v-starlady

I've spent a fortune on a lot of stuff I hardly ever use - the Hartley fence being one. I like having the same thread in my bobbin as I'm using on the top - so I'd get lots of empty metal bobbins - they are cheap. Even though fillling bobbins is a drag - I like the look. The bottom line for me is play, play - practice, practice - and don't stop. I don't do this professionally and I can tell a big difference in my work when I haven't quilted in a while. But, by far, the best thing I've done was go to classes at the Houston Quilt Festival. No tools made as much sense as watching Linda Taylor and another teacher by the last name of Clarke (I'm sorry - I'm over 50 and can't remember her first name) approach continuous line quilting. Seeing these two ladies approach was like having a light bulb turned on. I've spent 3 years looking at my Millie and being afraid of messing up my precious tops. Now, I slap those suckers on and away I go - FREEHAND!! Don't get me wrong. I'm not the best - but I'm not the worse. So, don't get hung up on little toys. If I had it all to do over, I'd have spent money on a video library from pratical, positive minded teachers like Taylor and Clarke. Oh, and my new best friend is my 11"x14" Strathmore Drawing pad I got in Linda Taylor's class. I check out elementary drawing books from the library and practice free handing the little characters and designs in these books aimed at teaching children to draw. And, I can also practice drawing heart up-side down and sideways. And all those doodles are saved for future reference. Good Luck - Di