Thursday, February 19, 2015

How do you get to Carnegie Hall?

Practice, practice, practice! That's what I've been doing with my new Sweet Sixteen, sit-down, mid-arm quilting machine.

I started by just doing my usual paisleys and swirls and spirals and innies and outies, but thought I needed to try some different patterns so I went to Leah Day's website where she has over 400 designs for fillers.  She shows you the patterns then has a short video of her quilting it and narrating her process.  She is working on squares that are about 6" and puts a 4" square inside. I cut out quite a few black squares, layered them with batting and backing and drew my inner square 5 inches.  I did several and decided that I really didn't like to work that small and if I did, I would use my trusty old Bernina, on which I have done a lot of free motion quilting. But if you're tired of doing the same old, same old, be sure to check her out!




Then I found another website, Angela Walter's, Quilting is My Therapy.  She was showing some larger motifs, also by showing the finished product and then a video where she walks you through it.  One of my favorites was the Paisley Feather.  Since I love to do Paisleys this was an easy adaptation for me, much easier than regular feathers, so I've been practicing them. Click on any picture for a bigger view of all.


This is all done without marking.  At the very top of this section is a wavy feather that I did mark.  It was a real pain in the neck, first tracing the design on with a blue wash-out marker and then trying to follow those lines.  I much prefer to just wing it and I like the results much better. In this section and the next one is another of Angela's designs, called The Plume Feather.  I need to practice that one some more.



I added in a few swirls and spirals of my own.  This is going to be fun.

My friend just told me that she is going to make a baby quilt for her neighbor and then send it out to be quilted on a long arm, since she can no longer quilt her own quilts due to back and shoulder problems. So I said, "Give it to me!"  It will be a wonderful practice venue and she won't have to pay for that long arm quilting.

I'm linking up with Off the Wall Friday.


14 comments:

Linda M said...

Your practice pieces look wonderful.

Sue said...

Your quilting with your Bernina has always been perfection .... I can't imagine what you will come up with the newfangled machine. Some days I'm so tempted to get back on the quilting horse but think I"m too lazy.

Art by Rhoda Forbes said...

beautiful quilt

Shannon said...

your quilting designs are great! I know what you mean about too small though- I tried some little sampler squares and I have a terrible time holding onto them to smoothly quilt...

quiltedfabricart said...

You are putting Leah to shame! Your quilting is wonderful, and isn't the 16 just the best? I got one a year or so ago and love it. Getting the tension right can sometimes be a challenge and the threading isn't a fast as a regular machine bit nice it's right - oh does she purrrrrrrr! What's your favorite thread in the 16? I have found any cotton even aurifill tends to break. The Isis that Leah recommends is hard to find around here.

Sherrie Spangler said...

These are gorgeous. They just might inspire me to get back into free-motion quilting!

Maggi said...

Love what you've done with the paisleys

Regina B Dunn said...

I visit Leah's site to get inspiration when I'm not sure of a quilting pattern to use. What a great resource. You are definitely very skillful with free motion.

SuzK said...

I took a look at Leah Day's website and what a treasure trove of good ideas it is! Who has the time to make 1:30 videos on how to do them all, but she did it. Dedication and passion! Thanks Norma, too, for sharing your work. It helps to see practice work from seasoned professionals from time to time.

Sylvia said...

Lovely practice pieces! I think you have the hang of it!

Sarah said...

Your quilting looks so good! I'm looking forward to see how you quilt your friends quilt!

Gwyned Trefethen said...

I'd say Carnegie Hall is in your future. Good for you for making friends with your new machine.

LA Paylor said...

you have certainly mastered the machine! What beautiful motifs! Are you comfortable yet? LeeAnna

Anonymous said...

Looks like you had fun…sure those light-hearted patterns will get some use as you work through the end-of-winter doldrums!