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Saturday, November 19, 2011

Take the Pledge - Registration for the 2012 Free Motion Quilting Challenge

Do you want to learn or improve your free-motion quilting skills, using your home sewing machine? If you do, consider taking the pledge for the 2012 Free Motion Quilting Challenge. Similiar to a block of the month, every month one of 12 FMQ Experts will share a tutorial for you. While you can do these exercises anytime, if you complete them in the month that they are released, and share them in the challenge, you'll be entered to win a monthly prize. Complete all 12 tutorials, anytime during the year, enter them, and you'll be eligible to win various Grand Prizes.


The Pledge Survey is now complete.  But everyone that wants to Pledge to improve their FMQ skills in this 2012 challenge is encouraged to sign up for the email list for this event.  The email list will be used to send out reminders when tutorials are posted each month.
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It isn't required, but if you are have a blog, it would be appreciated if you would post the badge for this event and help increase awareness by way of a post.  After all, the more that participate the more fun we'll have.

 2012 FMQ Challenge Badge copy







SewCalGal will post more insights in December about this challenge and what you can do to get ready.  Preparation will be pretty simple, where you can make some sample quilt sandwiches (~18-24"x18-24"), as well as an optional sample quilt sandwich, and maybe pick up a few supplies.  Throughout this challenge you can always find the most current summary of information on the page for this event labeled "Free Motion Quilt Challenge".  Thus, you may want to check this page periodically.

Every month, starting January lst, a new FMQ tutorial & challenge will be posted by one of our 12 FMQ experts.  You can complete these exercises anytime, but if you complete them in the respective month you can gener to win that months giveaways.  If you complete all 12 months of tutorial exercises, anytime in 2012, you can enter to win one of the grand prizes.

191 comments:

AJ (The Quilting Pot Podcast) said...

I am so on board for this challenge. Can't wait for it to begin!!
AJ of
The Quilting Pot Podcast

What Comes Next? said...

I just registered, but the the form insists on company and 2nd address line being completed, which don't apply to a lot of folks, I suspect!
I am looking forward to this as well - can always use more practice!

Barb said...

This looks like a lot of fun. I took your button...does that make me better at FMQ???

sandra said...

I really need this so count me in and Thanks for offering it on-line.

marjolijn said...

Can't wait to start!

Denise :) said...

I did it...YAY! Thank you for your encouragement! :)

Nina Lise@Mrs Moen said...

Sounds like fun, Darlene! I'll make sure my machines are clean and ready for the new year!

Marlene said...

What a great opportunity ti improve FMQ skills. Thank you, I'm in.

landscapelady said...

What a great idea! Will look forward to it - thank you

Bente-I like to QuiltBlog said...

That sounds really good, and I´ll like to participate. Must I registed to take part?
You can allway reache me through my blog.
Thanks!!!
Liebe Grüße
Bente - Germany

Anonymous said...

What better way to improve my skills than to get tutorials from the best? Plus the icing on the cake, we could even win prizes for learning what we want to know! I'm excited, and worried about my first "test" in "school" already!! lol

ritainalaska said...

am glad to see that i can maybe make this program work for me ... so often i have periods where i cannot do much and hesitate to join in a project in case i may not be able to complete the program. thanx!

Rosemary Dickinson said...

I'm really looking forward to this! I always say I need to practice but I never do it! Thank you so much! I am hoping to really increase my machine quilting skills.

Mom2four said...

What a great idea! Can't wait to begin!

karen said...

I've sign up, thanks for doing this!

MB in MI said...

All signed up and my thanks to you. The badge will be on my blog shortly!

Pat said...

I am going to try to stick with this. I am not good at free motion quilting and it's discouraging to do a really nice job on something that is small enough to quilt on my home machine...but then mess it up with my lousy free-motion work!!! Hopefully, this helps!

Carol said...

This is very exciting. I just today ordered a Queen Supreme Slider to use with my Janome for free motion quilting. Now I'll be able to learn to quilt with these monthly tutorials, thank you.

Hilachas said...

Sounds great. Count me in.

quiltzyx said...

Sign me up!

michele said...

I am looking forward to the challenge! I posted the information on my blog today.

Bente-I like to QuiltBlog said...

Thanks I´m looking forward to finally learn it!
I just signed up.
Liebe Grüße
Bente - Germany

Jean(ie) said...

What a cool challenge... If we get moved and settled before January, I may give it a whirl...

FabricFascination said...

This looks like fun, I will check back for sure.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for organizing these tutorials. I am very excited to learn FMQ and I've now become a follower of your blog. Love it!

Kritta22 said...

I tried pitting the button on my blog and it didn't work. It said the picture isn't available on flickr. Maybe check your flickr settings to see if your pictures are public.

Debbie said...

I am so in for this....thanks.

R.McKnight said...

I'm in! Pinned a link on Pinterest! Can't wait to start!

Cheree @ The Morning Latte said...

I'm in, too. Looking forward to it.

Cheree @ The Morning Latte said...

I am having the same problem with the button as "Kritta22"? Is there something we're doing wrong? I came here through Quilt Matters and her button seemed to be fine.

Donna Baker said...

I am excited about this! I just registered and plan to share the badge on my blog some time this week! I will also pin to Pinterest!

HeyJudee said...

I've just signed up. Looking forward to improving my FMQ skills!

Teresa said...

I am looking forward to this - love learning, and learning about quilting is a win-win!

Cecelia said...

This is so very exciting! I can't wait!

Margy T said...

Can't wait for this to start

Linda E in NM said...

Thank you for providing this opportunity for us!

susan said...

I can't wait to get back to free motion quilting, and to enjoy the hum of my machine!

sew.darn.quilt said...

I'm a newbie to this challenge but I am so looking forward to your expertise.
Thank you.

Carolyn

Judy in Ohio said...

This will be very interesting. I might be the oldest participant and perhaps I'll be using the oldest machine and we'll see how well the two of us hold up. :-)

Misha said...

LOL Judy. I wonder which of our girls is older? Maybe you win, I think mine is around 1957ish...

Karin said...

OK, count me in! I'll bring the brownies! But, I have a feeling this is gonna take wine....a LOTTA wine!

laila said...

Wauv, this is aboslutety awsome, what a chance to get better at FMQ. I can't wait to get started.
Laila
Denmark

Jen said...

I'm playing! Thanks so much for putting this together. I posted some PR on my blog too :)

Fiona said...

great idea... looking forward to it....
Hugz

Aileen said...

Okay! I joined the Challenge and added the button to my blog! I am so excited. I keep watching tutorials. This time I have a goal to do at least one per month! awesome!!!

Ray and Jeanne said...

I'm in. The badge is on my blog. I can't wait to begin! ~Jeanne

The Village Queen said...

Sounds fun, I added the button to my blog too! Good to have a new project in the dark days of winter.

M and M plus 3 said...

For the life of me, I can't get the badge to post on my blog. I'll keep trying.

Anonymous said...

I promised myself to get better with FMQ and this just might fill the bill! Thanks for the help!!

Maria said...

I have just signed up. The badge is on my blog.
Thank you.

opalin quilts said...

Thank you, this is a great idea to start for 2012! Lets start soon!

Nicky said...

I'm in thank you this sounds really interesting!

Lynn said...

I've signed up, sounds like fun.

Anne said...

I've registered. This looks like a good motivator to do some practise!

Julimond said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Julimond said...

Once more:
I have registered.
As an absolutely beginner, i hope to learn enough, to make a bedquilt at the end of 2012.
Am i alone as a beginner?

And i made a mistake in my email adress. A comma instead of a point.Sorry
Greetings from Germany

Iris-Julimond

Nanbon44 said...

I will give this a try

Nanbon44 said...

Button has been posted on SouthernStyle blog

Brenda Crisci said...

What a wonderful way to start the new year!

KrisR said...

I'm in!

www.quiltingismything.wordpress.com

Unknown said...

Count me in - maybe I will be able to relax with FMQ

Ruby said...

Thank you, I signed up!

Deborah said...

I can't wait to learn!!!

Cyn said...

What a great idea. Ok... I'm in. Thank you.

Marié du Toit said...

It will be great to join every one

Teresa said...

I'm really looking forward to this. I did sign up but I have such problems with staying signed into Blogger , did you get my form?

angeles said...

yo me apunto que gran idea, un abrazo
Angeles
http://cuando-se-puede.blogspot.com
masuva9@hotmail.com

dq said...

I signed up but am not sure if the computer accepted it or not. Count me in.

Jennie said...

I have just bought a new machine and free motion quilting is the reason - needless to say, so far (in the two weeks I've had it) the FMQ has not been too hot. This is exactly what I need - thank you so much!

SandyG said...

Count me in, too!! I've been looking around for something like this for a while, so naturally didn't hesitate to sign up. Can't wait!!

Debra said...

I signed up! Hope to have more confidence at FMQ by the time we're done.

Purl Buttons said...

I signed up but can't get the button to add to my blog.

Purl Buttons said...

Got it!

ktquilts said...

Yay!! I'm in!!

Bouts Choisis said...

What a great opportunity to learn from the best teachers and alongside other quilters! Looking forward to 2012!

Ann Marie @ 16 Muddy Feet said...

I am in, I need the practice, and I am always up for a good challenge too.

Susan said...

That sounds like a great way to get a lot of knowledge and hopefully put at leas some of it into practice! thanks

@pril said...

I just signed up, put your button on my left sidebar and shared your challenge in a post: http://koolbeenz-blog.blogspot.com/2011/12/free-motion-quilting-fmq-challenge-2012.html

I can't wait because my FMQ S-U-C-K-S BIG TIME!

@pril

Melissa said...

I am taking the challenge - I am so excited and I posted the button on my blog: http://blog.sewbittersweetdesigns.com

Lesley said...

I am taking the challenge. I will feel the fear and do it anyway!

Deb said...

I am so looking forward to this.

Trudi said...

I'm always up for improving :) This is a grat plan!

Grace C. said...

I think this is going to be the best, can't wait.

Valerija Mezhybovska said...

Hello, i am very happy to take part in the challenge! I've submit the registration form but haven't got any confirmation per email or anyhow. Is it okay? Thank you.

Svetlana said...

Hooray ! I am with you !

Svetlana said...

Hooray!

Barb Neiwert said...

I just signed up today - thanks for the email! I've also posted the logo on my Blog at http://mountainquiltworks.blogspot.com/. I'm very much looking forward to learning from these experts!

Hope said...

I've just signed up.And I'm really looking forward to this!Thank you so much!

Mary said...

Girls, please, explain me, how u make a photos in the comments?

Jeanne Gwin said...

Okay, you and April got to me, I'm in for this challenge.

Anonymous said...

I am so excited about this challenge. I've already put your button on my blog and am getting ready to write a post about your challenge.

Cantinho da Aracy said...

Sou do Brasil e já estou inscrita para este desafio. Coloquei a divulgação no blog

Maria Wallin said...

I can't wait for this to start, I'm so in! =D

thimble said...

Quilting Tizzy sent out an email, so here I am, registering today!

Kerstin said...

looking forward to get started with the challenge.
I hope to learn alot

Kerstin said...

looking forward to get started with the challenge.
I hope to learn alot

In stitches and seams said...

I'm in too Should be a great learning experince for us all.

Dinah said...

Really excited about this!!!!!!

Unknown said...

Thank you for having this challenge. I am looking forward to it!

Billye said...

Looking forward to learning and improving my skills. I have several quilts waiting to be done!

Anonymous said...

Looks like I found the sign-in ... looks like a real challenge for 2012 and I really need to improve any skill I have with F.M.Q.
B

Larissa said...

I'm up for the challenge!! Sounds great!!!

Bev in TX said...

I took the pledge; I hope that means that I'm signed up :-).

Simone de Klerk said...

Really looking forward to this!!

Anonymous said...

This challenge is just what I need to help motivate me to finish all those quilts tops waiting to be quilted!!!

Ruth said...

This is just what I need! I got a pretty good start this year, but want to improve lots more! Thanks!

SuzMont said...

I think I signed up. It didn't give me any kind of confirmation. Looking forward to pushing my limits with this challenge.

SuzMont said...

I think I signed up. It didn't give me any kind of confirmation. Looking forward to pushing my limits with this challenge.

Anonymous said...

yes, this sounds great. I've signed up and eagerly look forward to the lessons/challenges each month.
Arlene

Gloria said...

Thank you for providing this challenge for us. just joined.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for your challenges. I need it, and looking forward to this.
Charlotte T.

Anna said...

Count me in...I want to be a "real quilter!"

Jacque T said...

So glad to have found this site!! Looking forward to a year of growth and practice! Just joined!

Michelle MMMM4 said...

I can't wait to get started! I hope by the end of this challenge I will be able to sit in front of my home machine, comfortably and creatively quilt.

Pam said...

This challenge is awesome! Thank you so much ... I can hardly wait!

Genie said...

I am looking forward to this project.. I was wondering when and where the list of materials needed will be posted. :) My mom and I are trying to arrange a day to get prepped for doing this challenge before january 1st.
Thanks for organizing this for us both.

Judith said...

Very excited by this challenge. Thank you for the opportunity

Renate said...

I was very ceertain thaqt I had taken the pledge for this challenge, but I haven't received any confirmation. I went to the facebook page that was set up but do not see my name there either.

Anael said...

I signed up! I would love to improve my poor FMQ skills! Thanks so much for doing this.

Anael said...

I signed up too! I would love to improve my poor FMQ skills! Thanks so much for doing this.

Ray said...

I am looking forward to this challenge. I hope it encourages me to PRACTICE!!!!!!

Vicki ♥ said...

I too am looking forward to this challenge and I took your button and now have it on my blog. Thanks so much for doing this and also thank you to the sponsers. Fantastic!! Hugs Vicki x

Rita2011 said...

This challenge sounds like just what I need to help me with my QDR (Quilting Development Resolution). Can't wait ...

I just hope I'm correct in remembering that I signed up a week or so ago. Should I re-register just in case I'm wrong? LOL ;) It has been a busy fall and winter!!

Carla said...

Just registered. Didn't have a problem with it.
dollartistcarla at aol dot com

Unknown said...

Yes, count me in!

Marilyn in San Antonio, TX said...

I am sew looking forward to this....I hope I can keep up....I want to FM quilt so much and just haven't taken time to get into practicing. I hope this challenge will keep me in line.

Linda said...

Yes, I'm in! Thanks for this challenge. I want to finish my UFO's. Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for putting this challenge together. Hopefully this challenge will help me FMQ with confidence AND skill.

Shirley said...

Yes, I am registered and ready to begin this new challenge! Can't wait to FMQ and learn lots of beautiful designs,
Shirley

Linda in Calif. said...

Yes I want to be in. The form is a blank so hopefully my comment will be enough. I've placed your button on my blog.

Kerstin said...

Im looking forward to learn a lot and to have fun

deb said...

This looks terrific!
Thank you for taking the time to teach us - hopefully we can all "pay it forward" in the future.
Happy New Year!

swakins said...

Here I am joining up at the last minute, but I love the idea of developing some FMQ skills a bite at a time.

Jane said...

I'd like to join in as well!

Sheryl McLeroy said...

I've finally been able to get all signed up. I thought I'd done it all but something went wrong and my comments never showed. Anyway, today is the day. I'm excited and ready to learn to FMQ. Thanks for this opportunity. Looking forward to all you have to offer.
Sheryl in SC

bmayer said...

I signed up. First step to improved quilting. Yea!

Julzie said...

I'm in for this....I need to be 'pushed' to do more :)

Deb said...

I'ver never ventured into free motion but would love to feel confident doing it.

Diane Bohn said...

I signed up! Thanks! :) This is going to be great!

ARC said...

I agree with the others - all signed up and excited... thank you for putting this together!

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

I am taking the challenge and have put the button on my blog, looking forward to learning new techniques!

Frederique said...

I signed up too! Let's go for the big adventure!

Georgia Gonzales said...

After the Christmas decorations are packed away, I can get back to sewing! Can't wait for your monthly class!

Judith said...

I signed up and am very eager to get my supplies list filled, etc.

Anonymous said...

I took the pledge!
Thank you for offering this Challenge! Hugs!!! ♥

Sheila said...

I signed up, but it gave me some sort of error message and said I should try later. [sigh] Same sort of results I get with my free motion quilting.....

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

I'm in...yikes!

Unknown said...

I took the pledge and now will get FMQ learned I hope.

Julianne said...

i took the pledge and hope I signed up everywhere. I have the blog post and the button. thanks for the challenge

Georgina said...

Will have to play catch-up in February after we have moved house and I unpack my machine. But had to commit to the pledge so another good intention is not lost. Thank you Leah for your wonderful blogs.

Mary said...

Just found this post, and have signed up. Hope it helps me :^)

RobynLouise said...

I've only just found this but better late than not at all :)
Cheers,
Robyn

Kate C said...

This looks great...Thanks for doing this!

Kate C said...

This looks great- thanks so much for doing it!

Vicki ♥ said...

I took the pledge and thought I commented but havent been able to find it anywhere. I am looking forward to this very much as I could definately brush up my machine quilting skills. I filled out the form and not sure what happens next as I havent got anything from you. I will follow by email like you said to do. So looking forward to this and thanks for organising it all :) Hugs Vicki x

Anonymous said...

ready set go. thank you

Cathy Hetzel said...

Looking forward to the challenge..........

Candace said...

Cool! This is gonna be fun :o)

Kaye M. tkmattson@hotmail.com said...

I want to take part in this free motion program. I have been working on my skills sporadically so this should be a big help for me to gain confidence. I'm excited to learn more and practice, practice, practice!!!!

miss~nance said...

This is just what I need to inprove my FMQ. I'm in.

Farm Quilter said...

I love FMQ and I'm up for this challenge!!!

Peggy said...

Count me in - it looks exciting!

dfoxb said...

i just got a new pfaff machine with more working space and i've been wanting to learn machine quilting in general, but free motion quilting looks to be the most fun. so this challenge is perfect for me. thanx for making this available to us.

Anonymous said...

I certainly need some kind of "push" to get fmq down! I just get so flustered every time I give it a go, only 1 time has it seemed to look ok, and that was on one 12" square!..lol.. So, can't wait to follow along, and I hope by January 2013 I can say, I not only pieced that quilt, by I fmq'd, it too...instead of always falling back on my hand-quilting...

Anonymous said...

I certainly need a "push" to get fmq down! I just get so flustered every time I try to do it, and it doesn't go well at all! I then fall back on my stand-by of hand-quilting...which I love hand quilting, but I really want to learn fmq! I have so many quilt tops waiting to be quilted! So, thanks for offering this, and I hope by January 2013 I can say, "yes, I did fmq this quilt."

Janet P said...

This is just what I need. Thought that I signed up but just found this site again. Thanks.

2ne said...

Have signed up and looking forward to this challenge :-)
Have to find out how to start.
Are we going to respond every month? and how....

Editfolt said...

I want to take part in this free motion program.I have been registered in December. I forgot to make a comment. The first project is completed.Please you look at my blog.

Tamsin said...

I'm in !! Timing is sooooo right as I want to improve on all fronts in my quilting :)

Unknown said...

Sounds great and would love to participate.

Marika said...

Thanks to generous help, free motion machine.

Shirley in Canada said...

This has already helped me a lot!! Thank you!!

Joanna said...

I thought I had taken the pledge, but don't see my comment. I do have the button on my blog. I am in.

Kirsten said...

So glad Diane Gaudynski mentioned this on her blog! I am eager to join in!

Sally said...

Thought I'd taken the pledge. I don't have a blog, but I am on the facebook group. I need to take the pic of my challenge piece so I can add it to the flicker group.

Cheri said...

Thank You so much for bringing these wonderful teachers into my home. Now I can take a machine quilting class (actually 12) anytime in my scheldule. The quilt sampler is a great idea.

Stephanie said...

I'm in for the challenge and have registered! It's almost the end of the month, so need to make up sandwiches quickly!

@wendydesigns said...

I am taking the pledge, and I hope I have enough time to do all the remainder of the year's (and hopefully "catch up" on January).

@wendydesigns said...

Wow! Just found out about this... I pledge and hope I have enough time to fully participate.

@wendydesigns said...

I am taking the pledge, and I hope I have enough time to do all the remainder of the year's (and hopefully "catch up" on January).

Susan In Texas said...

I took the pledge. I thought I had already done so, but I don't see my comment here. I do have the button on my blog, which is susanintexas.blogspot.com

Thanks,
Susan

Laurel said...

Even though I couldn't find the pledge on this page, I will make up one of my own.

I, Laurel Homer, take the Pledge to learn/improve my free motion quilting skills in 2012, on a home sewing machine. I will do this primarily through the 2012 Free-Motion Quilting Challenge.

Roz said...

I'm ready to get better at fmq, I didnt get a chance to do January but I'm definitely going to try february (and since it is Leap Year, I'll be sewing all day on that special additional day!)

cleomisty said...

Hi Val NZ
I have taken the pledge can't find my name to add photo ,I have also joined the February group but can't upload there either Finished my challenge feathers can't upload I have printed out your instructions and being trying for the last 2 hours ,Where am I going wrong when I load the picture to send to the feb link every thing is grayed out.
Hope someone can help I am not a computer nut unfortunatly
Val

SewCalGal said...

Val/cleomisty - Your settings are as a no reply blogger so I couldn't send you an email reply. The post that has the monthly tutorial also has the info for what you need to do to enter the monthly challenge. You can always find a link to that post by visiting the page that has a tab, towards the top of my blog, labeled "2012 FMQ Challenge".

sao said...

I have taken the pledge and have completed the first three challenges - but since I didn't see my name, I figured that perhaps I should REGISTER once again! :)

This is so much fun.....thank you for the BOOST!

sao in Midlothian, VA

Sandra said...

Joining the party a little late...but better late than never! Looking forward to learning some new machine quilting skills and having some fun:)

Anonymous said...

I just found the challenge and I signed up. I will work hard to catch up. I think this challenge will be great fun.

Vicky K said...

I can't see the form in either IE or Firefox. I would love to join the challenge. I also can't access the link to sign up for emails.
Thanks
Vicky K

Arlette said...

I am so excited about this project and am eager to jump in. Since I'm getting a late start it will be an extra challenge! Wow! such cool projects everyone is sharing!!
Cheers,
Arlette

Nessy said...

I want to take part in this free motion program,better late than never.
Thanks for this oportunity.
xxx000
Inés