it's time to jump in the car and drive to exciting places....keep watching.

 

*FPP=Foundation Paper Piecing.
**Hat on a Cat is from Missouri Star Quilt Company.

 

Intervention

 ...I think I need one...."During an intervention, people gather together to face their loved one, talk about the effects of their addiction and ask them to accept treatment."

....or some other sewing related doo dad....

Am I addicted?  Yes, I suppose I am....I have way more projects than I can ever finish in a Month-of-Sundays
and yet I've added two more to the list.

So, here is what happens....on Friday nights (right after Zoom Ukulele Jam)  from 7:00 to 8:00 pm Central Time my friend, Cheryl Slaboda of Muppin's Sewing Emporium streams live on YouTube and FaceBook.  Each week she demonstrates some sort of needle craft like ruching or rouleau or making tiny strawberry pincushions.  It's always fun and interesting.

Well, one Friday evening it was all about these porcelain doll bodies used to make pincushions.  She gets these from all over, Germany, Japan, etc.  And who could resist!?  Obviously not me.  I rushed down to the shop the very next day!!

 

 

Yes, I got hooked...but I got a really good deal.

Watch the episode for the pincushion doll HERE.
(You can see at time stamp 46 where I caved....) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cheryl is so creative and stocks unique items in her little shop in downtown Paducah.   Coming to the AQS Quilt Show in April?  Go see Cheryl!!
And notice this pattern was produced for Muppins,
Cheryl designed this Pincushion Doll Pattern herself!  She is a very talented lady.

Tune in on Friday night.   Click HERE to subscribe on YouTube.
See her shop HERE.

The other item I just could NOT resist....Steampunk Kitty by eQuilter.com.

The very first time I saw this panel last year I thought "it's King Louie!!!" 
But, I didn't buy it right then...I waited and I'm not kidding this panel sold out in ONE DAY!

Sometimes when eQuilter has a popular panel, they do a second print run...so I waited...and Waited...and WAITED.  Finally I emailed them and asked if they were going to do a second printing.  

To my amazement I received a very prompt reply*  and Yes, there would be a second printing in January, 2024.

As soon as it became available, I snapped one up.  

Not paying attention, the panel did turn out to be much bigger than I thought it would be.  Too big for a wall quilt at 36" X 44".   
So, it will be a lap quilt.  

 

Firing up EQ8** I designed a pattern.

 

It's been so long since I've done anything in EQ8, I'm amazed
I even remembered how to upload a picture of the panel and design interesting borders.
Finished Size 68.5" X 76.5"

You might remember the last Steampunk lap quilt I made. 
Aquatic Steampunk. Also from eQuilter.com A lap quilt for Sabrina, Christmas, 2021.  HERE

 Do you need a good idea for panels? 
eQuilter.com has a lot of FREE patterns.

 

 

I'd be a liar if I said "no more fabric, no more panels, no more fun sewing stuff until..." 
So, why even go there???  

There are two road trips in the works, one to Indiana with my sister and one to Texas with my Babes.
Perhaps there'll be some Quilt Shop stops along the way....So, who knows?

  * I have always had good customer service from eQuilter.com.
** Electric Quilt 8

Prime the Pump

The Covid symptoms are finally going away (with only my crackly ears left to deal with...Dr. appt. this week.) 
FINALLY it feels like I still have enough energy at the end of the day to actually DO something, besides wait out the clock to 8:00 pm and go to bed.

About a year ago, I introduced you-all to Cheryl Sleboda and Muppin's Sewing Emporium.  HERE

 

She has a live podcast every Friday Night.  You can catch her live on Facebook or watch the play back on YouTube. 
Cheryl talks about all things sewing...very fun to watch.
(And if for no other reason, tune in to see what color her hair is this week...)

 

 

This past Friday I tuned into her show and she introduced the cutest panel!  WITH corresponding fabrics to compliment!

 I must say this was just what I needed to get inspired to fire up the 'ol Janome!  I rushed right down to the shop Saturday morning and bought the panel and the corresponding Fat Quarter Bundle. 

Throw in a nice long chat with Cheryl... solving all the world's problems, it was just what the doctor ordered!

I've already started on one of the sections to create a wall hanging for my Sister Wife as a Christmas surprise.
(I'll tell her story later.)

In anticipation of getting back in the saddle, The Studio got a good dusting and all my tools organized.
It feels good to actually accomplish something...it's been a while. 

There is a saying that if you get one area of your life in order, everything else follows. I believe there is some truth to that.  Pretty soon this will be my motto...(part of the panel.)

P.S.  You can purchase from Muppin's Sewing Emporium online:  HERE

 AND, order her hand-sewing needles....they are Wonderful!!

Happy Sewing, everyone!