Thursday, November 12, 2009

Machine Quilting 101

My story started yesterday with our tour of the 12 + Quilt shops we visited in Ohio Amish country. It was a delight to visit the various shops and see all the different quilts and samples that were made up.

BUT I also went to machine quilting school :-) Last April my BFF attended the Quilting Symposium in North Carolina, and took two classes on Machine Quilting. One was with the machine quilting icon Harriet Hargrave, and the other class was with Sue Nichels. I was not able to attend the symposium, so I asked my friend if she would teach me what she learned in her class.

For years I have checked this book out of our local library -

I would try to read through it, but was always a little frustrated. It seems that I am more of a visual hands on learner. So of course when my BFF attended Sue's class, I was very interested in knowing what she learned. When it worked out for me to travel to her home in Ohio, I went ahead and purchased the book.

One of the very first things my BFF stated, was that going through this book was like taking Sue Nickels basic machine quilting class.

Step one, making a grid -

Step two, more practice grids, this time with different size stippling -

Step three, trying new stitch designs -


Step four, another option -

Step five, practicing cables -

Step six, woo-hoo! open feathers -

And finally, graduation -

Now these are all pretty crude, and I was not sewing on my own sewing machine, so that has yet to be proven, but I felt that I was able to get some of the basics to machine quilting on a home sewing machine. That has always been one of my goals in quilting.

More next time......

Happy quilting!

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

You have to start somewhere...keep practicing and soon you will be a pro! btw those feathers look pretty darned good to me!

Pat said...

VERY nice looking to me, too!

Micki said...

I will have to get that book. You do lovely work!
Micki

NanaNor's said...

Hi there, So glad your friend got to take the class and teach you-so much easier when others lead us. I took a class by Sue Nickels a long time ago but never really got the hang of it. I love hand quilting but doing it on machine might be so much quicker. Keep practicing-your work looks great.

Gina said...

Great quilting. Now you know there's nothing to be afraid of. Remember to practise, practise and practise even more.

Love and hugs Gina xxx

Sunshine said...

That's pretty amazing work for a first try! I need to branch out from 'safe' machine quilting like stippling :)

Cheers,
Christine

karen said...

Looks good to me. You get an A+

Nancy said...

I took Sue Nichols machine quilting class about 7 years ago in Columbia, Mo... It was wonderful and I left knowing how to do feathers...

Practice....practice....practice... but right now I am into nice wonky straight line quilting...

Barb said...

I am impressed!!! I must try that...try all of that....get the book....

LV said...

You found some nice quilt pieces. If you really want to, you can do one. I love quilts and have lots, but did not make them.

jannza said...

It was good to see you mention a class with Harriet Hargrave. She is a wonderful person and has done so much for the machine quilting world. I worked for her when I lived in Colorado in the late 80s and early 90s. What a wonderful experience!

Seams Sew Together said...

Looks pretty good to me, but it does take practise!! Keep up the good work!!

Allie said...

I am really impressed - that looks great to me! I guess I need someone to hold me by the hand too.

Crispy said...

I'm a visual learner too. It looks like you are really getting the hang of it!!

Crispy

Pokey said...

These are great1 Aren't you proud? I'm learning, too. It really takes just jumping in and doing it. I've even thought of things I could cut these practice pieces into- placemats, runners, coasters, pet blankets. Why not? *smile*

Bonnie said...

Wow! I'm really impressed at your samples. I think I will look into getting that book also. I need some help taking the plunge & getting into machine quilting.

Terri said...

That is just what I need!! Actually I need someone to "spoon feed" me when it comes to learning things like that.....you did good!!

Nat Palaskas said...

Wow, that was pretty good Jocelyn. Graduated from Prep school and if you keep going you would be in high school of machine quilting!!! Well done - Hugs Natima

Mary said...

Harriet Hargrave came to our little quilting shop about 4 years ago, but it was $200 for the class, so I opted to buy her book instead. Its wonderful...so many beautiful patterns, and easy to understand...still, its not the same as being right there with her. I took a class last year and learned how to do some quilting patterns, including the feather...I just love it. She also said to do what you are doing...practice! The more practice, the better. Your stitches already look better than mine...great job!

Blessings,
Mary

Jeanne said...

What a great surprise to read your post early this morning. My husband just bought me a new quilting sewing machine. I have no idea how to use it. It is a Janome. Three of my cousins have this machine and LOVE it. I have several quilt projects to start and I have so much to learn. I live in a small town and there is one quilting shop that I have visited but not seriously. I am anxious to learn all about this. I think your stitches look very nice. At least I have a reference for a book now.

Thank you for sharing your experience.

Hugs, Jeanne

Lis Harwood said...

Wow, I'm really impressed with your samples, well done. Try using gloves I find them really helpful (just cotton ones with stipply palms from the hardware shop, you don't need to splash out on "proper" quilting ones)

Kim said...

I can see improvement in each practice piece as you moved from lesson to lesson. Seems to me that you will benefit from more time in practice. Lis mentions wearing gloves and she is right. This eases some stress on your hands, arms and back as it offers control of the quilt by keeping it together evenly, helps you move the quilt sandwich much easier. I use the Machingers quilting gloves. They breath nicely so my hands don't get too warm. Using a slider mat on the bed of the machine helps ease movement as well. It's nice to know that Sues book is truly helpful as is your friend you spent time learning with. Sounds like a real nice day!

Karla Cook @ Roads to Everywhere said...

I just love learning something new! Thanks for sharing!

Kim D. said...

Looking Good, Practice makes perfect..

Unknown said...

Whoa...I think you have a great talent there in those fingers. I must get this book and practice practice practice. In just a few days you accomplished so much!
365 days of free motion quilting ...is also doing stuff like this, but yours is well demonstrated.

Dena said...

Hey, look at you! Already you're machine quilting feathers. Great progress Jocelyn.

AverettLadyNana said...

Looks like you are doing great with the machine quilting! I'll have to check that book out if our library here has it....

SewCalGal said...

Thanks Jocelyn. Currently doing some research on Harriet and came across this post. Great insights.

SewCalGal
www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com