My friend Jenny Lyon just published a book on free motion quilting with C&T Publishing. It’s called Free Motion Quilting from Ordinary to Extraordinary.
I love free motion quilting! It’s one of my favorite parts of the quilting process–the opportunity to add texture to the finished top so that it feels like you want to reach out and touch it.
But it wasn’t always that way. I had to be dragged to machine quilting kicking and screaming. I wish that I had had access to a book like Jenny’s when I was just starting out on my free motion quilting journey.
One of the things I liked best about the book was Jenny’s kind encouragement. The subtitle of the book is “3 Steps to Joyful Machine Stitching in 21 Days.” Think about that. How often have you felt joyful when sitting down to quilt your quilt? It took me a long time and a lot of practice to get there.
Jenny writes; “It is my hope that you will approach your free-motion quilting with gusto and confidence. No matter what your skill set, be fearless!” That’s a great idea! What if you make a mistake? Likely no one will know but you, and you don’t need to point it out! And if you don’t feel fearless? Jenny recommends that you “pretend to be fearless, even if you don’t feel it at first.” Keep quilting and you’ll get better, she adds. I love this concept.
Above is Jenny’s “Stars” quilt with lovely pebble or bubble texture in the free motion stitching.
She has great ideas in the book about collecting photos or other images to inspire your free motion quilting motifs, plus a chapter on the appropriate tools to help you be more successful with machine stitching. And there are pages of suggested motifs to get you started.
The core of the book is taking 21 days to play + practice or “plactice” using both practice sandwiches and small projects to move your skills forward. I like the idea of committing to a certain amount of time each day to improve your skill set. And Jenny recommends one of my favorite strategies for getting comfortable with machine quilting–making baby quilts and giving them away. This idea is what finally pushed me over the “awkward teenage phase” of machine stitching. I made six or eight baby quilts, machine quilted them, and gave them away. I wasn’t emotionally attached to them, so it was easier to relax and just enjoy the process. And I got better by the time I finished them!
If you are interested in getting better at free motion quilting, whether you’re an experienced beginner or a more advanced quilter wanting to try something new, I’d recommend Jenny’s book!
Leave a comment to be entered into the drawing to win a signed copy of Jenny’s book. Tell me what your favorite thread is, or what your strategy is to be fearless with your free motion quilting!
My favorite thread is King Tut variegated thread by Superior Threads, and my best strategy for being fearless with my stitching is to let go of perfectionism–free motion quilting is a hand process, despite the fact that you’re using a machine to do the work, and a few bobbles or missteps show the hand of the artist at work.
A few notes about the hop:
– You can enter on each day’s post but can only win once.
– Each blogger will leave the comments open for 8 days and then will choose a winner using a random method. My 8 days is up on December 17.
– Jenny will send winners a signed copy of her book.
– If you find a blog along the way that you find interesting, why not sign up to receive notices of future posts?
– International winners will receive a digital copy.
Here’s the list of bloggers on the hop:
Dec 1 Jenny K. Lyon https://quiltskipper.com/
Dec 2 Lisa Chin http://www.lisachinartist.com/
Dec 3 Catherine Redford – https://catherineredford.com
Dec 4 Lyric Kinard http://lyrickinard.com/
Dec 5 Heidi Proffetty https://www.heidiproffetty.com/
Dec 6 Debby Ritenbaugh Brown https://www.debbybrownquilts.com/
Dec 7 Libby Williamson https://libbywilliamsondesigns.blogspot.com/
Dec 8 Barbara Black http://bbquiltmaker.blogspot.com/
Dec 9 Cindy Grisdela – that’s me!
Dec 10 Teri Lucas https://terificreations.com/
I’m a Superior’s girl, and Magnifico is my favourite. Love FMQ, while you are doing it you see every wobble. While it’s on the bed you don’t see any of the imperfections. Just let it go.
Sounds great Laceflower–I love Magnifico too!
I’m definitely not fearless in my FMQ! In fact, I usually dither and agonize over how I’m going to quilt a piece; very rarely do I actually relax and allow the quilt to tell me what I should do. How to become fearless? Hmmm … I’m guessing that my first step should be to stop tensing up and to allow the quilt to tell me its preference. Obviously, I’m hoping to win Jenny’s book so I can do her “plactice” exercises and be more inspired by the project at hand.
Sounds like you’re on the right track Sandy!
My current favorite thread is Aurifil. I am not comfortable or confident doing free motion quilting and I tense up. I would love to win the book and learn to be joyful doing free motion quilting. Thank you.
Thanks Michele–fingers crossed!
Love FMQ. Any book that helps improve it is great. Would love to win a copy!
Thanks Lois–fingers crossed!
When I practice a new free-motion stitch, I use my husband’s cut-up old shirts to make the quilt sandwich. Usually it’s just a blue Oxford shirt, so I can really see the stitches. Sometimes, I take advantage of the stripes in the shirt to practice uniform stitches. Either way, I have lots of fabric that can be put to good use. One thing that helped me relax about the result was a thought from Malcolm Gladwell (Outliers): you have put in ten THOUSAND hours before you get really good at a thing. I’m not nearly there yet, so I still need to put in my time.
Great story Sally–thanks!
Liked your review of Jenny’s book. i also like the idea of being joyful as I quilt. My favorite thread is varigated King Tut. I am only fearless when I am practicting my FMQ on small swatches. I have, however, let go of perfection when quilting larger works.
Thanks Robin–sounds great!
I prefer Superior’s King Tut thread for fmq. Last year I did 100 consecutive days of freemotion quilting making lots of small projects as well as some quilts. I still consider myself a novice, but the quilting is getting more enjoyable.????
Thanks Marla–having seen your work, I think you’re better than a novice! Glad you’re enjoying it more.
First, let me say that I love your Fire and Ice quilt and hope to make it soon! Thank you for participating in the blog hop. I use Aurifil thread for most of my straight-line and meander quilting. I hope Jenny’s book will take me to a new level of designs and quality of stitching.
Thanks Paula–I hope you enjoy making Fire and Ice! Good luck with the book.
I have loved Jenny’s classes, hope to get faithful at daily plactice after Christmas!! Loved the pictures, both Jenny’s and your work!
Thanks Claire!
My strategy at this point needs to be “just do it!” As soon as I can get past a couple of deadlines, of course. Need to do more FMQ to decide on a favorite thread.
I like that Wendy–just do it!
I’ve been practicing off and on since I took her class. Need to try it continuously for 21 days. Using my favorite thread of Isacord because it works well in my machine, but with 50w aurofil in the bobbin my stitches are even better!
Sounds great Jennafer!
Thanks for the chance to win! I don’t have a favorite thread, I use a lot of different brands depending on the look I am trying to achieve.
Good point Sylvia–using the right thread for the job is important!
Love to quilt with superior thread
Thanks Penni–me too!
I love this blog hop. I found your blog and I love your quilting. I also love Jenny’s. I really believe in just practicing and making baby quilts or comfort quilts through your quilt guild is the best way to practice. I love Aurifil thread and love quilting with it though I do need to branch out and use some heavier threads. I totally agree that being perfect is not important. When I quilt I know there are places that are awful but when the whole quilt is finished they don’t really show and I end up loving the quilt in spite of thinking it was not good when I was quilting it. Quilting makes such a difference and I really love it and my goal is to be better at it.
Thank you for that Diane–I appreciate it! I think you’re absolutely on the right track.
Jenny is always encouraging and kind in person and in her writings. But it’s her sense of joy that is contagious. Just hope I can make it through 21 days of practice. Have to admit the 21 days might not be sequential, especially at this holiday season. ????
That’s a good point Sonja–it doesn’t have to be sequential–the practice is the key!
I bought a Bernina B780, primarily for its larger fabric clearance under the arm, and have had success with the walking foot quilting, & some with Ruler work, needing much practice, not so much with free motion, & I don’t know why. What is your secret, Jenny?
Practice is key, Anita!
I typically prefer Aurifil threads, but occasionally use a variety of variegated threads for special effects.
Thanks for sharing Pat–I use Auriful threads for piecing too.
Aurifil 50 st is my go to thread but I’ll experiment with other weights too!
Sounds great Allison!
My favorite thread is Aurifil. My strategy is to quilt in sections. The hardest part for me is coming up with an overall plan for my quilting. What I tend to do is quilt in sections. When I do that, I focus on the design for that section then move on to another section.
Quilting in sections is a good solution for many quilts, Shelley–and thanks for the thread recommendation.
I like Aurifl. It is low lint, and comes in a variety of weights and colors. Thanks for sharing your tips and the chance at the giveaway.
Thanks for the recommendation, Nancy–Aurifil is a great thread too!
I love the look of free motion quilting and have had some success by practicing my planned design on paper first to get the feel of how I will be doing the stitching. It seems to help. Some days I have difficulty drawing so I know that won’t be a good stitching day so I will go to my bookshelf instead. I’d love to win a copy of Jenny’s book for inspiration.. I’m too far away to take a class with her.
Practicing on paper first is a good idea, Marsha!
I am quilting now with Isacord 40 and it feeds smoothly and I like the thinner line- however I am quilting a more classic quilt for a charity event- I would love to try quilting an art quilt with thicker King Tut threads- need to practice first! I am beginning to be aware that I can relax my shoulders and jaw and still control my quilting- baby steps!
Great points Wendy!
Thanks for your inspiration. I mostly use king tut variegated thread for fmq but I’m practicing using other threads as well. I feel fearless when I let me inner artist loose and put on some music and move my hands to the rhythms. I’ve surprised myself with the beauty at times.
Would love to win Jenny’s book and look forward to following your blog.
Thank you Mj–I like that idea of letting your inner artist loose!
FMQ frightens and frustrates me. Using patterns in the fabric helps but negative space sends me over the edge. Hope the book and process can help!
I think it would help Jean! Fingers crossed.
To reduce fear of free motion quilting I take a pause at each thread bobbin exchange, and I iron the quilt… it’s not just smoothing the surface to be finished… it’s also a relaxing tip… (other tip: to draw on paper 3 times the motif before stitching it. Maybe each quilter has a sufficient number of times to draw a motif before feeling confident with it, it that is not too big a number). Sorry; Italian language blog (but my copy of “Artful improv” is used a lot)
Great tips Paola–thank you!
Such a beginner here, I don’t even have a favorite thread! Strategy for fearlessness? Ignorance… yikes. 21 days sounds like a really amazing (miraculous) timeframe. I can do this! Thank you for the inspiration. I really appreciate seeing your beautiful work.
Thanks Danielle!
I am brand new to quilting and free motion quilting is why I was drawn to it. I tackle my fears first! I was shaking the first time I tried it and my hands took that needle everywhere! I need this book to find a systematic approach to relaxing and getting into an easy rhythm.
Jenny’s book will definitely help with that Kathy!
Hi Cindy, That cover photo above is so striking! Beautiful work. Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy of Jenny’s book. We all need more Plactice! My favorite thread (right now) is YLI 40wt because it is so strong and Madeira for a bit of shine and sparkle. My current FMQ is completely intuitive and nothing is planned ahead of time. Works out great sometimes. My goal is to learn to do a bit of the pre-planning.
Thank you so much Paula for your kind words about my work and the thread recommendations!
I love your quilts, Cindy…especially the ones with improve blocks and solid fabric surrounding the blocks, leaving space for FMQ. I have trouble with shredding on my machine. It hates seams and stitching toward the left, opposite to the way the needle is threaded. I have greater success with polyester threads like Isacord and Trilobal Polyester. I sometimes use Aurifil 50 weight which will work if I don’t have too many seams to quilt over. I will spend hours doodling a design, until it’s ingrained in my muscle memory before I try quilting it. That’s when I have greater satisfaction with my quilting results.
Thank you for your kind words about my work, Vicki!
I like Aurifil thread. I too need to work on my perfectionism. Sometimes a glass of wine helps.
Sometimes it does, Dixie!
I typically just use Coats. Maybe I ought to branch out and try some different threads!
Trying different threads is part of the fun of FMQ, I think.
I like to use Aurifil thread. I am learning to FMQ, trying out rulers and reading everything I can to learn and then practice.
Then I just start sewing and it just flows, mind you it is wobbly at times, but still looks okay.
Thanks for great book.
Sounds like a great plan Donna.
One of my favorite threads is Superior Metallics.
I haven’t tried that one yet, Carol–thanks!
I’ve been using Aurifil 50wt with Superior MonoPoly in the bobbin for all my quilting–which is mainly done with walking foot but I’m finally venturing into free motion with very tense shoulders and held breath. I would love to have this book to sit beside me and be my bff!
Fingers crossed Ann!
I once taped pennies to the background of my quilt and meandered around the pennies. Their previous placement allowed me to be confident in the distribution of the circles and I was able to confidently meander and loop-d-loop between them. Since that time I gone to pre-drawing my ‘free motion” onto water soluble and spritzing it down to the top of my project. Then I confidently proceed to “free motion” quilt my project. I like to use a 40 or 50 weight thread as I want my quilting to give texture, rather than be part of the total design. I need to re-think some of my ideas and just learn to free motion without all the pre-draw time consuming stuff.
Thanks for sharing your process Jennifer!
I once taped pennies to the background of my quilt and meandered around the pennies. Their previous placement allowed me to be confident in the distribution of the circles and I was able to confidently meander and loop-d-loop between them. Since that time I”ve gone to pre-drawing my ‘free motion” onto water soluble and spritzing it down to the top of my project. Then I confidently proceed to “free motion” quilt my project. I like to use a 40 or 50 weight thread as I want my quilting to give texture, rather than be part of the total design. I need to re-think some of my ideas and just learn to free motion without all the pre-draw time consuming stuff.
I’d love to win a copy of Jenny’s book. To take on FMQing from a fearless stance, I would practice daily, putting in the time regardless of how skilled I think my FMQing is becoming.
Sounds like a plan Sandra–fingers crossed!
Loved your blog! And such interesting comments!
Fav thread is aurifil, but love many others
Thank you very much Claire! Aurifil seems to be the crowd favorite.
My favorite thread is Fantastico by Superior Threads. I use it a lot for all-over quilting on the cuddle quilts for my Guild. (I quilted over 55 in 2018 – I lost count!!) When I want to do finer quilting I use SewFine or Bottom Line, also by Superior Threads. To keep myself fearless or at least less fearful, I try to remember the feeling when I did some of my best quilting while FMQ a pet bed top – I kept saying “it’s just for the dogs” and let myself play! I try to have “Just Do It” or “No Fear” as my mottos!
I like Fantastico too, Brenda. Congratulations on doing so many quilts!
I’ve loved Aurifil threads since first learning about them during the 2012 FMQ Challenge. I use them exclusively for both piecing and fmq, and some of my big stitch hand quilting.
Thanks Pat–lots of commenters like Aurifil best. I’m going to have to give it a try!
I’m not sure that I’m to the fearless level yet with my FMQ, but I do know that I feel more confident and relaxed when my favorite Pandora stations are playing over the speakers in my sewing room! It also helps to be using Superior or Auriful threads as I know they won’t give me any issues!
Music definitely helps Kathy–thanks!
I like Superior Theads and Aurafil. I am still trying to get over my fear.
Thanks Cheryl–I think Jenny’s book will help.
There are so many threads out there to try. My goal is to use most of them. I do find myself going back to Superior Threads. I love using variegated thread for quilting. It seems to make the quilt sparkle. I find I have to just make myself sit down and quilt. Once I get going for 5 minutes of so, I am in my way. Bloopers happen but you rarely see them when the quilt is done. I do not rip as much as I used to. Just let it flow and happen. Practice, practice, practice.
I like that Cathy–“just let it flow and happen”. Thanks!
Love Jenny’s work and think her book would be a fabulous addition to my library. I don’t really have a favorite thread, but do use Superiors and Aurafil.
Thanks Linda!
I use isacord because my machine loves it and I love the colors.
I use Aurifil 50 wt and So Fine for most of my quilting. I will “placative with other threads and maybe I will find a new favorite.