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.
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
This is an amazing quilt and I love the quilting pattern you did. I'm sure something wonderful will come to you for the open spaces. Enjoy! ;^)
ReplyDeleteI take my hat off to you, Sally, for free motion quilting your Sunny Stars quilt. Loving the quilting pattern you have imagined. I look forward to seeing what quilting patterns you dream up next.
ReplyDeleteYour quilt design looks great! I love quilting once everything is working properly. It can be frustrating but when it works out, it's so fun to sew!
ReplyDeleteYou are inspiring me to pull my socks up and start sewing!
ReplyDeleteI'm hear you. There is nothing like FMQ to put me in Zen state when all is going well. The opposite is true, when the thread breaks repeatedly or I discover bird nests on the back of a quilting. Unstitching FMQ is a bear. Love your plan to first echo the star exactly and then more free flowing with flames. Looks great.
ReplyDeleteOh Fun quilting!! And I am very glad all the planets aligned for you!
ReplyDeleteThat's a pretty design! I'm glad you got the kinks worked out for it. I'm intrigued by the idea of a Teflon mat under the quilt. It seems like that would also be useful for walking foot quilters like me to help the quilt sandwich slide along a little more smoothly. Where do you find them?
ReplyDeleteYour quilting is fabulous, I love the pattern for the inner star, and the flake design for the outer, great way to avoid extra seams! Hooray for the mat, not moving! It reminds me that I own one and should use it ;)) Thank you for sharing and linking up!
ReplyDeleteI understand totally the bravery it takes to start that kind of quilting with the machine. I've managed place mats and small hangings but it is really not in my wheelhouse to try a quilt. So it goes, I guess. But look what you achieved...amazing and I'm so impressed! Well done, Sally!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty quilt. I have yet to try free motion quilting. I have had my machine for over 20 years and just learned how to lower the feed dogs! I like the pattern you are quilting.
ReplyDeleteHi Sally, your FMQ looks wonderful! Thanks so much for linking up to FM Mavericks.
ReplyDelete