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?
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIyq0phHm1sP06ZMBfp9MpBJf9jkXCQpCXOft-SYTGdOMXy-lLzBCfpbqW86WY7U4A8kENIPOIRLxsrJyG1_Mgg-xG-KLCECF3vB8Xg2R1huerniuOwEAdCCZbn_c7uC4N7RGro-oHcOmz/s400/CQstripquilting.jpg) |
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.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbixRVKto3mcMQRj1BtiDwfc1iQf3f7nHB6hxBwiyMgg6pr0Dvgb7OAtL-h5GZeaiBSXnytpdjLTZNhL0bK8j48rXJ7VL5w7qP_9BPtHhN3RNCuc89Nk12SZwNu6ahR4Okp8wBUmHFRAv/s400/CQ1.jpg) |
Examples of strip quilts made by members of the Choo Choo Quilters Guild
Chattanooga, Tennessee. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZOmmscFIx05ige3KuxKmiECNbg5PYWK3gg0106TVKR_QxI8zMMBHD3o9LwGnxtHijP2IEoaUI7v1teH6Tt-rL_Jbhty_cdAG-8-NPVw4z7Ppe586dL7jomtvdiWEja5CadfFewDBITlc/s400/CQ6.jpg) |
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.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkhNWLo7eMlwS6fcqyko1nWA4ckLtGA01NtMLeGdvmBFTInJd-_0gF-wcWiJK9-mt7fWaI2jRNlx6nnPmr0VXXtISoHIsBSDNLqw7YUN7cFHdBPFF-VNuL0v-cFQhdRuVhRgEWEJtKhGPM/s400/QCstripsMagnetized.jpg) |
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.