Raw edge applique entirely on the longarm! This is so much fun to do.
It’s my new class, Creative Longarm Quilting! When Craftsy first contacted me back in October, they were interested in finding someone who used their longarm in new and different ways to make a class on … new and different ways to use a longarm. I had to laugh because, for a while, I had taken it as a personal challenge to deliberately break all the rules I could think of for longarm quilting and challenge myself to do things I hadn’t seen before. I wanted to see what I could create as an artist and quilter, and have a great time in the process. Multiple lines crossing? Check. Bunched and layered fabric? Check. Raw edges and not using my domestic machine for a single thing? Check.
I really love how this turned out. I think I need to make a series for the seasons.
My new class, “Creative Longarm Quilting” actually is inspired by the things I learned from this rule-breaking time. I think the projects are really fun to do, and also push us creatively to think outside of our usual quilted squares. There are quite a few projects, and the techniques can be used to make a variety of things from pillows to quilts, wall hangings, and more. If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to make giant freezer paper templates, then this is the class for you; but please, don’t ever feel like you have to do exactly what I do! I would love it more than anything if you watched it, took the information, and turned out something entirely your own! I also believe that these techniques are really workable on domestic machines, too, and I’ve since heard back from the Craftsy folk that that is the case! Sweet.
Makin’ some of mah pillows. And Peppered Cottons? Amazing stuff.
But one of the things that makes me happiest? I could wear my glasses this time around
Hipster librarian? Nerdy something? Unbreakable because, kids? You decide.
More pillows! Three different techniques, three different looks.
And now for the giveaway! You can enter to win a free class of Creative Longarm Quilting a total of three ways!
1) I’d love for you to leave a comment on this post telling me what you would like to tackle next in your creative life.
2) like me on Facebook, and leave a second comment on *this* post that you did so (or that you are already!)
3) Follow me on instagram, and leave me a third comment on *this* post that you did (or that you are already!) My handle is mandaleiquilts
GOOD LUCK!! Contest will be open through Sunday, January 26, 8 PM EST, and winner will be announced Monday!
Well, you know I’m learning to use my new long arm so that’s my creative goal. 🙂
I am so proud of your achievements. I would love to get more TIME for my creative stuff so much in my head and heart but got a day job that takes too much time away.
I follow you already on FB.
I would like to be more creative in my quilting. I’m becoming too safe, If I am comfortable with the motif, that’s what I quilt. Your class sounds like a perfect way to get my creative juices flowing again!
I just ‘liked’ you on facebook (and I don’t even like facebook!)
Following you on Instagram too!
Oh I thought maybe you were going to give away a longarm machine LOL! Oh well, one can dream right? Congrats on your classes with Craftsy! Miss seeing you!
Wow is all I can say! I would love to learn more creative techniques!
I’m really excited you did this class. I’ve been wanting to use my long arm for embroidery type sewing, but the fact that no one else was doing it made me think maybe it couldn’t be done. Thank you for getting long arms out of the quilting only rut!
I already follow you on Instagram.
And I now follow you on Facebook.
I would love to become an accomplished quilter and am starting my journey towards that.
I now follow you on FB too.
I want a more creative approach to quilting. Thanks for the new class at Craftsy. I have LIKED you on FB and Instagram.
Hi, Mandy. I am “creating” in my mind a quilt for my brother,and so many things that you talk about in your free class on Craftsy and helping to stimulate my thought processes on his quilt. I would love to win this class to further educate myself on some of the “out of the box” thoughts you have experimented with.
Hi Mandy, Congratulations!!!! I am creatively using my mind on how to quilt all my quilted tops (including the Intersections quilt)! 😉
You’re already my FB buddy!!! 😉
My next creative challenge is to actually use my longarm to quilt a quilt for myself. I’m embarrassed to say I’ve had my machine for 3 years, finally quilted 2 quilts for a gal (ok, more like glued them together with thread) but have yet to quilt for myself and really get started. Wish me luck!
I liked you on FB!~! Hope you like me baaaaaaaaaaaack lol
I have two series “in my head” and I’m looking forward to getting them created.
I liked you for a while and will definitely be purchasing your LA Quilting class. Thanks.
I too am a new longarmer so I am trying very hard to gain control so I can learn everything!
I’m working at quilting out of the box as I lean more towards traditional quilting. One of my goals this year is to spend more time just “doodling” at the longarm and getting comfortable with going with the flow.
Oh, yes, already friends through FB. I’m so happy for you with this venture!! HUGS
I liked you on Facebook.
I look forward to taking this class. Thank you for the first class you did on Craftsy
Following you on instagram too :)!
My next big adventure is paper piecing and would like to start collages….and this class looks like something I would deeply enjoy for my creative side! I liked you on facebook and here’s to a very successful class…good luck…and thanks for the giveaway
I liked you on facebook
I’m following you on facebook; will also follow you on instagram. I have your class on my wishlist and can’t wait to learn some of your techniques. Love those pillows. I’m also going to check out your other classes as I want to learn how to do all these amazing things with my longarm.
I really want to improve my quilting skills!
I have dabbled w appliqué on the long arm and would love to learn more interesting techniques!
I liked you on FB!
I now follow you on Instagram!
I loved your mini-class on long arm quilting and I would love to take your new class…so even if I don’t win the giveaway class I’m sure you’ll be seeing me eventually!
I really want to get the class Mandy, I will quilt MSU all over, 🙂
But never U of M
This technique looks like so much fun, and the possibilities are endless.
WoW!
I want to try an art quilt and some painted appliqué!
Only using my long arm for personal quilting, would love to stretch myself.
Joan
I already like you on fb
‘like’ you on facebook, love to win your class
SO who won?
soo wish I had a longarm, but then I’d need a bigger house 🙂
I have a long arm, I’ve had it for 3 years. I quilted my first quilt on it last year plus one more- not for me! I have yet to quilt for myself. I confess I’m scared! So, we live around a big 14foot quilting machine as it’s smack in the middle of our little house. I have liked and even opened my instagram account to follow you :)!
You can do it, Tina! It’s OK to be scared, but it’s not a good thing if it is enough keep you from practicing. Maybe load something up and just say to yourself “I’m ok with whatever happens for the first 15 minutes,” and then after that have some ideas about what you want to practice. 10 minutes of swirls? 5 minutes of squares? Make yourself a playlist and just go for it. You got this! Your machine *wants* to be used as more than an expensive coat rack, promise 😀
I have to tell you, since I wrote that I’ve been in the sewing “studio” (glorified name for a dining room taken over by the machine lol) and I’ve been cleaning the top of the table off. I have a quilt that I sewed up back in 2005 (sad…I know) waiting to be loaded. Sigh…I’m getting closer. It will be a good practice piece. Lately I’ve been drawing and drawing to gain confidence and muscle memory so I can transfer what I learn over on fabric. Since you gave me the vote of confidence, I will get that quilt table cleaned off TODAY (fingers crossed!)
How’d the cleaning go, Tina? Did you get to your machine? Do tell!
I did get the table cleaned off and my leaders are awaiting pins (wish I had a stapler!). I got the quilt top out and realized it was square and should be rectangle, so I unripped and restitched it. Next I realized that it was too skinny so decided to add borders…now it’s ironed and ready for the machine, but there is only 1 inch of backing on each side of the sides of the quilt. I think I might just slap it on the machine and do it anyway….hope I won’t be sorry for that!
Good for you!! And I think you will want that extra on the sides, so you have room to do things like test your bobbins and so that your side clamps don’t knock into the machine head. A good trick is to sew muslin strips (or scrap strips) to the sides to add the extra inches If you’re very very very careful, you could even just pin them on, but I’d be nervous that I’d accidentally run over the pins if I wasn’t paying attention. Unless you’re doing very dense quilting, you won’t suck up all that fabric anyway.
Oh I like that idea! I got frustrated with trying to load the quilt. My machine is around 22 years old, I bought it used. All I have to go from as a reference to load a quilt is a vhs tape that came with the machine but it is totally confusing. They talk about bar one, two three, and front and back of the machine, but the video shows from both sides of the machine not really explaining how to do it. I finally figured it out after a nap and some Excedrin for a headache! One thing I know already is that I don’t like my batting hanging out on the floor while I stitch in front of the machine. I’m sure I could do panto’s but to me, they limit me, plus I’ve never been shown how to really use one. I’m learning as I go. The rails to my machine are old too and have some rough spots which really stump my stitches making for unfluid lines. Hubs said he would buff them for me tomorrow, I’m hoping that’s the trick to smoothing out my pattern. Another thing I’ve noticed is that when you start a quilt, how do you keep from going off the sides? I’m trying to sew a vertical line and it looks funny. This quilt will be for me so I’m trying to forgive myself for it looking tacky. I just wanted to start on something. I keep hoping I will get better…you know, maybe on the last pass of the quilt . For now, I’ll end the day as I’m tired of fighting broken bobbin thread every three feet and tomorrow is a new day. Wish me luck!