28 Days to Better Free-Motion Quilting

I am so excited to let you know that today Bluprint has released a new program to help you develop your free-motion quilting skills on a domestic sewing machine. It is called 28 Days to Better Free-Motion Quilting. 

It is a four-week special event hosted by Angela Walters, featuring instruction from Bluprint's top quilters.  I am honored to let you know that I am one of the 11 instructors selected to participate in this event!

Photo taken from Bluprint Resources for the 28 Days to Better Free-Motion Quilting.

The first seven days will be focusing on simple designs to get you comfortable with free-motion quilting and build some skills to move onto more complex designs.

A Free-Motion Sampler created for classes I teach

Who doesn't enjoy free lessons with a great workbook to download? Join in the fun by using my affiliate link by clicking here!

While you are there, check out my own Bluprint class that focuses on a variety of nature inspired quilting motifs.

Click here to get to my Bluprint Class!

Excited to be able to share this with you!

Tomorrow is a Blank Page....

I love this!  Let's make it 365 days of creative fun! 

#nextproject #becreative #letsdothistogether!

What is Thread Sketchinq?

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Thread sketched female cardinal from my quilt, "Cardinal Fan"

One of my favorite techniques to encourage quilters to try is thread sketching.  While it may seem like a difficult technique, it is easy to learn using my training wheels to help you get started.

Thread sketched bib made for my granddaughter, Brinley.

Thread sketching is very similar to thread painting.  In fact the same techniques are used in both.

Thread sketching commercial fabric by Linda Bratten

While many use the terms interchangeable, thread sketching uses free motion quilting to enhance motifs on the quilt.  

Thread Painted Tree pattern from a book by Sulky

While thread painting is creating elements for a project purely out of thread.  

Thread Painted Swallowtail Butterfly, original design

While I enjoy both techniques, thread sketching is very similar to coloring with your sewing machine. It doesn't take as much thread or time as thread painting does.

Thread sketched and photo transferred quilt, Water Color Rose by Linda Bratten

Are you interested in finding out how I like to teach thread sketching?  Check out my video below!

I recommend practicing your thread sketching/painting by coloring fabric elements.  This way you can practice with out investing the creating time!

Thread sketching commercial fabrics using metallic threads by Linda Bratten

Thread sketching commercial fabric by Linda Bratten

If this is something you would like to try, be sure to check out my available thread sketching/painting patterns available in my online store. Click here to start shopping.

Daisy Delights available at www.LindaBrattenCreations.com

A block from the pattern, Falling in Love with Thread Sketching and Painting, available at www.LindaBrattenCreations.com

I am currently working on an online class to teach others how to thread sketch my pattern, Bronze Iris to create this fun wall hanging.

Bronze Iris by Linda Bratten

Close up of thread sketching of Bronze Iris by Linda Bratten

If you are interested in this opportunity, be sure to subscribe to my blog, Linda B Creative, where I will let you know when it is up and running.

 Planning my next post, 

Busy as a Be Getting Ready for 2020!

Working on 2020 classes and presentations, more about them later!

Anyone Up for a Romantic Walk???

What is a 1/4" Quilting Foot?

The 1/4" quilting or patchwork presser foot is one of my most used presser foot.  There are several variations to this foot depending on your brand of sewing machine, but here are some of the basic features that makes me love this foot.  

One of the obvious features of this foot is that the width of the foot assists you to stitch a 1/4" seam allowance. In most cases, if the raw edges of the fabric follow the outer edge of the presser foot, you will get a 1/4" seam allowance.

Some feet even have a metal support to assist you in maintaining the 1/4" seam allowance and producing a consistent product. This is a great feature for beginning quilters and quilters who like to piece fast.

Another feature that the 1/4" quilting presser foot has is notches that helps you gauge distances from your needle.  The notch in the front of the foot is 1/4" away from the needle.  This is helpful when you need to stop a 1/4" away from an edge like when sewing on a binding.

Likewise the notch in the back is 1/4" behind the needle.  This mark is helpful when sewing on bindings or sewing "Y" seams in your blocks.

Some feet may have additional notches that mark 1/8" so be sure to check the notches with a ruler.

Another thing to be mindful of is that many of the 1/4" patchwork foot allow only for a center needle justification.  So if you change your stitch to a zig zag or a left needle justification, you will break you needle on your presser foot.  This may damage your foot or worse your machine.

Also if you are not a quilter you can still find many uses for the 1/4" quilting presser foot.  It is great to top stitch 1/4" away from your seams.  I use it  when inserting zippers and when creating handles and straps for bags.  It is also great to create belt loops for pants and skirts.

Do you use a 1/4" quilting or patchwork presser foot?  If so what projects do you use it on?  

My Quilt Fabric Scraps

December is my month to prep for next year's classes.  This year I am creating classes that are intended to reinforce basic quilt making skills.  I have created lessons that look at traditional piecing techniques in a variety of ways.  

So my fabric scraps  come from my Basic Skill Builder sampler quilt.  As you can see there will be a variety of topics that we will cover in each session.  It is not a block of the month, since some sessions we will be creating two (or more) blocks for the sampler.  

Are you ready to grow as a quilter?  Looking to improve your skills?  I would love to have you in my class.  Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter, Linda B Creative, where I share when and where I will be teaching next! Use this link to subscribe.

Off to create more classes!