Gotta work the FMQ!

I got some practice Free-Motion Quilting today. I have been avoiding it but it's time now. I used to be a little nervous about it and have tried it a couple of times. I suppose all the practice you need to put in was keeping me away.

This year though - I must conquer FMQ and finish the many tops that need to be quilted.

So I spent a few hours practising my stippling. It was fun and I could see progress even in those few hours. So there is hope! :)

Some things I learned as I worked:

• Use a pillow or cushion to sit on as well as lean back on. 
• Be very aware of your body and shoulders and relax them when you feel yourself tensing up.
• Keep your hands relaxed on the quilt while maintaining control.
• Have the machine set to go fast but move the quilt slowly. I tend to move faster when the needle is moving faster but I realized that I needed to slow down to stay in control and keep the stitch length consistent. 
• Stop often with the needle down.
• Take frequent breaks. 

This is a good read if you are starting to  Free-Motion!

Free-Motion Quilting Basics by Elizabeth Hartman

And of course Leah Day's Free Motion Quilt Along is very good! 

January Goal for A Lovely Year of Finishes

 Quilt Carpenter's Star Wall Hanging

Melissa from Sew Bittersweet Designs and Shanna from Fibre Of All Sorts are back with A Lovely Year of Finishes. Always good to have goal for the new year!

So my January goal is to get my Carpenter's Star Wall Hanging Quilted.

Here's to 2015!

Blogathon Canada in Ontario!

Hello and welcome to all of you who are hopping along on Blogathon Canada. Thank you for stopping by.

I'm Carol and I live in Toronto - moved hear three years ago from India. I taught myself to quilt about 4 years ago while I still lived in India - even quit my full time job at an arts organization to do it! :) I remember going to my director and saying.. I think I need to move on... maybe teach... but I really feel like I want to touch fabric all the time.. and I see patterns every time I close my eyes... and I think I need to be a quilter! He didn't really know what to say but wished me luck and now here I am!

Here's some of my current W.I.Ps

And finishes

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you'll visit again!
Enjoy the Blogathon!

Carpenter's Star Wall Hanging - Top Done!

I think this turned out well.
Made with Basic Grey's Aspen Frost.

Linking up to:

Carpenter's Star - WIP

I bought Aspen Frost by Basic Grey for Moda last Christmas and wanted to make a Carpenter's Star wall hanging for our home. I drew up the pattern, figured everything out and for some reason didn't actually sew anything! Then of course once the season passes it's hard to motivate myself to sew for Christmas. This year I decided I would get this done! Aspen Frost is a beautiful collection. I wish I had more of this fabric. It's gorgeous.

I used a Charm Pack and yardage from the line.