Free Motion Quilting Here We Come!

Saturday I finally found myself back in a class -- after so many years! I think my first class was in 1996 and then a hand quilting class followed. That was it! The rest of my quilting experience has been by trial and error, the purchase of way too many magazines, and the books! So finally, I decided that I couldn't do it all on my own! I so admire those who can! I have ordered CD's and own numerous "free motion" books and have read into the wee hours trying to figure out how I could do it. What I discovered was I needed hands-on and someone over my shoulder telling me what I was doing wrong. Along Came Quilting was hosting Lorraine Stangness with a free motion class for a Saturday. I paid for the class and waited patiently!

Lorraine's class was so enjoyable and her instructions in class (and her book)were so easy to follow! We had lots of time to practice the new stitches and great feedback from her. The only comment the majority of us had was it would have been nice to have a morning class and then head home for the week to practice and then come back the following Saturday for another morning. The full day class was exhaustive, but so worth it! Lorraine is an amazing teacher and hope that she has more classes to come! Here's a sample of my "practice" squares. You can tell that I need LOTS of practice! I'm not so terrified and look forward to practicing!

After practicing again today, I started quilting a baby quilt that is to head overseas. Of course, I had an instant helper! Take a look:

When quilting gets to THIS point, you have to shut the machine down and call it a day! Happy quilting everyone!

Donation quilt - United Way

A co-worker and I were talking "quilts" last year and decided that this year we would do a quilt together to donate to United Way to generate much needed donations! It's an easy pattern, which I am sure you recognize! What a versatile pattern! You can make it any size you want, depending on the number of 2.5" strips you sew together.

The quilting of course was superb! I just love what Karen can do with the quilts! She makes them into works of art! Thanks Karen!

Many thanks to Jolene who generously donated the back and worked Thanksgiving weekend putting together the giant blocks and working in the beautiful piano border.

I wish you all could see this in person -- the photo's do not do it justice! Here's hoping that the lucky winner will love it as much as I do! If you are interested in this pattern -- head over to http://www.3dudesquilting.com/free_patterns.html Take a tour of their website! The pattern is easy to follow and one that I will make again! Happy Quilting Everyone!

Amazing Friends!

You gotta love friends! One of friends who I used to work with went to Japan. She's a sweet gal who always brings home beautiful "something" for her friends. Now no matter what I tell her..."no", "thanks, but no", "that's really sweet, but please don't", she brings something for me regardless. Well this time, against everything that I was told when I was growing up, I ASKED that if she was bringing something home, to please bring me a swatch of Japanese fabric. I of course, promised her in turn to bring something from Portugal (which I "ahem"...still have not gotten to her!) Never in a million years did I think I would get what I did! Take a look!

I called to thank her today as another co-worker brought it to work today. I was so excited, I had to call her from work to thank her! The story goes that both her and her boyfriend found a shop with textiles on their journey. My friend dragged him in and the both of them were searching through bundles of fabric to pick the one they thought I would love (I think I would be pretty thrilled with anything! wouldn't you?) So this lovely little bundle from over the ocean came to join my stash!

サリーありがとうございます！ (let's hope this really says "Thank you Sally!") PS...Sally we need to get together for my turn to pass along something!