Let’s talk machine quilting

I wanted to touch on some quilting options for today. I had originally written a post about this and forgotten to hit save. In hind site it was a blessing because it was way to long. So I am going to break this into 2. Today I want to talk machine quilting options and in my next post I will talk hand quilting.

Firstly let’s talk one of the easiest options, long arm quilting. If you are fortunate enough to have a long arm machine this is a good option. You can put your quilt on the large frame and move the machine instead of the quilt. There are also people that run businesses who specialise in doing this for people. The downside is it can be a bit pricey but if quilting is not something that you enjoy, it might be worth the extra dollars.

When you get a quilt long armed, you might get the choice of custom quilting or an all over pattern. Custom quilting is usually more expensive because of the hours it takes to complete. Something that you will need to think about and talk to your chosen quilter about. An all over pattern is often a little cheaper. This might also be called a panto or edge to edge.

This is a quilt top I sent away to a long arm quilter.

Now you can quilt on a domestic sewing machine. This is something that I do personally enjoy but it does take some time. An easy option for this is what is known as dot-to-dot quilting. You choose points on your quilt and sew between the points. You will need to use your walking foot and if you like you can draw lines to make sure you are sewing straight. I am usually a little impatient and skip the line drawing but I am always happier with the result if I do. I use a stitch slightly longer than I piece the tops with, usually about 3mm.

My dot-to-dot quilting. I don’t worry too much about being perfect. It is the overall effect for me and I am always in too much of a rush to be finished.

Free motion quilting can also be done on your domestic machine. You will need a free motion foot and I recommend talking to your machine dealer about the correct foot if you want to get started with this. It is useful to take a class to learn some of the basics and when I was starting, or if I am going back to it after some time off, I always do a few practices pieces. These are smaller basted squares that you can practice a design on. I used to think about this as a bit of a waste of time but they do make some cute quilted placemats and it is a lot better than having to unpick quilts because you don’t like the way the design is working out.

My little Janome is my favourite machine to free motion on.

For this quilt I did both free motion and dot-to-dot quilting.

One of the key things with free motion quilting is being relaxed. My good friend that taught me how to do this would often start our lesson with a glass of wine so I would then be more relaxed when I started. If wine is not your thing, maybe choose a time of the day that you have no other worries (for me it is currently nap time) and get some practice in. Ten minutes a day will greatly improve your skill and build your muscle memory.

One of my practice pieces. I always do this to try new patterns to get the feel of them.

One other thing you can do to help with muscle memory is doodle the design on some paper. This helps your brain get used to the pattern and prepare you for the task. I have often sat in meetings for work doodling quilting designs.

I hope this gives you some inspiration. Remember we all start somewhere but it is important to get started.

Happy Stitching

Welcome to October Rose Fiber Art

Well it is finally here! The time where I take that big step and start sharing the skills I have honed over the past few decades. I better introduce myself first.

Hi, I’m Fiona and I am a multi-crafter! Wow that felt good to say out loud. I know to my close friends and family this comes as no surprise as they have often complained about my craft nest being over run with half finished projects and random fabrics and yarn that I have pulled out to think over before deciding on a project. What is a craft nest, I hear you all ask. Well, I have often referred to my space that I carve out in the living room to spend my spare time as my craft nest. It is that comfy chair with a pile of WIPs (Works In Progress) next to it. They of course are all carefully placed so that the next time you sit you can quickly pick up and start from where you left off to make sure you get optimum craft time in those precious few moments of peace.

One of my current WIPs in my nest. A baby blanket for a dear friend to wrap her bundle of joy in. More on this in future blog posts.

I have crafted for as long as I can remember. Gathering scraps from mums projects and thinking up my own creations. Picking up fabric and yarn from anywhere I can to try new things and practice my skills. I learnt all these skills from the fabulous women in my life. My mum and grandmothers who were all excellent at their preferred craft of choice. Both my grandmothers were amazing knitters. My maternal grandmother making us jumpers every year. My favourite was a pink jumper with a cats face worked into it. I remember wearing it EVERYWHERE. My paternal grandmother made the softest baby clothes. My mother was the crocheter of the family. She has always made the most beautiful crocheted projects. She also sewed, and sewed, and sewed. We always had the most beautiful handmade dresses that she had made for us. When she started quilting I absorbed everything in. In my early teens I was piecing together my own simple projects and I have never looked back.

The past decade of my life I have accepted that my crafting is a part of me and I feel a little lost if I don’t do it. I have surrounded myself with wonderful inspiring people who are fiber artists themselves. I have learnt more about quilting, crochet and knitting than I thought possible and I have loved the journey.

October Rose is the next step of my journey. I am at the stage of my life where I want to share my art and all it entails. This small business of mine will have the fabrics, yarns and notions that can help you make beautiful projects and some of my own handmade creations for sale. Hopefully I can inspire some joy and love with my blog and build this space into a community that values the handmade and all that entails.

Handmade crochet motif.