{"id":3564,"date":"2019-05-09T13:48:26","date_gmt":"2019-05-09T13:48:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.cancerhopenetwork.org\/?p=3564"},"modified":"2023-11-13T10:50:12","modified_gmt":"2023-11-13T15:50:12","slug":"scripting-hope","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cancerhopenetwork.org\/blog\/scripting-hope\/","title":{"rendered":"Scripting hope","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Greetings all!  It\u2019s been a while since we got crazy, crafty, and creative.  And since we last spent time together, something amazing happened\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I learned to use the quilting foot on my sewing machine!!! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Given that this involved the use of a screwdriver and some light re-assembly, you can appreciate why this became such a \u201cthing.\u201d  However, in the end, none of my fears about breaking the machine or failing miserably at the whole process were justified, and it has opened creative doors I never imagined.  Using the quilting foot and my own creative designs, I have since completed entire quilts, purses, and\u2026 name tags in my personal handwriting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Which is what we are going to learn here \u2013 how to \u201cfree motion quilt\u201d your very own messages!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Part One:  Choose Your Words Wisely<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this project, we\u2019re going simple with the best word possible:  HOPE.  But the options are endless. You can write your name, your favorite saying, anything at all. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m also going to do this in lowercase letters because it is a much less intimidating way to learn.  For any cyclists out there, I\u2019m also going to use some training wheels \u2013 because I\u2019m a beginner at all this too, and free motion quilting is something that takes years to master.  So\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At your local fabric\/craft store or on Amazon, you can purchase Quilting Paper<\/strong>.  It has the same consistency as tracing paper and it\u2019s useful in the early stages when you need a little extra guidance keeping your designs consistent.  You can also (obviously) write on it, your needle will sew through it, and it is easily removable from your fabric when you are finished. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I cut (with my Scissors<\/strong>) a piece of quilting paper the same size as my Fabric<\/strong>, and wrote with Pencil<\/strong> (in lowercase letters) the word \u201chope.\u201d This was after a measurement with my Ruler<\/strong> where I wanted the letters to stop and start, as well as their general size.  I also included a little ribbon on the top, because there is one fun skill I want to show you later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here it is (if you saw my handwriting, you\u2019d know this is pretty darn close).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Before jumping over to the sewing machine, I clipped (using Quilting Clips<\/strong> \u2013 so much easier\/less painful than pins) my quilting paper to my fabric.  Like so\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Part Two:  Prepare to Quilt<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For anyone who has never free motion quilted before, here is some background info.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. When sewing with your regular (or zipper, etc.) foot, the \u201cfeed dogs\u201d on your machine \u2013 the jagged little teeth sticking up out of the underbelly of the surface \u2013 are in the UP position. This creates a downwards pulling force that holds your fabric in place while you sew.  When sewing with a quilting foot, you want your feed dogs into the DOWN position \u2013 in other words, you need to send them back into the underbelly.  ***You\u2019ll find a switch on your machine that makes this up\/down adjustment.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n