The machine quilting turned out good -- again, I doubted myself. A year ago, this would have scared me, but my gosh, it's easy now! I started that clover thing in the border and it practically sewed itself and was done in half an hour! The quilt is 48 x 60. I am very pleased with my decision to stop wanting and whining for a long arm, and learn to use what I have! 8-))
For those of you still reticent to do your own quilting on your DSM, just start practicing! By the time you are through with a small quilt, you will have mastered whatever design you started with, and will be ready to start another. Invest in yourself!!! for a PatsyThompsonDesign.com DVD, or a PajamaQuilter DVD and you will see what I mean. Use a busy backing, and a blendy top thread, and you'll have a great start. Don't let all those "How-To Books" scare you off. When your project is finished, YOU might just say "Hey, it turned out better than I thought it would"!
Thanks for sharing. I am just not a very good machine quilter. I do try, but it just seems like either the machine gets away from me, or I lose the flow. I think I will check out Patsy Thompson Designs. What is Pajama Quilter? I tried to click it here, but it does not bring anything up.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for the encouragement. I agree that we can do this w/o a longarm!
Well said and well quilted. I think the hardest part is the starting, I know it was for me. And still is somewhat when i start a new quilt. but I love it.
ReplyDeleteGreat quilt.
ReplyDeleteMy 15 yr old granddaughter came over while I was doing free motion on my frame. I asked if she wanted to do a row. She said sure and proceeded to do better than I had been doing. Kids don't know when something is supposed to be difficult and just jump in. I wonder when we lose that attitude? BTW, her mother wouldn't try. Afraid to make a mess.
ReplyDeleteYep, practice is the only secret. I avoided doing things ont he longarm but finally accepted that I jsut had to jump in and do it. By the time I would get to the end of the quilt I would have the technique under control.
ReplyDeleteThis quilt is awesome and someone is going to be very happy! I love to turn up the music and abide by the Nike slogan of "Just Do It". My first quilting instructor told me that no one ever gets good without practice, musicians, athletes and quilters! After all these years, I still consider it practice. :-) And sometimes I amaze myself.
ReplyDeletePractice, practice, practice. I nominated you for the Sisterhood Award on my blog.
ReplyDeletecool quilt! You did a most excellent job!
ReplyDeleteNICE!!!!!
ReplyDeleteWay to go! That looks great!
ReplyDeleteI think it turned out great!
ReplyDeleteLove your advice! I will look into the DVDs. I know what you mean about wishing for things you don' have.
ReplyDeleteThose are excellent recommendations for improving machine quilting skills Elaine & I can see that they have worked for you, great job on the Bright Strings quilt!
ReplyDeleteRoslyn
Great quilt and I like the colors. You did a great job on the quilting. Way to go, girl!
ReplyDeleteIt looks great. Good for you!!
ReplyDeleteNice work! You are so right. You just have to jump in and do it. Then the doing just carries you along, you're having fun, the creativity and talent flow and you get to be good before you even know it.
ReplyDeleteJust do it is probably the best advice I'll get in a while. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteCheers!
LOVE that lime green border!!
ReplyDelete