Author Archives: mlwilkie

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About mlwilkie

Software Developer, Mother, Wife with keen interest in art, design and crafts of all kinds.

Instagram + Friday night sew along

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A couple of months ago I mentioned I was going to start using instagram. Verdict in….I love it. Why do I love it??

  • The instant feedback you get from the community
  • Takes way less time than blogging as a photo and short comment is all that is needed.
  • I love the fact you share more of your lives with people – it’s not all quilty things (the community accepts it on instagram more than in a blog). It seems more liberating to me, at least.
  • I love how you can actually see how your blocks may look in a repetitive pattern (once people like your photo – that small image repeats…I love that look).
  • Fabric destash (yes, you can purchase fabric on instgram…I had been missing out on that opportunity)
  • My favorite thing though, is joining in Friday Night Sew Along (thank you Miss Sarah!! for starting that trend) #Fridaynightsewalong

This is what I shared this week and most of it was through #fridaynightsewalong.

  1. Scrap-bee-licious April Blocks all pieced and ready for sewing IMG_1548IMG_1550
  2. Aerial Quilt top finish from yesterday’s post. #fridaynightsewalong
  3. Tapa Star Striped Pillow top complete (finally…almost done). #fridaynightsewalongIMG_1562
  4. Also, I finally made progress on the DS Chicopee Pillow – all pieces in each rows are sewn. #fridaynightsewalongIMG_1564

That’s my instagram (ml_wilkie) time this week and #fridaynightsewalong. If you are not using Instagram yet – I think you will love it.

My Lotta Aerial Quilt

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Melanie said it best over @ Mel in the attic with her Aerial quilt finish. This quilt represents so many great memories of one short weekend.

As mentioned in my summary of Sew Down Nashville, one of my favorite activities was Carolyn Friedlander‘s paper piecing class using her mini aerial quilt. Everyone’s quilt reflects their own personality, and it is so much fun seeing some of them being finished now.

Well good news, I managed to finish my top today.LottaAerialQuiltAll the blocks are made with various prints from Lotta Jansdotter Echo, Bella, Glimma, Mormor and Sylvia lines. The border is black yarn dyed essex linen.

I am thinking of quilting it with a crop circle-like design, like these:
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Linking up with Amanda Jean @ Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish it up Friday.

 

Book Review Tuesday: Free Motion Quilting

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I have recently had the chance to attend one of Angela Walters’ class in person at Sewdown Nashville. It was fantastic. I wanted to continue practicing and growing this skill of Free-Motion Quilting.

Review

I already had in my growing library of books her book Free-Motion Quilting. I grabbed it and decided to start working through it.
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Title:  “Free Motion Quilting with Angela Walters”
Author:  Angela Walters
Publisher:  C & T Publishing
ISBN:  978-1-60705–535-8

This book has a great layout that builds on the knowledge you learn with each chapter. It starts with similar techniques as in her class however I was pleasantly surprised while the topic was the same, the patterns were different. Each design includes step by step instructions making it very easy to follow and practice.

The book includes circles, swirls, squares, lines, vines, arcs, and points. A great collection of designs are discussed.

My favorite section is in Section 3, in which Angela, helps you visualize how to use the designs in modern quilts. It provides great inspiration on how to combine different designs to highlight but complement the quilt.

I really enjoyed reading through this book as it was easy to follow which is perfect for a book that is an instructional guide and possible replacement/substitute for those who can’t attend a class.

Definitely a 4 out of 5.
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Project

My project is kind of different as it is a long-term project this time. I am committing to practice Free-Motion Quilting for 15 minutes every day from May 1st through May 31st. Practice…Practice…Practice. There are 4 main groupings of techniques in this book that fits perfectly with 4 weeks of May. You can see the daily progress on instagram @ ml_wilkie; and I will show you all a weekly recap on my blog right here.

This is where I am starting at:
Pebble_FMQ

and…Geometric_FMQ

I hope you can stop by and see the progress!!

Give-away

Giveaway time!! The winner will win a copy of Free Motion Quilting with Angela Walters and a pair of Machingers quilting gloves (recommended in Angela’s book and I am loving my new pair already!!).
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All you need to do is leave a comment on either what you would like to learn in FMQ or what is your favorite FMQ tip or design. There is a second chance to win if you are a follower, just leave a second comment. A winner will be chosen at random and announced next Tuesday, May 6th after 6pm.

A disclaimer, all reviews and opinions of the books reviewed will be mine, unless otherwise stated. Please note, I may not respond to all comments due to volume and bandwidth.

Linking up with Lee Over @ Freshly Pieced for WiP Wednesday.