#freemotionfriday

It’s time for the latest edition of #freemotionfriday - this week, our design is called “left or right” and is inspired by Isaiah 30:21. “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, “This is the way; walk in it.”. This is so fitting for life right now, isn’t it? I’m constantly moving - to the left right, forward, backwards, and every which way in between - and all at warp speed. My ears are full of the sounds of the laundry pile toppling, the dinner alarm buzzing, the phone ringing, and so much more. Maybe, like me, you also need to slow a bit and listen to the voice behind you, guiding you to where you truly need to be. https://www.instagram.com/p/CTYCpmKvQph/?utm_medium=tumblr

I know it’s not *technically* Friday, but can we pretend anyway? Pretty please? That’s because I have the 22nd edition of our #freemotionfriday ready and released on video for you! Link in profile to the full shebang, but including two images here that you can save for how to construct this fun design. As each of our Free Motion Fridays are inspired by scripture, this week’s comes from Romans 12:21 - we stop evil from overcoming us with good. So, as we get stuck in that downward spiral of “I can’t believe she said that! Next time I see her…”, we remember that good will bring us out of it. Our design reflects it - as we spiral in, we come out of it with beautiful (and good) flowers 🌸 . See how I tied that in there? 😉 Happy sewing to you this week! (at San Diego, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CSpwMzlp9W8/?utm_medium=tumblr

It’s been a busy summer, and I’ll admit that I haven’t been publishing our #freemotionfriday videos as often as I hoped. That doesn’t mean I’ve stopped practicing, though - and a big part of my practice comes from @kimmastromartino.linedesign who created the Line Designer! This very cool quilting tool let’s me practice my FMQ without wasting thread or fabric. In fact, if you’ve been watching the Free Motion Friday videos on our YouTube channel (there are over 20 now!), you’ll often see a guest appearance from my Line Designer. I love that I can take a quilt block or sketch over to this handy tool and try it out *before* moving onto my final project. So tell me - how do you practice your FMQ? …and how cool is this new tool? 😉 …link in profile to blog where your can learn more about this awesome game changing tool. (at Oceanside, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CREpKzuL9Jy/?utm_medium=tumblr

Washi tape has become one of those indispensable tools for me when quilting! If you’ve been watching our #freemotionfriday videos, you’ve seen it in quite a few of the tutorials. It makes creating straight lines, geometric designs, and row patterns so simple! Plus, it comes in all these fun sparkly colors - ha! Do you use Washi tape in your quilting? If not, what do you use to mark off the lines and spaces you want to designate? Inquiring minds want to know - like me! (at Oceanside, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQyl0--LEMh/?utm_medium=tumblr

It's here! The #pentecostquilt is all done - and just a week late ;) ...though let's just say that's a week early for next year, m'kay? You guys, photos can't tell how lovely this quilt is. The colors seriously RADIATE so beautifully from the center; I love it so much! You can completely change the look of the quilt, too, based on color placement (scroll to see some mock-up ideas using Hoffman watercolors, solid radiating colors, and prints). The next three #freemotionfriday events will each be focused on quilting this quilt; we'll start this Friday by creating light rays in the radiating colors, then add wood grain the following Friday, and finish off with adding curls to the dove the Friday after. I can't wait to see what colors *you* use in creating this quilt! #pentecost #pentecostal (at Oceanside, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CPlmEJHL2sU/?utm_medium=tumblr

Happy #freemotionfriday *and* welcome to the first Friday of this Lenten season! Now before we get started, YES. This is my robe as I’m sneaking in some very early sewing while everyone sleeps. So, forgive the PJ’s and lack of makeup this early morning 😴 ...before we get started on this week's design, I wanted to say thank you (THANK YOU!) for your feedback last week. If you swipe, you'll see the breakdown on how to make this design as well as the overall feel...you all found that helpful to be able to save the post using IG’s new feature, so I’m going to continue including that each week. Yeah! Awesome that, by saving, you’ll be able to reference the design any time you want. So back to today's pajamas - err, I mean design: a few days ago we talked about having a wobbly heart, and how - during Lent, we can make it steadfast in the Lord. Our design today is just that: a wobbly heart. Pope Francis came up with this visual imagery of the wobbly heart during his Ash Wednesday homily, and it’s been on my mind since - if you have a moment, go look up his homily in its entirety and give it a read. SO GOOD...and so convicting. I hope you enjoy practicing this new technique; as always, there's a video tutorial in our growing video library (link in profile). Let me know how it goes for you - and don't forget to comment on if you'd like to keep seeing the graphics in future posts. I'm more than happy to share if you find them helpful! ...now, off for that second cup of coffee and shower 🧼 ☕️ (at San Diego, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CLen-grj5CW/?igshid=1c3pvjafetu07

Have I mentioned how much I love the AcuFeed system on the @janomeamerica M7 Continental? YOU GUYS. It's like an everyday walking foot because, well, it is! The AcuFoot comes in two sizes: wide and narrow. I pretty much have had the narrow foot (the “flex professional”) on my machine since I bought it in December (with the exception of #freemotionfriday of course!), and am amazed at how much smoother my stitches is. The fabric, which is pulled now from both the top and bottom, effortlessly glides through the machine. So happy with my Janome! Which foot do you tend to sew the most with? The quarter inch? Quarter inch with guide? Zigzag foot? Which is your go to? (at San Diego, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CLHdWErDY5n/?igshid=jxt6169mzika

It’s #freemotionfriday and today we’re making a design called “Someday Saints”. We’re each called to the path of sainthood, and there are no better role models than the Saints who have gone before us. They’ve led saintly lives, sure, but they’ve also massively screwed up, made mistakes, and ended up not being the best version of themselves (here’s looking at the younger versions of you, St. Paul and St. Augustine). This is what I love most about them: they’re so relatable, and are people we can look to for inspiration on our own path to sainthood. Today’s design is inspired by these saints. The #freemotionquilting pattern loops, with double loops - or Saints with halos - throughout the practice pad. Full video tutorial in our rapidly growing channel - link in profile. Here’s to each of growing on our path to sainthood! (at San Diego, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/CK6uBJCjxid/?igshid=jv6erzlpdl37