I could not help but hold my piece for this post because I also wanted to share with you a new tool I've learned about that I really like... the Grip & Stitch™ Quilting Disks for Free Motion Quilting. I knew Free Motion Quilting would come into play while taking my class at Alisomar so it was the first opportunity I had to give them a test drive. The ole two birds with one stone trick :) On with the post.....
You may recall this post, when I shared my project inspiration....
I immediately fell in love with Corina's art and wrote to ask her permission to use her piece for my class. Much to my delight she granted me permission and included words of encouragement as I embarked on my first art project. Keep in mind I had great trepidation and came close to backing out of the class because I can only draw stick figures and have no other art training since kindergarten.
One very lucky IHAN® blog reader will have the opportunity to win a set of the Grip & Stitch™ Disks compliments of Ellen at Clever Craft Tools. All of the details are below in the Rafflecopter widget. Best of luck to everyone!!!
,
Kelly
You may recall this post, when I shared my project inspiration....
I immediately fell in love with Corina's art and wrote to ask her permission to use her piece for my class. Much to my delight she granted me permission and included words of encouragement as I embarked on my first art project. Keep in mind I had great trepidation and came close to backing out of the class because I can only draw stick figures and have no other art training since kindergarten.
With the assistance of a great teacher, Patt Blair, this is what my piece looks like......
For my very first time, I think it looks pretty good. Thankfully Patt was there to keep encouraging me...Thank You Patt! The dribbles next to my piece were stains on the mat board my piece was pinned to...not on my design. (I didn't scribble....just needed to clarify...giggles.)
While on the subject of artists, all of their work, including what you see here on my blog is copy written and you can not copy it...that includes using your snipping tool...without Corina or Patt's permission. It is so very important to get permission before use.
I was contacted by Ellen Holder from Clever Craft Tools and she asked if I would be willing to review the Grip & Stitch™ Free Motion Quilting Disks. I agreed and asked if she would also include a set to be given away on my blog....I'm so tickled she said yes. Those of you who follow my blog will have extra opportunities to win a set of the Grip &Stitch™ Free Motion Quilting Disks so keep reading :)
I was practicing on a scrap, shown above, that I used for ink blotting before I went to quilting on my elephant. I used the Grip & Stitch™ was surprised that using the disks were so much easier on my hands and wrists. Typically I grip the fabric with my hands and they will cramp and my wrists get a bit sore. I know many people use their hands flat, but I'm not comfortable unless I can hold on to the fabric. The disks do the "holding" so my hands don't have to.
As you can see here, I'm holding the disks and keeping the fabric taunt so there are no ripples. Since I'm not hanging on to the fabric my hands are much more relaxed and my wrists are straight, not bent. Sometimes it takes encouragement to try something new and teach this gal a new trick!
I don't know about you but I can get a bit tense when "trying" to do a good job when Free Motion quilting. My shoulders can get tight too. With the Grip & Stitch Disks I was not pulling or pushing the fabric through because the Disks were holding the fabric for me and I could glide the fabric instead of pushing and pulling. It was an overall very positive experience and I would highly recommend you give them a try if you have not already tired them.
I hope you take the time to look at this you tube video showing how the Grip & Stitch Disks are used. I didn't have a video camera with me so I could show you myself. You'll get the idea.While on the subject of artists, all of their work, including what you see here on my blog is copy written and you can not copy it...that includes using your snipping tool...without Corina or Patt's permission. It is so very important to get permission before use.
I was contacted by Ellen Holder from Clever Craft Tools and she asked if I would be willing to review the Grip & Stitch™ Free Motion Quilting Disks. I agreed and asked if she would also include a set to be given away on my blog....I'm so tickled she said yes. Those of you who follow my blog will have extra opportunities to win a set of the Grip &Stitch™ Free Motion Quilting Disks so keep reading :)
I don't know about you but I can get a bit tense when "trying" to do a good job when Free Motion quilting. My shoulders can get tight too. With the Grip & Stitch Disks I was not pulling or pushing the fabric through because the Disks were holding the fabric for me and I could glide the fabric instead of pushing and pulling. It was an overall very positive experience and I would highly recommend you give them a try if you have not already tired them.
One very lucky IHAN® blog reader will have the opportunity to win a set of the Grip & Stitch™ Disks compliments of Ellen at Clever Craft Tools. All of the details are below in the Rafflecopter widget. Best of luck to everyone!!!
,
Kelly
Like you, I get tense when trying to 'hold on' to the fabric when doing FMQ and not only do my shoulders and back end up hurting, my hands do as well. Thanks for sharing about the Grip & Stitch Disks.
ReplyDeleteI'm already one of your followers :)
ReplyDeleteI struggle trying to avoid wrinkles or tucks in my quilt all the while I am squeezing it and making those very wrinkles. I haven't had any idea how to avoid this (except not to do what I'm doing, which is the only way I know how!) but this seems like the answer. Wonderful! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI'm one of your followers, via email. wordygirl at earthlink dot net
ReplyDeleteI have wanted to learn but "avoided" free motion quilting because the process looks so difficult. The disc would provide me the encouragement to take the plunge. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.
ReplyDeleteI am a follower. Love your blog.
ReplyDeleteWow.... the elephant is absolutely fantastic.... I am so jealous of your trip and class!!! Now you must finish this guy... no languishing in the UFO pile!
ReplyDeleteHmmm.. Looks like I will have another notion to purchase!
ReplyDeleteI love your painted piece. You did a great job. Now what will you use it for?
ReplyDeleteI think you have done an excellent job!! I would just like to try these discs. I am learning right now.
ReplyDeleteI follow via Bloglovin
ReplyDeleteI follow via email - laura84watt
ReplyDeleteI am tired of pulling gardening gloves off and on while quilting. Grip & Stitch looks like a great product.
ReplyDeleteYour elephant is amazing, you said he looks good for your first time, I think he looks good for your 100th time. Wow and Wow.
ReplyDeleteI hate the gloves! They feel tight on my hands. The disks will allow my hands to breathe.
ReplyDeleteI'm a fabric gripper too. I've had carpal tunnel surgery on my left hand, but that's the one that aches when I'm FMQing.
ReplyDeleteI love your elephant, and thank you for introducing me to Patt Blair's work. I'd forgotten she was on The Quilt Show; I'm going back and rewatching her episode.
Thank you for doing this giveaway, and thank Ellen Holder too.
I am starting to get arthritis in my fingers so these would really help and I usually use gloves and it's such a bind having to take them off every time I need to remove a pin and then put them back on again. Thanks you for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI don't care to wear gloves they make my hands sweat, I have tried to use the finger tip grips, but even with my giant mits they fall off my fingers! I may need yo try these!
ReplyDeleteI am one of your followers
ReplyDeleteI am a follower! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThose really look like a wonderful tool for quilters! Thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteI follow with e-mail
ReplyDeleteYour elephant is gorgeous and I really can't wait to see it finished. Thanks for the review of the Grip & Stitch Disks. Gloves can be a nuisance putting them on and taking them so these disks look like a great alternative!
ReplyDeleteI like your elephant. Art quilting is a new venture for me too.
ReplyDeleteThe elephant you painted is wonderful! I love to machine quilt and always looking for a better way to move the quilt sandwich so would love to try these Grip & Stitch Disks
ReplyDeleteI am a glove wearer right now, but I have seen many people use these grip disks and I would love to try them. I tend to get stiff shoulders when I quilt so maybe these would help.
ReplyDeleteI am a follower with GFC.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about being tense & your hands & shoulders hurting. I've already had carpel tunnel surgery on both wrists so I try to avoid any more injury. These disks really look like they would help tremendously. Your elephant is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI am already an IHAN follower. I love reading your blog.
ReplyDeleteI have not free motioned quilted before. FEAR of Failure. Paralyzed. So yes, I think this could help me.
ReplyDeleteThese would be great to use, my shoulders and hands take a beating when I use gloves.
ReplyDeleteMy shoulders, my neck & even my jaw (from clenching my teeth) get a work out when FMQ, so I'd love to try the Grip & Stitch disks. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI often get ramps in my hands when doing free-motion quilting - I guess I must be tensing them up. So these disks would be great. Thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteI follow you via Bloglovin. Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteCurrently I use gloves but would love to try the discs. I find I have to tell myself to breathe and quit clenching my teeth while quilting.
ReplyDeleteI follow with email.
ReplyDeleteI fell like I have so little control when I do free motion quilting. I use gloves, but they can be cumbersome when trying to rethread or doing any trimming. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI am a LONG time follower ;-)
ReplyDeleteMy hands/fingers get tired and sore from gripping layered fabric when I FMQ. I'd love to give these a try. Thanks svonfumetti at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteUsing gloves while free motion quilting is a pain in the buttinski. My hands get hot, have to take them off to do anything else that pops up while FMQing ... put in a new bobbin, rethread the machine, quick trip to the ladies room, etc. I think the Grip & Stitch Quilting Pads would solve these issues.
ReplyDeleteYour elephant is really beautiful. Can't wait to see how you finish it.
I follow you via GFC.
ReplyDeleteI would love to win the Stitch and Grip quilting pads. I am always so uptight when doing FMQ that I get jerky and my quilting is not so good. I am a happy follower of your blog.- Thanks
ReplyDeletewould love to try them have just been fmq for a few months and maybe they will help?
ReplyDeletefollower by gfc
ReplyDeleteI would love to try those. My hands seem to cramp up pretty fast, then I need to rest and if the grippers work I could just keep right o working.
ReplyDeleteNonie
I do follow you already
ReplyDeleteI am just learning to FMQ and I did a little yesterday, like you I was griping my fabric and my shoulders got all tense, these sound like a magical way to help, I would love to win a pair.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness! these look wonderful. even i could use these I think. The gloves get pulled off and on so much it is a pain to use them. Would love to win a set of these. Thank you for the opportunity!
ReplyDeleteI am a fan of I Have a Notion and I have been following her for a long time.
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried them yet, but anything would help my free motion quilting which is little to none....:)
ReplyDeleteI would love to try them out, I have never heard of them.
ReplyDeleteThanks, aka kingcooper0001@aol.com
I always use the gripper gloves but hate having to take them on and off. Would love to try this!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a big help to free motion or other quilting.
ReplyDeleteNot big on wearing gloves any time...these would definitely be a huge help to me...as I am also just learning FMQ. Very cooool & interesting.
ReplyDeleteI follow thru Bloglovin :)
ReplyDeleteI have arthritis in my hands so I think these would be a tremendous help. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI am a follower via Bloglovin. Thanks again.
ReplyDeleteI am just learning to free motion quilt so I think they would help me be more confident in my ability to actually do it!
ReplyDeleteSandy A
PS...your elephant is gorgeous!
I follow your blog through bloglovin!
ReplyDeleteSandy A
This gadget may be just what I need to get kick-started into FMQ..I've attempted it a few times, but, like you, find myself getting all tense and tired and sore, so it's always back to the walking foot & straight line for me. :(
ReplyDeleteI follow by email AND bloglovin!
ReplyDeleteI'm already a follower
ReplyDeletehulseybg at gmail dot com
I think these would help cut out the cramps I get in my hands too.
ReplyDeletehulseybg at gmail dot com
I would love to try these as I have a hard time gripping the fabric,
ReplyDeleteI follow by blog lovin and email.
ReplyDeleteI have avoided FMQ because the few times I have tried it I ended up so tense and frustrated that I had a headache and cramps in my hands. Maybe these tools are just what I need.
ReplyDeleteIt would help grip the fabric.
ReplyDeleteWe'll I'm a beginner and I think I would be less shy about jumping in and just doing it.
ReplyDeleteI follow you via Bloglovin (cher277)
ReplyDeleteThe quilting discs allow you to get closer to your design that a circle or horseshoe gripper will, to keep the fabric nice and taut. Thanks for the give away!
ReplyDeleteI am a new follower via Bloglovin'.
ReplyDeleteMy hands get cramped when trying to free motion quilt so I can't stay at it very long. It would great to try out a new tool to make it easier!
ReplyDeletetstanulis@mac.com
I follow you via Bloglovin'.
ReplyDeletetstanulis@mac.com
I follow you via GFC.
ReplyDeleteI have only tried free motion quilting once, and it drove me to tears. :) I can use all the help I can get! Thanks for the giveaway! sarah@forrussia.org
ReplyDeleteTerrific idea. Putting the gloves on and off really breaks the flow of FMQing. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteI already follow they Google.
ReplyDeleteI meant thru not they!
DeleteI would love to try free motion. Thanks for the chance.
ReplyDeleteI'm a follower! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteyour elephant is awesome!!
ReplyDeleteI am so impressed with your elephant! It looks beautiful, Kelly! I can't wait to hear more about how you did it!
ReplyDeleteI follow you via GFC.
ReplyDeleteI follow you via GFC.
ReplyDeleteThe Grip and Stitch would be an awesome thing to own for when I tackle my first free motion quilting project in the very near future!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to try these as have arthritis and have had half of my finger joints fused so they don't bend. Makes grippin' the fabric even harder. This looks like just the thing for someone whose hands want to stay flat regardless!!
ReplyDeleteI tried to leave a comment but could not get it to go through. Story of my life.
ReplyDeleteI am like you, my hands get sore when I try to hand quilt. Bet these would help.
Rosemary Caldwell
Am follower and just signed up for newsletter again. Too many changes and have lost track of things.
ReplyDeleteI tend to tense up over time. These look like they will help combat that feeling. Thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteI am a happy IHAN follower. thanks for shaing
ReplyDeleteIt would help me avoid getting sweat on my quilts!
ReplyDeleteI am excited to try these grips. Arthritis limits the time I can spend quilting so it takes a lot of time.
ReplyDeleteI follow your blog and really enjoy it.
I already follow you via GFC.
ReplyDeleteYour elephant is wonderful, your are without a doubt so creative and you don't even realize how wonderful your work is.
ReplyDeleteI sure would like to win and test drive these awesome little tools....thanks for a chance.
ReplyDeleteI follow you on BL!
ReplyDeleteI think it would help since I've found that my hands tend to cramp up as I try to do the quilting. That goes to my shoulders and then my neck....or is this just that I'm getting older?? Thanks for the give-away and the blue elephant is gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteI think they should give me better grip to move my quilts. 24Tangent@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteFollowing on bloglovin'. 24Tangent@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteWhen I first saw them I thought no way, I have to hold the fabric like you do. Since you hold the fabric similar to me and you say you like them I just might have to give them a try.
ReplyDeleteI follow you with google and blog lovin' and feedly and and and lol
ReplyDeleteI love your elephant! You did an amazing job. Can't wait to see what you turn him into.
I need all the help I can get, and this will help me to grip better (no sore hands! yes!) and relax a little bit more
ReplyDeleteThese would help my hands not to be sore and I'd get a better grip on my quilts. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI follow on bloglovin.
ReplyDeleteI tend to do the same thing, grip my fabric and end up with tired hands and sore arm muscles. From your review it looks like these would be the answer.
ReplyDeleteI saw a demo at my LQS and it was sold out. I couldn't find it after. Hope I win. It would make it so much easier to quilt without having take my gloves off.
ReplyDeleteBecause I am very tall, I too experience shoulder soreness when I quilt. I also have been diagnosed recently with Carpal Tunnel, so I am hoping these Grip Disks will allow me to continue to Quilt for a longer time without so much pain
ReplyDeleteI follow through email updates,and the blog.
ReplyDeleteI follow with BlogLovin.
ReplyDeleteI have a hard time keeping my fingers from cramping up when I FMQ. I think I am too tense when I stitch so my muscles get cramped. I have tried Machinger gloves, but they haven't helped. I think the Grip and Stitch might solve my problem.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSorry , there was a mistake,
ReplyDeleteI follow you with bloglovin`.
Thank you for the chnace to win ! :)
I'll be a happy quilter if I can master FMQ. Thanks for the opportunity.
ReplyDelete