Free Motion Quilting - What I have learnt

As you know I love patchwork. I have made clothes and bags, but patchwork is my passion!

 

It all started back in 1996 when I spotted a patchwork quilt in a magazine and immediately bought a small cheep sewing machine. That fist king size quilt has pride of place in my bedroom and is still used to build dens!

 

Faded and worn, but a den building staple!

 

For  person who avoided sewing lessons at school because they were for girls that is quite an achievement!

 

When I started patchwork I was  determined hand quilter. I couldn't seem to get the machine to quilt in the way I wanted it to, so I stopped trying - I didn't realise I needed special feet and strong enough thread.

 

In 2011 that all changed when my youngest son requested a quilt for his birthday which was 3 weeks away. I undertook a self taught crash course in machine quilting. The joy of the internet is that you can find out pretty much anything and I was able to find out why my previous attempts had never worked. The quilt was finished at 2am on his birthday and he still pulls it out to snuggle under whenever he can.

The birthday quilt designed by mini.

My first attempt at free motion quilting!

 

So my free motion journey has been a relatively short one - especially placed in the context of the 20 years I have been making quilts. And it is a journey I have loved. In fact I often love the free motion quilting more than the patchwork.

 

As a sewing teacher I have taught free motion quilting to all my patchwork classes. Some students love the challenge and throw themselves in whole heartedly, whilst others give it a go and then run away screaming!

 

It is a hard skills to master - especially on a small domestic machine - but is one that is worth working on. My free motion is not perfect and nor do I ever expect it to be. I have the privilege of knowing that if I select a thread that matches the fabric I am working on then all of my faults will fade into the background of the quilt. They will add texture and interest. Even if the thread doesn't blend in the not so perfect pebble will look perfectly fine in a sea of not so perfect pebbles. They will all look amazing together!

'Mistakes' make up part of the whole design.

For beginner to free motion quilting this idea of just doing it, ignoring the little 'mistakes' and trusting the journey can be tough. It can cause a project to be rejected. But you must keep going, keep quilting, keep moving forward. Each time to quilt with our machine you are getting better. Each pebble will blend in with the other pebbles.  You will never reach perfection but you will create a unique quilt that will wrapped around you family and friends for many years - 20 years and counting in my household.

 

When in doubt - just keep quilting!

The Power of the Needle and Thread

On Monday I had a meeting for a new project in Gloucester. It is going to be within a new environment to me and with working solely with men - another first.

In a world where people are disappearing into the cracks and there is more stress/pressure in all our lives, I strongly believe that stitching makes a huge difference.

Most days I work with communities where people are fearful of entering a 'class', their early life experiences have led them away from education. So there is a challenge to even get them into a classroom and to start the journey.

But I find once I have got them to come into the physical space they relax and they find that they can create.

I also find it is so much more than that. They gain confidence, they make friendships and they make connections. They talk about worries and laugh together. Their confidence builds with each new make. They change...

Recently my friend Gail Gibson sent me a newspaper article from the Oxford Mail earlier this month.

From Oxford Mail.

It talks about the link between sewing/crafting and maintaining good mental health. Building people's confidence and social skills through small sewing groups is a relatively new idea, but it comes from a long history of quilting bee's, WI meetings and craft groups that have been keeping people connected for many, many years.

More sewing/craft groups within communities would build connections and help the most vulnerable in our society to feel included - everyone can create. It is amazing to see the look of pride and enjoyment people have when they have created something for themselves. It is a amazing to see friendships blossom.

I found this video that highlights the importance of sewing in helping people to connect and improve their mental health. The Fine Cell Work group are amazing and shows just how the humble hobby of sewing can be used to benefit people in even the most unlikely of places!

This is why I love my job!

The hours are variable and the work can be famine and feast in nature, but I know the power a needle and thread can hold for people. This is why I pack up my car like sewing machine shop on wheels and drive into some of the most interesting communities in Gloucester!

My needle and thread are my tools for carving a little haven of happiness and joy for as many people as possible!