freehand stitching

[Bonnie in Ok]

are there any do's and don'ts to freehand stitching? I was playing with somethng that supposes to look like long seaweed leaves. Will try to post a picture for the first time so not sure this will work.

[witha'K'quilting]

there are no quilting police. say it with me...there are no quilting police!

[IQ'd]

So right Kristina! If you like it that is all that matters!

[ffq-lar]

Nice job Bonnie! It looks very good!

Do's and don'ts--

Do-- have fun.

Do--stay loose.

Do--practice.

Don't--use high-contrast thread until you are comfortable with a design.

Your seaweed is recognizable and flows beautifully.

[lindasewsit]

Looks good!

[witha'K'quilting]

I like what Linda had to say! She is so smart!

Unlike some like me who are the smartie pants of the club!

[ffq-lar]

Kristina:P

If you are the smartie pants, please make sure to emphasize the SMART part!

You amaze me with all you do!

[Bonnie in Ok]

Thanks for the confidence promoter my husband looked at it and said it look like a mess LOL! told him to go get his glasses, then he realized it was an actual design. He peiced the quilt doesn't do a whole lot but time to time he gets the bug.

[witha'K'quilting]

Originally posted by ffq-lar

Kristina:P

If you are the smartie pants, please make sure to emphasize the SMART part!

You amaze me with all you do!

Thanks Linda...I am now blushing. :cool:

[uncquilter]

Bonnie,

I think your seaweed looks great. Personally I am so glad there are no quilt police. I have been practicing for what seems like forever and I feel like I can't improve as much as most on the site. On the bright side---I do a pretty awesome stipple! Keep up the good work.

Carol

[Butterfly]

Definitely DO have fun and

DO use your imagination and try new things

DON'T go too slowly thinking it will help form a shape. Quicker just might work better.

Also, I found initially that a glass of wine helped me not have a death grip.

Jess

[Linda G. Craig]

Everyone before me said it best. Have fun, ANCORS AWAY!

[Bonnie]

Everything Linda said...only in Caps.

But first and foremost...remember this is suppose to be fun, not stressful. We are our own worst critques and in that we cause ourselves way to much stress. If you like it then its just fine, if you don't then Mr. Ripper is your next best friend, but remember you have the right to tell everyone to bugger off, and that includes hubbies and best friends.

I just got back two of my VERY first quilts that I did back in 1997, one was my MIL's who passed in Feb and the other was my BIL's that passed this past June....and I have to say I am SO glad that I have them back. One because they are the very first two quilts I did on my old LA, but secondly, I have GROWN so much. These both were done with FAT BATTS...and OMG. The toe nail stitches on them are so funny. I didn't have a stitch regulator on my old machine and I was just starting out, and trying to get the stitches and my motion going at the correct speed. Well lets just say I've come a long way Baby. And with time you will see yourself do just the same thing. So keep up the practice and enjoy yourself.:P

[Quilting Heidi]

I'd like to echo everything that everybody has said. If you learned something new and had fun too then you done good!:P:P Give yourself a pat on the back and keep up the good work.

[meg]

i like it - i always like freehand work cuz it is original. it takes guts to put yourself out there and for me that's what its all about. that's how the coolest things are invented...like feathers and mctavishing and all those very wonderful techniques. you never know, you may come up with the next hot thing.

and thanks, kristina for revealing there was no quilting police. its so true how we ulcerate about things that are subject to interpretation. i will try to remember that one for me!

i love this forum.