Sunny Stars

I really enjoy free motion quilting my quilts.  When it goes right.  I've had mixed luck with machines and feet and thread.  There was a time that no quilt was quilted without a lot of swearing at skipped stitches and broken thread.  Grr...

But when the planets align it is a joy and almost meditative experience to quilt.  The last quilt was wonderful.  A few weeks ago I loaded the sewing machine with the same quilting thread and expected a repeat.  So imagine my surprise when the thread refused to behave.  Eventually I worked it out.  

Starting the quilting process is always a little nerve wracking.  Some of it's the "OMG, how am I going to quilt this whole thing?" or "where do I even start?".  I find it difficult to commit myself to quilting the first square foot.  It can take me days to work up the nerve to start stitching.  Silly, isn't it?  But once I get going, the stitching takes on a life of its own and I can't wait to sit down and quilt some more.  

I use a Teflon mat for free motion quilting.  Usually I carefully place it under the machine - but I was busy and just chucked it on the table.  I'd fix it before I started, right?

Well....

See that little hole to the left of the needle?  Oops.  I forgot to move it the mat before sewing quilting my section.  It's a good thing the mat stuck in place - I've heard of people sewing the mat to the bottom of their quilt.  Whew!

My first quilting design was to echo each diamond in the star.  However, as I put the fabric under the needle I realized I'd be stitching through a lot of joined seams.  After a bit of drawing, I came up with this design, which is not as dense.  I also really like the pattern it makes on the back of the quilt.  Once I get all the stars quilted I'll be going back over to work on the squares and triangles (pattern to be determined).  

Sharing with:
A Quiltery - Put Your Foot Down Thursday
Alycia Quilts - Finished or Not Friday
Nina-Marie - Off the Wall Friday
Quilting & Learning - What a Combo! - Free Motion Mavericks
Quilting Patchwork Applique - Patchwork & Quilts