Hi I'm Adrian. I am so happy to be part of the 2015 New Quilt Bloggers Blog Hop! The hosts of this years Blog Hop are Yvonne at Quilting Jetgirl, Cheryl at Meadow Mist Designs, Terri at Childlike Fascination, and my Hive Leader Stephanie at Late Night Quilter. They have shared some amazing tips so far to get this blog hop started.
A little about me! I have been sewing on a sewing machine since I was 16 years, hand sewing embroidery, cross stitch and such since I was about 8. My aunts always had a hoop or crochet hooks and were always keeping their hands busy.
I tried my first quilting attempt when I was 18 and it did not go well. I chose a Kentucky Chain Pattern and was planning on giving it to my grandparents who are from Kentucky. My cutting wasn't accurate and I didn't have a 1/4 inch foot. I gave up after trying to make those triangles lay flat and have points. I put the fabric back in the bag and tossed it in my closet. When I moved to Canada in 2007 I left it behind at my mom's house and never saw it again. It was for the best. There was no way that quilt was ever going to turn out right!
When I married my first husband in 2005,who has since passed away, it was great because his mom was a quilter too. I was so happy to have some common ground with her in sewing, but I didn't really have the drive to be a quilter after my first failed attempt. I have always had the feeling that if I wasn't instantly good at something it wasn't worth continuing, I am glad I was proved wrong with quilting. After my MIL opened her shop in 2006 we became a Bernina Dealer. One of our first events with Bernina was a 440QE event and one of our customers didn't make it in. A machine was available to try the BSR and after just a few short hours I was hooked. The piecing love came later, but Free Motion Quilting was my first real quilting love.
Over the last few years I have started doing custom quilting for the customers at my mom's quilt shop and have done a few original patterns. Some of the greatest inspirations in the FMQ and Longarm Quilting world for me are Leah Day, Judi Madsen, Angela Walters and so so many other talented quilters. I have a one and done policy for myself because there are so many different ways to make a quilt and I want to try them all. I hate having to remake the same quilt over and over. For me creating the quilt, selecting fabric, construction and quilting and finishing are a unique experience and I love the novelty of that.
I just started this blog over a month ago at the urging of my friend Jean. I was hesitant at first because I didn't think my quilting credentials we solid enough, but when we attended the local traditional quilt guilds show and about half the quilts in it were quilted by me I figured I could do. I hope to share my continuing journey through quilting, running my local MQG and sharing it all with my husband, Chaz (we have been married one year yesterday!) and our son!
Speed Round Like and Loves
Name: Adrian, my mom named me after the Rocky Movies!
Sign: Cancer, climb on board the emotional roller coaster!
Author: Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, Piers Anthony, Stephanie Laurens, Jim Butcher, Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson
Musician: David Bowie
Comic Book Character: DC Harley Quin
Movie: Serenity, Much Ado About Nothing (Kenneth Branagh and Joss Whedon), Twister
TV Shows: Stargate SG-1, Anything Joss Whedon and Company, Once Upon a Time, Peg + Cat
Dream Vacation Spot: Any where near the Water, ocean, lake, river, pond doesn't matter so long as I
can dip my toes in the water and see the sun rise or set on it!
Favorite Quilt Pattern: Sister Stars designed by my MIL Joy!
My Tips for Now
Blogging: Give it a try. We all have a unique voice and style. Someone somewhere will listen to yours!
Quilting: It takes at least 60 hours to get comfortable FMQ on a home machine, don't get discouraged before that! DOODLE DOODLE DOODLE! I always draw out a new design before quilting it!
Sewing: Get the right foot for the right job!
Life: Life is too short for small talk, get to the point with the people who matter!
Questions to get the conversation started:
What was your first quilt attempted? Did it turn out the way you thought and would you go back and make that quilt again?
I am so happy to have been included in this Blog Hop. Hope to see you back here soon. Don't forget to check out the other members of my hive posting today!
Erin @ Twin Mom Quilts
Anja @ Anja Quilts
Carrie B @ Chopping Block Quilts
A little about me! I have been sewing on a sewing machine since I was 16 years, hand sewing embroidery, cross stitch and such since I was about 8. My aunts always had a hoop or crochet hooks and were always keeping their hands busy.
I tried my first quilting attempt when I was 18 and it did not go well. I chose a Kentucky Chain Pattern and was planning on giving it to my grandparents who are from Kentucky. My cutting wasn't accurate and I didn't have a 1/4 inch foot. I gave up after trying to make those triangles lay flat and have points. I put the fabric back in the bag and tossed it in my closet. When I moved to Canada in 2007 I left it behind at my mom's house and never saw it again. It was for the best. There was no way that quilt was ever going to turn out right!
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| This is the first quilt I ever finished! It is an original design mixing fosil fern and batiks! Sunset. |
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| The second quilt! Ocean Current! It's still not finished. The binding is only half done! 6 years in the making. We still use it every day! Maybe one day I will finish it. |
Over the last few years I have started doing custom quilting for the customers at my mom's quilt shop and have done a few original patterns. Some of the greatest inspirations in the FMQ and Longarm Quilting world for me are Leah Day, Judi Madsen, Angela Walters and so so many other talented quilters. I have a one and done policy for myself because there are so many different ways to make a quilt and I want to try them all. I hate having to remake the same quilt over and over. For me creating the quilt, selecting fabric, construction and quilting and finishing are a unique experience and I love the novelty of that.
 |
| Fishes! I loved making the 3D tails on these little Fish. I used an ombre strip blue fabric for the background paying close attention to which fish had which background blue. It took some organization. |
Speed Round Like and Loves
Name: Adrian, my mom named me after the Rocky Movies!
Sign: Cancer, climb on board the emotional roller coaster!
Author: Terry Pratchett, Neil Gaiman, Piers Anthony, Stephanie Laurens, Jim Butcher, Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson
Musician: David Bowie
Comic Book Character: DC Harley Quin
Movie: Serenity, Much Ado About Nothing (Kenneth Branagh and Joss Whedon), Twister
TV Shows: Stargate SG-1, Anything Joss Whedon and Company, Once Upon a Time, Peg + Cat
Dream Vacation Spot: Any where near the Water, ocean, lake, river, pond doesn't matter so long as I
can dip my toes in the water and see the sun rise or set on it!
Favorite Quilt Pattern: Sister Stars designed by my MIL Joy!
 |
| This is my favorite customer quilt I have ever done! Moon over Mountain. I rotated 21 different quilting designs in each row in a Suduko style. No design was repeated in each row and column. |
Blogging: Give it a try. We all have a unique voice and style. Someone somewhere will listen to yours!
Quilting: It takes at least 60 hours to get comfortable FMQ on a home machine, don't get discouraged before that! DOODLE DOODLE DOODLE! I always draw out a new design before quilting it!
Sewing: Get the right foot for the right job!
Life: Life is too short for small talk, get to the point with the people who matter!
Questions to get the conversation started:
What was your first quilt attempted? Did it turn out the way you thought and would you go back and make that quilt again?
I am so happy to have been included in this Blog Hop. Hope to see you back here soon. Don't forget to check out the other members of my hive posting today!
Erin @ Twin Mom Quilts
Anja @ Anja Quilts
Carrie B @ Chopping Block Quilts
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| I started this quilt in 2008 and was going to be a gift for my sister, it hasn't made it there yet! I knew how I wanted to quilt it but I didn't feel my quilting at that point was going to be good enough so it is now in my work in progress pile again! Maybe one day she will get it! |
How fun to do a Sudoku style quilting job! I've thought about piecing a top that way but never even considered the quilting aspect of it!
ReplyDeleteAs for your sisters quilt, I think what you have done so far is beautiful and she will love it when she (eventually) gets it.
Also, thanks for the 60 hour time investment tip on getting comfortable with FMQ. I tried a few months ago and was a bit discouraged. I have since started doodling (which is also a bit discouraging as I am not a doodler) to "practice" without worrying about messing up on a project.
Great to be part of your blog hop!
Thank you! One day I will get that quilt done!
DeleteWow, what gorgeous quilting! I think your sister will love your quilt!
ReplyDeleteI love your authors and TV shows! Excellent choices!
Love your recommendation about the different feet. It's so much fun to do something new due to new feet.
New Feet are always fun! Make sure you have lots of projects to use those feet for they can be so expensive!
DeleteI love your sisters quilt, it is gorgeous! I have been bitten by the FMQing bug myself and love it. I still have along way to go. My first quilt looks pretty bad it's falling apart.
ReplyDeleteThank you! FMQ is my favorite part of quilting! Add some decorative stitches to hold it together! Applique things over the splitting parts!
DeleteI love your fish quilt. The colours are stunning.
ReplyDeleteYour quilting is beautiful! Doodling is great advice and advice that I fought for a long time. I was guilty of the but I can't draw mentality. Hope to see your sister's quilt finished, what you have done looks great so far.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your year anniversary. :) I almost always start my quilting by practicing the pattern I want to quilt with a pencil and paper; it has helped me develop nice consistency in my work, I think. My first quilting attempt... hmmm, the first actual quilting I did was hand tying, followed by stitch in the ditch. I had some rather sad stitch in the ditch attempts where the fabric pulled and puckered, but then I discovered the walking foot! The rest has been a slow evolution, but I embrace my work and "mistakes" more now that I have fallen in love with free motion quilting. Lovely to get to know you better!
ReplyDeleteHello, nice to meet you! I'm quite new to quilting and am just getting started with FMQ. I really enjoy it thought I'm rubbish at it! I've been making trivets for the kitchen and quilting them to get a little practice, I need to think of more quilted items I can quilt for practice! I like what you said about it taking 60 hours to get comfortable with FMQ, I've got a long way to go so I take comfort in that.
ReplyDeleteHi Wendy. Thanks for stopping in on my blog.
DeleteWhen I started FMQ I was so tense. My knuckles were white and my shoulders touched my ears. When I teach the FMQ class at my mom's shop I tell people be like the Karate Kid. Wax on Wax off. Move smoothly and together. I think 60 hours to get comfortable moving the quilting in a different way is a good estimate, its important to remember its only thread and reverse sewing never hurt anyone!
Adrian
I agree...we all have a unique voice! Much to offer.
ReplyDeleteDeb
Hi Adrian, I'm already following you on Bloglovin'. Nice intro and I love your fish quilt! I really haven't done much FMQ. I've only done straight-line quilting on my projects. I'm hoping to start trying doodling soon.
ReplyDeleteWe have a lot of authors and TV programs in common - big Buffy and Serenity fan! My first quilt was just a bunch of charm squares sewn together - wouldn't make it again but I do look at it everyday and I still love the fabric!
ReplyDeleteUm holy crap, your quilting is for sure good enough?! Get that quilt done (you KNOW what Angela says; I have her bracelet to prove it: "Finished is better than perfect") Adrian, even though we haven't (yet) physically met, I just "click" with you on many levels...TERRY PRATCHETT (Sir) he is an amazing talented genius of an author. The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents is my all-time fave. Oh I love that Moon over Mountain quilt - your FMQ ROCKS. Okay we have to talk...and meet...I need to find the guild... Bernina, my love. Once... um the fish (you'll die; I know I am) SO glad you jumped into the blog waters, and that you joined the hop and that we're in the same hive! Hive sistas!
ReplyDeleteI think you must be my twin by another mother, with your speed round answers!!
ReplyDeleteYour FMQ is amazing! I am hoping to learn this year, even if it kills me ;) I, too, am a Once and Done gal! XX! Lori
Adrian, I love that Moon over Mountain and the quilting is fantastic! My first quilt attempt was just a square quilt (like charm square, but I did the cutting). I knew nothing about quilting and I actually just recently considered it a quilt, I called it blanket prior to that. I'll make sure to post a picture on my turn of the hop. :)
ReplyDeleteHi Silvia! Can't wait to see it on your blog hop week!
DeleteI just love the look of your blog. The blog seems to float over the beautiful background. I think it's just beautiful. Are you planing to show us some of your technique? Your quilts and your quilting are amazing too.
ReplyDeleteWe have similiar taste because I made a quilt like your Ocean Currents.
ReplyDeleteI am so like you on the giving up easily front. I feel as though quilting must have chosen me. My first quilt top was a great chronicle of various minor disasters, but I love how it turned out. It was a really simple pattern, that I just kept adding blocks to until I ran out of fabric. I've wanted to pack the machine quilting in so many times over the last few months, but how I would I ever pay back the loan for the machine? Fortunately, I started it up today, and have been really pleased with the results so far.
ReplyDeleteI need to get in to that one and done mindset. The problem is, I make quilts as gifts, and I love the patterns so much that I just want to make one for myself too. Or, I'm making gifts for a lot of people at once, and feel like they should all get the same thing so that no one feels left out.
Congrats on starting your blog Adrian! I would bet that most of us didn't think we had much to offer either. But we all have a place! So funny about your first quilt and how it ended up ...no where! I've had that with my second quilt. My first was and is hideous! They were just squares, but nothing matched very well. Regardless, I still have it and used it even! I look at it and see just how far my quilting adventure has gone!
ReplyDeleteYour quilts are fabulous, those fisheys....adorable!
Nice to meet you Adrian. Youŕ quilting is wonderful! I'm very impatient and want to be able to do fmq right away but realise it takes practise! I made my first quilt last year and luckily I had great help because it turned out ok. However, my first binding attempt was pretty poor (round corners) and I often think about ripping it off and re doing it!
ReplyDeleteIt was great to learn more about you. I'm a Cancer as well. My first quilt was a flannel rail fence. I'll never use flannel again -- doesn't stand up to lots of washing. I don't feel so bad now knowing that it takes 60 hours to get FMQ...I'm working on it. Guess I need more practice.
ReplyDeleteYour FMQ is lovely! I think you have "credentials" ! I like those dimensional fish tails. I'll have to remember those. My first quilt was wedding gift for my brother. It was gifted a year and a half late, but it set me firmly on the quilting path. If I could go back in time though, I'd double check my block placement, because they didn't end up in the order I had intended and that still bugs me!
ReplyDeleteI love your free motion quilting and I know what you mean about wanting to instantly good at something. I'm wishing I started fmq right when I started piecing because now my piecing skills are better than my quilting skills.
ReplyDeleteLove the fish!!!
ReplyDeleteI love your quilting and color choices! My first quilt used an Aneela Hoey jelly roll. I didn't follow a pattern, I just sewed and cut! I was doing improv before i knew what improv was! haha! It's long and skinny, but I love it!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilting! We look up to the same quilters. I love those fish with the 3D tails.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I see you're a fantasy novel fan. Have you read anything by Patrick Rothfuss? He's excellent.
Your quilting is beautiful! You are so right about doodling before you FMQ; it helps so much. Great post!
ReplyDelete