"We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time."
Let my exploration of long arm and free-motion quilting begin! I have made my packing list, acquired some of the tools and stepped into the fresh new world that awaits. There are maps to find and knowledgeable travelers to consult as I continue forward, but the baby steps I have made thus far feel so good. Below is the first souvenir from my trek. This interpretation of the Timber quilt was the first quilt along my path and taught me much. I'm going to save words, and let the pictures speak a bit.
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| While I 'Quilt Among the Groves' I am not without pine trees. Fitting for Timber. |
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| I have learned I enjoy bindings with a little burst of color here and there. |
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| I have learned that we must not regret design choices, but embrace and learn from them. |
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| I have learned that feathers are fun, but there has to be a million YouTube videos on how to make them more interesting and I will watch a few of them! |
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| I have learned that hand tacking the binding is relaxing and perhaps cathartic. |
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| I have learned that not only will practice improve my quilting skills, but also my quilt photography skills. |
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| Some bold Modern Elements by Deborah Edwards for Northcott Fabrics await me for a fun challenge. |
I don't remember if I have mentioned it here, but I recently joined
The Lakeland Modern Quilt Guild. I am so happy to have met such great people here in this online forum, but thought I could add breadth to my knowledge with some face to face quilty interactions. I chose the perfect time to join! They are hosting a fun mini quilt challenge featuring the Northcott fabrics pictured above. We were given a pack of three fat quarters and are able to add some of the coordinating Toscana fabrics to round out the design. I have some ideas brewing and will write about those in a future post.
Meanwhile, Louise (my long arm machine) and I begin the next leg of our tour. I've already begun quilting my
Foothills Mystery Quilt. After all, Louise looked lonely without a quilt draped across her frame.
Thanks for stopping among the groves!
Jan-Michael
The mystery quilt is looking good, thanks for the sneak peek :)
ReplyDeleteWhat an exciting new journey. I hope you and Louise have a lot of fun together!
ReplyDeleteLove your quote about embracing design decisions and learning from them...it's the perfect attitude for keeping your sanity (haha!) as you move forward. Picking things apart and regretting them is far different from analyzing them and learning what you like and don't like, for SURE. And, look! A finished quilt!!! I hope you will keep this quilt forever, looking back at it with pride when you are further along in your journey. :-)
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