Adage: Simple words of wisdom often passed down from mothers to children. I have a treasure trove of them from my Mom. Today's is Use it or lose it....in a couple of ways.
Muscle memory----I keep hearing that over and over, from free motion quilting to the therapist. So let's get that out of the way first. Day 67: PT put the hurt on yesterday.....lots of stretching and the good news the rotor cuff is not frozen but the muscles have shortened. Tears flowed but I got the arm up and managed to touch my head! That sounds strange, but to me it was a miracle. Now to revive the memory in the upper muscles. My brain says move to them and nothing happens; they need to "learn" or relearn the action I want. That is muscle memory.
Second form of muscle memory is free motion quilting. This is the year of the Free Motion Quilting Challenge. I got through April before the injury and I completely missed May. And now it is the end of June. I worked so hard to learn muscle memory and improve in this area, I just have to try again. This month is taught by Cindy Needham and repetitive designs are the focus. She also has a great discussion on disequilibrium---teaching the brain a new trick causes an unbalance. That's me right now! Even if you are not participating in the challenge, it would be worth the time to check out the lessons.
I spent a couple of days working on the tutorial for this month.....the results are not great. I have not used it and have taken a couple of steps back. I am not in full control doing repetitive lines.....need work there.
Muscle memory----I keep hearing that over and over, from free motion quilting to the therapist. So let's get that out of the way first. Day 67: PT put the hurt on yesterday.....lots of stretching and the good news the rotor cuff is not frozen but the muscles have shortened. Tears flowed but I got the arm up and managed to touch my head! That sounds strange, but to me it was a miracle. Now to revive the memory in the upper muscles. My brain says move to them and nothing happens; they need to "learn" or relearn the action I want. That is muscle memory.
Second form of muscle memory is free motion quilting. This is the year of the Free Motion Quilting Challenge. I got through April before the injury and I completely missed May. And now it is the end of June. I worked so hard to learn muscle memory and improve in this area, I just have to try again. This month is taught by Cindy Needham and repetitive designs are the focus. She also has a great discussion on disequilibrium---teaching the brain a new trick causes an unbalance. That's me right now! Even if you are not participating in the challenge, it would be worth the time to check out the lessons.
I spent a couple of days working on the tutorial for this month.....the results are not great. I have not used it and have taken a couple of steps back. I am not in full control doing repetitive lines.....need work there. 
But I will be brave and show what I ended up with. What I do know is that I need more practice, and I do not like doing the pebbles or the geometric designs. I love seeing them on quilts....I just don't like stitching them. So another practice sandwich will be prepped and I will do this one again. Use it or lose it.
12 comments:
I think you did very well. I think we mostly like to see designs that flow - geometrics break things up. Personally, I like to go with the flow.
The quilting looks wonderful to me! I'm glad you're able to get back to doing stuff you enjoy... just sorry to hear that PT is so painful for you!
(((((Debbie)))))
Straight lines are my quilting contribution, and I'm really not good at them either. I'm not doing the free motion, I have an older machine, and that's my excuse. If I could quilt like you do now, I would consider myself an expert. I think your "attempts" are gorgeous.
Hugs!
Your work is beautiful.I wish I I had your talent.
It may not be up to par in your eyes, but it looks great to me. I still haven't completed this challenge. I need to hop to it, but it will take even more courage to post mine! : )
Your quilting flows so beautifully, if you hadn't mentioned it I doubt anyone would realize you hadn't been practicing every single day! So good to know that the injury is on the mend. I'm also relearning FMQ technique, having switched mid-June from my trusty old 1942 vintage Singer to a new Janome - totally different world, but it's all good. Best wishes with your PT and a quick recovery!
Such mental strength and determination - I just know you will master it!
I'm glad your recovery is progressing. Your practice looks good to me. Wish I could do that well and I don't have an excuse.
I think it's beautiful, you did a really good job.
Sorry to hear about the pain, but at least you had some good news, you've come a long way. Any idea on how long it takes to rebuild muscle memory, is it like the FMQ, touch your head 10 times and it's yours?
Debbie, Your June free motion quilting looks wonderful and to think you did it being a bit handicapped. I love your eye for spacing each row/design of stitching. There is enough white space that makes your design pop!
Your sample looks great.
Your June FMQing looks beautiful! I hope you get all of the use back of your muscles, that has to be frustrating.
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