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September 26th, 2015, 10:54 AM
#11
Senior Member
Missouri Star
Re: I blame Pinterest.
I am currently stepping away from a project that has me torn how to put it together. Somehow the fabric and my imagination have not agreed. That said, I took a FMQ class last year at my LQS and the instructor kept repeating: Practice, practice, practice. Your muscle memory will get into the grove this way. So, what you are doing by pacing yourself is just what you need to do.
I have a pinterest account because everyone I knew that had one said it was the way to go.....well, not really for me, but I do visit when I get an email from them that sounds interesting. Like many things in life, you need to find what fits you. I try not to waste my time on things that bother me too much. Am getting too old for that. LOL
Keep on with your quilt...it will be something you will remember fondly later on when you have stepped away from it long enough. Also the giftee will love it.
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September 26th, 2015, 03:43 PM
#12
Senior Member
Designer Diva
Re: I blame Pinterest.

Originally Posted by
verenaerin
I just discovered her. I agree with you, there is something about her that makes things seem doable. I just got her Shapes book this week. What class did you get on Craftsy?
The class is Help! How Do I Quilt It? By Angela Walters. I still haven't finished it, there are many sections. When I started, I had a small table topper that I was so undecided about. It was a piece I was experimenting with, and I had all kinds of grand ideas about quilting it but nothing suited it and I kept ripping out designs I'd started. After my mind was a little more free and I had Angela's voice in my head, i impulsively put on my walking foot and just did straight lines. It's finished, and I love how it looks. I had too many options and her "finished is better than perfect" attitude settled me into the right place. I never would have done something so simple otherwise, plus I would have obsessed over getting the lines absolutely perfect. It's done, and on my nightstand right now instead of wandering in outer space.
Last edited by stitchwishes; September 26th, 2015 at 03:45 PM.
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September 26th, 2015, 06:45 PM
#13
Senior Member
Applique Angel
Re: I blame Pinterest.

Originally Posted by
stitchwishes
The class is Help! How Do I Quilt It? By Angela Walters. I still haven't finished it, there are many sections. When I started, I had a small table topper that I was so undecided about. It was a piece I was experimenting with, and I had all kinds of grand ideas about quilting it but nothing suited it and I kept ripping out designs I'd started. After my mind was a little more free and I had Angela's voice in my head, i impulsively put on my walking foot and just did straight lines. It's finished, and I love how it looks. I had too many options and her "finished is better than perfect" attitude settled me into the right place. I never would have done something so simple otherwise, plus I would have obsessed over getting the lines absolutely perfect. It's done, and on my nightstand right now instead of wandering in outer space.

It looks great. I am watching her feathers class right now. I almost died when she said that stitch length doesn't matter to her. Seriously? Have you ever heard anyone say that? Her style and attitude really speaks to me. I love how her stuff isn't perfect, and she doesn't care and has so much confidence no matter what.
I will order that class next. Craftsy is great, plus their sales are great as well.
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Senior Member
Block Queen
Re: I blame Pinterest.
I also watched a lot of Leah Day's FMQ videos. She has a way of breaking quilts into quadrants to work on. This has helped me keep my sanity so much, especially when doing all over quilting.
Molly
Gig 'Em and God Bless 
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Senior Member
Missouri Star
Re: I blame Pinterest.
How do I handle a difficult quilt situation? Well, usually if it is a new technique that I haven't tried yet......I let it sit on the cutting table for a week or two and intimidate me.
Then at some point I just get the nerve to tackle it. Most of the time I end up wondering why I let the project sit there so long.
So far I've done pretty good about not having too many UFO's. My motivation wilted when I was quilting the zombie quilt because my table was too high.......shoulders got stiff in a hurry. So while I was deciding what to do about my table & giving my shoulders a rest.......I cut out my next quilt. It was so nice to finish the zombie quilt and the next one was ready to go. 
I have learned with FMQ or the walking foot that it works best for me to quilt for short amounts of time....take a break......then go back to it.
"I'm putting together a list of 100 reasons why I am NOT relentless!" - Sue Heck, The Middle
Leonard: For God's sake, Sheldon, do I have to hold up a sarcasm sign every time I open my mouth?
Sheldon (intrigued): You have a sarcasm sign?
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Member
Rotary Pro
Re: I blame Pinterest.
Don't fret too much. It will look great! It truly is a practice, practice, practice thing. I'll bet once you get to that last row, it'll be SO easy!
I, too, have bought 3 of Angela Walter's classes on Craftsy. Worth every single penny. She's given me the confidence to "play" - to not be so hung up on getting it perfect. It's amazing how beautiful quilts look even with the designs I couldn't get right to save my life! I decided to use this ugly UFO I made in 2011 as a practice piece - these are NOT my colors and I can only say that I was apparently possessed when I made it. Orange is my least favorite color on the color wheel, lol. But it was perfect to try out quilting designs I found in books, magazines, blogs and pinterest!

I am quilting a different design in every square. If the design is too difficult or not my style, it's okay. It's a practice piece. I don't have to worry about messing it up, and it's given me several designs I really like to add to my list of favorites, or cross off the ones I really liked but were too intricate, involved or complicated to use in a timely manner.

Having something you can just play on and not worry about making mistakes can really make a difference in getting comfortable and finding what works for you
Now the only problem is that I'll have to hang up this thing somewhere to use as my "sample quilt". Guess I'll have to learn to love it!
Seriously, once you get this current quilt done, practice on something you don't care about messing up. You'll be shocked at how great it looks. Plus, it gives you a chance to figure out your "style", what works for you, and what doesn't.
Last edited by cindirae; Yesterday at 06:55 AM.
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Senior Member
Missouri Star
Re: I blame Pinterest.
That's a wonderful practie quilt! What are you going to do with it after?
Lorie
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Member
Rotary Pro
Re: I blame Pinterest.

Originally Posted by
Hulamoon
That's a wonderful practie quilt! What are you going to do with it after?
You're too sweet, Hulamoon! As much as I'd like to chuck it because it's about the ugliest quilt I've ever made, I'll keep it now and probably hang it on the wall to refer back to when trying to decide what to quilt on other quilts, lol