Feathers and More Feathers

I have been longarming for 3 years now. It really does not seem that long, but, it has been. In that period of time I have never been asked to put feathers on a quilt. Therefore, I haven't really practiced them. Wellllllll, guess what. I have a top in the que that has feathers requested. I really want these to turn out very nicely. So, I am spending a few days watching videos and practicing feathers on my white board and my sketch book. I can draw them, and most of the time they look pretty good. This is a confidence issue. That is why I have 'messed' around for 3 days and avoided putting even a practice piece on the frame. I draw feathers while watching TV. I draw feathers in the air while stopped at a red light. I draw feathers in my dreams-----------Those really look good.

The time has come to at least put on a practice piece. This is a 'Love' quilt top from Devine that I am going to use for 'feather practice'. It will be interesting to see how it does turn out. I will be using dream blend in the mid loft for the batting so that I can, hopefully, actually see the feathers. The 'real' quilt will have wool as the batting.

Practice Piece Backing and Batting

I am taking the top to Design Group for input on thread and the path to take across the top since it is a rail fence. I plan to use So fine thread both top and bobbin. I think that I know the color that I want to use, but, want to see what 'the group' has to say. We have plenty of opinions floating around, but, no one gets offended if we don't take their advice.

Practice 'Love' Quilt Top

I know that I can do this. I have learned that I just really need to slow down with my freemotion or my curves get really loopy. This will take a lot of concentration to get done and Kim Brunner makes it look sooooooo easy.

Olivia

The top that I am practicing for is a log cabin in black and white. The feathers will go in the white/light areas and I intend to use some type of angular quilting in the black and white/dark areas. I plan to put a feathered heart in the center. I will take pictures and show you the progress as I go. Remember that I am using Olivia who is a hand guided Gammill Classic Plus. The plus is a stitch regulator.

Wish me luck and I'll post as I go.




POST SCRIPT:  Don't forget that registration for May Mester closes March 30. There are still spaces available in both classes so don't be shy..................Register now.

Another Busy Week

Remember this? This is the top panel of an Advent Calendar. My job was to duplicate it in triplicate. Or is that 'my job is to triplicate it'?

Well, today I finished. This is what I came up with.

They aren't exact duplicates. I used beads, buttons, and ribbons on my pieces. They are also not identical to each other. Each has it's own personality. I do hope though that Ellen likes them. She will finish the calendar using these panels.

Lot's to tell you about the trip to the AQS show in Knoxville. I will get that post together and get it up on Blogger as soon as I can.

 Roada also needs to complete her stories about her trip. She has been complaining about being in her travel bag since last Saturday, so, tonight I will take her to Design Group. Maybe that will settle her down for a while.

There is one person that will be SHOCKED to see what is going on the frame. Olivia is really ready for a challenge, soooooooooooo, stay tuned.

Until later,