After spending the day deciding how to proceed with my quiltlet, I decided to draw some leaves on the small piece and attempt free motion stitching as suggested by Sheila at Orange Esmeralda. She explained how I could do free motion stitching even though my feed dogs don't drop. She sets her stitch to zero and uses a faux credit card. I tried to make it work, but all I got was a huge mess. To make matters worse, I used a pencil and it showed after I had sewed all the leaves. That meant I had to go in and erase the pencil marks.
I think I did better when I had to twist and turn and follow the lines. This wasn't going to make anyone's Christmas list, at least no one I could think of.
Still, I had to finish it. I added a piece of a Starbuck's wooden stirrer stick to the top for stability. 
I got out my hole guide I made some time back 
and punched holes using my Crop-a-dile.
I got Bleubeard's and my name a bit wonky, but that seemed to fit the bill on this wonky quiltlet. All that's left is to create some beads and add them to wire Then this quiltlet can truly be finished. I just don't think I can give it to the person I was planning it for.
This is Day 26 of AEDM and I appreciate you joining me today. I'm truly trying to play catch up with my fellow bloggers, and decorate my home for Christmas at the same time.
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11 thoughtful remarks:
Stitching with the machine is not always easy, and my new machine doesn't cooperate at all with things like that. Still, what you did looks good, and the colours are lovely. Hugs, Valerie
I just love the word quiltlet and this is a beautiful piece of sewing. My daughter gave me her old machine and it does everything but it needs someone to know how to use it to do the 'everything'. I gave my,easy to use, one away and I struggle with this 'new' one for sure.
Have a lovely weekend
Chrissie xx
Hah - I actually had to look up 'quiltlet', now I know. I like it, but the fact that you cannot give it to the person you planned it for, makes me a bit sad. Happy weekend!
Well, I admire that you sew in the first place! And I'm not sure why you think the label is wonky. But the main person we please is ourselves. I've had things I've started for people in the past and go "Nope -- I'll finish but it's not going there!" so I really do get that feeling!
I can barely sew on buttons and am hopeless with a sewing machine. I like your free style leaves. You can get chalk pencils at Michael's. Made by a company called General for pastel drawing. Come in a bunch of different colors.
Oh wow.. I love the colors - the rusted fabric is so beautiful - I guess it is one of your rusted fabrics?! And your fabulous stitched sprig! That looks amazing to me.. I don't understand how Sheila this manages -
would be interesting for me as well since I have no food for free stitching for my sewing machine- but maybe I can get one..will see --
Happy Sunday Elizabeth!
Love the word quiltlet! So cute!
I am in awe of you using the machine to sew the leaf outlines. My machine is in the naughty cupboard, as it cannot do what I ask it. Maybe this is a user problem, but its my excuse.
I think you did a great job with the quiltlet, it looks great.
Yvonne xx
I like this quiltlet. I think your free motion stitch looks good, and I can tell they are leaves. I think free motion stitching is one of those things that takes a TON of practice to get it to look like you want it to look. But that doesn't mean how it looks is bad. I hope you don't toss the project aside, but maybe give it a bit of time until you come up with your next step. Did you get your Christmas decorations up? Hope you are enjoying the holiday weekend Hugs-Erika
I like it. Both pieces separate and together. I like the patterns and colors :)
Well Elizabeth, if this is your first attempt at free machine stitching you are a natural free-machiner and I don't see a huge (or even a small) mess at all. As Erika says, free machining takes a LOT of practice and making of samples, and it often has a will of its own which we can call artistic licence. Also it often needs some alteration of the bottom tension. If it doesn't look perfect at first go, going over it again often sorts it out. Anyway I think yours is terrific, whether a first time or not, you can be proud of yourself. Another tip - set your stitch to a very small zigzag and it makes a nice free stitch. I wish you had an email address so I could say more.
love
Sheila
i like it!
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