It’s been fun the past nine days getting to make so many new friends. Over 100 new people have joined me at my Catherine Redford: Quilter Facebook page, and the comments… so many comments. I have read them all. Some of you have made me smile, some made me laugh out loud.
I hope all of you have been inspired to just get to your machines and quilt! You do know that you won’t improve unless you actually sew don’t you?
My elementary school teacher used to say practice makes perfect. Well, I’m not actually sure that’s true but I do know that practice leads to improvement and that nothing has to be perfect to be wonderful…
I’ve tried to include some helpful hints along the way. However I’m afraid that seeing can be believing and it’s hard to explain in a few words what can be shown in video (or DVD!)
That being said, I’ve got a few practice ideas for you today.
This is a little piece I made as a sample for the free motion classes in my local store. It’s very simple piecing. I divided the big aqua square into sections and added a different motif in each space. Each border got its own treatment. There are ten designs in total to make a fun little wall hanging.
Here’s a close up view of some of those stitches. If you’ve been reading along you’ll recognize them!
Sometimes when I’m finishing a top I’ll simply quilt around the motifs in the fabric. That’s what I did on this bright sunny flowered batik.
I often take squares of printed fabrics to my classes for the students to stitch on. With a line to follow you can concentrate on keeping your stitches consistent. Try and keep your machine humming away smoothly and move your quilt sandwich gently for the best results!
Here’s a panel by Stephanie Brandenburg of Frond Studios that I layered up and quilted one afternoon.
So much fun to just sit and stitch!
Small pieces are the easiest way to start.
There’s always someone who wants to quilt their queen size quilt on a regular domestic sewing machine. If you are determined enough, and willing to persevere, it won’t be quick, but it can absolutely be done. Like eating an elephant you just need to do it bit by bit!
On this blog hop comments mean prizes… You have until the end of today to post your final thoughts. I’ll be using a random number generator to pick the winners tomorrow. With DVDs and a grand prize that includes a Stella task light and a Hexie Love ruler don’t miss your chance.
Here’s the list of my friends who have posted reviews of my new DVD. They all have great blogs that are worth spending a few minutes investigating so go ahead check them out.
I’ll be e-mailing the winners on Sunday morning. If I don’t get a response back by Monday I’ll e-mail some alternatives… so remember to check your e-mails. You could be a winner.
And if not? and you wanted that DVD? It’s available at the Interweave store both as the DVD and as a digital download. Click on the widget up at the top right of my website. But remember, it doesn’t matter how many fun blog posts you read or video workshops you watch you’re not going to become a better quilter unless you PRACTICE!!
Looking forward to seeing you again soon…
The flower is just beautiful with your quilting! You are so right that practice makes perfect but how many of us let fear of not being perfect hold us back from ever trying. This year I am willing to try new things. If they become perfect with practice then Hooray and if they don’t then I will deem them free spirited. Less than “perfect” is wonderful if you have given your best. Thank you for showing us your beautiful free motion stitching.
This has been a fun few days filled with lots of new information. If I don’t win a copy of your wonderful DVD, down the road as money allows, I will be ordering one. (Lets hope I win as it’ll be months before I can buy it) but nonetheless I look forward to trying some(or all) if your quilting motifs. You certainly make free motion fun to do. It’s like a breath of fresh air has been scattered across the quilt and happy surprises are waiting to be found. Thanks to you and all your guests for taking the time to share all the valuable info you have. I can’t quilt much at a time any longer due to physical limitations, but when I do I will have fun things to try. Quilting has become my escape from a world filled with pain and disability. When lost in my quilts, I can momentarily forget myself and concentrate on something of beauty that comes from my hands. Quilting is definitely therapeutic.
Thanks again Katherine for taking the time to share these past days with us. And yes, I will be following your blog from here on.
I like your comment about quilting a queen size quilt on a domestic machine – “Like eating an elephant you just need to do it bit by bit!”
Tips, techniques, ideas, inspiration. Thanks.
I have loved following you and being inspired by the beautiful work you have shared. I shall be here very often, in future, and will be trying your methods even if I am not lucky enough to win!
Thank you also to all those who supported you and shared theirs thoughts and work.
Looks like a wonderful DVD!! I’ve done some free motion (and taken some classes), but I definitely need to practice, practice, practice!!
Thanks for the chance to win!!
I’m so glad I found your blog! I’m following it now on Feedly so as to be sure not to miss any posts. 🙂 And now I’m off to do some practicing!!!
All of your and the other quilters blog posts have been so inspiring. I really, really would love to win your DVD. Even if I don’t win, I will just have to get myself a copy. Thank you for such inspiration.
Thank you so much for the blog hop. I have really enjoyed learning about you and the others participating. Looking forward to more posts in the future.
Found you through Bonnie, what a great way to spread the wealth!
I am just having fun looking at those great stitches today. They are hypnotizing.
This has been a great blog series. Thank you for all of it. Great ideas and tips. I recently retired from my day job and daily practice is much easier to schedule. I typically star my day with feed dogs down. Thanks again.
Good morning! I recently quilted my version of a millefiori EPP large wall hanging by subdividing areas and doing free motion designs in the areas. Turned out great! So much to learn and DO to develop free motion skills. Your ideas and sharing info help me so much. I’m so glad I was referred to your site from Bonnie Hunter. Have a great weekend.
Thank you for this series. I have thoroughly enjoyed visiting it every day, sampling your stitches along with my morning coffee. Keep sewing AND blogging!
I have really enjoyed the postings from everyone. Bonnie Hunter motivated me to follow along and I am so glad I did. Valuable information and inspiration. Thank you very much for putting this together.
I’m a new longarm quilter, or should I say long-arm owner? I am practicing, practicing, practicing and most of my efforts make great dog throws…..I have enjoyed this blog hop and am feeling encouraged and inspired.
I so enjoyed reading all the posts this past week. Thank you for all the tips and giving me the realization that I too may be able to do some free motion quilting. I am looking forward to winning the DVD. Haha
I have enjoyed checking out your blog and the others participating in it. So many beautiful things to see and encouragement along the way. My list of blogs I am following has grown for sure. Thanks for this series of posts. I see a new DVD in my future and then practice, practice, practice.
Great blog hop. Thanks for all the ideas!
“Nothing has to be perfect to be wonderful” What a wonderful mantra for us quilters who are learning as we go. I have learned so much here this week. Thank you and thanks to all your reviewers. Good luck everyone. Happy quilting!
Love the wall hanging! Thanks for all the ideas. Practice makes better
You have validated my focus for this year. I have told myself that it is my year to focus on the machine quilting and to do so I am just making small items – pillows, table runners and now place mats. I bought a machine this summer to upgrade my almost 25 year old machine and the main reason was because I wanted a machine that I could machine quilt on. I am inspired by your work and am happy to have learned about your DVD and your blog! Thank you for a week (plus) of intros to other great quilting bloggers.
My first blog hop, thank so much for the inspiration this week!
Love your ideas for practicing stitching! I’ve enjoyed reading your blog. So much so I need to figure out how to sign up for regular delivery. Thanks for sharing.
My first attempts at FMQ have been small wall hangings. Easier to finish and move around on my home machine. Putting more detail on one today – perfect way to celebrate my birthday! Hoping for a DVD birthday present to finish the day!
I am all in…darning foot is on and experimenting! Thank you for the insight and encouragement!
The combination of friends and superb artists have kept my interest through the entire 10 days. I signed up and am looking forward to videos and tips. Thanks for the invite! Good luck everyone on the contest but deep down I want to WIN!
I love the idea of following the lines in the fabric, as you did with the beautiful floral batik. That will be my next practice piece. Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful talents.
Enjoyed your blog hop, your tips and meeting bloggers new to me. Love to quilt on my domestic machine, I’m always searching for more tips and designs. Thank you! I continue to practice on my full size quilts. It takes some time, but it’s amazing how a little bit each day keeps it moving. I should do some smaller projects just to be able to see a finished projrct sooner. You have inspired me with your project you showed today. Again…thank you!!
I have really enjoyed this Blog Hop! You all have inspired me to try so many different designs! I can’t wait to get started! Thank you so much!
Thanks for this opportunity to win. I read about this on Bonnie Hunter’s page. It would be great to win as I am just learning free motion quilting.
Beautiful, beautiful quilting! Great opportunity to learn! Thank you!
This has been fun. Discovering new quilters and what they do is fun.
I have enjoyed this blog hop and have learned so much and I can hardly wait to get my new sewing machine so that I can start practicing FMQ .
What a nice journey you’ve taken us on. Thank you.
I like to practice by quilting on fabric designs where I can follow the pattern in the fabric. And you have inspired me to practice, Catherine! Thanks for this series of posts. I’d love to win your DVD!
Thanks for sharing FMQ ideas and I look forward to trying some new motifs.
Pinned that one as an art quilt. I would love to learn more from the DVD.
tvonzalez at gmail.com
Need to learn machine quilting this year. I CAN do this, (hopefully with your help)
Just Lovely! I am a newbee to fmq but excited to try!
I found this via Kathy Matthews and I am grateful to her for providing such a timely link at this point in my quilting. I have been at it for just two years. My mentor moved and I am having fun but maybe not growing my skills. Your DVD sounds like just the encouragement I need.
I have watch you on quilting arts and then your blog, thanks for the tips and can not wait for the drawing!!!
So much fun. Would love to win.
This was great fun! Hoping for some luck to come my way!
I love your work. The aqua quilt is to die for. That and stitching around the motifs give me some great ideas. Wish I could visit your shop. I’ve really enjoyed the blog hop. Now if I could just win your DVD! 🙂
You are so right. I ate an elephant recently. But not in free motion. I walked, or wandered, or maybe wove is a better word, all over it. And it was a long wrestling match. But I won! So now, my focus will be on small items, because I want to learn free motion quilting. Your daily posts have been enjoyable, encouraging, and inspiring. Thanks for it all.
Great suggestion to start small. I think people get so involved with making their bed quilt to start, they don’t realize the practice and skill development that must come before doing a quilt that size. I’m hoping this year to be good enough to quilt a few of my bedsized quilts that have been in boxes for years! : )
This has been a fun and encouraging blog hop. I should make PRACTICE my word of the year!
I have enjoyed your blog and these last ten days of blogs form such talented quilters. Can’t wait for Road to CA to see you in person.
Well, I spent yesterday sitting at my machine trying to FMQ. My thread kept breaking which maked sewing frustrating to say the least. The last thing I did yesterday was to change my needle to one with a larger eye. I did a few test motifs which worked ok. Today I hope to have better luck. Does your DVD cover issues such as broken thread, or skips in stitching?
Ann, Sorry about your frustrating day! You did the right thing changing to a bigger needle to stop the thread breaking. It is something I mention in the first chapter on this DVD.
Quilting around the motifs in the fabric is a great idea. I certainly need more practice and you inspire me.
Jo N.
Your work is amazing! I have enjoyed reading all of the comments from your fellow bloggers about your DVD on the blog hop. I now follow you on FB. Thanks for the chance to win and if not, I will have to go out and buy a copy.
Quilters are such sharing wonderful full of information people. Thanks
This has been a great series off blog posts. Thanks again for providing a chance to win.
It’s been fun meeting you and getting to know you a little. I hope I win so I can get to know you better.
Thank you for this opportunity to learn more about the art of free-motion quilting. I learned a lot and plan to practice, practice, practice!
Catherine,
I have Bonnie Hunter to thank for discovering you and your beautiful colors. I need to get to bed seeker so I can read two blogs now and of course ” practice” more.
Thank you for the opportunity to win your amazing quilting DVD.
Patty
Get to bed earlier it should read not get to bed seeker. ☹
Love the floral quilt! Thanks for the idea of quilting around the motif in the print. That is so neat!
Such elegant looking results!
What a fun and informative nine days this has been. It has been wonderful to see your great samples and to meet your bloggin friends. No I didn’t win the powerball, but this certainly would be a great prize if I were to be one of your winners. If not, I will buy your DVD for sure. Thank you, Bonnie, for introducing us to Catherine and her blog. I shall check in often. Betsy
Your machine quilting is exquisite! I so want to learn some of your technics, I hope I win. Thanks for the chance.
Lots of beautiful eye candy. Great inspiration from your friends.
It’s been a hoot!
Thank you for such beauty, knowledge, and inspiration ! Lots to practice with.
Will be following you!
Your blog is delightful and your tips are invaluable. Winning the DVD would be priceless! I have already put the DVD on my gift hint list and Valentine’s Day is coming, hmmmmmm. I am so glad that Bonnie introduced you to me. I read her daily, and it looks like I’ll be doing the same with yours. Thank you once again!
This has been great. You have a lot of terrific design ideas, love the sampler. Thanks for the chance at the giveaways!
Never thought of quilting around the motifs.. Thank you for this great tip 🙂
Such lovely designs- I have quilted a king size quilt on the one size above the standard domestic quilt. It can be like wrestling a bear but certainly worth the effort LOL. Your DVD looks like a fabulous addition to a quilter’s library.
Thanks for sharing your talents .
Regards from Alberta, Canada,
Anna
I have certainly enjoyed the blog hop! I can’t wait to get your DVD and start learning some new techniques! Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge and the opportunity to win great prizes!
i loved the blog hop ty was real eye opening for ideas…. [email protected]
The more I see of this DVD, the more I intend to be an owner of one. Fabulous work. Thanks for the draw.
This has been a really fun blog hop!! I’ve enjoyed visiting other blogs, and am keeping some in my favorites to visit every day! I work nights, so this is my “chill” time before I go to sleep! Thanks for the interesting tips & cool pictures explaining them! You’ve given me lots of ideas!!
I loved your analogy of eating an elephant to quilting. I know that practice is definitely the largest single gift you can give yourself to learn FMQ but I would still love to win your DVD. 🙂 Thanks to you and your crew of reviewers; it’s been a fun hop and I’ve already learned lots of things.
Thank you for all of the fun and great information! I’ve really enjoyed hopping along and meeting new designers. If I don’t win, I will definitely be buying your DVD.
I’m visiting via Bonnie Hunter’s blog. I would love to win a copy of the DVD as all help is welcome with my FMQ. I shall certainly follow up your tip of quilting round print motiefs.
Hello Catherine. I’ve just recently been following Bonnie Hunter and came across the invitation to ‘Blog Hop’ just now. I’ve been trying to learn FMQ for awhile, and yes, practicing does improve quality of stitches, etc. I’m sure that having your DVD to guide me through practice exercises would be very beneficial!! Hope to have time to go back through and read the other ‘Blog Hop’ posts. Thank you for including me in your draw!
Thanks for a chance to win!
This has been the most fun & encouraging 9 days!!! Have loved the reviews, and learning about each Blogger..and You… It has been like a week of visiting Special Friends…wish I lived close to you all! What sewy/quilty times we’d all have together!! Thank you for all the pictures, and ideas. And thank you for chance to wen your Give-a-way!! 🙂
I have quilted a queen size in an old Domestic Sewing Machine. It took two months. I also limited my sitting time so I wouldn’t get too stiff. It was so appreciated my grandson hung it on the wall. It filled the whole wall in his bedroom. He was 10 at the time. It was a birthday present.
Love your blog. I hope to win, but if not, I’ll buy your DVD.
I will have to thank Bonnie Hunter for introducing you to us! Enjoyed your blog and will continue to read and learn! Love the little “like eating an elephant, bit by bit”. Gotta approach all things in life like that…just think how much we could get done everyday! Once again, thank you…and thank you for the give a ways…what a neat way to share your love of your craft!
Love all your samples! You do beautiful work… thanks for the chance to win.
LOVE that you used Stephanie Brandbenburg’s flower from Frond Design Studios and their fabrics are our challenge for any quilter who wants to participate!! When I have time tomorrow I intend to go back through your blogs and see what I have missed. Enjoy you at PAQA meetings 🙂
Fun inspirational blog. If DVD feels the same it will be great.
Stunning quilting – sighing with envy lol
I love the idea of using printed fabric as your ‘practice’ field for quilting. Makes total sense, but I doubt I’d ever thought it up. This has been a great week of learning some of those extras that make it possible to jump from ok to great. Wishing you great success with this new DVD.
That flower is just beautiful. I tend to forget that you can also just outline the design that is on the fabric as an alternative. Sometimes it’s the obvious that is overlooked. Practice may not make perfect, but it definitely makes for some great art.
So many inspiring tips, tricks, and techniques I have seen in such a short time. This has been my first (of many I hope) Blog Hop. It has started my creative juices re-flowing and my strong desire to learn new stuff burning!! I so enjoyed each and every blog and have discovered a whole new world of quilting “friends”. Thanks for the great ideas and positive thoughts!
Your work is stunning and creative!! Thank you for the many useful quilting tips!!
I found you through Bonnie Hunter. You are an amazing machine quilter. I will need to practice a lot. Thanks for thin inspiration & the opportunity to win your new video!
I really need to try an win the DVD and hexi ruler as Tim (my husband to readers!) is starting to query all the PayPal payments for notions and fabrics – if I don’t win Catherine then Mrs F needs to come round and get me a DVD X
I would love to win these tools, might get me actually doing some machine quilting instead of putting it all in the too hard basket.
Thanks to Bonnie Hunter I found about you and your talent. Look forward to following your blog. Thanks for the chance of winning a great giveaway.
Great inspiration every day – thank you! I will definitely put more thinking into my quilting choices from now on. In your aqua/blue sample, I love that the borders do not strictly confine the curved quilting lines. Thanks again for all your time and sharing (and the chance to win)!
Catherine, thanks so much for all the fun on this blog hop–you’ve got some terrific friends who quilt! And thanks so much for being so encouraging about FMQ, something I’ve been very leery of trying 🙁 With all your tips and examples, including today’s about making a little mini sampler and tracing designs, I think I’m ready to stretch myself. I appreciate the humor, patience and upbeat approach on your blog–it’ll be a joy to follow you!
In this fast pace world, you make machine work do-able.
I’ve really enjoyed your blog. Thank you for sharing.
Lots of inspiration, thank you for sharing
I’ve enjoyed following along on your hop and getting to meet some “new to me” people. Your DVD looks amazing.
Love the variety of designs. There’s always more to learn. Thanks for inspiring!
The quilted flower panel is beautiful!
I have enjoyed reading along each day and tomorrow I start layering 3 quilts. Good thing small children won’t care about perfect quilting.
This has been a great blog series – thank you for all the tips and eye candy! I will definitely be putting this to use in my goal to improve my quilting skills.
This has been so much fun and inspiring and informative. Enjoyed meeting the other bloggers too. Looking forward to keeping up with you and your creative ideas. Thanks for the opportunity to win your video!
Love your work!
Thanks for all the tips. I know–practice!!! I will try to do more of that but the DVD would be helpful.
Looks like a great Dvd. Just got a long arm but not every thing works on a long arm so would love it
Thank you for introducing me to new people as I blog hopped around! New blogs to read and different quilts to see! Love your new dvd too!!
Your DVD will be so helpful to me.
Thanks for the inspiration!
Sorry to see this blog hop end! It was fun!
Very interesting! Hope I’m not too late for the drawing 🙂
[email protected]
This looks like a great dvd. I hope I am in the right place to enter.
I have been a follower of your blog for a long time. So happy for you that this “hop” has been so successful in finding more people who can enjoy your talents.
Congratulations!
Thanks for a chance to win this great book and DVD looking forward to some great FMQ if I win.
So many inspiring ideas! I need a lot more practice to become as good at FMQ as I would like to be, but all of the wonder pictures (and the DVD, I’m sure) inspire me to keep at it!
Thank you for sharing your talent with us! It would save me money to machine quilt my quilts. I’m willing to give it a try!
I just discovered your blog tonight. I’m really interested in reading more. The machine quilting info is what drew me in. We are living almost 1/2 a year in our camper so I have more time for quilts and I’m trying to quilt more on my sewing machine. Always looking for more ideas and tips. Thank you!
Inspiring! I am happy I found your blog through the blog hop.
So pretty to look at!
LOVE QUILTING ARTS WORKSHOP and I would love to win so I can watch while I recover from TOTAL KNEE SURGERY…. THANK YOU FOR THE CHANCE ….. NONNIE