I also managed to finish the bicycle that I had started earlier. It started out o.k. but the results ended horribly. It actually looks better in the picture than in real life. I wanted to use a thicker black thread to do the "sketchy" outlining on the bike, but could not get it to work. So I used a thinner thread and went over twice. I learned that it is very hard to do long lines of free motion quilting on a conventional machine (I guess that is why people get long-arm machines). The quilting looks sloppy and I am not very pleased with it. I don't think this is the best way for me to work.
5 comments:
I've been amazed at how quickly you're turning out new work AND getting them posted. I better eat my spinach!
I have a couple comments. First, I love the design of your bicycle. I think it looks wonderful and, if you're not happy with the construction, it's a design worth trying again. I like incorporating realism with a free style and your bike does that very well.
My other comment is regarding your thoughts on returning to school. Here's a little different perspective. When I was growing up, in my family getting a college degree was a given, but I am also a fan of self education. If you need the degree for a future job, this is a good reason to get it. Have you talked to students in the program you're considering and is their curriculum and focus in line with what you want to learn? If so, great! If not (really) and if you aren't looking for that official piece of paper, perhaps your own, self directed education would give you a better result. As you did when you chose to attend Nancy Crow's workshop, with a self directed approach you could find fiber artists doing things you want to learn and learn from them. You don't seem to have a motivation problem (!) so instead of taking required courses in school, you could do your own work, then when you find a skill you need to improve, find a class or a workshop or an online forum or a retreat where you can go learn it.
One of my sons has a degree in photography and is currently looking at going to grad school. Some of the schools he's visited are more focused on art philosophy and critique than in giving students a space to expand their own skills in the field. If the local college program doesn't really fit you, there are other options. I'm a fan of continual learning and improvement too, and I want the freedom to choose my own path with my art.
This is an interesting topic and I'm glad you brought it up. What do the rest of you think?
Cheers,
Margie Davis
freestylequilting.com
FWIW, I quite like your bicycle, even the black stitching. I understand your frustration with the quilting part, but my suggestion is to put it out of sight for a month or so then pull it out again. You will probably see how strong the design is then and not be distracted by what you had hoped to do vs. what you did. It's a good piece!
Lisa, your design is great! I wouldn't sweat the black lines, but if they really bother you, try using a small zigzag to join the two, thus enhancing the line. YOu WILL get better on straight lines with practice.
I agree that the design and colors are great. If you are truely unhappy with the quilting, it would be worth trying again.
I think your bicycle is great looking. The colors are wonderful. Don't change a thing.
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