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Friday, 28 October 2011

FMQ Mo' Fo!

Here we are again, linking up with Cindy and her Fluffy-free-motioning Sheep, trying to replicate some clever stitchcraft!  Oh boy, oh boy!

I went 100% cotton, I dropped the feed dogs, turned the stitch length to '0', and really tried my best.  I have 'enhanced' the photos so you can see the stitching more clearly, maybe I shouldn't have!


So it looks a lot better than the polycotton/polywadding adventures, but my actual 'steering' leaves a little to be desired.  I didn't go pedal-free, that is just a crazy nonsense I will only use again if I should break both ankles and still have time to sew!

The middle is not quite up the Leah's standard!
The back isn't too bad - less tension issues than before!
After the 'homework' I tried some random stippling, as I think this will probably be what I attempt for real in the future (Duo QAL?).  I only used small practice pieces, so my movements were rather tiny, but I do believe it is the best I have produced!  Still needs work though...

The back of this was cream, so I couldn't photograph it.
Another attempt.  Quite good?
I still need to try gloves.  At the garden centre earlier in the week I did look and try on some thin grippy ones, but they would so annoy me.  Anyone in the know - is it a lot easier once the 'quilt' is larger?  And at what point does a quilt get too big to even bother to try to manoeuvre?

So this week do you think I can say it wasn't a total catastrophe?

Oh before I go, I just have to show you this, having gone completely insane today at a Pizza Hut Buffet, (inc. ice cream, big mistake), we took a trip to Eternal Maker, (you know the one, the wonderful sponsor of the Pings&Needles Scrap Bag Challenge - I hope you've voted!).

I had a little splurge with the girls in mind, probably for Christmas...


Mollie Makes seems to have jumped in the basket at Sainsburys too!

Not a bad day eh? x

35 comments:

  1. Your FMQ is looking great, especially the stippling. Your trip to Pizza Hut and Eternal Maker sound like a fabulous way to spend an afternoon!

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  2. Best title ever. Your stippling looks fabulous and I snorted out loud when I read the bit about you breaking your ankles!

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  3. Your stitchin' is looking good, fo' shor'!

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  4. FMQ is sooo hard, you are doing great! I love your purchases- what is the yellow floral FQ with £2 on- like that a lot

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  5. That FMQ is looking fab, and chuckling about the go button ;o)

    Terrible when stuff just leaps into your basket like that...

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  6. I am so impressed Hadley - you show off! Hehe! Looking great you must be pleased!?

    Great buys at EM - must look out for the new Molly Makes if it is worth it?? I see pretty purses in the future - I have bought a frame but that is as far as I have got!

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  7. Hadley, you`re da bom! That FMQ is unbelievably amazingly good..I am not worthy to write in this comment box. Clever clever Flash but what on earth is Molly Makes??

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  8. I think this is looking fantastic - have never-ever FMQ'd, am petrified of it, so think you are brilliant to even have a go, let alone do it so well. Lovely looking fabrics from EM, I love that flowery one from Just Dandy..

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  9. That's a fab attempt! It's definitely harder with bigger quilts - no question (sorry!). Jxo

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  10. The thought of FMQ is terrifying for a beginner like me. You have my total admiration as your example is pretty impressive.

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  11. How funny that you not get on with the stop start button. I have never used the 'mouse' on my main machine, although I have no problem switching back when I use Lsa's machine which is set up downstairs. Mind you I could never achieve the FMQ you are doing, are the two mutually exclusive?

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  12. Your FMQ is coming along famously!!!! Cast off the self doubt, girl! You are a STAR!!! I actually prefer stippling to anything else because I can meander anywhere, unlike your first design with radiating lines! That sort of thing terrifies me! Your purchases are great! Wish I could buy just one copy of "Mollie Makes" here 'downunder'! Can't find it anywhere!

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  13. this looks great! I've tried meandering like that and it has NEVER worked out that well. Good for you! I always use my pedal, my machine is super old (and awesome!) so it doesn't have a lot of features :D

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  14. When I've stopped sniggering at your blog title, I will say that that your stippling looks pro (Mo'Fo'Pro?) :) and I see you've bought some of my favourite fabric (for this month!) I've got that Josephine Kimberling Just Dandy print in turquoise - just remember to keep the flowers the right way up :) x

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  15. You are certainly improving each time Hadley so keep it up! I still need to practise but the gloves help.....just need to find the time. I like the look of your little purse project.

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  16. I think you're doing amazingly!! I don't think it's any easier when your sandwich is bigger (sorry) but I HAVE FMQ-ed a 83in square quilt on my very basic wee machine. And by basic I mean it has a 6in throat and no fancy-schmancy needle down option or anything. So it is totally doable to quilt a kingsize quilt on a domestic machine. Just in small sittings!!

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  17. Your stippling looks fantastic!!! I do like to wear gloves and having a teflon slidey sheet on top of the sewing machine bed helps me maintain smooth lines as well. I think the brand name is Sew-Slip.

    I also bought some of that guitar linen - LOVE it!! Is Mollie Makes sort of like Stitch magazine? (have you seen Stitch over there?). A general patterns mag with funky projects? It looks nice from the cover. Have fun with your new fabric!

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  18. Your FMQ is fine! I would rather stipple than do that radiating star thingy any day. I'd straight line that if I had to do it at all. I've not gone near a quilt shop in ages. Getting withdrawal symptoms.

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  19. Your FMQ looks brill - try Machingers - really thin gloves.
    Saw Molly Makes for first time yesterday but was too mean to buy it.........

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  20. Your FMQ looks fab, don't buy gloves though, get some of the grip sheeting that you buy to stop things slipping and cut a couple of 4 inch squares and use these between your fabric and hand, works a treat and much less annoying than gloves

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  21. the free motion quilting looks nice and I am liking the polka dot fabric you used in your sample.

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  22. Your stippling is looking good! The best advice someone gave me once I moved from 'practice' pieces to a real (big) quilt was to make sure the quilt is supported. Don't have any of the quilt dragging off the table. I always quilt with the ironing board lowered and set up on the left of me, to take the weight of the quilt that isn't on the table with the sewing machine.

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  23. Hey, you are doing great with your fmq! I think both patterns look great! And personally I like the thin gloves. And RE: size, I'm straight-lining an 80x80" right now & I feel like I'm quilt-wrangling! It's working but it ain't easy. You are obviously well on your way to fm larger projects!

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  24. uh, i think you are a fmq super star! it looks fabulous!

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  25. oh, and i totally love the fabric you splurged on. LOVE IT.

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  26. Your fmq is looking fab and I love those fabrics :)

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  27. Great buys! Your bright star looks fab! And the stippling does too. I have gloves and find it much easier to FMQ with them on.

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  28. My video will be up on Monday so I will fore go my comments until then. It would take quite the long bit to tell you everything I want to in here. There are some pointers I think will help.

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  29. Your FMQ is looking great. When I read about over indulgence at pizza hut (inc ice cream) then trip to Eternal maker, i thought you were about to tell us a twin spewed in public... Obviously your story is nicer...

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  30. After seeing Ceri's Mo'Fo'Pro all I think think of is Mo'Fo'Ho!!LOL! Sorry to be so rude, you know I really love you. Your star looks lovely and your stippling is great. Bigger is definitely harder but you can increase the scale of the meander so reduce the work a little. Go you!

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  31. Your FMQ is looking fab! Espt the stippling! The second try is lovely with nice curves and even stitches. Be proud, lovely! I'd love a trip to Eternal maker and pizza - sounds like a great day :)

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  32. Yayyyy for the Mo Fo Ho! Snigger! Really Hadley you nailed that radiating star! and the stippling - you got it babe!

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  33. Your FMQ looks FAB Hadley! Very impressive!

    And I do recommend either Grabaroos gloves or Machingers. They work better than the garden center ones (that I used to have.)

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  34. your title had me laughing so hard!! You did a great job on the fmq! I can't get my head round doing a whole quilt either, it would be wrestling. You did great at the shops too :)

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