Monday, May 10, 2010

Free Motion Feathers and Other Adventures

I have always enjoyed free motion quilting.  This weekend I used some free time to practice up on my free motion quilting skills.






Where do you start with free motion feathers?  You have to start at the beginning and practice, practice, practice.  I like starting with a small project like a potholder, but before you start sewing--lets practice by drawing. 
I have a sketch pad that I use to draw designs and curvy rulers that you can buy at an art store.




There are also curvy Quilt rulers that you can use that are now on the market.  I draw the curve and then fill in with the feathers.




The picture above shows the steps that I use to draw feathers.  On the actual quilt I only draw the curves so I have a reference to go by.  Marking quilts is not my favorite thing to do so if I can skip a few steps that is fine with me.  If you can draw it by pencil, you can draw it by needle.  Warning:  Your feathers will not look like mine--they will be unique and your feathers. 





As you draw do not lift your pencil from the pad and draw like you would be drawing with your sewing machine needle.  The drawings are just some of the examples of feathers that I have tried.



Check out Diane Gaudynski's blog and Leah Day's blog for more free motion quilting posted under my blog list.  Another favorite professional quilter that I like is Harriet Hargrave.  She is one of the first machine quilters that I've learned from.

Today my new Janome 1600P QC came in!




I have been perfectly happy with my Bernina 1630 and Singer Featherweight for my quilting hobby.  I have even quilted a queen size quilt on my Bernina, but I wanted something with a little bit bigger area to free motion quilt.  This machine only does a straight stitch.  It has a needle up and needle down, a presser foot lifter, and a bobbin system similar to Bernina and Featherweight.  I had to buy a darning foot separately.  This machine fit into my budget perfectly.  So far I am very happy with this new adventure!

Our corn that Dean planted last week is now about three inches high!








You probably think I'm crazy, but it always amazes me when all the seeds start growing.  Maybe that's why I'm a farmer's wife.

Another adventure I had was on Friday when I came home from the bakery after working eight hours to find out that my husband had another job for me to do--work ground while he planted beans.



I wasn't too excited about driving tractor, but the job had to be done.  Overall it was an enjoyable afternoon helping out my husband on the farm.  I hope everyone had a wonderful Mother's Day.



Happy Quilting

Kay Lynne

4 comments:

Sandra said...

Your quilted feathers are beautiful. I've always wondered how you do that. Looks like I need to set aside some time to practice drawing. Congratulations on your new machine. May you have many happy memories together!

JennaLouiseCreates said...

Great post. Your machine quilting is AMAZING and I really mean that:) I need a lesson from you, I did purchase a sketch book recently. Your work has inspired me to do what I have so far, I finally have the bubbles down so now it is time for feathers. Love your new machine, I am happy for you, you deserve it:) I might have to take for a test drive:) I ended up with bronchitis, hope to go back to work tomorrow. I am finally feeling better. I did make a contact with the teacher at Otsego about the sewing machine and it will be delivered to it's new owner next week. What a wonderful thing you did, thank you and thank Sandy also. Luv, Jenna

JennaLouiseCreates said...

Make sure you stop over to my blog...I think you will be surprised:) Jenna

IHaveANotion ~ Kelly Jackson said...

Wow....excellent feathers and wonderful practice!!! No wonder Jenna wants to do more....I do too now :)

I smiled at your photos of the corn....I'm the same way....when the little seeds start to pop I can't help but smile....it tickles me.

Smiles,
Kelly