Free-Motion Quilting from Ordinary to Extraordinary: 3 Steps to Joyful Machine Stitching in 21 Days
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About this ebook
Jenny K. Lyon
Jenny K. Lyon is a textile artist whose passion is teaching others to free-motion quilt, and she loves to travel to guilds, shops, and events to lecture. Jenny lives in Northern California with her patient husband and an adorable basset boy. quiltskipper.com
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Free-Motion Quilting from Ordinary to Extraordinary - Jenny K. Lyon
teach!
Introduction
I know that anyone who wants to free-motion quilt can do it, but how do you become a joyful and confident free-motion quilter?
Start your journey with Inspiration and learn how to find and collect images that inspire you. Use that base to create your own motifs to put on your quilts to make them more meaningful.
Then, in Before You Take a Stitch, take an in-depth look at the decisions you make—on batting, fabric, needles, tension, thread—that significantly affect the quilting process and your quilting experience.
At the heart of this book is a three-step plan to show you how to bridge the gap between ordinary and extraordinary free-motion quilting, without endless and boring practice.
In Step 1: 21 Days of Plactice
, I present a roadmap to build up your confidence and skills.
In Week 1 of the 21 days, you will build your motif inventory. The simple process of free-motion quilting for twenty minutes a day and playing with new motifs will quickly give you new ideas for your quilting. I’ve included an Appendix of Quilting Motifs to get you started. This is the week to experiment and discover what you enjoy and what challenges you. Play around with free-motion stitching without pressure.
In Week 2, you will learn to combine the motifs you know to create new designs, create new motifs from objects in your everyday life, and find new motifs from the work of others. New motifs are out there for you to discover and add to your own work. Having a larger inventory of motifs makes quilting more fun and personal.
In Week 3, it’s time to start putting all those new skills to use on small items. I’ve included a variety of playful ideas for items that can be completed quickly. Try one or two and begin to feel the joy of creating quilted items for the home, yourself, or others. Each is small enough to experiment on without stress.
Note: It’s not practice, it’s play! Let’s "plactice"!
In Step 2: Five to Learn On, you’ll learn approachable and fun projects that prepare you to move on to more challenging quilts.
In Step 3: Your Personal Quilting World, learn to create a quilting world to suit just you, including the types of quilting you are passionate about. I encourage you to show others the beautiful quilts you have made and to join a group with like-minded quilters.
I’ve also included my own Gallery of Quilts to show my journey from traditional quilts to the wholecloth quilts I make today. I share some of my triumphs and challenges along the way.
This book will help you confidently quilt the projects you long to quilt, whether you are a traditional, modern, art, or any other kind of quilter.
You can quilt those special
quilts; you can even enter your quilts in shows if that’s your thing. With a little play and a plan, you can be the rock star quilter you want to be (see Now Quilt That Quilt!).
A NOTE ON BEING FEARLESS
It is my hope that you will approach your free-motion quilting with gusto and confidence. No matter what your skill set, be fearless!
Many of my students begin class with fear and end up full of hope. What builds up that hope in such a short period? Practicing free-motion quilting in a supportive and encouraging atmosphere.
I know that anyone can free-motion quilt with skill and confidence. Fear is what holds us back. Think about it: What is there to be afraid of? No one will be harmed if your free-motion quilting is not fabulous. Nations will not fall; war will not break out.
What happens if you pretend to be fearless, even if you don’t feel it at first? You will persevere and create your own confidence. Nothing will keep you from tackling that next project. Keep quilting—you will get better!
Inspiration
Photo by Jenny K. Lyon
Mossy stacked stone wall
Finding Inspiration
Creativity flows from careful observation of life’s details. Focus on seeing your world more mindfully. There is form, line, color, shape, and texture in every scene. Even mundane, everyday items—such as company logos, advertisements, or even tissue boxes—can include inspirational motifs. Just remember to be mindful of any copyright issues. If in doubt, ask permission or don’t use it.
Photo by Jenny K. Lyon
This image inspired Oat Grass.
INSPIRATION CHALLENGE
Challenge yourself to find inspiration in your everyday world:
• Grasses
• Shadows
• Bumpers of cars
• Details from your daily walks
• Unscripted scenes of people interacting
Most of my personal inspiration comes from my own yard, from nature in general, or from childhood memories.
Photo by Jenny K. Lyon
Author’s backyard
I am so fortunate to have a fabulous yard. When I moved to northern California from the East Coast, I was smitten by the drought-tolerant landscapes here—I had never seen such a thing before! The colors were more subdued, but the texture and movement was glorious!
My yard is a source of constant beauty and inspiration. With the slightest of breezes, my grasses will bob and wave.
Succulents of many forms and colors, some with outrageously colorful blooms, gather in sunny spots. It is a joy to walk my plot; it changes daily with sun, shadow, breeze, and season.
Look at the texture of this bark!
These scenes from my yard and life have provided endless inspiration for subject matter, quilting motifs, and color stories.