Free Motion is Freed Motion. Really!

We had a Stitch Vocabulary Class last week at Threadbenders. You don't know how wild these ladies are until you turn them loose with a blank piece of fabric and set of dropped feed dogs. 

A stitch vocabulary is sort of a sampler of free motion stitches in an 8 inch square. We did doodling, garnet stitch zigzag and straight, free motion zigzag at three angles, stippling and then we signed our names. Are you still breathing? That's a lot to learn. 

Much of quilting is the stitch in the ditch or echo the shape straight line quilting. It tends to conform to the piecing of a quilt. It's usually done with a walking foot with the feed dogs up. 

Free motion is done with a darning foot, and the feed dogs down. And you can move any way or where you would like. It's the ultimate stitch freedom.

Computerized quilting is a whole other thing. There are brilliant machines either for home or commercial, that will repeat a shape for you over and over and over just as perfectly as you could ask.

 Mostly free motion stitching is about filling space with rhythmic patterns of stitching.

So, what if your stitching is perfect and your piecing isn't? People don't do perfect overly well. But we do do marvelous things that aren't perfect. They're just perfectly wonderful. Free motion stitching is under that heading.

What our students did in class is amazing.  For most of them it was the first time the dropped they're dogs. Here are some of my favorite free motion quotes:

• You drop your feed dogs and just wiggle around.
• I dropped my feed dogs and I can't find them.
• I'm not perfect, but parts of me are excellent.
• I'm not going to stitch in that ditch.

Free motion stitching is akin to doodling, zen doodling, and scribbling. It's as if someone holds your pen for you and you move your paper. If you can doodle with a pencil, you're half way there.

It makes people nervous because there really are no rules. It makes people free to do just anything in fabric for the same reason. Free motion is freed motion, across the surface of your quilt. And wasn't that fun?

Is there a quilting skill you're nervous about trying? Taking a class is the easy way to get practice, help and confidence, all at the same place and time.

 If we don't offer a class in something you want to know, let us know. That's how new classes get started.

Sewing For Summer:The Wonderful Room Outdoors

After all that snow, all that cold, all that collection of sweaters, coats and boots, it's the outdoor time. We love the sports, the gardening, the sun time at the beach.



But sometimes we forget that the outside is another room.
And while we may tidy it up from time to time, it's not like it needs sweeping. All cobwebs and interesting little bugs are mostly welcome.

It's a wonderful space not only for gardening, but for creating other spaces for entertaining, reading, playing for kids and dogs. And we can decorate it with the most wonderful fabric projects.

We also forget that quilt fabric is just really great fabric. It's a better quality, it wears better than much of what is commercial, but it also is perfect in any light weight sewing project. And the prints are the best!

Here are some projects that can make your outdoor space sew special.

Sue's Mother Daughter Apron Class

Aprons:
They're not just for the kitchen. Everyone needs an apron for gardening, for messy projects, for painting fences, for outdoor cooking and for the grunge you hope isn't on everyone's clothes when they're done.

Play Places
Of course you want them to play outside. But a small teepee or play house is privacy for them and their safety for you.

Your elegant dining room
 And no one cares who spills what. Make a small stack of table cloths and napkins. They'll brighten the table and make it feel like a trendy restaurant.

Go away I'm reading
This triangle shade makes a lovely spot for you and a book. Or a nap. Or both.

Wanda's Pillow Case Dress Class

Sun dresses
Of course everyone wants cute, cool outfits just for summer. 

Cool Travel Bags
Whether you're going to the beach or out shopping, you'll want a big enough bag. Peg made this one out of batiks. Yes, we'll show you how.

It's time to get sewing so that when summer comes you have your out door room all ready. We're going to be offering dress, apron and bag classes to help. Or come in and we'll talk you through.