My current work in progress.
Podunk Pickin's is all about sharing your tutorials and tips that are sewing or quilting related. My tip this week is "get out of your comfort zone". This could mean many things. If you find yourself giving excuses of why you can't do this or that, then you are limiting yourself. When I bought my BHQ above I told myself I can't quilt like the gals with $30,000 machines. And you know what I couldn't. But one day I made up my mind... I was going to make amazing quilts with my what some called "junk" machine. And I made the quilt below, Summer Romance. You can see more of it here. Not bad for a frame quilting machine that is consider a hunk of junk in the quilting community. It took many months of online research about "Issues" that would arise while using my BHQ. Many of the tips were from gals who owned the expensive machine. The same rules apply to cheap machines or your domestic machine. And I know what your thinking, you think I was artistic long before quilting. NOPE! Stick men were about all I could manage. This transformation didn't happen overnight. It took months, not years, to train my brain and muscles. Practicing every day on paper, dry erase boards, doodling while on the phone. So get out of that comfort zone, try some applique, or paper piecing, maybe some miniature piecing, whatever it is that you wish you could do. The first step in getting anywhere is seeing your destination.
Do you have a tip or tutorial you like to share? If so link up below. Beverly@44thStreetFabrics Etsy shop has graciously sponsored this months Podunk Pickin's Giveaway with this adorable bundle of Santa Express. If you love it and need it right now I know the feeling! You can purchase it at her Etsy shop here.
You can also find out about new sales and giveaways for her shop by following her blog 44th Street Fabrics. I'll let you in on a little secret...She lowered the prices!
There's been several ways during the month of October to win this bundle, so go back to the previous post and enter. The link ups are closed but you can still enter by following the instructions for the other entry options for that week. Just click on the Podunk Pickin's image in my sidebar to find all the posts.
The rules to enter this week are simple. One entry for each of the following.
- Link up below, any quilting or sewing tip or tutorial from your blog or other social media. Please only one link per week.
- Follow 44th Street Fabrics on Instagram. <---click there. By following you'll be entered to win her Instagram giveaway for 3 charm packs of Hello Darling by Bonnie and Camille. Of course you'll need to come back here and let me know your a follower of 44th Street Fabrics on Instagram.
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THANKS FOR SHARING A SWEET FABRIC GIVEAWAY!
ReplyDeletemsstitcher1214@gmail.com
Well for you call a hunk of junk long arm, it sure quilts beautifully! Actually you have more talent and skill if you can guide the quilting. Those $30,000+ machines are all computerized so all you need to know how to do is set up the quilt on the frame and where to start the quilting. You push a button and the computer does it all for you. Where is the talent in that? Those kinds of quilting shouldn't even be allowed in quilt shows because it's like cheating. But how can a judge know if the quilting was guided by a real person or a computer stitched it out? I don't have a long arm at all, so your quilting skills are heads and tails above mine on my domestic sewing machine.
ReplyDeleteOops I add the wrong link. I had already linked the stilettos in the past. You can delete that one if you want to. I meant to add the scissors holder. Sorry about that.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Daryl about your talent! You are so sweet to mention our giveaways! XO
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilting. Stick figures? OK maybe I have some hope of figuring the quilting step when I retire.
ReplyDeleteYou are always an inspiration to me.
ReplyDeleteI already follow 44thstreetfabric on instagram! Thanks for the giveaway! qltdiva1@fuse.net
ReplyDeleteI don't have a link but your quilting is beautiful. My Grandmother had a needle and thread, a treadle machine, a pair of scissors and newspapers for patterns. She would love the computer aided quilting but she would appreciate all of the other work as well.
ReplyDeleteso beautiful, you are self taught and produce the most amazing quilts your long are machine works in harmony with you. Feeling guilty as I have for now given up attempting to quilt my flimsies as cannot seem to manage on my bernina.
ReplyDeleteYou do lovely work!
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm following 44th St Fabric on Instagram!
Thanks!
I agree Lea Anne, all it takes is PRACTICE, no matter the machine we are using. I've seen some fantastic quilting I would swear was done on a longarm only to find out it was stitched on a regular sewing machine. Who cares how much a machine costs as long as it does what you want it to do? Your work is truly beautiful and inspirational. I love that crosshatch you're doing, it really sets off the Dresden flowers and makes them pop.
ReplyDeleteSo impressed with your quilting. I hope I can achieve that level some day!
ReplyDeleteStarted following 44thStreet on Instagram too! Thanks so much for sharing their information.
Your quilting is lovely and if practice is all it takes there is hope for me yet. I agree we all have to get out of our comfort zone from time to time to learn and grow. Sometimes it just takes a little push.
ReplyDelete