Wednesday, March 28, 2012

FMQ- it CAN be fun!

Who knew!!
but still...
If you have been following along with Leah Day and her Free Motion Quilting Challenge, you know that the current project
is a whole cloth quilt with a
Hearts and Feather motif.
Last week, we prepped the cloth and transferred the motif, so that this week we could FMQ it!
I was concerned that my fabric choice wasn't the best, but in the end decided to give it a whirl anyway.
Actually, I really was just too lazy to re-do the whole thing.
*****
Leah provided an amazing video on the process of quilting the Hearts and Feathers, so I was ready to give it a try!
The motif measures somewhere around 15-16" I think.
I use a Supreme Slider, and have the bobbin washers that Leah suggests as well.
I have never used polyester thread before, so had purchased 2 spools a couple months back.
I thought it was white, but is actually eggshell Isacord thread, and OMG it quilts like butter!
Here is the finished front and back....
I loved doing this motif, and even managed to follow the lines fairly well!!
Travel stitching is something new for me, so I took my time, and only a couple wonky areas, mostly on the feathers....
Doing the feathers was kind of odd for me.
I couldn't seem to do them top to bottom, or bottom to top!
Instead, I had to approach them sideways!
Seriously, is that goofy??
I was worried that the stitching wouldn't show up on this fabric, but I think it is okay.
I am wondering about changing thread colour for the micro stippling that we will be doing on it next.
The only other colour I have is grey.
Would this be a terrible idea, or should I just stick with the eggshell?
And here is why I was able to get this done in one day....
"the girls" were apparently exhausted and left me alone!
Usually, one of them is wandering in front of the sewing machine while I sew!
Linking op with Leah.
Can hardly wait to see everyone's quilt and to get started on micro stippling! Eeeek!

12 comments:

Pat Merkle said...

Your whole cloth quilt looks great! I like the fabric and the stitching. I think you could go either way with the thread, but I probably would stick with the eggshell (is that too boring?). I love stitching with Isacord. I started with that thread because that's what I use to machine embroider. Happy quilting! :)

Sarah said...

Your quilting looks great, but good gods those kitty snuggles are adorable!

Danih03 said...

Your quilting looks great! If stitching feathers sideways is goofy then I'm goofy too! LOL I did the same thing. I could see where I was coming and going easier!!!

Jaime said...

I love the quilting... looks impossibly hard though. I'm so new to all this, but maybe I'll check out the video.

Anne said...

looks really good - and I love your fabric. Thanks for your comment on my blog earlier.

MalinisQuilts said...

Your quilting looks great! For thread color even a lighter color green would be nice or you could go with white thread.

Grey depends on how light or dark it is.

Jacquelin said...

A veces el resultado nos puede sorprender y lo que mal empieza bien acaba, espero que sea tu caso. Buen trabajo.

Candy said...

Stitching your feathers sideways must work for you...they look great!

Sana Saroti said...

I think it looks great already and your kitties ar too cute! They look like they couldnt harm a fly ;-)

Mrs.Pickles said...

wow what lovely work!

kingman quilter said...

I love your comment about the Isacord thread. It's nice when something really good like that happens.

I'm right there with you on sideways feathers.

Doreen said...

I think I would stick with the eggshell, also. I haven't used the Isacord thread but am thinking of ordering some as my LQS doesn't carry it. It really went quite well for me..so far. Am catching up now and hope to post sometime tomorrow. Your stitching looks wonderful. This exercise is definitely a 'stretch' for me! Hugs, Doreen

12 comments:

Pat Merkle said...

Your whole cloth quilt looks great! I like the fabric and the stitching. I think you could go either way with the thread, but I probably would stick with the eggshell (is that too boring?). I love stitching with Isacord. I started with that thread because that's what I use to machine embroider. Happy quilting! :)

Sarah said...

Your quilting looks great, but good gods those kitty snuggles are adorable!

Danih03 said...

Your quilting looks great! If stitching feathers sideways is goofy then I'm goofy too! LOL I did the same thing. I could see where I was coming and going easier!!!

Jaime said...

I love the quilting... looks impossibly hard though. I'm so new to all this, but maybe I'll check out the video.

Anne said...

looks really good - and I love your fabric. Thanks for your comment on my blog earlier.

MalinisQuilts said...

Your quilting looks great! For thread color even a lighter color green would be nice or you could go with white thread.

Grey depends on how light or dark it is.

Jacquelin said...

A veces el resultado nos puede sorprender y lo que mal empieza bien acaba, espero que sea tu caso. Buen trabajo.

Candy said...

Stitching your feathers sideways must work for you...they look great!

Sana Saroti said...

I think it looks great already and your kitties ar too cute! They look like they couldnt harm a fly ;-)

Mrs.Pickles said...

wow what lovely work!

kingman quilter said...

I love your comment about the Isacord thread. It's nice when something really good like that happens.

I'm right there with you on sideways feathers.

Doreen said...

I think I would stick with the eggshell, also. I haven't used the Isacord thread but am thinking of ordering some as my LQS doesn't carry it. It really went quite well for me..so far. Am catching up now and hope to post sometime tomorrow. Your stitching looks wonderful. This exercise is definitely a 'stretch' for me! Hugs, Doreen