Currently Stitching: Practicing Free Motion

So I guess today is about being humbled. I am working on my free motion skills, and boy am I bad at it. Not putting myself down, just admitting I am at the beginning stages of learning a new skill. Which is always so much fun. #deepsigh#idoittomyself#gottacrawlbeforeyoucanwalk#oofda

I've been wanting to learn how to quilt small projects and bags on my own. I can pretty well make it through straight line stitching on small to medium projects, and some wavy free motion. But anything with swirls, images, or larger than a reasonably sized wall hanging, and things get out of hand.

Until today, I did all sewing and quilting with my standard quarter inch foot. Much of it has been truly miserable and I have been heartbroken about how some projects have turned out, despite my best efforts. My fabric would bunch or I couldn't get any easy movement under the needle. I also ran into trouble because I didn't know how to adjust my tension or raise/ lower my feed dogs.

For any of you out there feeling frustrated with similar projects, there's a good chance that you have not been setting yourself up for success, just like me! That's okay! We're gonna figure it together and have a lot more fun. Hopefully the things I've learned can help you can better understand the tools in your arsenal! 

*left to right: free motion, walking, and embroidery*

Let's take a second and look over some of my sewing machine feet. Please make sure to a look at your manual. Read about your recommended feet and attachments. Also take the time to read about installing your attachments. There are tons of helpful videos online for most major brands. You can also check with stores and brand dealers in your area for more help.

Here is my newly favored walking foot. It took me a long time to realize what this foot could do for me. And now I have used this for several straight line quilting projects. Using this foot gives you way more control over the movement, alignment, and consistency of your project. It feeds your fabric through in a more gentle and consistent way so your project is not getting pulled or caught up underneath where you can't see.

I used it recently on this Halloween wall hanging. I wanted to use straight lines to give the siding on the house texture. I was struggling to get consistent stitching and the walking foot made a huge difference.

I used the walking foot to try my hand at an orange peel design 🍊I think it went pretty well considering it was my first time!

Something else that helped was I realized the little lever on the top right is supposed to go on top of your needle screw. I had just left it floating in the abyss previously and had a terrible time with this attachment. Read your manuals people!! It helps!!!

I also discovered the free motion foot. I felt very silly for not realizing its purpose or how useful it would be. In the past I tried free motion with the embroidery foot because I did not understand the difference in the feet. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS. Embroidery is meant for embroidery. I broke several needles and ruined more than one project. 

Once I found the right foot, I had a major meltdown. I called one of my friends and told her my issues with sewing curved images. I also couldn't get my fabric to move through the machine the way I wanted. She calmly walked me through installing the free motion attachment. She also explained that I had my tension set wrong and I had not lowered the feed dogs. After she guided me through these adjustments, things got so much better! I could not believe it! 

I wanted to make it look like there was light glowing in the windows. You can tell I'm a beginner, but I so proud of myself! It may look a little wonky when you're up close, but I know when it's hanging on the wall this Halloween I'm going to love it!

I look back at my beginner quilts and I can see the mistakes too, but they mean the world to me.

Continuing the spirit of trying new things, let's discuss my first time ever trying to stitch an edge to edge pattern on my sewing machine. I do not have a longarm machine and wanted to try my hand at edge to edge for a specific project. After I found the right pattern I traced it on parchment paper. I overlayed it on some practice material, along with batting and backing. Ignore the colors, they're scraps. 

After installing the free motion foot, I slowed my stitch speed down extremely low and adjusted the tension until I got the stitches the way I wanted. I put in my best efforts to take my time learning and practicing this.

**another deep sigh**

I really like to be good at new things the first time around and that is not reality. Ugh. For anyone else who does not always love the growing pains, I feel you. I know that one day I will be better and will laugh at my current annoyances. But right now it's just annoying 🤣 Spending a good chunk of time to have something not turn out the way I want makes me mucho grouchy. 

However, let's look at the positives: 

I learned that parchment paper is not the best option (I had a tough time getting it to rip out). So I'll know for next time to use another liner or freezer paper! 

I learned how to adjust the tension on my machine for better stitch control. I also learned how to properly use multiple foot attachments. 

I learned that it goes a lot smoother when I use grippy gloves. If you haven't tried these, I do recommend them, or something similar. It made controlling my movement so much smoother.

AND I can now say that I have tried free motion quilting on my sewing machine!

I'm better at straight and wavy line quilting than I was yesterday.

All of this means I'll keep trying more and eventually get better!

So while there were some frustrations, it's been an overall positive experience. I hope anyone out there reading this who wants to try something new decides to do it! Anytime you're picking up a new skill, it's going to be hard at first. But always be proud of yourself for trying to learn something! Whether it becomes a part of your life or you decide to hate it, at least you're challenging yourself. 

Now let's take a look at some of the free motion I TOTALLY CRUSHED after learned these new skills. 

Or at least it feels like I crushed them.

Would ya look-ey there! She's got some straight and steady stitches!

They look pretty and someone is going to enjoy using, sharing or giving them. KABLAM!! 

Thanks so much for reading! I hope this inspires you to get out there and try something new that you're scared of! If I can figured it out, so can you! Good luck and remember to have fun!