Free-Motion Framework Book Tour
Join the Book Tour
As you may know, my new book, Free-Motion Framework was made possible with the help of contributing quilters. A total of 17 quilters, including myself, stitched 41 quilts featured in this inspiring, machine-quilting skill-builder resource. This week we’ll hear from some of them on how the worked with the concept, interpreted their assigned designs, and how their quilts turned out.
Today kicks off the Social Media Blitzo tour for Free-Motion Framework. Stop by the blogs, listed below, to read more about the new title, and when on Instagram or Twitter, check out the hashtag #FMFWQ or #FreeMotionFramework.
The Overview
Choose one of 10 Framework designs, or one of 12 if you have the Free-Motion Framework Pattern Sheets, to transfer onto your own 40″ square fabric using tips and instructions in the book. From here, prepare the fabric for quilting, as you would any other quilt. Choose shapes from the linear design to fill, symmetrically, with quilting designs. Practice as many design motifs as you like. Each time you create a small project, it will help grow your machine quilting skills and turn out completely different than the one you stitched before.
Note: Build your skills on a domestic or longarm sewing machine.
And, after you’ve practiced and quilted the entire piece, you’ll accidentally turn out a wholecloth quilt. Neat, right?
I thought it might be fun to share the reasons you may want to keep Free-Motion Framework in your own library, and the “problems” I was trying to solve when I authored the book.
1. Quilting can be expensive.
From machines and fabric to time and planning, quilting is a luxury hobby. For a past-time that started out utilitarian, it has grown to be an amazing creative art form. Turns out, art can get pricey. I wanted to develop a way to quilt without breaking the bank. All the projects in Free-Motion Framework are presented at 40″ x 40″. You can create a quilt using 1-1/3 yards of fabric, batting, and backing. Even better, if you were to purchase 108″ wide backing, you can create two 40″ pieces from the one back. Sure you can make larger quilts by combining designs or adding a variety of your own border designs to the 40″ square “frames,” but largely the Free-Motion Framework projects can be created at a low cost.
2. I need more practice, but don’t want to commit to a big patchwork quilt.
When a person decides to start machine quilting, especially free-motion quilting, you may find that you need many more practice pieces before diving into your own beloved patchwork project. Often new quilters will take on charity quilts to stitch with one all-over design. We may also quilt bed sheets just for practice. I wanted to practice many quilting motifs while still producing something neat. Unlike practicing a single style on a “real quilt,” Free-Motion Framework presents the opportunity to create more than one fill or quilting design on the same project. By isolating shapes to essentially color in, you can try all sorts of different ideas.
In the two quilts below, notice how, by choosing different design lines/shapes and arranging different types of quilting motifs, the exact same framework, Shark Attack, turns out completely different. Each chapter has four different interpretations of the design by quilters of all skill levels and backgrounds. I think you’ll be surprised with the variety of inspiration.
3. How can I make a wholecloth quilt easily?
I know that sounds crazy, right? The idea of a Wholecloth Quilt by nature doesn’t really give off the EASY vibe. Pre-printed panels exist to create wholecloth quilts, but really, I wanted my own design. I am inspired by the incredibly talented machine quilters who spend months tweaking and perfecting their wholecloth competition quilts on paper then transfer every single stitch to a fabric design.
Do I love the look? Yes.
Would I love to plan something elaborate like that? No way.
The brainstorming began. Fundamentally, many wholecloth designs are symmetrical. Starting there, I decided if I just had some guidelines to work symmetrically, I may be able to turn out something that looks planned. That turned into: If I just had guidelines, I could fill-in whatever I wanted. I just need to remember where I stitched what motif. Using the Goals Worksheets provided with Free-Motion Framework, you’ll be able to write down the notes for the design as well as keep track of what you are practicing on each piece.
Another tip- Save the printed designs to make full-size notes while quilting. I traced a quadrant of a design four times onto fabric. With that quadrant, I loosely draw the designs as I stitch them to remember what to symmetrically stitch on the other areas of the quilt. Remember, this is just a guide, not a masterful drawing.
4. Quilt with No Pressure
By working small and unplanned, the project takes on a freeing feeling. Working without any outside pressures is a fantastic path to self-growth. Jump in and give it a try. Free-Motion Framework is great for any skill level as everyone has room to improve that one little thing.
- Hey, this is just 1-1/3 yard of fabric.
- It’s only practice; no need to worry.
- This is for my own quilting self-journey, if it turns out, cool. If not, I haven’t invested hundreds of patchwork hours (and CASH) into it.
- I’ve always wanted to try X-Y-Z design. Let me try it in four or eight small spaces to see if I like it.
- Rulers have always fascinated me, but I’m not sure where to start. Start one small shape at a time.
- This will be great to work on at retreat!!! It’s small.
All in all, writing this book from concept to “holy crap that worked” to pitching to the publisher to sourcing all the many contributing quilters, this has been an amazing experience. I hope you’ll enjoy hearing all about the title on this week-long blog hop.
Stop by each blog this week for a possible chance to win a copy of Free-Motion Framework. (International winners, outside the USA, will receive a digital copy.)
Monday | June 4
ReannaLily Designs (here!)
C & T Publishing
Tuesday | June 5
Joey’s Quilting Co
Helen Ernst Longarm Quilting
Nancy Zieman Productions, LLC The Blog
Thursday | June 7
Friday | June 8
Kustom Kwilts
Living Water Quilter
Seamingly Slawson Quilts – Susan Lawson
To be considered for one of the following gifts from our sponsors, leave a comment sharing what area of machine quilting you’d most like to improve. Winners will be randomly selected and notified by email.
- Generously Donated by Clover-USA: Water Soluble Pencils and Wonder Clips
- Generously Donated by HandiQuilter: Handi Versal Tool Machine Quilting Ruler
- Generously Donated by C & T Publishing: A copy of Free-Motion Framework (digital copy for international winners)
The prize portion of the tour will close at 5pm central time, June 18th and winners will be announced June 19th, right here on ReannaLily Designs Blog. Thank you so much for joining the Blog Tour.
69 Comments
I would love to do feathers. I just bought a new longarm and now can do larger designs than I could with my old frame.
June 4, 2018
I need to get started. I seem to think I can’t do it without trying.
June 4, 2018
I need to learn and practice my free motion quilting in every aspect! At times, my free motion quilting seems to be at least acceptable and then the next time it is horrible. It is so frustrating and so very often, I use my walking foot and quilt that way.
June 4, 2018
I need lots of practice on my new to me longarm. Definite lack of control!
June 4, 2018
I would like to improve my ruler work and have more confidence with my free-motion work.
June 4, 2018
I love this idea! I always struggle with what to quilt. This is a great idea, setting the framework, and then filling in with a variety of fillers! How very clever. Thanks for sharing the giveaways too!!
June 4, 2018
Sorry, email address was wrong on my last comment!
June 4, 2018
I have no confidence to do “fancy things”
June 4, 2018
I need to spend the time learning to machine quilt with rulers and free motion.
June 4, 2018
I’d like to find an inexpensive and easy solution for suspending the quilt!
June 4, 2018
I think I would like ruler work but I haven’t invested in the rulers and special foot yet.
June 4, 2018
I am wanting to get comfortable with ruler work and learn free motion quilting. This book sounds wonderful. I would love to practice with those pattern sheets.
June 4, 2018
I need to improve all of my skills. Ruler work has caught my attention but so has feathers. I haven’t mastered either one. Each day I practice both and dream of improving.
June 5, 2018
I am a newbie to LA quilting and would love to be able to do anything well, specially rulerwork and feathers.
June 5, 2018
I would like to try ruler work but I just started recently so I hope I can fins something new from this blog tour.
June 5, 2018
I love the idea of marking off symmetrical sections, then filling each with different designs.
June 5, 2018
Feathers – I need a lot of work to improve them and get comfortable on my long arm. Looks like a great book!
June 5, 2018
A great way to practise!
June 5, 2018
Absolutely FMQ! I have several tops waiting for quilting to be done! I am starting to practice FMQ & do less straight-line quilting!
June 5, 2018
Would love to learn this art… my attempt at doing this was very intimidating! I have watched this being done by other guild members who made it look so easy but when I tried it I thought it was hard to control both the stitch length and speed. I will try doing a square area as suggested in the article. Would like to win the rulers!
June 5, 2018
I bought a longer and quilting frame. Now I just need to use it. Thanks so much, I’m sure I need this in my life !
June 5, 2018
Thanks for this information. I am always looking for inspiration with machine quilting and I like the idea of working on small pieces
June 5, 2018
This looks awesome. It is something that I need to learn.
June 5, 2018
I love the concept of your book. I’m wanting to try a whole cloth quilt and this sounds like the perfect way to do it.
June 5, 2018
Wow, I see all these fabulous quilting designs and think………. One day !!amazing work ?
June 5, 2018
I need to let go of my fear of free motion. Your ideas and designs look great.
June 5, 2018
I would love to improve my use of rulers when quilting on a domestic machine.
June 5, 2018
I need more work on my ruler work.
June 5, 2018
Would like to do feathers, but just can’t get the hang of it.
June 5, 2018
Planning and dividing spaces.
June 5, 2018
My favorite time in quilting is when I try something new and it turns out great!
June 5, 2018
I need more practice and skill building.
June 5, 2018
This sounds like just the kick in the pants that I need to get started and stop procrastinating!!! LOL – Like the idea of just a bit of fabric to try this out!!
June 5, 2018
I would like to improve the consistency of my stitch length when doing FMQ.
June 5, 2018
I would love to practice creating my own designs rather copying other people’s designs.
June 5, 2018
I want to improve overall FMQ skills and really get down feathers.
June 5, 2018
I am just getting started with ruler work. This would be a fun way to practice.
June 5, 2018
I would be happy to learn! Living in a rural area, more than an hour away from shops, makes it hard on a quilter living in a small house, to start long-arm quilting. But I will, hopefully this year.
June 5, 2018
Would love to improve FMQ skills and work with rulers.
June 5, 2018
Would love to do a whole cloth quilt, just not sure where to start.
June 5, 2018
I really love Machine Quilting and I love finishing a quilt 🙂
June 5, 2018
I’m struggling in vision. Need a new look
June 5, 2018
I want to learn how to make better feathers.
June 5, 2018
I need to build my confidence with free motion designs on my domestic sewing machune. Borh the mechanics and creativity. Thanks for the chance!
June 5, 2018
I can’t free motion on my domestic machine, much less on my longarm. I wish I had more time to practice. I’m told I’m cheating using computer assistance:( I want to free motion:)
June 6, 2018
Most: uniform-looking feathers. Second most: better use of rulers
June 6, 2018
I want to learn how to free motion quilt on my sewing machine and how to use rulers more efficiently.
June 6, 2018
What a fantastic book! I would love to improve my free motion quilting skills, especially feathers and swirls.
June 6, 2018
I would love to learn more about free motion quilting on a longarm. My mom has a short arm, that’s what we call it, and it doesn’t have a stitch regulator. I’d like a stitchbregulator so I can get better at it.
June 6, 2018
I would love to learn how to break up large areas into smaller units that still look artistic, and to make those seemingly underlying patterns that add such depth to a quilt. This looks like such an excellent way to get started at that!
June 7, 2018
I would like to GET MORE DONE! Piecing time vs FMQ time is always a battle.
June 7, 2018
I want to find a comfortable and efficient way to move my quilt to get even stitches as I FMQ. Curvy shapes seem difficult for me so I need more practice. Thanks for wonderful book.
June 7, 2018
I need to learn some simple background designs. I haven’t yet gotten up the courage to put swirls on a real quilt, although some practice pieces don’t look too bad.
For the person above who wanted a way to suspend the quilt, check out the ones at patsythompsondesigns.com/online-store.htm. Reasonably priced, as quilting things go. Unfortunately, my table is too thick.
June 7, 2018
I”d love to get my stitches more even, especially as I’m going around the curves.
Thanks – can’t wait to see the book. Is it available for sale in a digital format? Sadly, shipping books to Australia is expensive.
June 7, 2018
Oh, that is a good question! It looks like an eBook is available on the C&T Publishing website.
http://www.ctpub.com/free-motion-framework/
June 7, 2018
Would love to improve Serpentines, Ribbon Candy,and feel more confident using rulers.
June 8, 2018
I would love my stitch length to be more even
June 8, 2018
I want to improve my ruler work and my feathers. Amazing work.
June 8, 2018
I have fallen in love with regular FMQ combined with rulerwork, but I still have loads to learn and master when it comes to using rulers.
June 8, 2018
I am just learning rulers, so loving to learn new patterns and ways to use various rulers. Also need to get better at serpentine and feathers. Love all the FMQ info
June 8, 2018
Great book and wonderful designs. I need to work on the design planning and pathing.
June 9, 2018
I am enjoying exploring rulers but really need to work on designing and quilting – doing more instead of less. This book looks like an excellent way to get started.
June 9, 2018
This looks like a fantastic book. I need more help on the design process.
June 9, 2018
I’m a beginner FMQ. I need much practice! Your work is very beautiful and you have mad skills!
Inspirational to someone at my skill level.
June 9, 2018
The quilting is the part that I least like because my skills are not good.
June 9, 2018
WOW! This book looks like a keeper by my sit down quilter!! Awesome!!
June 9, 2018
I would love to learn ruler work! And how to design your quilt for quilting.
June 10, 2018
I’m a newcomer to LA quilting (about a month now) so I need to improve everything!
June 10, 2018
I am a new quilter and would love to be able to do my own quilting instead of taking it to someone else. Currently I am trying to improve “randomness”.
June 12, 2018