tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71361724724688430.post5617956974969639075..comments2023-07-02T05:53:04.012-05:00Comments on Splendiferous: pretty awfulwlstarnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01170024789406711680noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71361724724688430.post-32918721088151055282012-02-29T22:14:41.938-06:002012-02-29T22:14:41.938-06:00I really think you did a great job.
Diane G. taug...I really think you did a great job.<br /><br />Diane G. taught me that it really takes 10 repetitions to get a FMQ design embedded in your muscle memory, so repetition (practice) does help. Don't give up. I really do think your feathers look lovely and you'll just get happier with them as you go.<br /><br />Plus, while I love the dark thread for the practice & photo, sometimes you can look at FMQ and be unhappy with the quilting when really your eye is picking up the contrast. <br /><br />Stitching, speed/movement comes with practice. It is something I really need to work on and far from the even stitch per inch that Diane is able to achieve. <br /><br />Be proud. You really did a great job.<br /><br />SewCalGal<br />www.sewcalgal.blogspot.comSewCalGalhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02062059207544865569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71361724724688430.post-16132945090751411322012-02-29T16:44:19.749-06:002012-02-29T16:44:19.749-06:00When I first starting doing feathers, I was major ...When I first starting doing feathers, I was major disappointed in how they looked ... rather like sausages. Definitely NOT like feathers. I avoided feathers.<br /><br />Then, I stumbled across a book, "Hooked on Feathers" by Sally Terry. This was a *major* Light Bulb Moment in my life. I *got* how to do her feathers! The key concept was "round" .. as in 'you are stitching around a beachball'.<br /><br />I LOVED LOVED LOVED hooked feathers (or as I alternatively call them "contemporary feathers"). I could do them and they looked *good*. I was sooo pleased.<br /><br />Then I saw a You Tube video by Karen McTavish where she was demo-ing her "Victorian Feathers". I later learned that she uses a technique called 'hump and bump' :-) ... but as I watched the video, I could see that every other feather was doing with Sally Terry's hooked feather technique!<br /><br />OH MY GOSH! I could already do half of those feathers! So, I practiced Karen's technique .. and DANG!! I could do those feathers too! The key, for me, was learning the hooked feather method *first*. Then the hump-and-bump technique wasn't a difficult concept.<br /><br />When I showed a local longarm quilter (who I used to use before I got my own machine) my feathers, she admired them and said, "oh my, you're doing the fancy feathers!". Turns out *her* feathers darn near look like sausages also and as a result she doesn't do too many of them.<br /><br />So, if you can get hold of a copy of "Hooked on Feathers", I strongly urge you to do so. It sure worked for me!<br /><br />and good luck!Shelley: the Dread Pirate Rodgershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13431557867878383150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71361724724688430.post-71210677287154474942012-02-29T14:03:55.806-06:002012-02-29T14:03:55.806-06:00I think your feathers look really nice for first a...I think your feathers look really nice for first attempts. It does take lots of practice - I try to do one a day while I'm warming up. You mentioned problems with speed of machine, am I correct that you're using a Singer 301? I've tried FMQ with my 301 and it is also very difficult to control speed, especially on start-up. I'm now using a Singer 15-91 vintage 1942 that I picked up at a yard sale - it's much easier to control speed on that one, don't know why except they have different style motors, maybe that is the key. Anyway don't give up - I've found that using blending thread and after washing all the wonky stitches get shrunk down a bit and really don't show and it looks great! <br />Pat in OregonAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71361724724688430.post-71061616390778113732012-02-29T13:41:36.110-06:002012-02-29T13:41:36.110-06:00You are being too hard on yourself I think. Put t...You are being too hard on yourself I think. Put these with thread and fabric that matches more and they would look wonderful in a 'real' project.<br /><br />: )<br />JuneJune Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04417665719096002149noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-71361724724688430.post-77034112267524409592012-02-29T13:04:58.177-06:002012-02-29T13:04:58.177-06:00Happy Leap Day Wendy,
Your feathers look pretty ma...Happy Leap Day Wendy,<br />Your feathers look pretty marvelous to me. The only difference between these feathers and the ones you want to quilt are practice. Congrats on completing the February fmq challenge.Tammyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18053469261622557578noreply@blogger.com