August 31, 2015

Superstar



How long has it been since I had a quilt finish here? Many moons, that's for sure. Well this is my new baby, "Superstar" that I designed for Modern Quilts Unlimited magazine. The pattern for this 66" x 66" quilt is in their most recent issue. It has two things I love: improvisational piecing and novel (to me at least) construction.

I made the pattern so there are no Y-seams. Not because I avoid Y-seams, but because I know some of my fellow quilters won't even consider them. So I figured out a method that worked without them. It was fun!


And of course I quilted it like a maniac. Also in the magazine is an article I wrote called "The Five Distinct Skills of Free-Motion Quilting". All well and good, but then I saw this (below) on the cover of the issue and just wanted to cry. 


I would really love people to stop using the word "perfect" with the phrase "free-motion quilting". And I would extra love if that could not happen, say, to the things that I wrote! Less perfection and more snuggling quilts please. Less perfection and more people creating with joy and self acceptance. 


And in the interest of joy, here is a photo of some of my latest FMQ, a sample for my class "Wild Quilting" that I am teaching locally and will also be doing at QuiltCon. I've been really impressed at how well my students have done in this class, even ones pretty new to FMQ. It's really fun to quilt this way and every class I hear my students tell me "this is fun!" and I truly love hearing that.

Hoping you are getting some quilting fun lately! I'm going to be a part of Sam Hunter's Back to School Blog Hop so I'll be back soon with a tutorial on joining quilted pieces by machine. Looking forward to showing you my method!

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

I agree, "perfect" is not a word that should be used with Freemotion Quilting. Accepting our work, warts and all, is the best skill we can learn. I love your work and your attitude towards creating Christina.

Christine B said...

You have such a great, positive attitude and it really enthuses people to try FMQ.... it comes across in your Craftsy classes so well, which I really enjoyed.... just having difficulty finding time to practice!! Christine x

Doreen said...

The biggest "hurdle" I constantly encounter is the very same thing......getting past the "perfection" syndrome!!!!! How could anyone find enjoyment in the (almost obsessive) pursuit of creating the 'perfect' anything!?! I'm totally with ya on this one and so wish we/I would not see another mag cover sporting such a 'come-hither' title!!!!! If a body wants perfection(?), find a LA with a computerized system and go for it. The "human element" will have completely been eliminated from the finish! My clients & students find freedom and joy in the "hand-guided, FMQ" that I do and teach. You go girl...........I have your back...........hugs.............

Gene Black said...

I agree. Handmade is not perfect.

As we say in Saori weaving, the flaws create a unique beauty. Every flower is beautiful, even if a petal is missing.

Lara B. said...

That's a gorgeous quilt Christina! The colors you used combine in a way that just glows! It is also really cool that you did it scrappy! I'm very intrigued about how you avoided Y seams and am going to have to buy an issue! It is really a bummer that they added the word perfect to the cover. They must have gotten swept away with enthusiasm for your quilting. I'm completely in love with your wild and free quilting and can totally see how seeking perfection would be a hindrance to that kind of joyful design.

Unknown said...

I was in Portland last week for the National Model Railroad convention. the ladies made about 30 quilts for Project Linus during the week while our husband were busy with trains. I was doing some FMQ on one of the quilts and talking with a lady who said she had tried it but was intimidated. I was telling her about your books and inspiration for me. when she left, she thanked me for the inspiration and said she was going to start spending a little time every week practicing so she could build her confidence.

Sandra Walker said...

You had me at "figured out a way to join without Y-seams" ha! Love that Super Star. So agree with the "perfect" does not belong in a sentence with FMQ. Think about cursive writing--that was, and still isn't today "perfect". That would be machine-generated, handwriitng font on a computer. As Angela Walters says, and I own a bracelet of hers, "Finished is better than perfect". Glad to have quilting gurus like you two around to inspire us. Hey! I used Bauble on my last finish! :-)

Lorinda said...

Lovely quilt! And I just have to say that the name Wild Quilting for a class is PERFECT! There's something very freeing about being able to just quilt!

Sarah Craig said...

I've always felt that perfection is highly over-rated - and boring!! Our mistakes give us freedom to create something unique and fun. Let's embrace that!! PS Love the quilt - must find the magazine!!

Helen in the UK said...

Love the Superstar quilt and the fun quilting you showed. Bet your students will have blast with the wild quilting class :)

The Colorful Fabriholic said...

I'm with you about "perfect" FMQ, or perfect anything, for that matter. Myself, I am far more intrigued with the concept of 5 skills to master to improve my FMQ than by a headline about 5 tips... Tips are too broad; skills give me something concrete, a progression of masteries to work toward.

Suzanne said...

Perfect is overrated and for me has held me back from trying something new. Yesterday I finally quilted a mini quilt adding stippling and straight lines as well. I remembered your tip to include onesies and twosies and that really helped me relax. A relaxed quilter is much better than a a perfect one, in my case. Thank you, Christina, for living in my quilting head with positive tips.

Karen H said...

Yes, perfection is overrated! It is all the little wobbles and imperfections that make quilts special. I figure that as long as I am happy with what I've done, it is "perfect" for me!

Anonymous said...

Love the colours. Reminds me of pop art.

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