Napping Time Quilter: First finish

First finish of the New Year

I finally finished my first quilt of the new year. Hard to believe that I have been free motion quilting for a little over a year! I still have a lot to learn but I am proud with what I have accomplished. I am so grateful for all the bloggers out there that are helping and motivating people to become better at their craft. Maybe one day I will do that as well.

In the time that I have been doing this I feel its important to share what I have learned.

1. I made the mistake with my first FMQ quilt of outlining everything before I filled it in. I had so many puckers and my seam ripper became by best friend and nemesis.

2. I literally just jumped into FMQ. I had never heard of it but I am so glad I found it or rather it found me!

3. I don't usually practice before I put it on a panel or block. If I feel I need extra practice I draw it out a couple of times. Most of the time I go with the flow. (Eek!)

4. Chill out! A saying from my prime but it is very relevant. I am my worst critic and often if there is a mistake I freak out!

5. Take advice from people for what it is, advice. I often ponder over what I am doing is the "right" way to do it. For example, while purchasing my go to thread the other day, the cashier asked me if I really wanted to get that thread. So questioning myself I googled for best threads and if my thread was appropriate. It took my husband telling me that I have been using this thread for as long as I had been quilting and there had not been complaints with color, damage etc. I need to work on getting better at being more confident in my skills.

6. Last one....well for today. I have found something that I love and I think I am good at. I want this to be my craft, my trade and I am going to work hard to accomplish this.

Latest finish is for a dear friend of mine that has been in and out of the hospital since last April. I made my own design and pattern. I hope that she loves it!