A few weeks ago, I attended the Festival of Quilts in Edmonton. The quilts were breathtaking. For a newbie like me, possibly a little intimidating too. I know I should be inspired by them and I think I was to a large degree but there was definitely a note of intimidation there too. I must keep reminding myself that I’m new to this. I can count the time I’ve been quilting in months, not years.
While I was there, I took advantage of the fact that there were vendors there I wouldn’t normally see, and snooped like crazy. I am really proud of myself, I managed to make it out of there for less than $60, with two books and a handful of business cards for companies I may have to be in touch with.
Damn. That’s just delayed spending, isn’t it?
The one thing that gets me though is the 2 interactions I’ve had with the Edmonton and District Quilter’s Guild now have both been a little… off putting?
The first time, I was at an Estate Sale that looked to be invitation-only for Guild members, and people who knew guild members. (I fall into the latter category). I had a woman who was working the sale walk up to me and say “So,… these are called fat quarters… ” (I’ll let you imagine the voice that went with it, and I bet you’re not wrong.) Uhm. Thanks.
I don’t know if the assumption that I knew nothing was because she didn’t recognise me, or because I look young. I suspect the second, you’ll see why in a minute.
The second interaction was the FoQ. Don’t get me wrong, there were lots of lovely people there. But within 5 minutes of arriving, one of the guild members did it to me again.
“So, when you get a little older and feel like cutting up some fabric, you come on back and see us.” (“Or petting some fabric!” chimed in another lady)
Uhm. Thanks? I didn’t have the heart to tell her that 2 of the projects she had on her display table were projects I’d already done myself.
I know I look young for my age, but still.
Anyway, back to happier things. 😉
The first book I picked up was Free Motion Quilting, Second Edition by Joan Statz. I’ve been looking for a “manual” that I could use for practice. Something to give structure to how I develop my skills. I knew about this book because she taught a class in the city not long ago, and a friend attended. The friend brought the book for me to look at, and it looked pretty good then, so when I spotted it at the FoQ, I snagged a copy. The only real complaint I have is the grammatical errors in the book. Many people won’t notice them, but for someone who had English teachers beat grammar into their head for 3 years straight during homeroom… it’s distracting. Most of the patterns look pretty newbie friendly. I’ve been doodling them on my tablet while I try to make the time to practice some FMQ.
I believe that Stormi thinks I need to just start working on the sewing machine, and leave the tablet to her.
She’s probably right. Our queen usually is.
The other book was The Secrets of Elemental Quilting by Karen McTavish. Flipping through this book at the booth, I learned more about the beautiful designs she uses, and more still about trapunto than I have learned in the last few weeks of cruising the net. To me, that’s the mark of a book worth buying, and I don’t buy a lot of them these days. I tend to search the net for what I need to learn.
I’ve “read” it cover to cover already, and I find that thanks to a couple of comments she made, I’m seeing inspiration for FMQ designs in everything lately. At the vet, at the restaurant, even in the house. Things I’ve looked at for years, but apparently have never truly seen.
I may have embarrassed Ryan a little by taking photos of the menu. 🙂
One last tidbit, for the people who hung on to the end of this post:
Here’s a tip that this friend brought back from FMQ class –
Turn your machine 90 degrees. The needle will face you like a machine mounted on a quilting frame. Sew facing the nose of it. This will make it seem a lot roomier, and the harp space won’t be nearly the issue it used to be.
I totally have to redesign my sewing desk!!