You may remember a couple of weeks ago I headed off into deepest France for a 48 retreat with Pippa. She lives north of Limoges, in a very rural part of France. More rural than here I can tell you!
We had a great time. We talked quilts, read about quilts and she got out her Grace Quilting Frame and quilted my batik log cabin quilt. We had a few hiccups with the thread, but in the end made quite a good team. Photos to follow as soon as I done the binding and buried hundreds of threads.
However, this is the thread we used on the top
It's Aurifil variegated 50wt thread and is a lot greener than in the picture. It was a perfect match.
When we finished that we got out our sewing machines and Pippa gave me a lesson in FMQ'ing on her Janome.
First thing she told me was that it isn't necessary to drop the feed dogs. The subject has since come up on Facebook and I didn't realise there are so many people who FMQ with the feed dogs up.
Her next tip, which she picked up at the Fat Quarter Retreat in London at the beginning of June, was that instead of using quilting gloves, use this instead.
It's that rubbery stuff that is used for table mats and things and really cheap. Just cut off chunks and you can get a really good grip on the fabric. You learn something new every day!
Just as I was leaving to go to Pippa's, the postman arrived with my winnings from Katy at I'm a Ginger Monkey. A gorgeous bundle of 12 FQ's from The Village Haberdashery.
7 Thomas Knauer Flock FQ's and 5 Kona Solid FQ's. Yum!
And whilst we're on the subject of fabric, I have been doing some personal stash building too.
I've fallen in love with the Summersville range of fabrics. Pippa said she was ordering a Charm Pack from her and I just couldn't resist!
Just so luscious!
So I've got a million and one things to keep me occupied over the coming months and I can see the batik log cabins taking an age as there are zillions of threads to hide. I might just have to cheat!
And to round this post of, a photo taken of a Day Lily last week.
More soon.
9 comments:
Meeting up for a retreat in rural France has a very inviting sound to me! Glad you had a good time. Haven't a clue what FMQing is all about. :/
I love Aurifil thread and one of my favorite spools is a lime green one. I don't use it as much anymore on my longarm as I mostly buy the very large cones of thread but I still really like it.
It sounds like you might have a new breath of fresh air after your retreat! I am still practicing FMQ-ing and will give the raised feed dogs a go.
PS-You lucky duck! All that neat fabric!
I like the tip about using the no slip mats...I'll have to try that :-)
Wow, lots going at your place. A retreat with a quilty friend, sounds like great fun! I'll be anxious to see the log cabin!
I use gloves with those plastic dots on them and instead of putting my hands in them I just lay them down on the quilt and then my hands on top of the gloves. Sounds like the same technique your friend suggests! I like it soooo much better than having to wear hot gloves!
I never drop my feed dogs - I like it better with them up :) And I use gardening gloves with plastic dots on them - much cheaper than quilting gloves!
You have wonderful new fabric to play with!!!!!!! Have fun!!!!
Love that thread - can't wait to see it on a quilt. And that line of fabric - Summersville - very lovely. Such temptations!
I'm very curious about NOT dropping the feed dogs...what else do you need to do in order to allow moving the fabric? Love your new fabric and can't wait to see your new quilt (threads and all)!! Thanks.
oh what a heavenly sounding retreat and so much fun! great new fabric and will look forward to the quilt photo..don't make us wait too long please :-)
Post a Comment