Hey there all you
free-motion quilting newbies! You know how I suggest to you in my
"Into to Free-motion Quilting" classes that an excellent way to get some free-motion practice under your belt is by
quilting charity quilts?
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| Practice free-motion quilting on strip quilts. |
Well, here's a thought on getting in some free-motion practice as well as getting experience with making your motifs a consistent size—think "
pre-cut strip quilts!"
My guild, the
Choo Choo Quilters, had a guild program earlier this year on using
pre-cut 2.5" strips to make fast and easy lap quilts. (The program presenter called them "lasagna quilts" and I kept wanting to call them "noodle quilts.") Anyway, we sewed the pre-cut strips end to end, similar to the
1600" quilt and got results similar to this
example.
I got around to quilting one of theses strip quilts (shown in the first picture) and realized that the pieced strips automatically create
guidelines that are 2" apart. This is a perfect space to practice continuous-line free-motion patterns—and
you don't need to mark the quilt top! So, if you want some practice quilting loop-the-loops, waves, or another continuous line design, try it on a strippy quilt like these.
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Examples of strip quilts made by members of the Choo Choo Quilters Guild
Chattanooga, Tennessee. |
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| This quilter added a flying geese border to her strip quilt. |
The Choo Choo Quilters Guild is having it's annual
Cuddle Quilt workshop this Saturday, August 17. Guild members will get together and spend the day making lap-size quilts for a local day-care facility.
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| Strips are cut and ready for the strip Mystery Quilt. |
Our clever Cuddle Quilt Workshop coordinator, Sherry, has devised a
Mystery Quilt using the pre-cut 2.5" strips. I have my strips cut and ready to go. Anyone is welcome to join us for the day—it will be fun! The location and time is on the
guild's blog.
