2013 FMQ Challenge #1 - A Day of Threadplay with Libby Lehman on The Quilt Show

This is the first of 4-6 free-motion quilting challenges that SewCalGal will host in 2013. This one is so opportunistic, I want to release it today, yet this post will most likely be updated throughout the year, so check back.




The Quilt Show (TQS) is a wonderful online program that you can enjoy by way of a free account, yet paid subscribers (aka Star Members) get more benefits, such as viewing all shows forever which are released during their subscription period.

Currently, there is an amazing episode that is available for all members for free and  this challenge is going to be based on learnings from this show:

Libby Lehman is well known for her amazing quilts, which often incorporate stunning threadplay.  She has a signature technique called "Sheer Ribbon Illusions" which is spectacular.  She shared her insights through a video tutorial on The Quilt Show, in episode #112 - Threadplay and Sheer Ribbon Illusions.



 If you do not yet have a free subscription (or better yet, Star subscription), SewCalGal highly recommends you sign up ASAP.  I'm not sure how long Episode #112 will be available to watch for free through February 28th.

Libby's also has a  DVD "A Day of Threadplay with Libby Lehman" which can be purchased at Ricky Tims' site.



Challenge Overview:

Watch Episode #112 - Threadplay and Sheer Ribbon Illusions (Libby Lehman) on The Quilt Show



Apply Libby's techniques for Sheer Ribbon Illusions on any size project that you want to create.  This is a great challenge to try various brands of threads, as well as types of threads.  This TQS video episode also interviews Mother Superior who shares insights on various threads.  SewCalGal hopes you take advantage of this challenge and try different types of threads, and share insights in your entry on your perspective of using different threads for this challenge.

Do keep in mind that this challenge is all about learning/improving your FMQ skills, as well as getting to know more FMQ Experts, products, and sources of learning.  The intent of this challenge is that you enter by way of showing evidence of current efforts to apply this tutorial to your project or sample (not something you created ages ago).  Take time to master this technique, not just a fast stitch out that reflects you wanted to enter to win a prize. There is plenty of time between now and the deadline for you to you to practice and master insights shared, that can help you and your future projects. . To clarify, DO NOT just add a link to your blog, but to your post that shows that you have completed this tutorial. You get one link, so keep practicing until you feel you are finished with this tutorial.   This linky will be open thru October 31st, 2013....so you have plenty of time to practice, but not much time to watch this video for free (e.g. it is only available for free viewing thru May 28th).

Rules to enter this challenge:

For bloggers:

Please post your entry on your blog. To clarify, you can include as many photos of this tutorial exercise in your post, but you can only add one link to the linky tool below. You may also want to include insights in your post about your past FMQ experience and thoughts about this tutorial. Totally, optional, but you may also want to let everyone know that you have taken the Pledge and you did this exercise to enter the the challenge this month, where randomly selected winners will win a prize. You may inspire others to want to join this challenge too!

Bloggers should not add a link to their blog, but a direct link to their blog post that shares evidence that they applied Libbys threadplay techniques to a project or practice sandwich.

For non-Bloggers:

1) You will need to have a Flickr account (www.flickr.com). 
2) Upload your photos for this month's challenge to Flickr, batch organize, send your photos to groups, select "FMQ Challenge". While Flickr, limits the amount of text you can share in your description, feel free to share your perspective on this exercise and/or your past FMQ experience, if you wish.
3) After your photos have successfully been loaded to the "FMQ Challenge" group, click on your best photo in that group, ideally one that shows you created a project or sharing your practice sandwich that reflects insights that Libby shared in this video tutorial published on The quilt Show.  Be sure to Copy the URL link to your specific photo entry. Add that link to the linky tool above, to officially enter this show.

SewCalGal will be hosting a number of FMQ Challenges in 2013.  The focus should be on learning/improving your skills, but there will also prizes. I'm still trying to wrap up the 2012 FMQ challenge and didn't want to announce any of the 2013 challenges, until  I was completely wrapped up several pending items...but as so many of you asked for opportunities to learn about threadplay, this opportunity to learn by Libby Lehman and have fun with The Quilt Show, just couldn't wait.  So, I hope you'll watch this free episode (or sign up and buy this previously released episode to watch anytime, at your liesure. ...and enter what you create with Libby's Threadplay tutorial in this challenge.

Have fun.

Winners for the 2013 FMQ Challenges will be randomly selected and once all six challenge winners have been selected, prizes will be awarded.

The winner of this challenge is:

#5 - Tina