Time Marches on

Ann Fahl's instructions were basically a review of supplies and techniques, and suggestions on practicing free motion ideas on paper and on fabric using all-over patterns. So I used a favorite which combined a couple of her ideas, swirls and flowers. This block also used 100-wt YLI silk thread, like the one for February's design.

Swirling flower vine

Let's get started

At the start of 2012 I was crazy enough to "pledge" to follow up on a sewing premise, involving free-motion quilting (FMQ). I did my first FMQ, using my trusty Bernina 1530, on a small wall hanging submitted to a local quilt show (NY Quilts!) in May 2001. I have found FMQ to be a lot of fun, and continue to try it on quilts here and there.

I don't sit down at the machine often, and my skills can get rusty in between quilts, so I signed up for the FMQ challenge on Sew-Cal Gal's blog when I saw it pop up on some Facebook page I follow. I also figured I could get expert advice (each month has a talented, expert quilter guest) and maybe some unique filler ideas.

January's expert is Frances Moore (I can't say I'd heard of her before this) and she demo'd a leafy vine I've actually used before.  I am doing my designs on white muslin using green and red threads, thinking perhaps I'll combine all the squares with sashing and have a Christmas-y wall hanging when I'm done. I decided to do my "vine" as a wreath.

I hear next month's expert will be Diane Gaudynski, my absolute favorite FMQ mentor. Looking forward to trying out her feathers!