In those instances where I have decided to machine quilt a project, I like to work on a “warm up” sample to practice a little before starting in. This means that eventually I end up with a little pile of odd-sized quilted pieces with no other purpose in life than to sit there staring at me. So lately I’ve come up with one idea of how to use them and not let them go to waste.
As those of you who are members of my website know, one of our BOM projects this year has involved a series of tutorials for several dimensional flowers. I was also ending up with a little pile of samples from these tutorials that really needed to be used. And it just turns out that when working with dimensional projects, it is best to start out with a quilted and bound piece before attaching the 3D pieces.
So I trim my FMQ samples, and bind them, allowing me to have a little stash of pre-quilted pieces to choose from for my dimensional projects.
Oh, yes. Before I bind the piece, I baste a blank label into one of the corners, and a couple of small sleeves at the top from which to hang the finished piece.
With this system, as I work on my dimensional flower samples I am able to quickly put together a finished piece, in a matter of minutes!
What other things do you do with your free motion quilting samples? Ideas, anyone?
I am a self-learner. I taught myself to sew and to quilt. And I taught myself how to draw. I am learning how to dye my own fabrics and am dabbling with mixed media. I am a quilt designer and teacher, and design and publish my own line of quilt patterns. With this blog I would like to share the bits and pieces of my life.
6 Comments
I have just found a box with heaps of 3D flowers …. now all I need is a pile if FMQ practice pieces!
Judy B
Well, now… maybe I should send you some of my FMQ samples! (:
Angie, I hat lots of training hours for FMQ too. And alway need to warm up, try patterns and so on. One thing I do is take the pieces to sew little bags for my cell phone and GPS so they don’t get activated or damaged in my hand bag. Nice sequences become little (bound or framed, decorated) wall hangings similar to your idea. Some pieces are used up by making tubes that fit on the strips of sling bags to have a softer feeling at my neck. And another way to make good use of practise sequences is described n detail on my webpage: http://www.reginagrewe.de/06tipps/tip080620_e.html. Have a look!
Regina in Germany
Regina, I love the idea for a little travel quilt! It makes sense to me because when I FMQ I want to be able to practice first on a good sized sample. You mention it can fit in a suitcase, and I am also thinking it is the perfect quilt to keep in the car! Thank you for sharing.
Great idea as to how to use them.
Wow! These are awesome ideas on how to use up some scraps and practice, practice, practice. Thanks!