Wish me luck. On Thursday I am actually going to be taught to FMQ properly rather than making the sorry little scribbles I've managed so far in a real workshop in a real quilt store. I'm so excited, I've packed already. We have to take sandwiches to eat and sandwiches to quilt - it's quite complicated. So I've bought my sandwiches to eat as my cookery skills don't even extend to sandwiches and I've made my sandwich to quilt and drawn on all the lines the leaflet told me to draw on and bought brightly coloured thread for prettiness. The leaflet also told me to clean my machine which I did and there were whole flocks of sheep lurking in there. Oops.
I've never been on a quilting workshop before so I'm a bit nervous. Will the other ladies be nice to me? Will I be the class dunce? Will they laugh at the pink gardening gloves I use for quilting? When we have to go in pairs, will anyone want to pair with me? Do I need to have a quilted waistcoat and bag to fit in? So many things to worry about. I'm doing the course at my favourite bricks and mortar quilt shop, Quiltessential in Cromford Mill near me in Derbyshire. Ann is probably the nicest LQS owner in the country so she'll look after me. Sheena Norquay is teaching. Anyone had a lesson with her before? Does she tell you off if you're rubbish or if you talk too much? I'll let you know how I got on and show you the FMQ-ing I do, however bad it is. I promise.
Don't worry! Quilting workshops are great fun and quilter are almost always so nice. Have a wonderful time.
ReplyDeleteYou are going to have a ball, Lynne! Enjoy it and have fun. It's only a fabric sandwich after all.
ReplyDeleteBest get on quilting yourself an outfit first ;-)
ReplyDeleteYou'll do great Lynne I'm sure you'll have those ladies laughing in the first five minutes. If my LQS had nice staff I might consider a class like this myself. I need help!
Good luck and enjoy! I've never taken a quilting class so I can't offer any advice .. let us know how it goes!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you will have a great time!
ReplyDeleteGood luck! I've only done straight line quilting so far because I've been terrified of free motion but I'm about to start FMQ-ing y first quilt {bites nails anxiously}.
ReplyDeleteI've only been to one workshop at a quilt show but my mum has been to quite a few and has always said that the teachers are patient. I don't think scary shouty people tend to go into quilting so I'm sure you'll have a fantastic time. Looking forward to some tips!
I have a feeling you are going to be just fine. Quilters *as you know* are the nicest people in the world!
ReplyDeleteNedra
http://cactus-needle.blogspot.com/
WISHING YOU FM SKILLS!
ReplyDeleteI have so many answers to those questions, but I daren't answer!!
ReplyDeleteGosh, we are so much alike. For the same reasons I don't go to classes and workshops, I'm afraid people will think I am not worthy to be there. But you, my dear, are worthy and will do so well. Then you can teach me all the tricks you learned, virtually! Have fun and please don't wear a quilted waistcoat!
ReplyDeleteAnxious to see how it goes. It will be lots of fun & you'll learn alot, but don't expect to be an expert after one class. (at least I wasn't....still practicing my stippling!)
ReplyDeleteHave fun!!
I think you'll have a ton of fun, and I'm quite sure that not only will you learn something, but I'm sure the other quilters will learn a little something from you as well. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteI’m sure you will love every minute of the class! I loved all the classes and workshops, it’s so much fun and you learn a lot of tips and tricks from others. They won’t laugh at your pink garden gloves... we learned to use sand sponges!
ReplyDeleteGreat news Lynne! Sounds like you're gonna have a great time :-) Love to see you in a patchwork waistcoat ;-)
ReplyDeleteSheena Norquay is a name I know? She knew my mother up in Inverness - Elizabeth Stephen, who was a great fan of hers and always said when I visited that I must see her quilts but we never got around to it. According to my mother she is a lovely and very talented lady!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you'll have a great time! I felt the same way when I joined my guild. People with common interests usually mesh well together. You'll walk away with new friends. :)
ReplyDeleteYou could never be the class dunce, silly! Plus quilters, at least all the ones I've met, are nice. Even the ones who in real life are know-it-all fancy pants! See, it's the peer pressure from the rest of the quilting world that keeps them in line. Can't wait to find out how things go for you. I've wanted to do something like this for a while, but . . . (my machine is only a Singer and that's where the snobbiness in quilters comes out.).
ReplyDeleteI went to an FMQ class and I WAS the class dunce. The only thing I managed not to cock up were little teeny weeny stars that even a three year old could have done. I also met nice people, sat across from a brilliant woman with a sense of humour and we sniggered away happily. I was so bad that when I was loaned a Bernina to use instead of my bog standard cheapo machine I had to get help threading it. You will be way better than that and can go in rest assured that there are people like me out there that make everyone else shine. Besides which - I think you will ace it.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely time but please don't succumb to a quilted waistcoat ;o)
ReplyDeletesounds like a fun day. Don't forget to show us your finished article!
ReplyDeleteNo need to worry, you will have so much fun and learn a ton! I took a 2-day FMQ class 2 years ago and it made a huge improvement in my FMQ-ing. You will end up meeting some fun new freinds as well. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteSurely, you're pulling our legs. I'm jealous and excited for you. Have fun!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure some'll say: Oh you are Lily/Lynne of LilysQuitls!
ReplyDeleteAnd some people never go on the internet.
Have fun
I'm very jealous - my forays into fmq have been akin to a drunken spider on speed so I'm sure I'll be impressed with your work however bad you think it is (which I highly doubt will be the case). Have fun xx
ReplyDeleteGood luck and enjoy! (laughing out loud at the quilted waistcoat and bag...!)
ReplyDeleteOh poo to those who don't like quilted waistcoats. Make something really jazzy and start a new trend - why not? Do you want the big bag to hide in or just a big bag to take all your stuff in? If you are going to do a class then you have picked a great name to be doing it with. I shall look forward to seeing the results.
ReplyDeleteLol...you crack me up!! You'll have a great time. I have only gone to a couple of classes. they were serger classes....I felt the same going in; but everyone is very nice; and if anyone laughs; it is with you; not at you....I would love to take a FMQ class; must check into it....who knows,eh??? Anxious to see what you have done....one of my friends on my blog took one; in case you want to have a look at her project. Her name is Sheila...from Nova Scotia..blog is believe is Sheilas Quilt World; not sure about that though...how stupid is that now???? lol. the project is on her header; a picture of long stem lilies.....beautiful
ReplyDeleteYou will probably have a blast and wonder why you were so afraid of FMQ before
ReplyDeleteI'm no expert but I decide that I just had to take the plunge and try it - and that's still what I'm doing - for good or bad
I've only been to one class before but it was good! I felt like you do before I went but you'll be fine! :)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy, look forward to seeing what you make!
wow Lynne! Does that brain of yours always go 100 miles per hour? You are such a crack up! You're going to do awesome in the class, I'm sure of it!
ReplyDeleteYou'll have a blast! Learn loads, and be free to do it your way, but better! And Sheena is a delight! :) (No waistcoats required, sense of humour mandatory!)
ReplyDeleteYou will do great! You'll be teaching it next!
ReplyDeleteHave fun! I bet you'll be doing taking names to run your own class by the end of the session!
ReplyDeleteOh, so great :) I can keep my fingers crossed for you, if you want, but I'm sure it'll be fun. I envy you of course and can't wait to read your impressions.
ReplyDeleteGood luck! Although you don't need it. You'll be quilting like a pro with a little guidance and practice. Just be patient with yourself!
ReplyDeleteYou will be fine. Everyone will be friendly, I guarantee it! I actually took THREE machine quilting classes, from two different instructors, before I felt confident enough to attempt the projects I saw in my head. The key is practice, practice, practice, so the sooner you try a new tecnique, the better!
ReplyDeleteGood Luck ? Of course I wish it for you, but I don't think you need more than your own abilities ! You'll do well I'm sure !
ReplyDeleteOooo, how brave of you! I have yet to meet a real-life quilter and I have been doing this a couple of years now! I never knew about the quilt shop in the mill.... and I used to drive past it every day on my way to work in Matlock! Have fun!
ReplyDeleteHow fab, I so want to do the same thing, so I can't wait to hear how it all was ...
ReplyDeletebut you can forget all that yada yada above ... we all know you're gonna be on detention within about 5 mins for flange talk ....
Dont you dare wear one of those godawful waistcoats! Full report expected Friday please!!
ReplyDeleteYou will certainly learn from them about FMQ but they are going to learn a whole lot from you about showing up, taking risks, being courageous with fabric and thread and having a sense of humor about it all.
ReplyDeleteCan you ask her why my FMQ, which while not wonderful is acceptable from the front, looks sooo bad on the back? And ask her do you really need to use that really thick expensive cotton, and ask her.. hmm maybe I should just buy a book.. ok ask her what book I should buy? Ta
ReplyDeleteOooh, sounds fun! Good luck! I took a longarm quilting class so I could rent time on the machine at one of my LQS but I'm still nervous to do it!
ReplyDeleteI wish was going too! Have fun and try not to get into too much trouble.
ReplyDeleteWear large sunglasses so the paparazzi won't recognize you as a famous blogger undercover as a workshop participant. However, if you pull out the aluminium foil spectacles, the gig is up.
ReplyDeleteOh I hope you have a blast. I've never taken a quilting class myself and find myself a bit intimidated by the whole quilt shop scene. Maybe I wouldn't be if it were an ultra cool hip store, but I've never had the luck to be near a shop like that.
ReplyDeleteI have no doubts that you will win everyone over within minutes of starting the class. People are drawn to you Lynne!
Oh, you're totally going to kick ass in your class. I took a FMQ class years ago and it was fun. Of course I still do the same boring stuff, but you've inspired me to make some little quilty sandwiches and give a go at more interesting designs. You know, during my loads of free time.
ReplyDeleteOh good luck! I hope you come back and show us all the lovelies you've quilted up! I felt so apprehensive like that when I went on a quilting retreat (would they like me? would anyone talk to me? will my stuff be up to par?) But it turned out to be the loveliest weekend. Hope your class turns out that way too! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm jealous, I always wanted to find a class for FMQing, but nothing turned up when I needed it, so I've just bumbled my way along with books and stuff. Have a good day.
ReplyDeleteYou are going to learn fmq from, in my opinion, the best there is. Sheena Norquay's work is staggeringly beautiful - you will love your day. She ia also a very nice person.
ReplyDeleteYou're so funny. As I was reading this I thought, "Breathe in. Breathe out." Relax, you'll be fine.
ReplyDeleteAnd what Marjorie said!
LOL!
Lynne (Millie is the cat... well, you know that!)
Good luck :o)
ReplyDeleteRemember, it's not about the gear, it's the quilter that makes it happen. Lots of practice - and doodling on paper with a pencil - and you will get the hang of it. Enjoy, relax, keep your shoulders low.
Such a shame I can't come with you to make you look good. As you know, FMQ is not my main talent.
ReplyDeleteYou are so funny! I just signed up for my first class ever and am so excited! It's not for a few more weeks, but I'm already packing. I hope you have a great time tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteVery clever and quite entertaining, Lynn. Have a fun time!
ReplyDeleteoh i would be your pair if i were there!
ReplyDeleteJust keep your ham sandwich out of your sewing machine and you'll be fine!
ReplyDeletei think you're safe ...
ReplyDelete