FMQ Challenge for June

This months FMQ Challenge lesson was given by Cindy Needham and she urged us to quilt out of our comfort zone.  When I first read her lesson I thought this wasn't going to go well for me.  But it just goes back to practice, practice, practice.

As I pondered on this lesson, I decided it would be something I could use on one of my WIPs.   County fair season is fast approaching and I need to get this year's entry finished.  I focused on using June's lesson for the borders on my crazy quilt.

First I doodled.

 Then I practiced on a sample of the border fabric I wanted to use and various threads.

 I then did the FMQ sample quilt block.  This is a flannel quilt which will eventually be finished up for a baby.

 I eventually settled on this design for the top border on my crazy quilt.

 I used the practice pieces as hanging loops.  The spine of the feather design is embellished with red hot-fix crystals.  

And, here's another closeup of the motif on each end.

 I know the light is reflecting but I couldn't fix that for some reason.  I'm unable to show the entire crazy quilt because it is going to be a fair entry and I hesitate to go public with it at this time.  After fair time, I'll share the entire piece.

Thank you Cindy Needham and Sew Cal Gal for this wonderful FMQ lesson.  I'm finally approaching free motion quilting without any fear.