Polar Bears out of Hibernation - other WIP's and FMQ

I have no idea where the days have gone since my previous post! It feels like I have missed some days... It also feels like I have done nothing, but actually, I've done a lot.

You may wonder what the first part of the heading of this post has to do with quilting? :) I believe those of you who has followed my blog for some time, remember what I'm talking about, don't you? Last year I started working on a polar bear quilt. It's a challenge, because I don't have a pattern and I have limited fabrics. The quilt - or better say the little I did on it last year - has been hibernating, because I ran out of ideas how to proceed.

Earlier this week I was looking for some fabrics in my stash, didn't find it, and continued to the shelves where the "dreaded" UFO's are. There I found the fabric I was looking for - actually fabric for the binding to the pinwheel quilt (below) as well as the plastic bag with the polar bear quilt! I pulled that one out too, and my brain started spinning..... I came up with new ideas and I think - by now - the quilt top should be done over the weekend. The "problem" is I have run out of the fabric I use for sashing, so now I'll have to go hunting my stash for something suitable.....

The pinwheel UFO is almost done! Left to hand stitch the binding and a little bit more quilting. Can't believe I did FMQ (free motion quilting) all over on that huge quilt! A couple of weeks ago - or so - I sewed around all the pinwheels, then put it on hold because I didn't know how to proceed.
I haven't done much of FMQ, so it felt a bit scary doing it on such a big quilt! My sewing machine has the standard size harp; 7.5" / 19cm (if it is measured to the needle position?), so I dreaded pulling and pushing the quilt through the harp!

I didn't have to worry! Last year I bought "Free-Motion Quilting Made Easy" by Eva A. Larkin. (It's cheaper at Amazon) It's a step-by-step instructions, practice exercises and loads of hints and tips about FMQ. I have not done any of the exercises in the book, but by reading the first pages, you'll get many tips how to get going with FMQ!

So I thought; jump into it with both feet! :)) And so I did! :))

This is FMQ "newbie-version".... I hope to improve, sure I will - by practicing. It didn't turn out that bad - did it? Do you hear the bragging?! :)) Well, I don't like to brag, but I am a little bit proud I did manage FMQ on such a big quilt! :) It won't be the last one to do FMQ.... :) It's FUN! :)

I can also mention I use the "Supreme Slider" - a teflon top that prevents friction when quilting. Here are some reviews about the "Supreme Slider".  As you can see, there are different opinions about it, but to me; it does work!

The baby/toddler quilt is almost done too. I've left to hand stitch the binding. 

As you can see, I didn't do FMQ on this one.

Potholders and FMQ Weekend

Do you have as many excuses for not doing what you are supposed to do, as I had this weekend?

I started quilting the Split Hourglass quilt in the middle of last week - I think it was - but after quilting more than half, I got tired of it and decided to make some potholders. No, it's not right to say I got tired of it - I didn't - I needed to break to rest my shoulders and arms. I worked quite a lot on it one day, and my arms don't like the pulling of the heavy quilt through the harp (?) on my dear (Ber)Nina.

I know! I know! I was not supposed to start ANY new project before I had finished some of the quilt tops!!!! To my defense I have to say I did finish the potholders!!! :))

I made three pairs. I struggled a bit with the hanging loop, but in the end - after reading some tutorials on the net - I think they turned out OK.

Here I have used leftover fabrics from the "Mystery Quilt". Colorful - aren't they?

As you may have noticed already; these are FMQ (free motion quilted).

I don't get good close-ups with my digital camera, but if you click on the photo (I think it is possible) you'll have a better look on all my mistakes - lol! I thought something small - like potholders - is a good way to practise FMQ. Well, it didn't turn out that bad for a newbie - did it - but I'll have to practise much more before I dare jump onto a huge quilt. As you can see, there are some sharp turns etc.

I bought this wonder a while ago. It's a teflon sheet for FMQ. It grips to the bed of the machine and lets your project slide when FMQ.

I tried it for the first time yesterday when FMQ the potholders, and I'm really impressed! It does work on small projects, but I can't say anything about bigger projects, because I haven't tried. The reviews are positive (do a google).

I believe it is possible to easily get hooked on FMQ. I woke up in the middle of the night and was thinking / figuring out how to quilt the TG (Tina Givens) quilt - lol!

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Enough cutting for today!!! :)) I'm quite sure that is what he's trying to say! :))

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Yummy flourless chocolate cake.

I couldn't resist making Mexican Flourless Chocolate cake. No flour, but a little bit cayenne pepper... I love the little taste of cayenne together with chocolate/cocoa.

Want the recipe? Click here.

It's not me - DH dived into it before it was cold - that's why a small piece is missing - lol! :))