Free motion quilters
Cynthia Schwartz
Darlene Helker, a member of PebbleCreek Quilters, taught a “free motion quilting” class. Members attended two sessions. In the first session, quilters learned how to set up their domestic sewing machines. This included attaching two different quilting feet and learning how to drop the “feed dogs.” Dropping the “feed dogs” allows a quilter to freely move fabric under a special quilting needle. The second full-day session was a fun day. The quilters learned how to make numerous designs, including “big L’s,” “little L’s,” meandering, ladders, straws, circles, straight and curved geometric patterns, and “stitch-in-the-ditch.”
While free motion quilting can be challenging at first, after learning the basics, the quilters were quilting complicated patterns and inventing some of their own. Thank you Darlene for teaching this class.
The PebbleCreek Quilters is an inclusive group of residents, from novice to advanced, who love to sew, quilt, and share their skills and talents. We offer classes and workshops and support local charities. If you have an interest in quilting, helping others through quilting, or socializing with other quilters, we welcome you. Our annual dues include access to all classes and use of the facility and quilting equipment. To join, visit our website at pebblecreekquilters.org or call Barbara McMahon at 412-979-8562.