Thursday, September 13, 2012

FMQ Sketchbook

Have you ever read the blog "May Your Bobbin Always Be Full"??  I came across it via Pinterest, specifically her free motion quilting sketchbook. (p.s. Chelsea, if you click the link, beware, there is an icky spider picture just a little ways down ;)  If you are a machine quilter looking for inspiration, DO check it out.  Being newly inspired myself, I decided that I needed a sketchbook too.  A plain one is fine, but one with a patchwork cover is even better.  :)

stitch & flip journal cover

I had pinned several different tutorials, and ended up going with this one at FairyFace Designs.  Being a part of Sarah's beginner sewing series, the tutorial was simple and easy to follow.  The one change I made was adding a very light interfacing to the cover (not the lining) and to the interior pockets.  It adds just a tiny bit more structure and keeps the patchwork in check at the same time.

stitch & flip journal cover

For the patchwork, I used the stitch & flip method described in 'Quilting Modern'.  I love the book, but as I've said before, improv piecing does not come naturally to me.  So I pretty much copied one of the examples on page 103 for this layout.  Baby steps, right?


I added just a little fancy stitching to the edges of the inside pockets, which worked out really well.  And since this is my FMQ sketchbook, you get to see a few of my preliminary, first try, FMQ sketches.  NO idea how I would ever actually sew these, except for the loops and maybe the stipple.



Overall, the project was a success.  The fit is pretty good when the notebook is closed, and a little weird when the notebook is open, but I have a feeling that this would be the case no matter which tutorial was used.  

Have a great day everyone.

Fresh Poppy Design

24 comments:

Erin @ Billy Button Design said...

oh I do love it....I was going to make some more of these from Sarahs tutoral series too. Love the quilting patterns

Kristan said...

How pretty!

Svetlana said...

oh, I love this, what a fantastic idea, Heather.

Susan said...

I love to cover notebooks! Yours is lovely!

Jenelle said...

It's a sketchbook cover! I was really intrigued when I saw your photo from the last post. It's so fun and quirky. I love it! I think I might have to play some with the stitch and flip technique.

Debbie said...

Really really nice!! Fantastic baby step!

Katie B said...

I love your design, and I definitely need a sketchbook!

Patti said...

Fantastic! Maybe I'd be more motivated if my sketchbook looked more like this instead of the cheapo lined scribbler!

Suz J said...

I'd say the weird factor is because the notebook has a spiral sort of binding, which means the covers have a certain amount of wiggle room. Something you can live with - and it looks beautiful... and give some of those patterns a try - they look like winners.

Chelsea said...

Thanks for the warning! I almost posted a shot of my ginormous chiclet light spider but I figured it would scare people. I'll have to work my courage up so I can take a look.

Love the sketchbook and your fmq ideas are gorgeous. You should come over some time and try them on the beast!

Heather said...

Very cool! I love the idea of the sketchbook, and your cover is just beautiful -- not to mention, your sketches look terrific. ;o) Great job!

Rebecca Grace said...

Your cover is beautiful, but I'm really jealous of your SKETCHES!! Your first try, REALL?!! I've been trying to doodle stippling for months and I just can't get my brain and my drawing hand in coordination with each other. And naturally, what I can't draw, I can't quilt... :-)

Colby said...

Such a cool idea! I have seen so many pretty journal covers but I'm like, "I never would use a journal." But that's a great idea to use it for FMQ practice! Love the design as well!

Teje Karjalainen said...

So beautiful, Heather! Those little triangles are so cute and grey squares really great! x Teje

Dayna said...

I really love this! You did a marvelous job!

Wendy said...

Oh this is so pretty, just like a line of bunting!

In Stitches said...

I love the piecing on this project. Very cool!

Kelli said...

I love this--both the cover piecing and the idea of an FMQ journal for ideas. :)

Kris from Duke Says Sew What said...

A beautiful cover!

Jo said...

It's beautiful Heather!

Alex said...

beautiful! good luck with the FMQ ;)

Sue Daurio said...

That's wonderful, what a great idea. I would want to doodle in that all the time with such a pretty cover!

Lindsay Conner said...

Very cute patchwork! So many people love that book--I need to get my hands on it! Thanks for linking up, and just be sure to add a link back to Craft Book Month for your chance to win--love your project!

Kathleen said...

Love the patchwork cover, What size are the blocks if it's a 13" by 9.25"?
Were the 2" squares or 3"?