Tuesday, October 22, 2013

WIP Wednesday: The FMQ Cramp Edition




You're probably sick of seeing it, but here's the Modern Maples quilt after the first day of quilting! I've always wanted to try baptist fan quilting because I LOVE how it looks (and the hubby approves!). I loosely used this tutorial from Don't Call Me Betsy (though I didn't mark up the quilt). It's been so freeing and relaxing to build upon the fans. That's what I've been working on every night this week. It will be done by the end of the week! It will! It will! 


 It's hobby night here in our apartment: I'm FMQing, and the hubby is building a computer for a client. If only we could make careers out of these things... :)



Laughing. Wearing gym clothes still for the high intensity FMQ workout.

Anyway... have you ever had an FMQ (aka free motion quilting) cramp? If you have, do you have any suggestions? Yes, I am wearing gloves, and I did take breaks! Today was my first hand cramp and I don't really want to repeat it... lol. My right hand hurts pretty badly because I seem to guide the quilt most with that one. Actually, it looks like I hold up my pinky finger a bit when I'm quilting (to which the husband said, "so, you do fancy quilting?"). Ha. Ha.


I added swirls to the middle of the quilt. I can't wait to show you the whole thing - and the pieced backing hasn't seen the light of day yet, either!


I've also picked out a stack of fabrics for a quick Halloween table runner, which will probably be finished just in time for Halloween. Lol. As a result, the other side will be for Thanksgiving. The husband has requested that I make one for the kitchen table, so how can I say no? More on that this weekend, once MM is finished! <3

P.S. I'm so excited for the Blogger's Quilt Festival - how about you? It starts Friday!

AmysCreativeSide

Linking up to: Freshly Pieced


12 comments:

  1. First, very excited for blogger's quilt festival! I wrote up my post today even! As for cramps: first, drink more water! Eat a banana. And stretch your fingers, wrists, arms, shoulders and neck during every break (every 30-60 min)--I do wrists circles while raising my arms, then lower my arms doing wrists circles in the other direction, then roll my shoulders and head to loosen things up. Also, do you have a supreme slider? If not, it will help a LOT. Your quilt and quilting look fabulous! Can't wait to see the rest of it!

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  2. Ahhhhh looking fantastic, Jess!! And looking forward to your BQF posts ;)

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  3. Your quilting looks amazing! Sorry to hear about your cramp. I'm sorry I don't know any cure. Hope it doesn't come back :)

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  4. It's looking fantastic Jess! And yes I get hand cramps too - I find if I try to have both hands flat on the quilt and not press down too much with my fingertips that helps a bit.

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  5. Sorry to hear you are getting a cramp because those fans are looking fabulous. And it is supposed to be fun! Hey, don't feel bad about the gym clothes.... They're a step up from my pajamas! Thanks for sharing a peek into your world. It's like having a visit - but without the coffee... What is this "Sewing With Certainty" series I see in the sidebar? Tell me more!

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  6. I see Renee beat me to it - eat a banana! Also, quinine (in tonic water). I'm excited to see your finished project later this week. Jo Diggs spoke to our quilt guild recently and had a few antique quilts with Baptist fan designs, which was the first time I'd heard the name of it. I assumed you couldn't do it on a machine without ending up with puckers and tucks in the center, but are you using the swirls to complete the center instead? That would be neat to try it on the outside and then switch up the inside to something worked center out that could hide any gaps.

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  7. Hope your hand is ok now. My right wrist is so painful after fighting my quilt around while doing straight line quilting, 1/4" apart. LOL out of action for a few days.

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  8. I love your Modern Maples quilt and I can't wait to see the back too, with all the 'fancy' quilting, :D
    Sorry to hear about your hand cramps :(

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  9. Looking great so far. I can't wait to see the finished product :)

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  10. I get fmq "cramps" when I'm quilting for more than about 2 hours straight. So the key is to take lots of breaks and give yourself plenty of time to quilt over several days :-)

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  11. FMQ is a total workout - the most excise I get which isn't saying much I guess. Bloggers Quilt Festival snuck up on me and I didn't finish the one I planned to post about - oops.

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  12. Hobby night is a good way to spend time together and still do your own thing! But make sure you also spend time together doing stuff you both enjoy!

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