Heather Thomas

More Explorations with my Stamps - Pretty Bird

2012-01-23T07:17:00.000-08:00

Good Morning All,

Just so you all don't get the idea that I do nothing but machine quilt, here is a small quilt that I recently made all by hand!

I've kitted the whole thing up and am calling it Pretty Bird. It features one of my two bird stamps. I printed the stems and leaves first in a dark green, then added the bird in blue with violet highlights. Then I added the flowers. It is all stamped on a piece of shot cotton by Kaffe Fasset.

Next I used some Misty Fuse to stick a layer of Hobbs Thermore batting to the backside to give the fabric stability and I hand stitched and embroidered. All of the shapes are outlined with a backstitch and details were added to the bird, flowers and leaves. Then, I added curly-q's in some of the negative space.

Once all of the decorative stitching was done, I added a backing. For that, I just cut a piece of fabric the same size as the top and turned the edges under then I top stitched it to the quilt top. I went back and did a blanket stitch all the way around to cover the machine stitch then frayed the edges of the quilt top.

I just love the results and it was great fun to hand stitch.

Till next time,
Heather

2012-01-17T07:42:00.000-08:00

Good Morning All,

Ain't change a kick in the head?

I've just returned from a teaching and vending at a gig in Oklahoma City and I'm preparing for the grand opening of the Golden Fiber Arts Studio this weekend. I had a ball in OKC! It was the last time I'll travel with the lovely Judy. She has taken on a new full time job back in the real estate industry and I'm extremely sad to see her go. However, my great friend I.V. went to the show with us to see how she liked vending and she has decided to help me out with some of the upcoming shows I have scheduled. My younger daughter, Haley, will be taking over scheduling for me and I'll continue to dye fabric etc. on my own (with a little help from some very willing friends!).

This quilt, which I call " Here & There" is the first in a new series of Images & Pieces designs that I'm creating using simple pieced blocks in conjunction with some of my stamped designs. I'm having so much fun coming up with different ways to use the stamps. It's fun to quilt the quilts too. This one is quilted every 1/4" with a tiny stipple around the flowers and straight lines that echo the accent strip in the pieced block. You may be able to see the quilting if you click on the photo to see it larger.

I have shown you all some great quilting designs here on my blog, but sometimes, the best quilting for a quilt is the simplest. Remember, when you're choosing designs for machine quilting that if the colors and piecing of the quilt top are interesting on their own make sure that the quilting does not compete with them. However, if the top lacks interest, then you can add more decorative quilting. The quilting should always augment/support the piecing, not compete with it as a focal point.

Hope you're having a fabulous day,

Till next time,
Heather

2011-12-22T10:35:00.000-08:00

Hello All,

I can't believe that it's been almost two months since my last entry! I do apologize. I don't even have a good excuse. I thought I'd have a lot of down time these past few weeks, but as always, I'm still behind. I'm beginning to understand that I place way too many expectations on myself!

Anyway, here is the project that I used in my last full length video ( it will be out in about 5-6 months). The first photo is a rough drawing on tissue paper. For those of you who want to try this "Quilt and Color" technique but don't feel that you can do it without a pattern, you can pin a tissue paper pattern to the top of your quilt sandwich and follow your drawn lines.

The second photo with just one bird, some stems and the sun, shows how I do this technique. If you look closely you can see that I've just traced the main elements of the outlines of the two birds, the large portion of the tree limbs and a portion of the sun. This helps me make sure that things get placed where I want them in the design field. Then I layer with two layers of batting and a backing. I usually stitch the larger design elements first then add the detail after.

The next photo shows the piece with all of the quilting done and I've just started coloring in. And the final photo shows the piece all colored in and ready for a binding. My hubby wanted the word "escape" on it. It will hang in his cubicle at work once it's bound.

Now it's back to my studio for some long sought after quilting time. All the gifts are wrapped, the grocery shopping done and now it's me time!

Yee haw!

Till next time,
Heather

Glorious Fun at our Taos Retreat

2011-10-25T06:20:00.000-07:00

Good Morning All,

I've just returned from my Taos Retreat. It was the first retreat I've ever hosted on my own and it was a big success. I've never enjoyed teaching so much!

I had a great group of women join me at the Mabel Dodge Luhan House in Taos NM and we spent five days creating luscious fabrics and playing with them.

The retreat center was absolutely amazing. It has an easy going, reverent sort of feel to it. The rooms are very comfy and cozy with Kiva fireplaces in nearly every room. The weather was perfect, cool mornings and evenings, warm afternoons. The food was terrific and so was the staff.

We started the retreat Sunday evening with the ladies coloring the quilted name tags that I had made for each of them then we spent the next two days painting, stamping and discharging fabrics and batting. The following two days were spent learning new techniques with metal, Lutradur and other strange products and creating unique, individual pieces of art work. Several of the women completed or nearly finished their art quilt.

The first photo above is of Barbara K's quilt in progress. She used many of her hand painted fabrics and embellishments along with some commercial Batiks. The next photo is of some of the fabrics painted by Kathy A. and the final photo is of us all standing below the prayer flags at the entrance of the classroom compound.

All in all it was an amazing experience for me - and I think my students will agree. I can't wait till next years retreat! If you would like to see more photos of the gangs fabrics and quilts, visit my Facebook page; Heather Thomas

Till next time,
Heather

My new book

2011-10-10T07:27:00.000-07:00

Good Morning All,

It's been a wild and crazy month since I've been here. I apologize for that, but life has become a whirlwind. The buzz surrounding the release of A Fiber Artist's Guide to Color & Design has created a wave that I've grabbed hold of and plan on riding out.

In business most of us don't get to pick and choose when we'll find success, so when it presents itself we/I just have to hold on for the ride. I feel that after close to 16 years of struggling in the quilting industry that I have finally "made it". Unfortunately that doesn't mean that I get to sit back on my laurels (whatever those are) and relax - it actually means that now I have to step up to the plate and hit more home runs!

With that in mind, I've been working really hard on my new line of rubber stamps, re-releasing my three Shiva painted quilt designs with manufactured stencils included, working on the next two books, shooting more DVD's, building up my supply of hand dyed and hand painted fabrics and doing more national shows.

I've finished my guest writing for Quilting Arts but I promise I will get back to adding more quilting designs here soon. I'll also finish up the last Quilt & Color designs that I showed you in the quilted stages - as soon as all of the coloring is complete, I'll get them up for you to see.

I'm off this week for a book signing and class in Santa Fe followed by 6 days in Taos for the retreat that I'm hosting then two days of teaching and a book signing in Colorado Springs, a day off then Judy and I are heading off to Houston for two weeks of market and festival! I'm already tired just thinking about it. But, once I'm back, I'll be setting up my new dye studio, shooting some more DVD's and video classes and relaxing my way through the holiday season.

I promise at least a couple of entries will I'm traveling.

Till next time,
Heather

New (Ad)Ventures

2011-09-02T06:30:00.001-07:00

Good Morning All,

Boy I thought I was busy before..... but now, I'm in the midst of non-stop action! I am launching two new ventures.

The first is a line of rubber stamps designed expressly for printing on fabric - I will have 37 different designs to debut at Int. Quilt Market and Festival in late October.

Here are six of the designs (click on the image to see larger). Each of these blocks of stamps is 4". My stamps will vary in size from 2" x 3" all the way up to 6" x 8". They will retail at between $4 for the smaller stamps up to $22.00 for the large sets that create pictorials. For this first round, I've designed flowers, birds, fish, leaves, hearts, butterflies, dragonflies and lots of textures.

The stamps are clear and cling to acrylic blocks for printing. They come set between two layers of plastic for easy storage. To use, you just peel the stamp off the plastic place it on the acrylic block and print. Clean up with soap and water, dry, peel from the acrylic block and store between the plastic again.

I've designed them with heavy lines and little surface texture - which is just what you need when printing on fabric. But they can be used to stamp just about anything from paper, clay, your walls, book art, you name it! A few of the designs have narrower lines and more open areas. I've designed these to use alone, or to print then quilt and color in with fabric ink.

Though I'm struggling with feeling overwhelmed with this life I'm making, I feel so damned lucky to be living the creative life of my dreams. I can't wait to share these stamps with you!

Till next time,
Heather

Finishing up more quilts for my upcoming show

2011-08-14T21:57:00.000-07:00

Good Evening All,

I can't believe it... I've finished 7 quilts in the last two weeks. I had 8 "blanks" sculpted and ready for painting and quilting and I managed to get 7 of the eight finished. I've got my first solo show coming up and I have to be ready to hang on Tuesday - that's just two days from now. I will need up to 30 pieces to fill both of the large rooms at The Lobby which is the restaurant where the show will hang from Aug 16 - Oct 18. It's not that I've waited till the last minute to get these done - this was just the first available minute!

In the first photo are four sculpted pieces with the first coat of paint which I always paint with just one color.

In the second photo are two of the pieces with all of the painting complete.

In the last photo you can see me painting the second coat on one of the pieces. I started with black then added bright colors. I topped those with silver and pewter then with shades of the original bright colors and finally finished with fine white lines. When I finish with this piece I'll load up a photo for you to see.

Hope you all had a great weekend!
Till next time,
Heather

2011-08-13T07:56:00.000-07:00

Good Morning All,
Lest you think I've been slacking off..........here are some of my new hand dyed fabrics. My assistant, Judy and I have been dyeing like crazy as we get ourselves prepared to hit the national show/teaching circuit. Because I don't want to be "just another hand dyer", I've been coming up with ways to make our hand dyes unique. I'm using several Shibori techniques along with color mixing my way. We get all of this glorious color using just 4 dyes; black, yellow, red and blue! I'm having lots of fun and learning new stuff along the way - just what life is all about.

I will be opening my own dye studio sometime in October. The space is a subleased area of a new teaching gallery that will be attached to the Golden Quilt Co. in Golden CO. I'm so excited to have dedicated space to dye and paint fabric in. My assistant's happy that we won't have to continue doing it in her kitchen too.

Once we get the space up and running, all of our painted and dyed fabric will have a home base from which to sell it locally. We will house all of the product there between shows and Tamara the lovely owner/operator of the teaching studio will be there to sell it to any takers.

I just love it when things work out. I cast my net in to so many waters. Sometimes it comes out tangled and empty, other times it's loaded with a full bounty. Ain't life good!

Till next time,
Heather

New Work

2011-08-12T07:45:00.001-07:00

Good Morning All,
A Friend of mine and faithful blog follower, Christ Irell, just sent me an email and link to her blog, http://happyartgurl.blogspot.com, so I spent some time reading about her current artistic forays and got to see a video of The Artist Creed. It was time well spent, you should check her out.
I've been busy trying to get ready for my first solo art show - and it's a big un'. I need up to 40 pieces to fill the space and have been rapidly trying to get some new work done. The show will be called "Sculptural Quilts & other colorful stories". It will hand at The Lobby which is a downtown restaurant on the corner of 21st and Arapahoe streets. It goes up on the 16th of Aug and hangs for two months. The opening reception is Tuesday, Sept 6th, from 4-7.
Anyway, the top photo above shows one of the new pieces prior to quilting. The painted, sculpted piece is sitting on top of two layers of silk, two layers of batting and a backing fabric. The second photo shows it with the quilting done and with a frayed binding added. I don't usually make the quilting in these pieces so "frilly", but I really enjoyed doing this one and I like the way it looks. If you click on the photos you can see them larger. I combined several different stitch outs to get this fancy design.
I'll show you some more pieces soon,
Till next time,
Heather

More from my Quilt & Color seriess

2011-07-11T07:10:00.001-07:00

Good Morning All,

Boy it feels good to work in my studio! I'm having so much fun getting ready for this solo show I'm hanging at the first of August.

These six pieces are each just 8" x 10" and once they are colored in I plan to mount them on stretcher boards and hang them together as a small installation. I really enjoy micro-stitching. If you click on any of the images, you can see them larger. Notice how none of the stitching is very intricate, just basic filler designs and simple outlines, but when you join them all together they become much more interesting. I'll show them to you again once I get the coloring done and get them mounted and I'll teach you the mounting process - which I'm copying from another fiber artist friend, Carol Ann Waugh.

I'm sending out my new newsletter tonight. It's filled with tons of classes to get you excited about your own fiber arts journey. Hope to see some of you there!

Till Next Time,
Heather

Another, Another Finished Quilt!

2011-06-27T06:33:00.001-07:00

Good Morning All,

Here is another quilt that I've just finished. It is a doodle quilt that has some coloring in it too.

It was made in the same manner as the last quilt, only with this one I didn't use an additional fabric between the blocks and the quilted rectangles and I colored in the flowers so that they could better act as focal points.

For the coloring, I used four colors of Tsukineko inks then after they were dry I added a sheer layer of Shiva paint in pink iridescent.

I'm very pleased with the final result. If you click on any of the photos you'll be able to see it larger.

Till next,
Heather

2011-06-24T17:14:00.000-07:00

Good Afternoon All,

As promised, here is another finished piece. If you click on any of the images you will be able to see them larger. I'm having so much fun exploring free style machine quilting as design motifs/focal points rather than as the artistry added to finish something else.

If you've heard of Zen Tangles, these might remind you of them though I really don't use many of the movements shown in Zen Tangles. Rather, I use combinations of the stitch outs that I've been using in my free style machine quilting for years including many of the designs that I've shared with you here on my blog.

No, not all of them are original to me, in fact lots of them I've picked up from other quilts, textures, doodles and drawings that I've seen along the way. What is unique is how I'm trying to use them.

The quilt is about 16" wide by 46" long. Each of the white blocks was quilted individually with two layers of batting and a backing. I stitched them on plain, white canvas that I had ripped so that the edges are rough. I then layered up the background fabric with two more layers of batting and a backing. I cut 3 squares of red shot cotton backed with Misty fuse. These squares were about 1 1/2" larger all the way around than the quilted white squares. I positioned the red squares on the black silk background fabric and ironed them in place. Then I quilted the inner part of the red squares, where the white quilted squares would eventually be, with a large stipple and the outer 1 1/2" of the red squares with a linear design. Next I quilted the hell out of the black silk fabric which would eventually become the borders and sashing between the quilted white squares. The black silk is quilted with more than a dozen different stitch outs.

Once the black/red block background was quilted then I positioned the white quilted squares in the centers of each of the red blocks and stitched them in place. As you look at each of the blocks above, notice how I mix curve based designs with straight line based designs, sort of alternating them whenever possible. This juxtaposition of straight versus curvy adds contrast within the single color thread design.

This is just about the most fun I've ever had with a sewing machine!

More soon,
Heather

Another Finished Quilt!

2011-06-22T10:37:00.001-07:00

Good Morning All,

I know it's been a while, but I've been BUSY! It's a good busy but a bit overwhelming. I shot my second full length video last week. The first one was on embellishing art quilts and the second one was on fabric painting with hand made stamps. Soon I'll be carrying them both on my web site! I finished my color book and signed the Permission to Produce - so, it's off in Hong Kong being printed and I should have it in my hot little hands by mid Sept.
As I told you in my last entry, I'm trying very hard to get some new work finished for a show I'm hanging in Aug. This is another one that I recently finished. It is gelatin mono-printed then I quilted the hell out of it. The close-ups above show each of the three individual circle designs that I stitched in the negative space. It was very fun to do and I'm sooooooo glad it's finished. I've finished another one since this one was completed and am almost finished with another. I'll show you those in the next few days.
Hope you're all enjoying our beautiful summer,
Till Later,
Heather

New Work

2011-06-09T06:33:00.001-07:00

Good Morning All,

Today is my 4th wedding anniversary! Tom and I got married in our backyard on a lovely day just like today. Sunny, with a slight chance of showers - which I think is a great metaphor for marriage!

Here is my newest piece. I just finished it up this weekend after hosting a fabulous, two day, wildheatherdesigns.com open house. We debuted our new hand dyed fabrics and they were a big success.

I call this piece "She was Content" and it is the 3rd in my "She Was" series. The birds, leaves and sprigs are all done with stamps that I carved and I hand dyed both the background and border fabrics. The negative space behind the sprigs is quilted in a micro stipple and the border contains a poem/statement that reads, "Three little birds whispered sweet somethings in her ear and she knew that all was as it should be. Her course was steady and she was content." I used two layers of cotton/wool batting so that the quilting would really show up. If you click on either image you will be able to see a larger version of it.

I need to get about a dozen more pieces completed for a show that I will be hanging in August (yes, this August!) So, I'll be taking a break from new stitch-outs for a while, but I will show you all of the quilting that I get done along the way.

Also, I sent off the "permission to produce" for my new book yesterday. It was a huge relief to finally be done, but kind of a let down too - well, off to new things......

Till next time,
Heather

Block #98 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2011-05-27T07:05:00.000-07:00

Good Morning All,

Wow, what an amazing few weeks I've had!

My trip to Spring Quilt Market in Salt Lake City was very productive. I've added several new pans to the fire!

I've just finished the final editing of my color book and it should go to the printer on June 1st! It's such a long process but the book looks fantastic and I'm just so pleased with it. Thank you so much to all of you who have so graciously participated in it.

Here is a new design, I call it Giant Pea Pod. It looks somewhat difficult, but it's really pretty easy. Before you begin stitching it, click on the drawing to see it larger and doodle it out following the numbers. The numbers circle the outside twice so look carefully to avoid confusion. Use a contrasting thread so the the design really stands out.

Beginning on the lower, right stem, stitch a gentle curve up about 9"-10" and finish the line with a quarter sized swirl. Swirl back out and away to begin the opposite side of the pod. Stitch out and away then back in to form the first, smaller indention then stitch back out and form the curve of the middle 1/2 round then stitch back out and around to form the last round portion ending back at the stem.

Stitch up into the pea pod about 1/2" from the right hand side. Once you reach the tip, stitch back down again forming a 1/2"-3/4" wide channel. Once you reach the bottom of the channel, begin stitching small circles inside the channel. Once you reach the top again, stitch gentle, slightly curved triangles along the outer right hand side until you have reached the bottom. Trace back on the stem to the tip and stitch a new line about 1/8" away from the outer right hand side of the pea pod. Once you reach the inside of the swirl begin stitching the small parentheses shapes along the outer left hand side of the pod. Once you have reached the center of the first curve, stitch a swirl inside the curve of the pea pod then stitch back out a scant 1/8" away from the first line to make a very narrow swirl. Stitch more parentheses along the outside edge until you reach the center of the second curve and add a similar swirl on the inside of the pod. Do the same thing in the final inside curve of the pod then continue to stitch parentheses shapes along the outside edge all the way back down to the tip of the stem to complete the pod.

Using a thread that matches with the fabric, stitch the negative space around the pea pod in a small stipple or other fill stitch.
Hope you enjoy this design - I think it would be beautiful angled in a wide border or in setting triangles or squares.
Till next time,
Heather

Block #97 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2011-05-08T19:20:00.000-07:00

Good Evening All,

I've been working hard on preparing for Spring Market. Going to promote my new book, Color & Design as well as the old book, Fabric Embellishing. I'll be doing School House Sessions, some short classes and demos in my publisher's booth. I'll be looking for more goodies for my web site too!. I leave next Wednesday and get back the following Tuesday - so I'll have a week with no new posts. But when I get back I'll fill you all in with my market details.

Today's new block features a combination of several designs that we have stitched before plus a few new little additions. Click on the drawing above and view it larger to get a good idea of how to start. I highly suggest doodling this one out a few times before you start it. Try it in different sizes too.

Beginning at the lower right hand corner of your block stitch the long outer leaf then stitch the smaller leaf inside it. Once you reach the lower end on the second side of the innermost leaf, begin stitching small circles inside it. Make sure that all of the circles touch each other and to vary their sizes too.

Once the circles have been stitched to fill the innermost portion of the leaf, stitch from the tip of the smaller leaf up to the tip of the outer leaf and stitch a tear drop on the top then stitch your first feather on one of the sides. Once the feather is complete, stitch back up along the side of the leaf about half the width of the feather and stitch the inner design into the middle of the feather. Once you have completed it, stitch back down and position yourself so that you can stitch the next feather. Continue stitching feathers then filling them with the decorative design until you have completed the first side. Now, stitch back up along the opposite side of the large leaf then back down as you make filled feathers. Alternately, you may stitch all of the feathers first then go back in ad add the decorative design inside them.

Once the entire feathered leaf is complete, echo around it and make a pointy curly-q on the middle top of each feather as shown.

I stippled the remaining portion of the block with a large stipple using the same color thread. Note how the lovely feathered leaf gets somewhat lost among the stippling - in my next entry, I'll show you a better way.

Hope you enjoy this design - I know I loved stitching it.

Till next time,
Heather

Block #96 in the machine quilting challenge

2011-05-02T08:12:00.000-07:00

Good Morning All,
I wanted to show you all a photo of my beloved quilting machine. This is what I now do all of my machine quilting on. It is a Pfaff (yes, a pfaff!) Hobby Quilter, the baby sister to the Grand Quilter. It has a 9" opening and stitches faster than light (I usually stitch at much lower speeds!) I love this baby - she works hard, never complains and likes every brand and weight of thread that I throw at her.

Here is another new design. It is comprised of two elements that we've already done; a single sided feather and echoing. Click on the drawing to see it larger and follow the arrows for a better graphic. Doodle it out before you start stitching too.

Beginning near the center of your block, stitch a long line with a slight curve at the beginning and end it with a swirl. Keep the lines of the swirl about 1/2" apart. Once you are in the center of the swirl, begin making half heart shaped feathers along the outside of the swirl and all the way down the spine to complete the single sided feather.

Once you are out of the feather, stitch back up the side that doesn't have feathers on it keeping the stitch line about 1/4" away from the spine. When you reach the feathers on the swirl, stitch around them too. Keep stitching all the way around the half feather keeping the stitch lines about 1/4" apart until you have circled the feather twice. Stitch back up along the spine then stitch out and away and form another half feather. Echo it twice and fill in any space between the two with more echoing. Keep adding new half feathers and echoing them and filling in the spaces in between until you have filled the block. Strive to keep all of the stitching lines 1/4" apart.

Hope you enjoy this one - it's one of my favorites - I love all of the tactile texture it imparts.

Till next time,

Heather

Appologies and a New Design # 95

2011-05-01T10:58:00.000-07:00

Good Day All,

My apologies for not adding a new design in so long. My business is keeping me so busy right now that I'm not sure if I'm coming or going! Plus, I've been without a lap top for about a month due to a little mishap with a glass of red wine. But, I took some time earlier this week to stitch out a few more new designs. I call this one Nautilus. Click on either image to see larger.

This stitch out is essentially like a swirl. You'll probably want to doodle it out before you begin stitching.

To start, beginning near the center of your block stitch a swirl beginning from the outside and stitching in. Make the swirl about 1 1/2" wide. Once you reach the center of the swirl, begin making wavy lines from one side of the swirl over to the other side and back again. Travel along the inside of the swirl about 1/4" and stitch another line from side to side. Continue stitching these lines from side to side keeping them about 1/4" - 1/3" apart until your reach the end of the swirl. Stitch out and away from the first swirl and stitch a second swirl that is slightly smaller than the first one. Again, stitch from the outside in to the swirl then stitch back out of the swirl as you stitch the lines from side to side.

Continue adding more swirls of various sizes, nestling new swirls into previously stitched ones and varying the directions of the swirls too.

Thanks for coming or coming back. I promise new designs more regularly and I'll be writing about other stuff too!

Till next time,
Heather

Blocks #93 & #94 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2011-04-04T13:07:00.000-07:00

Hi Everyone,

I'm so sorry that it has taken me so long to get back here.

It's been a zoo! I've been working hard the last several weeks to get my web site back up and running and to get classes scheduled too. If you want to know more about it all, visit my site at wildheatherdesigns.com. So, as an apology, here are two new designs.

Both designs are based on the gentle curve or arc and both require you to mark the surface with squares. I marked mine with a Hera marker - remember, it's a sharpened beveled edge piece of plastic that just makes a crease. Anyway, for the first design on the left, I marked my block with six equally sized squares vertically and horizontally. Each square is 1 1/2". These can be a little confusing so you definitely should doodle them out before you attempt stitching.

The first set of gentle arcs moves diagonally across the center of each marked square and across the center of the block. Begin in the bottom left corner and stitch a gentle arc ending in the opposite upper right hand corner of the marked block. Next do the same in the next block that is one up and one over. Keep making gentle arcs from corner to corner in subsequent squares moving diagonally toward the upper right. Do the same thing back down, in the same squares only this time make the arcs on the opposite side of the first arcs and make them curve in the opposite direction sort of forming a pea pod shape.

Using the edge of the block, skip the next diagonal row over and move up to the following row and stitch the same pea pods . Stitch every other row of diagonal squares in the same manner, all stitched with a pea pod shape across their middles that moves in the same direction. Now, do the same thing, in the remaining rows, but stitch the pea pods in the opposite direction, beginning from the bottom right and stitching up to the upper left. This will yield a flower like design.

Next, you will add smaller, thinner pea pod shapes that curve around each of the sides of the squares in all of the rows. Simply begin on one row and stitch a gentle arc above the marked line on one side of the square then on to the next square to do the same until that row has half pea pods all along the top side of the line. Go back in the opposite direction and stitch gentle arcs along the bottom side of the marked lines, completing the pea pod shapes. Do this on all the marked lines both vertically and horizontally thus completing the smaller petals of the flower shapes in each block.

The second block was marked the same way as the first, (6) 1 1/2" squares in each direction.
I haven't quite figured out how to do this one without knotting off and or traveling along the edges. Consider a set of four squares to be a complete unit. The middle is where the corners of all four squares meet up. The first portion of the design will be stitched in the top two squares of the unit. Begin stitching a gentle arc from the upper left hand corner down at an angle toward the the line that divides the two upper squares. Aim to stitch trough that line about 2/3 the way down from the top of the squares and curve into the second square forming a tear drop that peaks right at the center of the four squares then curve it back up again and into the first square and take it back up so that it crosses over where it first entered the second square and continue stitching up into the upper right hand corner of the second square. You will repeat this motion three more times to complete one floral shape that fills one 4 square unit. Do it a second time using the right hand square and the one below it. Do it a third time in the two bottom squares then do it a final time in the two left side squares. Each time, try to stitch equally sized tear drops near the center of the 4 square units.

You can also try to do the stitching in rows, but I found that once I finished a row in one direction that I still had to travel or knot off to go in another direction. It's all worth it however, because it's a great design.

Hope you enjoy these, I'll be back on track now that I've caught up - at least I hope so!
Till next time,
Heather

Design #92 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2011-02-28T09:03:00.001-08:00

Good Morning,

Here is another border design. It's much simpler than the last few and similar to other leaf/vine designs we've done. The difference here is the shape of the leaf and the abundance of stems.

Beginning near the middle at one end of the border section, stitch a stem that moves over toward one side of the border. Lengthen the stem so that it forms the center of the first leaf. From the end of the stitched line, angle down and away from the center line/vein and form half of an upside down heart that ends back at the stem/vein. Stitch the second side of the leaf by stitching the second half of the heart and ending back at the top tip of the leaf. Stitch back down the center vein to the base of the leaf then stitch a short vein inside each side of the leaf. Stitch back down the stem a bit until you have room to stitch another stem on the same side of the border. End the stem with another heart shaped leaf then stitch back to the center stem.

Now, stitch another short stem on the opposite side of the center stem and end it with a heart shaped leaf. Stitch one or two more stems and leaves on that side of the center then stitch up the center stem and off to the original side of the border.

Keep stitching clusters of two t0 three stems and leaves that come off of the center vine, alternating sides as you go. Strive for equal sized leaves and to fill the space equally.

Now, I'm off to write the third installment of articles for Quilting Arts Magazine. Hope you're all enjoying them!

Till next time,
Heather

The Machine Quilting Challenge - Design #91

2011-02-20T11:53:00.000-08:00

Hello all,

Here is a fun new design to add to your border selection. It is really fun to do and adds wonderful depth and movement to the surface. I used two different colors and weights of thread, a heavier one to form the swirled leaves and stem and a lighter weight one to stitch the oppositional echos that are stitched in all of the negative space surrounding the swirly leaves.This design really displays how well opposites show each other off. Not only are the leaves soft and swirly while the background is straight, but the leaves move through the border in a horizontal direction and the background lines in a vertical direction.

To begin, load your machine with a 30wt thread and start stitching a stem up the center of your border section. Stitch over toward one side of the border and end the line with a swirl. Stitch back out of the swirl then stitch away and out to form the wide end of the swirly leaf. End back at the stem. Stitch up the stem a short way then stitch out in the opposite direction from the first leaf and stitch a second swirly leaf. Continue stitching swirly leaves alternating them on each side of the stem until you have filled the length of the border.

Switch to a lighter weight thread, 50 or 60 weight, that contrasts in color to the leaf thread. Beginning at one end of the border begin stitching straight lines between all of the leaves along one side of the border. Stitch from the stem to the edge of the border or to another portion of leaf. Stitch up about 1/4" then stitch back toward the stem. Stitch up 1/4" then back over toward the edge and so on, simply echoing one line with another that is about 1/4" away. Switch directions at times sewing lines that are angled one way or another to fit in and around the leaves. Try not to stitch any lines that are parallel to the leaves if possible. Once you have filled in all of the negative space on one side of the stem then do the same on the other side until you have filled all of the negative space. This tight quilting in the negative space will make the large swirled leaves look like they are stuffed (click on the photo to see it larger)

Hope you enjoy this new design,
Till next time,
Heather

Block #90 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2011-02-13T07:38:00.001-08:00

Good Morning All,

Wow, what a great change in the weather! It's sunny, all the snow is melting and it promises to be in the 50's all week! Could Spring be just around the corner? I sure hope so. For those of you who are new to the blog. If you click on the photo of the stitch out it will automatically enlarge it so that you can see the details better. Remember to always doodle out any designs that have elements in them that are unfamiliar to you.

Here is a new design that would work great in the borders of a quilt especially if you used either or both of the fan designs from earlier this week elsewhere in the quilt. It looks complicated, but it's really not. It uses three different colors of thread and requires you to section out the border space.

I used a quilt sandwich that was 7" x 14". I divided the piece into three equally sized sections using a Hera marker then marked borders (on the border) 1" away from both long sides.

The fans alternate in direction, one facing right then the next one nestled into it facing left, the next one nestles into the second one, facing right again and so on. So that I could begin with a full fan, I stitched the center most fan first. Begin with your needle positioned on the marked border line in the middle of the center most marked section. Stitch at an angle to one corner of that section. Next, stitch a slight curve that extends slightly over the marked border line over to the opposite corner of the center section. Now stitch back down at an angle to end at the starting point thus completing the outline of the first fan.

Either knot off and travel, or backtrack over one of the long sides of the fan then stitch one or two half circles (about the size of half of a dime) over to the corner of the next marked segment and stitch another fan that faces the same direction as the first fan. Once that fan is complete you will see that you have a triangular shaped wedge left between the two fans you have made. Stitch a fan in that area that points in the opposite direction of the first two fans and leave a space of about 1/2" between the fans. Once it is complete either knot off or backtrack over a previously stitched line past the original fan and stitch a fan in the final section that faces the direction of the first fan. You should have one empty wedge left, stitch a fan in it the faces the opposite direction from the two fans on either side of it. Finally, outline the curved edges of the fans with small half circles then knot off.

You have completed the hard part! Change thread colors and beginning in the fan on one end of the border strip, stitch into the fan going up along the inside of one long side and ending about 1/2" from the curved end of the fan then angle over about 1/2" to the curved edge of the fan and angle down about 1/2" again to form a pointed tip and stitch back down to the tip of the fan thus forming the first interior segment of the fan. Continue stitching segments inside the fan trying to make them all the same size and backtracking over previously stitched lines to get to where you need to go. Travel from fan to fan using a wavy line in the space between them. Strive to stitch the same number of segments in each fan. Once all of the segments have been stitched, echo the half circle curve on the outside of all of the fans.

Change thread color again and using the same method as above, stitch a long wavy line up the center of each fan segment ending it in a small, pointed leaf shape. Stitch a second smaller leaf inside the first then double back to the tip of the fan. Continue stitching this design in the middle of each fan segment. Once you are finished, echo the half circle curve on the outside of all of the fans then using this color of thread or switching back to the first color, stipple in what is left of the borders.

This is a highly decorative design and would add loads of interest and beauty to a quilt with simple piecing and plain fabrics.

Till next time,
Heather

Blocks #88 & #89 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2011-02-10T09:03:00.000-08:00

Good Morning All,

Well, this is my third attempt to write this new entry. First the computer shut itself off and I lost everything then after I re-wrote it all the blasted thing shut itself off for up-dates and I lost it all again! Then I heard my hubby's voice in my head saying "save, save, save". I'm saving every step of the way this time!

I want to thank all of you who have sent comments recently. It's so nice to hear from you guys and know what you think of the stuff I'm publishing here.

Thanks also to all of you who have sent emails about my article in Quilting Arts. They did a great job with what I wrote and I was so pleased to see a full page image of my quilt! I'm so excited about writing for them this year!

So, here are two new designs. The first one I call Simple Fans and the second one Fancy Fans (you'd think after three attempts I could come up with better names!). They both make great fillers but the Fancy Fans may overwhelm your piecing so use it only when you want/need to add loads of new interest to a piece. I would definitely doodle both of these designs out before I tried to stitch them!

To do the Simple Fans, begin near the center of your block and stitch a straight line that is about 1 1/2". Stitch a quarter circle arc in one direction then stitch a second 1 1/2" line that ends back where the first line began. The fan is essentially a quarter circle. Once you have stitched back to the pointed end of the fan, stitch a straight line up to the curve that separates the fan at the 1/3 point. Stitch over the curve toward one side then stitch back to the tip separating the fan at the second 1/3 point. The fan should now be separated into three somewhat equal segments. Add a loop to the outside tip of the fan for a handle then stitch away and around the fan with small loop d'loops until you have space to stitch another fan. Continue stitching fans linked by loop d'loops until you have filled all of the space. Strive for equally sized fans and smaller yet equally sized loop d'loops. Try to keep the negative space equal too.

For the Fancy Fans you will need three different thread colors. With the first thread color stitch the fans linked by just a few loop d'loops. Make the fans larger than the Simple Fans, about 2" long on each side. Don't separate the fans into thirds and don't fill up the negative space with too many loop d'loops. Load your machine up with the second thread color and beginning at the tip of one of the fans add 3-5 elongated tear drops shapes inside the fan. Stitch back out of the fan at the tip and stitch some loop d'loops over to the next fan and add the tear drops inside it. Keep adding elongated tear drops to each fan and traveling from fan to fan with loop d'loops. Don't fill in all of the negative space at this stage, leave room for one more color of loop d'loops. Change to the third thread color. Beginning at the tip of one of the fans stitch a line up the center of one of the tear drops and end the line with a spiral. Double back over the swirl and line back to the tip of the fan and stitch the same thing up the center of the remaining tear drops in the fan. Travel from the first fan to the next, filling the remaining negative space with loop d'loops. Add the swirls designs to the remaining tear drops in all of the fans and fill in all of the remaining negative space with loop d'loops.

I'm working really hard on several new projects that I will be announcing soon. If you haven't signed up for my emails on my web site you might want to. I'll be sending out an email within the next week. wildheatherdesigns.com

Till next time,
Heather

Winter Arts

2011-02-05T14:26:00.001-08:00

Hello All,
Another day in Winter Wonderland. Sad yet joyous news was received yesterday; Great American Quilt Factory - a Denver, quilting institution has decided to close after 30 years. What an accomplishment - 30 years in the quilting business! If you're a local and you plan to hit their closing sale, rather than bemoaning their closing, try telling the owners and employees how much you're going to miss them and thank them for all of their years of providing a great place to meet with friends, take wonderful classes and purchase great quilt art supplies (I'm just sayin')

Here are photos of another of my latest quilt and color pieces. As you can see in the first photo, all I mark are the major circles. In the second photo you can see that all of the motif stitching has been completed. The third photo shows it with all of the background area stitched too. The final photo is of the completed piece done in neutrals and metallics.

This technique is so much fun and has been a great way for me and my new machine to get acquainted!

I'll be back soon with some more GREAT news!
Till then,
Heather

More Quilt & Color Techniques

2011-02-01T17:15:00.001-08:00

Boy is it cold out! It's pretty damned cold here in my studio too. The radiator out here isn't working so it looks like I'll have to go buy a plug in heater!
I've just returned from teaching at Road to California (more on that later) followed by a week of vacation on the CA coast. This freezing weather is quite a drag after enjoying two weeks of beautiful sun and 70 degree days.

Here are some photos of my newest Quilt & Color pieces. The first one shows the completed, whole piece. The second photo shows a close-up of one of the birds. The third photo is of me quilting one of the birds and the last photo is of me quilting on my new Queen Quilter - which I'm in love with!

I really, really love this technique. With this piece, I simply drew the major lines of the tree limb and the outlines of each of the birds. Then I free style stitched all of the flowers followed by the tree limb and branches. Then I added all of the leaves and finished with the birds.

The coloring was fun too. I wanted to sort of hide the birds among the flowers and leaves. I learned a big lesson too; some (not all) of the Letraset markers that I've been using fade in the sun- big drag. So far, it's mostly the blues. So - I'm sticking with Tsukeniko's inks and markers from now on!

I've put together a design/instructional CD with this Quilt & Color technique. It's 67 pages and includes hundreds of design options along with full instructions for creating the quilt and color way. Look for it for sale on my website soon.

Talk to you all later,
Heather

P.S.
Shirley, thanks for the comments. In my experience, Copic markers fade too!

Block #87 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-12-27T05:17:00.001-08:00

Good Morning Again,

Since the last block was so similar to the previous block, I thought I'd throw in another one.

In the past two weeks, I've completed my first article for Quilting Arts and moved. My new space is twice as big as the previous one. It's funky and fabulous and I love it.

I hope to finally use my new machine this week and stitch out some more new designs. Hopefully this one will tide you over in the meantime.

The design features largish paisley shapes with swirls inside. Begin by stitching a paisley shape (teardrop) near the middle of the block. Mine are about two inches long and 1 1/2" at their widest. Once the paisley is complete, stitch a line up the middle that ends in a swirl then double back down and out of the paisley. Stitch another paisley as close as possible to the first one but positioned in a different direction then stitch a swirl in it's center. Continue making paisleys with swirls, changing up the position and size of each so that they all nestle into each other and leave little or no negative space.

Hope you enjoy doing this one. It's very pretty!

Till next time,
Heather

Block #86 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-12-27T05:08:00.001-08:00

Hi Gang,
I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. Mine was just right. Both daughters and one of their delightful friends. Great food and company and perfect gifts; art and music!

I've been meaning to get this design to you for a couple of weeks! Since I put up the last design that is very similar to it.
It is done the same way as the previous block but instead of stitching in continuous, wavy rows, it is stitched in arcs and straight rows.

Begin by stitching the up and down, in and out rectangular shapes in a small arc that begins along one edge of the block. Then continue making rows above and below the original arc. Next, stitch a second arc that curves in a different direction from the first one. Continue stitching rows above and below the new arc. Keep stitching rows of arcs then fill in any space between the rows of arcs with straight rows of the rectangles.

As I said, it's really similar to the last block only it has a different kind of rhythm and I think it is more interesting.

Till next time,
Heather

Block #85 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-12-12T16:37:00.000-08:00

Good Evening,
Boy, it's been a busy couple of weeks - sorry to say that when the proverbial s**t hits the fan, this blog of mine is usually the first to suffer!
But, an end is in sight. I've been busy packing to move and am now done with it all except for what we need to use for the next few days. The movers arrive bright and early Wednesday morning and we move to a flat in an old mansion downtown that is about twice the size of where we are now and just 12 blocks from where my hubby works and 10 blocks from where my daughter lives! I'm so excited. A new studio space that is almost twice as big with three walls of wrap around windows and a west facing view!

I've finished my first article for Quilting Arts and am working hard on a my first design CD that I plan to have complete for Road to California next month. I managed to sneak in a few minutes of quilting before I packed up the last of my studio this morning, so here's a new design.

I call it Tracks, cause it looks like the tracks made by tires or hiking boots. It's really easy to do and makes a nice interesting filler or background.

Here's how you do it. It is a series of ups and downs and back and forths all about 3/8" to 1/2" in size. They are stitched in rows with one or two big waves in them and the rows are stitched right next to each other. Beginning on the left side edge, near the middle, stitch a 1/2" straight, horizontal line. Turn and stitch up 1/2" forming a 45 degree corner. Stitch over 1/2" forming a second corner then stitch back down forming yet another 45 degree corner. Continue stitching these open ended squares/rectangles forming a line that moves from the left side of the block to the right side of the block with at least one curvy undulation in it. Once you reach the opposite side, stitch another row either on top of or under the first row, keeping subsequent rows about 1/8" t0 1/4" apart and following the undulation or wave of the original row.

Hope you enjoy this stitch -out. I'll talk to you again on Thursday or Friday from the new house!

Till next time,
Heather

Block #84 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-12-01T06:05:00.001-08:00

Good Morning All,

Great news.......I've been asked (and I've accepted!) to write an article on machine quilting for each of the six issues of Quilting Arts Magazine for the year 2011! I will present it as a learning challenge just as I have done here on my blog. I'm so excited!

Here is another new motif, designed for wide, outer borders. It features multiple designs including, a five petal flower with a swirled center, stems, leaves and veins as well as tall grasses and background filigree. If any of these motif elements are new to you, doodle it out first. I used three different thread colors. To show you two different ideas, on the right hand side of the strip I quilted the flowers farther apart and on the left side, they are closer together and overlap some.

Load your machine with the thread you want to use for the flowers and beginning at one end of the rectangle, stitch across the bottom about 1 1/2" with a wavy line then stitch up to about the half way point to form a stem, again with a wavy line. Stitch a small swirl, about the size of a nickle then stitch back out again and form your first petal. Continue making petals until you have circled the center of the flower then stitch back down the stem. Stitch over along the bottom edge about 2" then stitch up to form the second stem, then second flower and so on. Continue stitching flowers until the border section is filled, trying to keep them all an equal distance apart.

Load up your machine with a thread color for the long grasses and leaves. Beginning at one end of the strip, start stitching the long grasses. Stitch a long wavy line up about 2" then stitch back down again forming a long, sharp point and keeping the distance along the base of the grass blade no wider than 1/4", stitch back up again, either longer or shorter than the first blade and form the second blade. Keep forming long blades of grass of various heights from as tall as the flowers to as shot as 1". When you reach a stem, travel up it and form a leaf on one side of it then a leaf on the other side of it and travel back down it again. Keep forming grasses and leaves until the border section is filled.

Load your machine with the thread color for the flower accents and filigree. Travel along the bottom of the strip with a wavy line until you reach the first stem. Travel up the stem to the leaves and stitch a long, wavy vein in each of the leaves. Stitch up to the flower and stitch a curvy vein in each of the petals. Stitch out of the petals and fill in the area above the flower with thin, curling, filigrees. Stitch back down and between two petals of the flower, back down the stem and over to the next flower and do it all again. Strive to fill any background space with a filigree so that all of the space in the rectangle is equally filled with stitching.

Hope you enjoy this new design,
Till next time,
Heather

Block #83 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-11-28T06:04:00.001-08:00

Good Morning All,

Here is a new border design. It features a large,complex leaf with sprigs of small leaves in between. I stitched it in three different thread colors, dark green for the leaf and vine, blue green for the veins in the large leaves and light violet for the small sprigs of leaves. You might want to doodle this one out before you jump into the stitching.

Start with a piece of fabric that is 7 1/2" wide by 14 1/2" long (you will trim it to 7" x14" when the stitching is done). Begin on one end of the rectangle, with the bulk of the rectangle behind the machine. You will be pulling the fabric toward your lap as you stitch.

Start by making a short stem, about 1" long then veer over to the right and stitch a wavy line that angles up and stops about 1" from the edge (this is the center vein of the leaf) next, stitch an a wavy line down then out and away from the center vein then angle it back down toward the stem. Do the same on the opposite side of the vein to form the other side of the leaf. Remember to make all of these stitching lines wavy. Stitch back down the center vein to the stem then stitch up another 1" - 1 1/2" and form a leaf on the opposite side. Continue making large leaves, one on the left then one on the right etc. until the rectangle is full. My leaves are about 5" long and 3 1/2" wide and I was able to fit three full leaves on each side of the stem.

Change threads to a different color for the veins of the leaves. Begin at the same spot you did before and stitch up the vein with a wavy line that is slightly different from the first stem line. Stitch into the first leaf and echo up the center vein, keeping the stitch line about 1/8" away. Then stitch out to form the first angled vein then stitch back to the center again, again keeping the lines about 1/8" apart. Continue stitching angled, wavy lined veins on the first side of the leaf then once you reach the top, do the same on the opposite side of the leaf. Complete all of the leaves in this manner, traveling from leaf to leaf over the stem.

Change your thread color one more time for the small sprigs of leaves. Again, begin at the bottom of the rectangle and pull it towards you as you stitch. You will be filling in the negative space with these sprigs. Because I like to use contrasting shapes, I used small seed shaped leaves on the small springs. They are rounded and work well with the more pointy large leaves but you could shape yours however you like.

Stitch up the stem until you reach a large area of negative space then stitch out and away from the stem, forming a long stem. Stitch a small leaf at the end then double back adding leaves on the sides of the stem as you go. Mine are teardrop or seed shaped and vary in size from a pumpkin seed down to a sunflower seed. Keep traveling up the stem adding more sprigs as you go until you have filled in the negative space adequately ( no more the 1/2" - 1" of open space with no quilting).

Hope you enjoy this new design. I can't wait to use it in a quilt myself!

Till next time,
Heather

More "Quilt & Color" designs

2010-11-25T06:34:00.001-08:00

Good Morning and Happy Thanksgiving to You All,

I'm not much of a holiday girl anymore. The kids are grown, I'm not close to me extended family but my good friends are so it's usually just my small family getting together.

This year it's just me and Tom, my oldest Jaz and a couple of stray friends that she's bringing with her (she mixes with a lot of very different types of people and her friends are always fun and interesting). I'm making a nice but simple dinner so that means I've got the whole morning to spend in my studio!

So, I thought I'd take some time to show the "quilt and color" technique step by step using the new triptych I'm working on. the photos above show the three major steps in the technique.

In the first photo, using a fine mechanical pencil, I have drawn the circles, the dividing line, the word and it's surrounding borders and the sections in the background around the circles. I then stitched them all using 40 wt. black thread.

In the second photo, I have added all of the fine detail stitching, making it up as I go. Turning circles into flowers, adding loads of texture and fun shapes still using the 40 wt. black cotton thread.

The last photo shows the final result, all colored in using Pro Markers, Fabrico markers and Tsukinenko Ink. After the ink has dried, (less than an hour) I go back in and thicken up any lines where any colors may have bled (this not only covers the bleeding, but adds interest too). To do this I use the same black thread and various widths of satin stitch.

This is so fun! I will soon be carrying the Fabrico markers and Tsukinenko inks on my web site for those of you who would like to try out the technique and can't find the products. I'm teaching it early next year at Great American Quilt Factory too and will be publishing a printable CD pattern on the technique filled with loads of designs.

Have a lovely day,

Till next time,
Heather

The Cover Quilt for my new Color Book - AT LAST!

2010-11-24T06:02:00.001-08:00

Good Morning All,

My apologies for being away for so long. Isn't it amazing how the days fly by? I've been so busy that Thanksgiving just snuck up on me. I'll have to do my shopping today after work!

Here, finally, is the quilt that I will use on the cover of my upcoming color book. I'm very pleased with the results. It was worth doing it over.I love the lines and shapes but especially the color.

It began with a piece of white cloth. I marked the long vertical lines as well as the circles but that's all.

Then I layered it with two layers of silk batting and a colorful backing fabric. I stitched around the marked circles and the long, wavy lines. Then I went back in to each circle adding all of the detail free style (no marking), just stitching whatever came to mind. All of this was done with a 40 wt. black cotton thread.

Then I stitched a different design, in a different color, in each of the background sections using a thinner, 50 weight thread.

Then I colored each of the circles using Promarkers and Fabrico Markers. I tried to make them as colorful as possible using a mixture of pure hues, slight tints and slight shades. Then I colored in the background areas. Each was done in a color slightly lighter than the thread used in that section. For this I used the Promarkers and Tsukinenko Inks.

One of the things that can happen with this technique is the ink or markers can bleed into an adjoining area. When this happens, I simply thicken up the stitch lines using various widths of satin stitch and viola, problem fixed!

I love, love, love doing this technique. My two favorite things; free style machine quilting and coloring - it's a little like being a kid again!

Have a glorious Thanksgiving!

Till next time,
Heather

Block #82 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-11-15T16:31:00.000-08:00

Good Afternoon All,

Here is another new design. It's a lovely, delicate, feminine filler full of feathers and frills (try saying that five times fast!).

Anyway, it is made from several motifs that we have used before including feathers, well really, half feathers.

Beginning in the center of your square, stitch the spine of a small feather, about 2 1/2" long with a slight swirl at the end. Begin stitching small half heart shaped feathers along the outside edge of the swirl and back down to the base of the spine. Next, stitch away from the feather and make a long, thin swirl ended leaf or two. Stitch back down to the base of the feather then away to form another half feather. Keep stitching half feathers and long, thin, swirly leaves and add in some curly-q flourishes along the way. Fill in all of the space on the block, keep the feathers all about the same size and keeping the negative space even.

Hope you enjoy this new design,

Till next time,
Heather

Block #81 In the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-11-11T08:06:00.000-08:00

Good Morning All,

There is a fine layer of snow on the ground here in my central Denver neighborhood and the promise of more to come today. It's a perfect time to get some work done in my studio.

Here is another new design. I call it Swirly Suns. It is unusual for me, in that, the designs are not linked and no stitching is done in the negative space. So, there is a lot of knotting off. When doing a design like this where each motif is separate, "traveling" is required. To travel, end a design by knotting off but don't clip the threads, rather, lift up the needle and presser foot and move the quilt to where you want to begin the next motif. Put down the foot and needle then stitch out the motif and knot off. Next, lift up the needle and presser foot and move the quilt to where you want to stitch the next motif and stitch, knot off and travel.

The sun is a relatively easy design. Mine are about the size of a silver dollar. Begin with a swirl, starting in the center and swirl out. Once the swirl is the size you want it (mine are about the size of a quarter), close the swirl and begin making the suns rays which are just small triangles stitched around the perimeter of the swirl. Strive to make each sun approximately the same size and leave about the same amount of negative space between them all. Remember to knot off at the beginning and end of each motif. Once all of the designs have been stitched, go in and clip all of the threads in between them.

Hope you enjoy this design,

Till next time,

Heather

Great New Book

2010-11-07T16:38:00.001-08:00

Good Evening Again,

This is especially for Debbie and the girls that were in my one day design class yesterday at Great American Quilt Factory. Of course it's for all the rest of you too!

This is a delightful, useful, informative new book. It's by Katherine Dunn and it's filled with ideas on how to add simple sketching and drawing to your mixed media/fiber art work. It's filled with beautiful paintings, great quotes and lots more - a must have for those of us who want to improve our drawing/painting skills.

Also of note, one of the co-authors of my book, Fabric Embellishing; the Basics and Beyond, Ruth Chandler, just returned from quilt market with great news. Our book is in the process of being translated into French for the European market - Woo Hoo!

Till next time,
Heather

The Machine Quilting Challenge Block #80

2010-11-07T16:25:00.001-08:00

Good Evening All,

Hope everyone has had an enjoyable weekend. I always love "fall back" time. Getting that extra hour to sleep in then going to bed early.

Here is another new design. It's quite simple to do and is a great filler when done tiny like this and it can be wonderful in borders when done two to three times this size. Click on the picture to see it larger. I used a variegated violet thread, so the light areas are showing up better than the darker areas.

The design is simply three small tear drop shaped leaves at the end of a stem. Begin by stitching a line that is about 1" long and has a gentle curve in it. At the end of the line, stitch a small tear drop that is pointed where it meets the stem and rounded at the far end. Stitch a second tear drop to the right side of the first one and a third tear drop to the left side of the first one. Stitch partially down the stem then away to form another stem with another set of three tear drop shaped leaves at the end of it. Keep stitching more stems and sets of leaves, moving directions whenever possible. Strive to keep the negative space equal as well as the size of the leaves.

Hope you enjoy this one,

Heather

Block #79 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-11-03T17:23:00.001-07:00

Hello Again,

I know, twice in one day is not like me - but, it's make up time.

This design is similar to the previous one, but it's stitched somewhat differently. It is a wonderful fill design, whereas the previous one would be great for borders.

Here's how I work it;

Begin in one of the corners of the block and stitch a quarter circle that is about the size of a quarter. Once the arc is complete, stitch four or five wavy rays or petals emanating out of the arc. Next, stitch a large arc over the rays, turn at the end about 1/4" and stitch a second arc over the first one. Now, stitch over along the bottom of the block about 1" and stitch a second arc. Stitch rays emanating from it then stitch a double arc above them. Keep stitching this combined design, nestling the new motifs inside the divots between two previously sewn motifs. Try to turn the motifs in different directions when ever possible to make the design more interesting.

Hope you enjoy these two new designs,

Till next time,
Heather

Block #78 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-11-03T17:07:00.001-07:00

Good Evening

Thanks to Christa for keeping up with the comments - I'm glad to know that someone is excited about the new designs.

It's been a tough couple of weeks - a friend died two weeks ago after a short, rough battle with lung cancer; a big Hi to Elana who is off in a bright new existence - then, the 31 year old daughter of my very good friend, Wanda, had a massive stroke last week. She and her family are up for the biggest battle of their lives helping her recover - Kudos to Shelly for surviving and to her husband and family for battling with her!

So, forgive me if my mind and time has been elsewhere! But to make it up to you, today I'll give you two new designs. the first one is shown above. Doodle it out before you stitch it so that you can find your rhythm.

The design begins with a large clam shell. Then half suns are added in. To begin, Stitch three large clam shells along the bottom edge of the block. Make each about 2" tall and 3" wide. Stitch the next row of clam shells on top of and in between the first row. Start with a half shell then stitch two whole shells and finish with a half. Continue stitching rows of clam shells one on top of the other, each off set from the one below until the entire block is complete.

Go back to the first clam shell you stitched and stitch a small half circle in the middle of it along the base, about the size of half of a dime. Now, stitch four or five rays with wavy lines emanating from the half circle. Double back along the bottom edge until you are where you can add the same design to the next clam shell and stitch it out. Continue adding the sun rays in each of the clam shells, doubling over previously stitched lines to travel from clam shell to clam shell. Note; I added two or three small arcs instead of just one at the base of each of my suns.

Hope you like this one - it's really fun to do!

Heather

2010-10-24T06:08:00.000-07:00

Good Morning All,

So here I am, working on the quilt for the cover of my new book - again. Last week I showed you the preliminary drawing.
The photo on the top shows the quilt with the circles all quilted (click on it if you want to see it larger) and the photo below shows it with the circles colored in after the quilting.
The final step is to decide how to finish - sometimes figuring out how to finish is the most difficult decision! I think that what I'm going to do is quilt each background section very heavily with a different design and in a different color and try to repeat all of the colors that I used in the circles. Any way - here's hoping it looks good when I'm done.

I'll let you know,
Till next time,
Heather

Block #77 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-10-20T07:51:00.000-07:00

Good Morning All,

Here is today's new design. It's very dense and stitched in a variegated thread and is hard to see in this size. Click on the block to see it larger then come back and read the instructions. I call this design Chrysanthemums.

Begin near the middle of the block and stitch a small circle about the size of a pea. Stitch six or seven round ended petals around the circle, then stitch a second row of petals around the outside and in between the first row of petals. Continue stitching additional rows of petals around the previous row until you have stitched a total of four rows of petals around the flower center. Knot off when the flower is complete, lift up the needle and travel to where you want to start the next flower. Knot off again and stitch out the second flower in the same manner as the first. Fill the entire block with flowers in this way, leaving about 1/2" - 3/4" between flowers.

Now, stitch the negative space between the flowers. Because the flowers are so curvy, I chose a straight lined design for the negative space. Simply stitch a straight line from one flower to the next then change angles and stitch another line, keep stitching from flower to flower, crossing over previously stitched lines and sewing at all different angles until the background is equally filled.

Hope you enjoy today's new design,

Till next time,

Heather

The Cover Quilt - Revisited

2010-10-18T08:36:00.001-07:00

Good Morning All,

Since my last attempt at creating the quilt to put on the cover of my new book failed so miserably, I thought that this time around I would break one of my core beliefs and draw the damn thing out before I jumped into it. So, here is the quilt. I drew it 9" x 12" but I've sized it up by 3 and am stitching it out 27" x 36".
I drew the circles and vertical division lines on to white fabric then layered it with a solid raspberry backing fabric and two layers of silk/cotton blend batting. I will quilt all of the circles and the designs in them as well as the vertical lines in black. Then I will color in the designs in the circles and decide at that point whether to quilt the remaining areas in black then color in the backgrounds or in colors and leave the background white. I'll show you everything as I get it done.

Till next time,

Heather

Block #76 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-10-16T08:18:00.000-07:00

Good Morning All,

I'm am so jazzed with this wonderful weather change. I just love the beauty of Autumn! It's nice to pull out the sweaters or cuddle with a quilt and a book.

Here is today's new design. It is filled with rhythm and movement. It's wonderful in borders or areas with simple piecing.

Begin by stitching horizontal wavy lines across the block that are about 1 1/2" to 2" apart. Next, stitch vertical lines across the block that are about 1/2" apart. These lines are curvy too, however the curves switch orientation each time you cross the horizontal lines, meaning, the arc of the curve moves in in the first horizontal section then moves out in the second section then in again in the third section and so on. It is this consistent, repeated curve that gives the design all of its movement. Strive to keep the lines smooth and an equal distance apart.

Enjoy and have a wonderful Fall weekend,

Till next time,

Heather

Block #75 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-10-12T05:22:00.001-07:00

Good Morning All,

Wow! The husband and I just returned from a 3 day mini vacation to Moab. I had never been there before and I'm just amazed with the majesty of it all. Wow! The land we live in is filled with so many wonders!

Here is today's new stitch out. I call it "Olives", because that's what it looks like. It is very similar to "Stones" in that the shapes are all the same and they have to touch each other to look tidy.

Begin by stitching an oval that is about the size of a large olive. Once the oval is complete, stitch a smaller circle in one end of the oval. Next, stitch another oval that is about the same size and making sure that it is touching the first oval. Stitch a small circle inside one end of the second oval. Continue making ovals that touch each other, each with a small circle stitched at one end and doubling over stitch lines as needed to get to where you want to stitch.

This design provides loads of texture and is a great fill. Consider stitching it in a slightly contrasting color (I used yellow orange thread on an orange fabric) to add some extra punch.

Hope you all have a great day,
Till next time,

Heather

The Machine Quilting Challenge - Block #74

2010-10-08T05:38:00.000-07:00

Good Morning All,

Here is today's new design, click on it to see it larger. It is a very colorful, busy, decorative border design. The stitch out was done in three colors and three of what you might want to call "layers". The first layer was done in red and consisted of the basic flower shape and the loop d 'loops that links them together. The second layer was done in turquoise and consisted of additional loop d 'loops and stems of leaves in the negative space, tiny scallops inside the flower centers and wavy veins inside each of the petals. The final layer was done with yellow orange thread. I used it to add an asterisks shape in the center of each flower, jagged zig-zags around the outside of the flower centers, a jagged surround around each of the leaves and more loop d' loops in the negative space.

Begin with a 7" x 14" quilt sandwich. Starting at one end, stitch a curvy line of loop d' loops to where you want to make your first flower. Stitch a large circle, about the size of a quarter then surround it with five or six petals. Loop d' loop over to where you want to make your next flower and so on. You can fit four large flowers in the rectangle if you stagger them,one on the left then one on the right and so on.

Change thread colors and loop d' loop into the center of the first flower. Stitch tiny half circles around the inside perimeter of the flower center then add long wavy veins down the center of each petal, stitch out and away from the flower and stitch a sprig of leaves then loop d' loop to the next flower and stitch its center and veins. Continue loop d' looping from flower to flower, adding leaves, center flourishes and veins.

Change thread color again and loop d' loop into the center of the first flower. Stitch an asterisks design in the middle of the flower center then stitch just out of the center and surround it with a small jagged zig-zag. Loop d' loop out of the flower toward the first sprig of leaves and surround each leaf with small, pointy, bottom-less triangles. Loop d' loop toward the next flower and sprig of leaves and do the same.

Look over the strip and add more loop d' loops in any large open spaces.

I love, love, love stitching with multiple colors in large open spaces on my quilts - it adds so much interest. Be careful though - you don't ever want your quilting to overwhelm your piecing. The two should work in tandem with each other, each playing off of and complimenting the other.

Hope you all enjoy your weekend!

Till next time,
Heather

Design #73 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-10-05T05:37:00.000-07:00

Good Morning All,

A shout out to our new viewer, Susie, welcome!

As most of you have probably figured out, I like texture. These two border designs are all about adding visual texture to otherwise plain areas on a quilt - they are great in borders as shown here.

Begin with a sandwich that is 7" x 14" and divide it down the middle to yield two sides that are 3 1/2" each. Use a Hera marker or the marker of your choice. Stitch on the middle line to divide the two halves.

The top design, looks like flight patterns of birds to me. It is very free form and easy to do. Begin by dividing your border into long curvy pathways that are about 1" wide. Simply stitch a long, curving line somewhere in the border then stitch another that is about 1" away and another. Then, change directions and make a set of three or four lines, then change directions again and make another set of 3-4 lines and so on until the entire border area has long, curvy lines that are about 1" apart.

Each set of curvy lines or channels has round bottomed "w"s stitched in them that follow the direction of the channels themselves. Try to keep the w's the same distance apart,mine are about 3/8". Use the channel stitch lines to travel from one place to another while stitching.

The bottom design is much more formal then the top design and it requires a bit of marking. Divide the border in half lengthwise and mark with a Hera marker then divide the length into four equal sections each 3 1/2" wide and mark. Stitch diagonal lines to divide the space into large triangles. To do this start at the bottom left hand corner and stitch up to the first dividing line then stitch down to the next dividing line then up to the next and so on. You can put on your walking foot for this, but it's a great opportunity to practice long, straight lines free motion. After the triangles are stitched, stitch down the middle line to subdivide them. Look at the photo again and notice that each triangle is filled with straight lines that are about 1/4" apart. These lines alternate, vertical and horizontal in every other triangle. I find it easiest to stitch these lines in rows. Use the original stitch lines to travel from triangle to triangle.

I hope you enjoy these new designs and that you all have a wonderful day - I'm off to sell sewing machines!

Heather

The Machine Quilting Challenge - design #72

2010-10-02T06:28:00.001-07:00

Good Morning All,

I'm not sure what's up with the focus on this, but when you click on it to see it larger, it's nice and clear. Anyway, here are two fun border designs for you to try out. Use a 7" x 14" fabric sandwich and divide it down the middle using a Hera marker before you baste it. The top side features large swirls with straight, vertical lines in the negative space and the lower design begins with sections divided into large triangles followed by echoing arcs.

To begin the swirl design, using a Hera marker, divide the length of your strip into five equal sections, about 2 3/4" each. Beginning on one end, stitch a large swirl that is about two inches wide, keep it in the middle of the strip and inside one of the five sections. Stitch in, then back out again and swoop over to form the next swirl in the next section, striving to make it the same size as the first swirl. Stitch three more large swirls in the same manner until you reach the far side of the strip.

Once all of the swirls are complete, begin sewing the straight lines on the inside of the row of swirls, stitch from the edge of the swirl to the center line mark then back to the swirl then back to the center line mark. Try to keep your new stitch lines on top of the swirl stitch lines when switching directions. Keep your lines the same distance apart. Mine are 1/4" but 1/2" apart works too. Once this side is complete, stitch several times down the center line to divide the two halves of the strip. Do the same thing on the opposite side of the swirls, stitching vertical lines and keeping them the same distance apart.

To stitch out the other side, begin with the diagonal lines that form the triangles. Using a Hera marker divide the long strip into 8 equal segments, each 1 3/4" wide. Beginning at the bottom of the left hand corner, stitch up, diagonally to the first marked line then down diagonally to the second line then up again and so on until the large triangles have been stitched. Now, using your Hera marker, divide the width of the strip in half so that you have two long sections that are 1 3/4" wide.

Beginning on the side closest to the middle, stitch a large arc that touches the middle line and fits between three of the marked vertical lines (look at the picture). Stitch in echoing arcs until the arc is filled in. Stitch along the center division line to the next section and stitch another large arc and stitch in echoing arcs. Continue stitching echoing arcs until the first side is complete then do the same thing on the opposite side with arcs that are offset from the first side.

Hope you enjoy these two border designs,

Till next time,
Heather

Sometimes, we make duds......

2010-10-01T05:50:00.001-07:00

Good Morning All,

A week or so ago I showed you the quilted piece above that I was working on for the cover of my up-coming book. I photographed it after the machine quilting was done (bottom photo) then I colored it in....and basically ruined it! Yes, even very experienced artists, who should know better, still make mistakes. But, we all learn more from our mistakes than from our successes.

I consider myself a colorist first and foremost. This quilt is not a good example of how to use color well. To begin with, the colors used to machine quilt it looked pretty good, lots of color blocking, with cools and warms spread about somewhat equally and lots of white remaining in the negative space which provided a place for the eye to rest.

It's the color blocking (bold color in one area, next to bold color in another) that got me in trouble. Though I repeated some of the colors, the color blocking broke up the unity in the piece. There is so much variety; each section has a different visual texture due to all of the different quilting designs. I should have realized that I needed to bring it all together with the color to provide unity.

So, I'm going to do it over again. I will quilt the whole thing in black so that I am free to add any color in any section as I go. The black will be a unifying element too. Then, when I color it, I will use 5-6 colors in each section instead of just two and I will repeat the colors more often too. This quilt will be going on the front of my color & design book - it can't just look good, it's got to look great - back to the beginning I go. I'll keep you posted on the new work and hopefully with this next attempt, I will be able to show what I know about both color and design in a way that will make everyone want to buy my book!

I'll give you a new border design to quilt tomorrow,

Till then,
Heather

Block #71 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-09-28T06:02:00.000-07:00

Good Morning Everyone,

It's back to work for me today after a lovely weekend. Tom and I drove through the mountains to Steamboat Springs then back on highway 14 along the Cache la Poudre river, through the most amazingly beautiful canyon. It was a lovely way to spend a Sunday! But now, I must go to work and sell sewing machines. But first, here is a new stitch out.

I really like the way this all over Asterisks looks. It is a great fill, wonderful to use as falling snow or pine needles. We've used this design before, but not as an all over. The sizes are from just larger than a quarter to the size of a nickle.

Beginning near the middle of the block, stitch a straight line that is about 1/2" long then double back over it to the beginning. Stitch out another 1/2" at an angle that is different from the first line, then double back over to the beginning spot. Keep stitching 1/2" lines out from the center at varying angles until you have completed a circle. Stitch the last line out and away from the asterisk, far enough to begin a new one. Stitch it out just like you did the first one. Continue making asterisks of varying sizes, keeping them close to each other and leaving little background space.

Hope you enjoy this new design,

Till next time,
Heather

Block #70 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-09-25T06:16:00.001-07:00

Good Morning All,

Sometimes - life is really good. It was my birthday this week and I got to spend a day off from work celebrating it with lots of my favorite people. Breakfast with my daughter Jaz, lunch and a spectacular hair color job with the delightful Miss Judy then dinner and fabulous gifts with Wanda and Chris - all the day before my birthday. I worked on my actual birthday (yesterday), but had an evening of tacos and margaritas with the hubby. Getting older - not old - isn't all that bad!

Here is another stitch out. It combines largish circles with asterisks in them with smaller circles. I call it Sand Dollars and Sea Foam (isn't that a silly name?) It's very fun to do and would look great in any plain areas of a quilt; large or small borders, setting triangles or blocks.

The sand dollars are made by stitching a circle, quarter sizeish, then when you complete the circle, stitch into the center, stopping at about the middle, then start stitching the asterisks shape by stitching out from the center then back in over the stitch line, then back out at a different angle then back in over that same stitch line etc. Once you have completed one sand dollar, stitch another large circle right next to it and complete another sand dollar. Keep making sand dollars, making sure they touch each other and varying the size a little bit. String them together in clusters across the surface of the block and stitch small circles in between as you go. Vary the size of the small circles from large peas to tiny beads. Try to keep very little negative space between all of the circles and sand dollars and make sure that all of the shapes are touching each other.

Hope you enjoy this design, now I'm off to teach the first installment of my new Design Essentials II class.

Till next time,
Heather

The Machine Quilting Challenge, Block #69

2010-09-22T05:39:00.000-07:00

Good Morning All,

Here is another stitch out. It is a combined design that is great for borders or plain areas of a quilt. It is very easy to do and looks rather modern and funky.

I worked the stitch from one side to the other. Begin by stitching a long wavy line from the bottom to the top of your block. This line should be an average of 1 1/2" away from the side edge. Now, stitch a second line that is about 1/2" away from the first. Next, stitch small circles that butt up next to each other inside the channel that you just formed with the two lines.

Once the circles are complete, stitch two more wavy lines, one just outside of each of the two original lines. Make them about 1/8" away. Now, stitch the straight, horizontal lines just to the left of your circles/wavy lines. Begin in the bottom corner and stitch up to the wavy line, over about 1/4" on the wavy line then back to the edge. Stitch over on the edge about 1/4" then back up to the wavy line. Keep stitching lines back and forth keeping them straight as possible and an even space apart.

Once the first section of horizontal lines is complete, stitch another vertical, circle unit that is just like the first one. Stitch it about 1 1/2" away from the first circle unit. Remember to add the lines just outside and 1/8" away from the two lines that form the channel for the circles. Once the second row of circles/wavy lines is complete, stitch the straight, horizontal lines between the rows of circles.

Continue stitching rows of vertical, circle/wavy line units with straight, horizontal stripes in between until you have filled your whole block.

This block is perfect for practicing both circles and straight lines. Hope you enjoy it,

Till next time,

Heather

Making the Quilt for the Cover of my New Book; Color & Design; The basics and beyond

2010-09-19T08:52:00.001-07:00

Good Morning All

This is the quilt that I will be using on the cover of my new book - or at least the beginning of the quilt (click on it to see it larger). I started with a piece of white fabric, basted with batting and a very colorful backing fabric.

Next, I stitched out the large sections using a heavy black thread and my walking foot. Then I chose a selection of 9 threads in different colors that are all just slightly lighter than the pure hue, except for the yellow and orange which are pure hued. Then I just started stitching. I chose stitch outs that have closed designs so that I can color inside of them.

I will now use various markers to color the whole thing in. In addition to several brands of fabric markers, I will use my new favorite markers; Promarkers by Letraset. These come in tons of colors, are very "juicy" and have a fine brush tip as well as a bevel tip. They aren't marketed as fabric markers, but I tested them with water (without heat setting) and they are permanent. They do "move" a bit, about 1/16" so, I stay about that far away from any boundary lines when I use them.

I'll show you the finished quilt once I have colored it in and beaded it - next week probably.

Hope you're having a great weekend,

Till next time,
Heather

Block #68 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-09-18T06:40:00.001-07:00

Good Morning All,

Today's new stitch out is a half feather with stippling between. My feathers are about 4" long.
If it has been a while since you have stitched out a feather, you may want to doodle these for a while before taking your first stitches.

To make a half feather, begin near the center of your block and stitch a line that has a gentle curve in it, that is about 4" long and ends in a swirl. Stitch back out of the swirl and as soon as you have room to, begin stitching feather petals. These are shaped like half hearts. Stitch the petals all along the outer spine until you reach the tip. Now, stitch away from the feather to a space where you can stitch another one. Use stippling to travel with. Continue making half feathers, stippling from one to the next. Once you have stitched as many half feathers that you can , fill in the spaces in between with more stippling.

For greater contrast between the feather designs and the stippling, you could use one color of thread to stitch out each feather, knot off and travel to where you want the next feather. Then once all of the feathers are stitched, switch to a different color thread to stitch in the background.

Hope you enjoy today's new design,

I'll see you next week,
Heather

Machine Quilting Challenge - Block #67

2010-09-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

Good Morning,
Here is today's new stitch out; Feathered Flowers with echo quilting.
If you think it looks difficult, then doodle it out first. You'll find out quickly that it is just a series of stitches that you probably all ready know.
Begin near the center of the block and make a swirl that is about 1" across. Swirl in then swirl back out again. Just as you finish the swirl stitch out a half heart that is snug against the outside of the swirl. This half heart is just like the motion used to make a feather. Stitch another half heart that snugs into the first one. Continue stitching half hearts all the way around the swirl completing your first flower and knotting off.
Travel to where you want your next feathered flower and stitch it out. Travel to where you want your third flower and stitch it out. Once the third flower is complete, begin echoing it and filling in the space between it and the other flowers then move to echoing the other two flowers. Keep the echoing stitch lines about 1/8" or 3/8" apart. Keep making small groups of flowers and echoing between them until the entire block is stitched out. Alternately, you could stitch out all of the flowers before you begin any of the echo stitching.
Hope you like this design. I think it's lovely and has loads of depth. It would be perfect for any large open spaces on a delicate quilt or in a border.
For those of you who have asked, I am now working at Rocky Mountain Sewing and Vacuum in Westminster. If you are considering a new machine, Bernina, Pfaff or Brother, come see me, we've got the best deals around (and, yes, I do get a commission and yes, you can take your machine usage classes at any of the Rocky Mountain shop locations).
Till the next time
Heather

Block #66 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-09-12T20:53:00.000-07:00

Good Evening,

Here is today's new stitch out. I call it Veiny Leaves. I had hoped you would be able to see in the close up that I used a variegated thread, but it's an Oliver Twist and the color change is so subtle that it is hard to see it unless it's life size.

Any way, this is a wonderful design to use in wide borders. The leaves are about 3" long and 2 - 2 1/2 " wide. The veins in the leaves are stitched about every 1/4-1/8". The background behind the leaves is stitched with a loop d'loop.

Begin near the center of the block and stitch a line that is about 4" long with a a curve in it. This is the stem and center vein of the first leaf. At the end of the line, begin stitching the first side of the leaf, stitching out and away from the vein and down toward the stem. Make this a gentle, wavy line and curve it out up to 1 1/2" away from the center vein at it's widest point. Bring the side line back in to the center vein about 3/4" away from the end of the stem. Stitch back down the stem then over at an angle about 1/8" then angle back up the stem back to where the opposite side of the leaf needs to begin. Sew the other side of the leaf so that it matches up with the shape of the first side. Once you are back up at the tip of the leaf begin stitching the veins down one side the up the next, then down that side and up the other. Keep stitching veins, making a 'V' shape with the point of the 'V' on the center vein. Keep the veins approximately 3/8" apart.

Once you have completed the first leaf, loop d'loop over to where you can stitch a second leaf. Stitch it so that it moves in a different direction from the first. Once the second leaf is complete, fill in any space between it and the first with loop d'loops as you position yourself to make a third leaf. Keep making leaves and traveling around them with loop d'loops until you have filled the block.

I really like this stitch out, especially with a variegated or multi-colored thread. Hope you like it too,

Till next time,

Heather

Block #65 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-09-07T07:51:00.000-07:00

Good Morning,

Boy, the best laid plans......Sorry for this break in momentum. I've been having machine problems.

But not to worry, I brought home a machine from work to play with ( I work at Rocky Mountain Sewing and Vacuum in Westminster), and not only did I get some blocks quilted, I also fell in LOVE. More on that below, now lets get to today's stitch out.

This is another design based on the gentle curve. Begin by dividing your square into four squares. Then divide each square in half, diagonally twice to yield four triangles per square. For best results, use a Hera marker for marking.

Beginning near the center of one of your squares, drop down the needle and stitch a small circle around the intersection of the diagonal lines. Make the circle about the size of a large pea. Once the circle is complete stitch over one direction or the other until your needle is lined up with one of the diagonal lines. Stitch a gentle curve on the outside of the line stopping about 1/4" from the end of the line then angle over to the line that divides the squares. Stitch 1/4" up that line then over 1/4" then begin your gentle curve back down the opposite side of the diagonal line. This maneuver creates a small square at the end of the petal. Once you hit the center circle, use it to stitch over to the next diagonal line and repeat the last several steps. Do this two more times until the first square is complete. Knot off and do the same steps to stitch out the remaining three squares. Once all four squares have been stitched then stitch a wavy line over the two lines marked to separate out the four squares.

Now, most of you who know me, know that I've been a die hard Bernina enthusiast for many years, but you also know that money and I aren't always close friends. So, this machine I brought home has a lot of the great features available on the more expensive Bernina's but for about $4000.00 less. Yes, I said $4000.00 less!

Anyway, the machine is a Brother Innov-is QC 1000 (who'd of thunk?). This model is a year or two old and the new model is basically the same but called the Laura Ashley 2000 edition ( it's got about 200 more built in stitches and some other cool add on's) So, anyway, this QC 1000 is an amazing machine. For anyone who all ready has free motion quilting skills the Bernina Stitch Regulator can be a bit of a bummer because you loose a lot of the control you're used to. This brother has two things that work together sort of like a stitch regulator, but one that you get to control. The machine has a sliding speed control (I call it a rabbit) with which you can set your speed - I like it at about 3/4 max. Then, if you don't plug in your foot control you can use the button for start and stop. Once you get your quilt in position and push the button, the machine sews at the speed you selected and you never have to worry about maintaining your speed while sewing - it's just one less thing to have to think about.

The stitch is wonderful with easy to perfect starts and stops. It is really easy to go from sewing mode to fee motion mode - just push a button. I didn't have to adjust my tension at all either. All this, and it comes with three different free motion feet, a walking foot, several other feet, a huge slide on table and more than 160 programed stitches - all for about $2,000.00 for the older model and $2,500.00 for the new one which has nearly 400 built in stitches.

I know I sound like a salesperson - but I'm just so impressed with this machine. I thought that I would have to save for the next year to be able to afford a new machine, but now I think I can get one this month! Woo hoo!

Another aside - I finished the first draft of my color and design book this weekend - it's off to the publisher along with the last of the quilts. Triple Woo Hoo!

See you soon,
Heather

Block 64 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-08-31T17:58:00.001-07:00

Hi All,

Wow, what a couple of weeks it's been. I've gathered up and sent nearly 200 quilts to my publisher and all but finished my new book. I've got about 40 pages left then it's nothing but the editing! Yeah! And, I got a job! Yeah again!

I'm now working for Rocky Mountain Sewing in Westminster (yes,Westminster - for those of you who know where I live, yes it's a 30-40 minute commute). I'm working just 3-4 days each week so I'll have plenty of time to play! Yeah, Yeah again!

Enough news - on with the new stitch out. The next several blocks will all feature the "gentle curve". I tell my machine quilting students that it is the most valuable stitch design they will ever learn and I aint' kiddin around. Begin by dividing your block into quarters. Then divide each quarter block into quarters. Do all of this dividing with a Hera marker. Beginning in any one of the quarter blocks, set your needle down in the middle where the two lines intersect. Stitch a gentle curve that ends about 1/2-3/4" away from the edge then stitch a straight line out and away from the marked line about 1/2" then form a point as you stitch back down to the center line. Now, stitch back up and out the same length that you did on the other side and turn and stitch back in to the center line thus making the triangle or arrow head. Stitch another gentle curve till you reach the center of the block again. This is 1/4 of the design. Repeat all of the previous steps three more times along the remaining three marked lines. Knot off then move on to one of the other blocks.

Once all four sections are complete, stitch a wavy line along the two lines you drew first that mark out the four smaller blocks then stitch along the diagonal.

Hope you enjoy this new design - it's great for blocks pieced out of lots of squares or half square triangles.

See you later this week,

Heather

Block #63 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-08-16T16:14:00.001-07:00

Good Afternoon,

Sorry this is late in the day, but I was lucky enough to have my old assistant, great friend Judy visiting for the day and helping me get all of the packaging ready for shipping close to 100 quilts to my publisher for my upcoming book - what a job! And there's still more to send!

Here is today's new stitch-out. I call in Curly Cat Hair, and I should know - four cats and there is always cat hair on everything!

We have used this movement before, in the curvy E's and along with swirls too. Here, it stands alone which would make it seem simpler, but it can be a little difficult to fill all the space and get your curves to curve in different directions. You may want to doodle it out before you start stitching.

Begin in the center of the block and stitch a curvy, quarter moon shape that is about 3/4" long. Double back and echo the first curve with a second one that is about 1/8" away from the first one and a little longer. Make two to three more quarter moons that hug the first one. When you've stitched the last layer, make a new 1 1/2" long quarter moon next to the first one then stitch two more inside the first one (moving in the opposite direction as the first set you stitched). Now you've nested smaller moons inside a larger one and have echoed larger moons around a smaller one. Doing this in both manners will allow you more freedom to fill in all of the space equally. Keep stitching sets of quarter moons, trying to keep the same distance between layers and between sets, until you have filled in all of the space.

This is perfect for animal hair or fur of all types, but it's a wonderful filler design too!

Enjoy,

Till Wednesday,

Heather

Machine Quilting Challenge Block #62

2010-08-13T08:43:00.001-07:00

Good Morning and Happy Friday to you all.

I wanted to invite all of you locals to check out the art opening tonight at the Ice Cube Gallery, 3320 Walnut St. in the RINO arts district. It is the opening night of Ray Tomasso's newest show. We used to carry his hand made papers at our store. He makes amazing cast paper hangings. They are filled with wonderful texture, earthy color and great line. He's very talented and a lovely person too. Come and treat yourself to some great art! Tonight (Friday the 13th) from 5:00 - 9:00. I'll be there at about 6:30.

On to today's new design. This one is really fun. I call it Star Flowers. It is a combination of several simple motifs. The center of each star is made like the meandering leaf filler from four entries ago. It is surrounded by five pointy petals which are triangular and each flower is linked to the others with loop d'loops. I suggest doodling it out before you start stitching.

Begin near the center of the block and stitch an almond shape that is open on one end. Make it about 3/4" long and 1/2" wide. When you get back to the open end, stitch a second, smaller almond in the center and close it off at the end. Stitch a triangle shaped petal that is open on the wide end that is next to the flowers almond shaped center. Continue stitching triangular petals until you have five moving around the almond center. Try to keep two petals on each side and one above the center tip of the almond center. Once the flower is complete, stitch several small loop d'loops out and away from the flower, stitch another flower in the same manner.

Keep stitching flowers linked by loop d'loops, trying to keep the negative space equally filled and the flowers the same size and the loop d'loops smaller than the inner almond. When stitching out the flowers, try to stitch them in every direction. This way the design will look neat, tidy and interesting.

I love this stitch out, it's sort of modern-retro. Hope you enjoy it too,

Till Monday,

Heather

Block #61 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-08-11T07:44:00.001-07:00

Good Morning All,

Thank you to all of you, especially Elana, Chris W, and Christa, who have welcomed me back with such enthusiasm.

Here is today's new stitch-out. I call it Crazy Hearts. It's a great background fill especially for little girls quilts.

It looks pretty easy and it is once you get the rhythm down. You may want to doodle it out first so you get used to the density and placement.

To begin, stitch a small heart that is about 1/2 -3/4 of an inch in size. Echo stitch around the heart one time then make a second heart and echo stitch around it. Keep adding hearts and surrounding them with one or more echos. Try to keep it so that there is no negative space between the echoed hearts. You can vary the size of the hearts or keep them all about the same size like I did. You can also stitch the heart in a bigger size, but that will make it more difficult to butt them next to each other.

Hope you enjoy today's new design,

Till Friday,

Heather

The Machine Quilting Challenge, Block #60

2010-08-09T07:24:00.000-07:00

Good Morning,

It's been a while, almost two months since my last entry, I've been going through a bunch of personal changes and needed to take some time off. But, I'm back now and I hope that some of you are still with me!

Here is today's new stitch-out. It combines swirled designs from several past stitch-outs; triangle, square and rectangular swirls. This one is very fun and quite contemporary looking. I find it a bit more difficult than stitching the designs in rows. You have to think a little bit more because you have to have an idea of what shape your going to stitch next and where you're going to stitch it.

Begin by stitching a shape that is about 1 1/2" across. I started with a square, then swirl into the shape and back out again. Stitch another shape, but make it different from the first. Swirl in then back out. Try to keep the stitch lines inside the swirls and between the shapes a consistent distance apart. Mine are about 1/4". Continue making shapes, any thing with straight sides will work, fitting them together like a puzzle.

Remember that it's easier to sew a straight, straight line if your moving quickly and that if you want tight turns and corners that you must stop your hands momentarily at each turns, while you keep the machine going.

Hope you enjoy this stitch-out, I'll do another on Wednesday.

Till then,

Heather

The Machine Quilting Challenge - Block #59

2010-06-17T07:23:00.001-07:00

Good Morning,

Here is today's new stitch-out; Blowing leaves. It is a great design to use for a complete fill in background areas, sashing or borders. I think it looks best tight and small.

If you've never used this almond shape before make sure to doodle it out before you begin stitching.

The basic shape is an almond and each shape nestles into the shapes around it with very little negative space in between.

Begin near the middle of the block and stitch an almond shape that is about 1" long and 1/2" wide with a point at the end. To do this, stitch a curved line up then stitch back down with a curve in the opposite direct, leaving an opening at the base that is about 1/4"wide. Stitch back up and form a second, smaller almond shape inside the first one then stitch back out and stitch another almond shape that points in a different direction. Stitch a smaller almond shape inside the second almond then stitch out and form a third almond shape. Keep stitching double almonds nestling the new one in between previously stitched ones and trying to change directions as much as possible while maintaining a tight design with little negative space.

Hope you enjoy this new design,

Till tomorrow,

Heather

A Painted Quilt

2010-06-16T07:37:00.001-07:00

Good Morning,

Today, instead of adding a new design, I'm showing you a painted quilt that I just finished. Click on the photo to see it larger.

This started out as a piece of white fabric. I marked four circles, one for the flower center, one to contain the flower, one to contain the outer circular border of tiny circles and the outermost circle. I then divided the background space around the circle as well as the horizontal and vertical lines forming the bottom portion of the quilt. Everything was marked with a fine, graphite pencil.

Next, using free style quilting, I quilted the flower center using small, touching circles and black thread. Then I stitched the petals each with two smaller petals inside, again with black thread.

I switched to hot pink thread and put on my walking foot and stitched the circle around the flower center and the circle around the flower. I went around these several times to build up the stitch line. Next I added the petal border then the circles border around the flower, again with black thread and free motion quilting.

I then stitched all of the background area around the flower/circle using a wavy crosshatch in half of the sections and a swirls and arc design in the other sections. I then stitched the horizontal lines using my walking foot and the hot pink thread. I built up these lines by stitching over them twice.

I finished the quilting by adding the small flowers in the wide border and vines in the narrow border with tiny circles in the two tiny borders. Then I added the same designs in the lower portion that I had stitched in the background around the large flower.

I colored the whole thing in with markers using just five colors; red violet, lime green, blue green, yellow orange and metallic gold.

It was great fun!

I'll be teaching this technique at Great American Quilt Factory, August 20 & 27.

Till tomorrow,

Heather

Machine Quilting Challenge - Block #58

2010-06-12T09:14:00.001-07:00

Good Morning!

What interesting weather we have here in Colorado. It's been raining all morning and blissfully cool - real springtime. I love this kind of weather. It makes everything feel clean and new!

Today's new stitch-out is another border design. It uses designs and techniques from some of the blocks we've all ready done including, stones or small circles for berries, tendrils, and curly-q's. The two designs are very similar to each other. The design on the right features a series of thin, narrow swirls or curly-q's. These swirls vary in size from tiny to large. The design on the left features the same swirls, mostly in a medium size alternating with sprigs of berries and tendrils.

Here's how to go about stitching these designs. Begin with a 7 1/2" x 14 1/2" quilt sandwich. Divide it down the long middle using a Hera marker then stitch along the marked line. To do the design on the right, begin at the center bottom of the right hand side of the quilt sandwich. Stitch up a short stem toward the left and make a small narrow swirl that is about the size of a quarter. Stitch out of the swirl and back to the stem. Now stitch a stem toward the right and form a larger, skinny swirl that is about the size of a silver dollar. Stitch back out of the swirl and make a tiny swirl on your way back to the center stem. Continue making skinny swirls in various sizes, moving from side to side until you have stitched the length of the quilt sandwich.

For the design on the left side of the quilt sandwich, begin in the same manner with a medium sized swirl. On your way out of the swirl, make a tendril. Stitch a swirl that is about the same size on the opposite side of the stem and add a tendril or two. Next, stitch up to the opposite side and make a stem that is about 1 1/2" long. Stitch a small round berry at the end of the stem then berries along both sides of it. These tiny circles should be about the size of a pea. Continue alternating sides with medium sized, narrow swirls and tendrils adding a stem of berries every once in a while. Remember to alternate the sides that the berries are on.

Hope you enjoy these new stitch-outs,

Till Monday,

Heather

The Machine Quilting Challenge - Block # 57

2010-06-08T07:40:00.000-07:00

Good Morning,

Here is today's new stitch-out. It looks a bit out of focus here in its smaller size. Click on the photo to see it larger and in focus.

Today's stitch-out is two similar but different border designs. Both use small leaves and one has flowers and the other has berries and flourishes.

Begin by cutting fabric that is 7 1/2" x 14 1/2" (trim down to 7" x14" after quilting) and batting that is the same size. Divide the fabric up the middle using a Hera marker.

Begin stitching at the bottom, center of one half of the rectangle, pulling the block toward you as you stitch.

For the flower design, begin by stitching up to one side and ending in a small leaf that is about 1/2" long by 1/4" wide. Add a short center vein to the leaf then back back down the vine about half way and stitch out another stem with a leaf. Make a third stem and leaf then double back into the vine. Stitch over in the opposite direction and form a small circle at the end of a stem. Surround the circle with 6, small, 3/4 circle petals. Keep alternating side to side with groups of leaves and flowers trying to fill all of the space equally.

For the berry design use the same method as above only instead of making flowers make groups of three berries that are just smaller than a dime in size. Make sure that they touch each other and try to get them as circular as possible. Use fewer stems and leaves but add little tendrils by stitching away from the vine or stem in a curly q fashion then doubling back to thicken the line. Again, try to keep the designs evenly spaced.

Hope you enjoy these border designs,
Till tomorrow,
Heather

The Machine Quilting Challenge - Block #56

2010-06-07T12:19:00.000-07:00

Good Afternoon and Happy Monday,

I had a really nice weekend, hope you did too. Tom and I went on a day trip up through the mountains to Salida to celebrate our 3rd anniversary. It was hot, but lovely. It's so nice to get out of town - even if it's just for a day.

Here is today's new stitch-out. I really like the movement and energy of this design and it's pretty easy to do. It is grid based so you may want to draw at least horizontal lines. Feel free to draw vertical lines too to make squares. I drew horizontal lines that were 2" apart.

The design is similar to "Combs" or E's, which we did about 40 blocks ago. Only instead of straight lines and curves we have arcs and points. To make it more interesting I also changed the direction that the curves were facing too.

Begin at the bottom left hand corner and stitch up a gentle curve to the first marked line, form a point as you stitch back down with a second gentle curve that nestles about 1/4" away from the first. Continue making arcs until you have filled in about a 2" space. In the next two inch section make the same arcs but move them horizontally. In the next two inch sections make vertical arcs again, but curve them in the opposite direction as the arcs in the first section. Keep making two inch sections of curved arcs, alternating from vertical to horizontal and left facing, top facing, bottom facing and right facing curves. Do the same in the next rows, alternating directions as shown in my stitched block.

Hope you have fun with this one. Tomorrow it's on to more border designs,
Heather

Block #55 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-06-04T12:12:00.001-07:00

Good Afternoon,
I'm working at my studio today and have just finished getting it set up for today's 1st Friday art walk. It's so nice to be able to open to the public a couple of times each month - nice to get my work out there and have folks other than quilters see it!
A shout out to Christa Irell, thanks for all the positive comments that you send me. It's great knowing that you're out there appreciating my blog. Thank you!
Today's new stitch-out looks simple, but when stitched large like this it can be a little difficult. It will provide you with more great help on getting straight, straight lines.
It may be helpful to draw rows on your block using a hera marker so that you get even distribution. My rows are 2" wide. This stitch is much easier to make small, but you'll learn a lot more making 2" than you would making it 3/4". It's simply big, close together zig-zags that are positioned in groups of 3-4 and move in opposite directions. You have to pretend that you're working inside a square and keep the design inside those parameters.
Begin in the lower left hand corner and stitch up at an angle till you reach the row line then angle back down making the bottom width of the triangle about 1/2" wide. Next stitch back up again and make another triangle. Make 1 or 2 more depending on how much space you have left in your imagined square. Make sure that you finish stitching with the needle down along the bottom of the block. Stitch over about 2" at an upward angle and form the first horizontal triangle. Keep making horizontal triangles until you've reached the row line. Stitch the next section vertically then the next one horizontally and so on. Aim to keep each line as straight as possible and all of the tips of your triangles as pointy as can be.

This design has great energy and movement. It can add a lot of power to a drab composition.
Hope you enjoy it,
Till tomorrow,
Heather

Block #54 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-06-01T06:17:00.001-07:00

Good Morning,

Here is today's new stitch-out. It's a big departure from the past five days of flowers!. I call it Making Tracks. Though it looks very simple, it's one of the harder designs to perfect. Remember to doodle it out before taking your first stitch.

Begin by dividing your quilting space into 10 equally spaced rows. Each row of stitching will occupy two of the marked rows. The design is basically a connected series of arrow heads that when joined together look like tire tracks.

Begin at the lower left corner and stitch at an angle up toward the right to the first marked line then stitch in the opposite angle over and up to the left to the second marked line, forming a side ways "V". Now that you are on the second line, stitch over about 1/2" on that line then form the next "V" keeping it about 1/2" away from the first. Keep stitching sideways "V"'s all the way across the block. Once you have reached the far end of the block, stitch up along the right hand edge until you are in position to stitch the first "V" in the second row. These are sewn in the opposite direction of the "V"'s in the first row. Keep stitching row after row of sideways "V"'s each row moving in the opposite direction from the row below it until you have completed the block.

This stitch-out is great practice for improving your straight lines and managing spacing between designs.

Hope you enjoy it,

Till tomorrow,

Heather

Block #53 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-05-31T09:07:00.000-07:00

Good Morning,

Hope you are all enjoying a beautiful Memorial Day. Always a great time for picnics, hiking, and BBQ. I spent a few moments this morning thinking about all of the people in my life who have moved on to another plane and sending thanks out to them, where ever they are for the gifts they each imparted to me. It's nice to take time to remember the gifts of friendship and love.

Today's stitch-out is the last in the flower series (don't worry, we'll do more flowers later on). I almost didn't use this block because the flowers don't show up very well against the background quilting. But then I decided it's a great way to show you "what not to do"! In the machine quilting design classes that I teach I always warn my students that too much of a good thing is simply that... too much! Here in this block, the curvy, wavy flowers are almost lost in the curly, wavy background stitching. It is always a good idea to switch up the positive and negative spaces. If the positive space features curvilinear designs then the background space should have straighter lines and vice versa.

The flowers are still great though. Click on the photo for a larger view. Remember to doodle these babies out before you begin stitching. There are four varieties of the same flower shown here. The top left shows the basic flower with "stones" center and wavy edged petals. The top left is the same with one long wavy vein in each petal. The bottom left has three short veins in each petal and the bottom right has additional petals added between and behind the original petals.

To stitch the basic flower, start where you want the center to be and make a tiny circle (about 1/8" across) surround this center circle with two to three rows of similar sized circles until you have formed a circle of circles that is about the size of a nickle. Now begin making petals. My flowers have six petals, you can shoot for that number or any number you like, just make it consistent. The petals are wide at the base, have wavy sides and end in a point.

Add interest to the basic flower by adding veins in the petals (two varieties are shown) or by doubling over the existing petals and adding another petal in between.

I hope you've enjoyed these floral stitch-outs,

Till tomorrow,

Heather

Block #52 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-05-27T08:01:00.001-07:00

Good Morning,

Here is today's new stitch-out (sorry if it seems a little out of focus - click on it to see it larger and in focus). It features two different floral border designs, one simple and one more ornate. Both feature the simple flower from blocks #49 and #50 as well as small simple leaves and a vine.

The difference between the two is that with the more ornate (lower) design, the flowers have a spiral center and veins in the petals and there are more leaves and an addition of tendrils.

When stitching vines or continuous designs of any sort, I find it easiest to start with the bulk of the block or quilt behind the machine and pull it towards me as I stitch. This gives me a better view of where I've been and where I'm going.

Instead of cutting a block, cut a large rectangle - mine is 7" x 14" (we will stitch out lots of borders designs using this size). Divide in half down the long middle using your Hera marker so that you have two narrow border sections to work in.

Begin on one of the short ends and start with the needle in the middle of the border section. Stitch a stem up to one side about 1" then make a sprig of leaves. Stitch back to the stem then stitch over to the opposite side and stitch a small flower; about 1 1/2" wide. Stitch back to the stem then stitch over to the opposite side until you have room to make another flower. Stitch the flower then stitch back to the vine. Keep stitching from side to side and stitching either a flower or a sprig of leaves so that they alternate with each other from side to side as shown.

To make the more elaborate design, simply doll up the flowers with a fancier center and veins or doubled up petals and add more leaves between all of the designs and add tendrils by stitching curling lines away from the vine then doubling back on them back to the vine.

I use this stitch out a lot in medium sized borders - 2 1/2" - 5" in width. It's a little 'girly' but there isn't anything wrong with that!

Enjoy,

Till tomorrow,

Heather

Block #51 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-05-26T08:10:00.000-07:00

Good Morning All,

Here is today's stitch-out; Daises. This flower features an asterisk like center and 8-9 petals. Use the same 'doughnut' style circle set up to doodle it in as you did with block #49.

To begin a Daisy, start in the center and make a short line that is about 1/2" long then double back to where you started. Next stitch another 1/2" long line angled out from the center that is just a bit away from the first line. Continue making 1/2" long lines that shoot away from the center, forming a circular shape that looks like a full asterisk. I usually go around a second time adding more lines to make a very full center.

Once the center is complete begin forming the petals. Each petal is narrow (but NOT pointed) at the base and gets wider as it gets to the rounded tip. Make 8-9 petals around the center. To add more interest the the basic flower (upper left hand corner) you can add a center vein in each of the petals (upper right hand corner) of you can add 1-2 more smaller petals inside each of the larger petals (lower right hand corner) or you can make the petals pointed and add veins (lower left hand corner).

I used an angled/straight stipple rather than a curved stipple in the background. The angular form of this background stitch really allows the curvy flowers to stand out.

Hope you enjoy today's flower,

Till tomorrow,

Heather

Block #50 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-05-25T07:10:00.000-07:00

Good Morning,

Here is today's new design. It features yesterday's flower, roaming around amidst trailing vines. Doodle it out before you begin so that you can find the rhythm.

The flowers are essentially the same as yesterday's simple flower except that they are stitched continuously so that the center swirls have to be doubled up. The leaves are the same leaves shown about a month ago.

Begin by stitching a flower somewhere near the center of your block. This first flower does not have a double swirl in the middle. As you finish the first flower, stitch away from it with a vine with small, pointy leaves attached. Keep stitching vines with leaves until you have room to form another flower. This time you will begin the swirl on the outside of the circle, swirl in then swirl back out again and immediately make you first petal. Add the remaining petals to complete the second flower then stitch away again with a vine and leaves until you have space to make another flower. Keep adding flowers with vines and leaves in between until you have covered the surface of the block. Try to keep the same amount of negative space between the flowers and between the vines and leaves. For the tidiest end result try to keep the flowers very similar in size to each other and the leaves all about the same size too.

I love, love, love this stitch-out. It's so fanciful!

Hope you enjoy it too,

Till tomorrow,

Heather

Block #49 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-05-24T08:45:00.001-07:00

Good Morning and happy Monday to you all,

I figured that now that Spring is here and we're gearing up for a glorious summer that I would feature flower designs for the next week. Though I'm not what you would call a 'girly' girl and I don't wear floral prints or decorate with them either, I sure do love to quilt with them. So, each day this week I will give you a different floral design. Hope you enjoy them.

Today's stitch-out features my favorite, five petal flower. Each of us has flowers inside us, we just need to loosen up and doodle till they come flowing out. This is my doodle flower. I've been doodling it in one incarnation or another since I was a kid.

The flower in the upper left hand corner is the basic style, the one in the upper right hand corner has veins added. The flower in the lower left hand corner has a double set of petals and the flower in the lower right hand corner has two smaller petals inside each of the larger petals.

When you first begin doodling flowers it is often helpful to draw them inside a pre-drawn doughnut shape. To do this, draw a largish circle - one that is about 4" across then draw a smaller circle in the middle of the large circle - about 11/2" across. If you want your circles really accurate, use a glass or cup to trace the outer circle and a large spool of thread to trace the inner circle. When doodling, keep the flower center inside the smaller circle and the petals inside the larger circle. Drawing this way will train you to keep the petals similar in size. It is also helpful to know that the inside of the petals should never come to a point when they meet the flower center. Practice doodling lots of different flowers with differently styled centers and petals of varying shapes. The hardest part of flower drawing is learning to equally distribute the petals around the center. This just takes a little practice. After drawing a dozen or so flowers you'll have it down! Try to feel the movement of each petal as you draw so that you can repeat that movement as you quilt.

This basic flower of mine begins with a swirl in the center and has five petals. To stitch it, begin where ever you want the center of your flower to be. Stitch a swirl. When the swirl is the size you want it to be, close it up by ending the stitch line on the outer edge of the swirl. Now, begin the first petal. My petals are wide at the base, get a little wider as they move away from the base then come to a nice point. Visually divide the area around the center of your flower into five sections and keep each of the five petals within one section. After the first petal is stitched, stitch the next one, make it's point about 70 degrees away from the point in the first petal. Keep stitching petals until you have all five, each pointing in a different direction and all about the same size.

To add veins to the basic flower, once all of the petals have been stitched, use the outline of the center of the flower to travel back over to each of the petals, add long wavy lines, 1, 2 or 3, inside each petal. If adding more than one, vary the lengths.

To make a double set of petals, again you will use the outline of the flower center to travel on. After the original five petals are stitched, travel over on the flower center to the middle of the first petal and stitch another petal that peaks between the first petal and the next petal then comes back down in the center of the second petal. Make four more petals in the same manner with one in between each of the remaining petals.

To make the last flower with the petals within petals, simply add two smaller petals inside each of the larger petals. This is done after the original five petals were stitched and the outline of the flower center is used to travel on.

These flowers,as with any other large, open shape, will look puffed or more dimensional if you quilt heavily around them. This will give you a great opportunity to practice some of the other background designs. In this block I used a small stipple.

Have fun,

Till tomorrow,

Heather

Block #48 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-05-20T06:29:00.000-07:00

Good Morning,

Here is today's new stitch-out; Aerial View. It is a great design to use in negative space when a little more interest is needed. It's fun and easy to do too.

Doodle it out before you take your first stitch.

This design looks best if it's stitched really tight, about 1/4" apart is good. It is essentially a sloppy swirl. The swirls are sort of amoeba shaped rather than round. There are plenty of individual or grouped 'fingers' that fill in the spaces between the amoeba swirls. They are what fills in any negative space.

Begin near the center of the block and stitch an irregular, oval shaped swirl. Stitch in then stitch back out again. As you stitch out, move away from the swirl until you have room to make another amoeba. Make this on larger or smaller than the previous one and shaped differently too. Continue making amoeba swirls of different shapes and sizes and join them together with long, loopy, finger like designs. Try to keep the amount of space between all of the stitch lines consistent for a tidy finish.

Hope you enjoy this new design. It's great on contemporary quilts!

Till tomorrow,

Heather

Block #47 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-05-19T12:00:00.000-07:00

Good Afternoon,

I've just returned from a fun day of indigo dying at EFAGS at Great American Quilt Factory. It's nice to get together with like minded women a couple of times each month just to play and explore fiber arts.

Here is today's new design. It features swirls with quarter moons. It is a nice blend of the two, mixing circular with pointy. Doodle it out before stitching to get an idea of how to join the two. Basically the quarter moons are used to move from swirl to swirl. Try to keep the swirls the same size but vary the lengths of the half moons so that they fit between the curves of the swirls.

Begin near the center of the block and stitch a swirl that is about 1 1/2" wide. Swirl in then back out again. Stitch a quarter moon that echos about 1/3 the way around the swirl, move back and forth making 2-3 quarter moons that hug each other then stitch another swirl. Keep alternating swirls with half moons, adjusting the length of the moons to fill in the negative space. Try to keep the amount of negative space consistent throughout the block.

This is a great design filled with lots of movement and texture. Hope you enjoy it,

Till tomorrow,

Heather

The Machine Quilting Challenge - Block #46

2010-05-18T09:10:00.001-07:00

Good Morning,

Here is today's new stitch-out. I call it Mayan Ruins. It combines two basic designs, the swirl and "E's or Combs. It is very similar to block #10 (which I forgot to name-whoops!), except here it is done orderly in rows.

Remember to doodle it out before you take your first stitch.

I didn't mark rows, but you may want to. Mine are about 1 1/2" tall - use a Hera marker if needed.

Begin stitching in the lower left hand corner and start by making a large swirl that is about 1 1/2" wide. Swirl in then swirl back out again. As you come out, make a line along the bottom, heading toward the right and extend it about 1 1/2" past the swirl then stitch up, making a corner about 1/4" then stitch back toward the swirl. Stop about 1/4" before the swirl then stitch back up about 1/4" and over the the right again. Continue stitching switch backs until you have reached the height of the swirl and are heading toward the right. Make the final switch back elongated and stitch it into the next swirl. Continue making swirls and switch backs until you have completed the first row.

Stitch along the right hand side and up to where you can begin the next row. If you finished with a swirl in the bottom row then begin with a switch back in the second row and so on. The switch backs in the bottom row move from left to right but in the next row they move from top to bottom. Continue making rows, alternating the swirls and switch backs as well as alternating the orientation of the switch backs.

This stitch out is very contemporary and ethnic looking. It looks great on art quilts and quilts using African or South American fabrics or designs.

Hope you enjoy today's design,

See you tomorrow,

Heather

Block #45 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-05-17T06:17:00.000-07:00

Good Morning,

What a great weekend! Tom and I spent most of Friday museum hopping. My favorite was the show at Myers-Evans House Gallery, featuring Ray Tomasso. We carried his hand made papers in our store for a while. He is a paper artist and the show was filled with some of his large scale cast paper and multi media work. The pieces are very organic with simple colorations of strong neutrals with bold, vibrant color and or textural accents. He's there till the end of May.

Yesterday we headed up to Estes Park to catch a few of the artists at the free Jazz Festival the city was hosting. The weather was lovely and we sat on rocks by the river and listened to some wonderful music. Nice, very nice!

Here is today's new stitch-out. We're beginning a week filled with swirls. Hopefully you've begun to notice that there aren't too many different shapes in machine quilting, just lots of ways to combine the few that there are. This stitch-out features fat, funky hearts with swirls in between. Practice drawing the hearts linked by swirls before you make your first stitch.

Begin near the middle of the block and stitch a fat, funky heart (mine vary in size from about 1" - 1 1/2"), as you come back to the tip of the heart to complete it, continue stitching past the tip and away from the heart just a bit then form a swirl. Swirl in then out again and make another heart. Continue making hearts using the swirls to travel in between them. Make the swirls in various sizes, but always smaller than the hearts (this keeps the design looking neat and tidy). If you get stuck some place where you can't stitch out of, simply knot off and travel to an empty spot. I found it necessary to go back in and add a few swirls between some of the hearts to get an even fill.

Hope you enjoy this design. It's great for girly quilts!

Till tomorrow,

Heather

Block #44 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-05-14T08:48:00.001-07:00

Happy Friday,

My husband has Friday's off so today we have a great day of art exploration planned. First we're off to the Denver Art Museum for the afternoon then after doing the weekly shopping we'll head up to Golden to the Foothills Art Center for the opening reception of a new show called 'Stark; Works in Black & White'. I love spending a day completely immersed in ART!

Here is today's new stitch-out. It is a combination design that uses yesterdays 'Filigree' design in the background that surrounds large, funky Swirly Stars. I love the juxtaposition of the big, funky stars with the somewhat delicate filigree. Practice doodling out the stars before you begin stitching.

My stars are about 2 - 2 1/2" in width. Of course you can make yours any size you like, but remember that they need to be larger than the filigree for the stitching to look nice and tidy. Start stitching near the center of the block and begin with a swirl that is about 1/2" - 3/4"in size. Stitch back out of the swirl and make the arms of the star so that they are long and pointy. Strive for 6-7 arms per star. Once the first Swirly Star is complete stitch away from it using the filigree design until you have room to make another star. Keep making stars and surrounding them with filigree until you have covered the entire surface. It may be necessary to knot off and travel to empty areas between stars to add more filigree background fill. Try to keep the distance between the stars consistent as well as the density of the filigree background fill.

Hope you enjoy this funky stitch-out. I had great fun with it!
Till Monday,
Heather

Block #43 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-05-13T07:59:00.001-07:00

Good Morning,

We've had several days of yucky, wet weather here in Denver, rain and slush and even a bit of snow. The weather guys are predicting that Spring will really arrive next week with temperatures in the 70's. I can't wait! I love the spring, with all of the trees in bloom and the flowers beginning to blossom. All of the tulips in my front garden seem to have survived this storm and are lush and beautiful.

Spring is such a great time for renewal. I've been Spring cleaning, getting more organized and spending more time out in the back garden. Sometimes it's hard to make time for creativity. Sticking to a creative habit can often be as difficult as sticking to a new diet or budget (both things I am NOT good at). But the rewards can be so fulfilling! Have you ever thought of embracing a more creative lifestyle? What changes do you think you could make to add 30 minutes of creative time to your daily schedule?

Today's new stitch-out; Filigree, is a wonderful, delicate,whimsical background fill. It looks great all on it's own or stitched around design motifs (.....just wait till you see tomorrow's block!). It is a continuous design that requires lots of over stitching (stitching back over lines you have all ready stitched). But unlike some other over stitched designs, this one looks great if you stitch right next to the original line rather than right on top. This will make it easier for some stitchers and more difficult for others. You'll probably want to doodle it out before you take your first stitch.

Begin in the center of the block and stitch a small swirl that is about 3/4" across. Stitch back over the swirl (or right next to it, doubling up the width of the line) and make a second swirl. These swirl don't have lots of rotations, just one and a half or so. Stitch back over the second swirl and stitch away then make another swirl. Change up the size of the swirls and add little half swirls along the way too. My swirls vary in size from 1/4" up to 3/4". Try to keep a consistent amount of space in between the swirls too. If you get stuck and can not determine where to stitch next, remember that you can always knot off and start up again somewhere else.

I hope you enjoy this delightful little design,

Till tomorrow,

Heather

Block #42 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-05-12T15:34:00.001-07:00

Good Afternoon,

Today's stitch-out is the second in a two part triangle design. I call it Triangle Maze. It is very similar to the square and round swirls. As with the other swirls, you stitch in then leave yourself room to stitch back out again.

It is very helpful to mark the rows in which you plan to stitch. I marked five, 2" rows using a Hera marker. Stitching begins in the lower, left hand corner. This corner is occupied by a half triangle. Each row will begin and end with a half triangle. The triangles are easiest to do if they are equilateral - that is, all the sides are the same length. This one definitely requires some doodling before you take your first stitch.

Begin in the bottom, left hand corner and stitch up and toward the right so that the top of the line is positioned about 1" away from the side of the block. Next stitch over toward the left till you reach the edge then stitch down along the edge and stop about 1/4" before the bottom. Now stitch back up, about 1/4" inside the angled line on the right stopping 1/4" before you get to the top then stitch across toward the left then all the way down to the bottom and over to the left past the outside line of the triangle you just stitched by about 1/4". This will put you in position to stitch you first complete triangle.

Keeping the line about 1/4" away from the outside line of the half triangle, stitch an angled line up stopping just below the creased line. Next, stitch back down, angling toward the right and striving for a 2"distance from the beginning of the triangle. Stop 1/4" from the bottom and stitch across the bottom stopping 1/4"from the other side then stitch back up again, continue swirling in, making the lines about 1/4" apart, until you are in the center then stitch back out again keeping the outbound lines centered between the lines that are all ready stitched.

Once you are back out, stitch along the bottom of the triangle until you are position to make the next triangle. The next triangle is made in the same way, only upside down. Continue making triangles until you get to the end of the row and finish with a half triangle. Stitch up along the side of the block to get in position to stitch the next row and do it in the opposite direction.

I love how contemporary this design is,
Hope you enjoy playing with it,
Till tomorrow,
Heather

The Machine Quilting Challenge - Block #41

2010-05-11T06:23:00.001-07:00

Good Morning,

Hope you enjoyed yesterday's stitch-out. Today we're going to begin a two day stint of playing with triangles. Here is the easier of the designs. It is a background fill made from mostly triangles. It's challenge is to make straight sides and tight points. It's ease is that you can cross over lines to get to where you want to go so there is never a need to panic!

Doodle it out before you begin so that you become comfortable with the way that the triangles are formed and how to travel between triangles.

Begin near the middle of your block. Stitch the first two sides of a triangle. As you complete the shape with the third side, stitch past the intersection that forms the third corner far enough away so that you can make another triangle. Keep making triangles and filling in the space, keeping the negative space as even as possible and slightly varying the size of the triangles. My triangles are between 1/4" up to 3/4" with negative space of approximately 1/8" in between.

Hope you like today's quick and easy stitch-out. It's great for contemporary quilts and kids quilts too.

Till tomorrow,

Heather

Block # 40 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-05-10T06:11:00.000-07:00

Good Morning,

I'm back after a little break with lots of new quilting designs. I've really been enjoying this project. It's getting me to broaden my horizons and stitch out designs that I haven't used in a long time and come up with new designs too.

I spent some time last week trying to think of all sorts of things that could be added to a simple clam shell stitch out. So here are some of the additions that I came up with. If you need a review, I posted the instructions several weeks ago. It is block #17. Make the clam shells at least 1" wide so that you have room to put designs in them. In the small slice photo above you can see 11 different designs stitched inside the clam shells from tall grasses to tiny circles and lots of other shapes. Choose 3-5 designs and use them in your clam shells. It looks best if you have at least three rows repeating one shape to really get a good understanding of how the design looks.

In the block above I used three designs, Asian Grasses in the lower section, Waves in the mid section and Alternating Furrows in the top most section. Some of the designs are stitched as each clam shell is stitched while others are added after the row of clam shells have been completed.

The Asian Grasses are added during the making of the clam shells. Beginning on the lower left hand edge of your block, stitch a clam shell and at the right hand end of it, stitch a mid sized arch inside it along the upper curve then stitch back down again to make a curved blade of grass, then stitch a second smaller one under the first one. Each blade of grass should begin and end in the right hand corner of the clam shell. Complete the first row in this manner. The next row is stitched from right to left and the grasses come out of the left hand corner so that they alternate with the previous row.

The wave design is added after the row of clam shells has been stitched. Stitch the clam shells and once completed, stitch back in the opposite direction with a wavy line about 1/4" inside the top curve of each clam shell. Begin and end each wavy line inside the corners of the clam shell.

The Alternating furrows are also added after a row of clam shells has been stitched. You will have to retrace portions of each clam shell as you add the rows of stitch inside it. Try very hard to stay on the previously stitched lines or the design will begin to look sloppy. Add lines moving in one direction/angle in the first row and lines moving in a different direction in the next row then back to the original direction in the third row and so on.

I hope you enjoy this combined stitch-out. I bet you can come up with some really fun designs to stitch inside your clam shells!

Till tomorrow,

Heather

Block #39 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-05-04T06:04:00.000-07:00

Good Morning,

Last night I went to the 1st Monday Art Talk(http://www.fmatdenver.com/) at Dazzle Jazz Club. It's a great venue. The artists work hangs for a month and on the Talk night she/he is feted with a nice introductory bio then gets interviewed in a question and answer session where the audience gets to participate. This months artist is local painter Audrey McNamara whose urban themed paintings depict gritty vignettes of modern life. Her work has a graffiti like feel to it with bold outlines and lots of gesture lines that invoke a sense of movement Though she uses lots of black, a good deal of her work relies on subtle tones and as my daughter said, " lots of taupe". There were several pieces that I wanted to take home with me. The evening also included some spoken word performances by a young woman and an older man (sorry I didn't get their names),. Both were highly entertaining and thought provoking. It was a lovely evening and just what I needed to get me back in the creative mode (I've been having a little dry spell).

Here is today's new stitch-out; I call it Gothic Swirls. It is a border/sashing design and looks best in long rows. It looks very complicated, but it uses elements we've used before; a swirl and petals. So that you could see how it is sectioned out I stitched each portion of the design separately in the long narrow piece and made sure that the creased sections in the block were discernible. You definitely want to doodle this one out to get the rhythm and spacing of it.

Begin with a long tail that gently curves into a swirl. Swirl in then out. Once you are out of the swirl, begin making small, half round, petals all the way around the swirl. Once you get about an inch away from the end of the tail make one final elongated petal. Now add a second row of petals above the first row as you stitch back in the opposite direction. This second row of petals can be half rounds like the first or they can have a peak like the ones shown. Stitch these petals around the swirl until you reach the bottom edge then swoop up again toward the next swirl. The hardest part of this design is the spacing that's why marking the sections with a Hera marker is so helpful. As you make the swirl try to place it in the middle of the second half of the section so that you have room to surround it with petals.

The design can be used in several ways. Use it in a single row for a narrow border or sashing or double it up, face to face to form a heart in a wider border. The top most section of the block shows two rows that move in the same direction but are offset, which is another way you can use the design.

To stitch out the block, divide it into 6,1 1/2"wide rows then divide the rows into 3, 3 1/4" long sections. You will stitch one complete design inside each of the 1 1/2" x 3 1/4" sections. Begin in the section in the bottom left hand corner. Place your needle down near the top left hand corner in the section and stitch down and over to the right forming a slight arch like half of a heart and head into a swirl. Make the swirl, leaving yourself enough room to stitch back out of it. Just as you finish stitching back out of the swirl begin making small, half round petals. Stitch these all the way around the outside of the swirl and back to the beginning of the line with the last petal elongated. Next stitch the second row of petals just above the first row. When you reach the base of the swirl, stitch a slight arch into the next section to form the next Gothic Swirl. When you have stitched the entire row knot off and begin again back on the left hand side of the block. If you want to form hearts then the second row is stitched upside down so that the swirls meet up with the swirls in the first row.

I hope you enjoy this design. I thinks it's beautiful.

Till tomorrow,

Heather

Block #38 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-05-03T06:08:00.001-07:00

Good Morning,

I hope today is the start to a great week for everyone.

It is my youngest daughter's 20th birthday today. I find it hard to believe that my children are both 'grown-up's'! Time does fly by and as I get older I feel like I need to pay more attention. Especially to things such as how I spend my time and who I spend it with. I want to learn to be more discerning (was kind of hoping that would come with age - but not so far) and yet more open. Birthdays, mine and others, always remind me of how precious time really is.

Well, enough with the Monday morning philosophy..... here is today's new stitch-out; Rambling Feathers. This is an all over or fill stitch. It can be used in wide borders, in setting squares or triangles or as an all over design on a quilt with simple piecing. If you've never used feathers as a fill you'll probably want to doodle this one out to get the feel for how the feathers nestle into each other.

You will use the same technique described in yesterdays block, #37 to make the feathers. They are linked together by small loop d'loops (click on the photo to see it larger). Each of my feathers is between 2 1/2" - 3 1/2" long and about 1 1/4" - 1 1/2" wide. You can make yours as large or small as you like, just strive for consistency. This can mean that all of your feathers are about the same size or that you have lots of different sized feathers. What you probably don't want (because it looks like a mistake) is a bunch of feathers that are all close in size and one that is much larger or smaller.

Begin by stitching a curved feather near the center of your block. Once complete, loop d'loop your self away from the finished feather and stitch a second feather that curves in the opposite direction from the first. Keep stitching feathers, switching the direction of the curves so that they can nestle into each other and/or make a nook in which to position another feather.

I really love the artistry and dimension that this stitch-out can bring to a project. I hope you enjoy experimenting with it.

Till tomorrow,

Heather

Block #37 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-05-02T08:15:00.001-07:00

Good Morning,

I've been enjoying a really nice three day weekend - with no teaching, a lot of rest and just a little creativity. I spent most of Friday down in Colorado Springs indigo dying with the girlfriends and I plan to do some more today. It's a very addictive technique!

Here is today's new stitch-out; Feathers. I love stitching feathers but have to admit that I don't use them all that often. I like to use them on projects that have very simple piecing. Or feature them as the major design elements because they are big attention getters. Every quilter uses a different technique to make feathers. So, if you've made feathers before and were successful with them then their is no need to change the way you've done them in the past. However, if you've always struggled with them or have never given them a try, then explore my method.

The photo on the left shows the separate steps that I take when forming a feather. I start at the bottom of the spine (center line), stitching upwards and end with the tear drop shape that forms the top of the feather. Next, I stitch all of the feathers along the left hand side (easiest if you are right handed, start with the right side if you are left handed) then I back over the end of the spine and head back up to the top of the feather forming a spine that is thick on the bottom, about 1/4" wide and narrows down to a point as I reach the top feather. I then begin making feathers on the remaining side, trying to match them up with the feathers on the original side.

This technique requires you to double over part of the feather section that you just stitched to create the next feather section. If you don't like doubling over, simply separate your feather sections as shown in the last sample in the stitch-out on the right.

As you begin your feather making experience, make the spine just slightly curved as placement of the feather sections can be somewhat difficult on concave curves. Once you feel competent making simple feathers, pump it up by making more curved ones.

To make the feathers above, begin by stitching the spine, from the bottom, up. Add the top teardrop then begin making feather sections on one side. Always angle the bottom portion of each section down, towards the base of the spine, this will place you in the correct position to add the next section. Some people like feathers that have a half heart shape others prefer more of a tear drop shape. It doesn't matter what you do as long as you strive for consistency. Once you have completed one side of the feather, double back over the base of the spine and stitch back up to the top of the feather and add the feather sections to the other side.

I surrounded my main feather with tiny circles - just because I like the way it looks.

Next make a smaller feather on each side of the larger feather. If you feel up to it, curve the center spines so that they fill up the corner space well and hug the center feather. I used slightly wavy lines spaced about 1/4" apart in the background but you could stipple too. Heavily quilting the background areas around the feathers will make them poof as if they were trapunutoed.

I hope you have fun playing with feathers.

Till tomorrow,

Heather

The Machine Quilting Challenge; Block #36

2010-04-29T08:54:00.000-07:00

Good Morning,

I really enjoyed the discussion yesterday about technique. Machine quilting is one of my favorite things to do simply because it provides so much freedom of design. I know that if I can doodle it, I can quilt it. My machine and I are dance partners. I lead it across the surface of the quilt top and wheedle beauty out of it.

Today's stitch-out is a border treatment that can be used with yesterday's design. Here, I have stitched several rows of Double Hearts, one row above the next. I probably wouldn't do this on a quilt, but it's great practice. This design looks great in borders that are up to 3" wide. If I was going to put it in a wider border, I would plan on doing three rows of small hearts, with the middle row off set so that the bottom tips sit in between the hearts in the row below it.

It will be easier to get proficient at this design if you mark the rows on your quilt top. Use a Hera marker so you don't have to worry about removing the marked lines. Draw out some lines on your practice paper and doodle the design first. I made my rows two inches wide. A also subdivided the bottom row into six sections so that I would have a guide as to how large to make each of the hearts in the bottom row. Once that row is stitched I can use those hearts to size the ones in the row above it.

Begin stitching in the section marked in the bottom left hand corner. Place your needle down in the middle of the section in the left hand corner, along the bottom edge. Begin the heart at the tip and curve out toward the left, make the top left bump then the cleft, followed by the top right bump then stitch back down to make the tip. Now, stitch a smaller heart inside the larger heart. Once you are back at the tip, stitch over to the right along the edge until you are at the center point of the next section where you want the next heart. Stitch the next heart trying to make it very similar in size and shape to the first heart. Stitch a smaller heart inside it and once you are back at the tip stitch over to the right along the edge till you get to the center of the next section and make another double heart. Continue making hearts in each section until you have completed the first row.

Once the first row is complete, stitch up along the right edge till you get to the line that separates rows one and two. Stitch to the left along the marked line till you get to the center of the cleft of the heart below. Stitch a double heart. Now stitch along the marked line until you are above the cleft in the second heart below and stitch another double heart. Continue stitching until you have completed the second row then move up and stitch the remaining rows using the same technique.

This is a fun, feminine border design. I hope you enjoy stitching it out,
Till tomorrow,
Heather

Block #35 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-04-28T06:29:00.000-07:00

Good Morning,

Before I introduce today's stitch-out I want to address some comments that have been made recently. Elena asked about why I suggest starting a stitch-out in a particular place on the block. If the design is an all over pattern, I usually suggest beginning in the middle of the block. This is so that you have time to find your rhythm before you have to deal with the corners of the block which can be more difficult if, like me, you're trying not to waste fabric and batting and are cutting all three layers the same size therefore leaving no excess in the corners to hold on to as you stitch. I stitch from the middle out to one corner then circle around and fill in the next corner then circle around toward the third corner and so on.

On the blocks with border designs or designs that are sewn in a row fashion I usually suggest you starting in an upper or lower left hand corner. Like Elena, I like to stitch backwards a lot, pulling the quilt toward me as I stitch. This gives me a better view of what I've all ready stitched and where I'm going to stitch next.

Of course all of this is a moot point when it comes to quilting an actual quilt. When quilting for real, I almost always begin in the middle; the middle row or area. Because I tend to quilt very heavily; every 1/4" - 1/2", I need to start in the middle so that the quilt is "sucking up" (for lack of a better word) evenly on all sides. It is the easiest way for me to handle the distortion that starts to build up as I quilt.

If I am quilting a rather large quilt; anything with a side longer than 48", I sometimes do light quilting throughout the whole quilt then go back and add the tighter quilting. However, when I do this I find that when I go back to do the heavier quilting I need to pin (I use straight silk pins with tiny metal heads) baste more heavily than usual.

If the quilt I'm quilting has rows of blocks then I begin quilting in the center most row and quilt it entirely then move to the rows on either side of it and so on.

If I am quilting using several different threads in different areas then I quilt the smallest area first and the largest area last. This way, if there is any fullness in the quilt top, I have lots of space in which to work it out.

An example of this would be, if I'm quilting a row of stars that have small star tips, a medium sized center and a large background area, I would stitch the star tips of all of the stars in the center row. Then I'd switch threads and stitch all of the star centers in that same row. Next I would change threads again and stitch all of the background areas in that row. Once that row was complete I would use the same stitch order on the rows flanking the center row and continue on in that manner.

Of course, this is just my way of doing things. If your way is different and it works for you then keep on with it. However if your methodology is getting in your way then maybe it's time to look for new ways of doing things.

So thanks Elena for opening up a new topic, I'm sure there were lots of other people who where wondering the same thing. Now, on to today's stitch-out.

I call this design Dancing Hearts and it's the perfect stitch-out for little girl or baby quilts; fun yet delicate. It is a meandering pattern that works great as an all over design, in large blocks or in borders. In my sample, the hearts are about 1 1/2" tall and 1" wide. You can make it in any size, just make sure that the loop d'loops that join the hearts together are much smaller than the hearts otherwise it will look sloppy. If you've never stitched this one before, I would definitely doodle it out first - it's a little harder than it looks.

Begin by stitching a heart somewhere near the center of the block, stitch a second, smaller heart inside the first one. Once the second heart is complete stitch out of the heart at the tip and loop d'loop around the heart then make another heart. Keep making hearts and loop d'loop around them to navigate to new areas to stitch more hearts. Try to keep the hearts the same size as well as the loop d'loops. Also try to sew the hearts so that they move every which way.

I hope you enjoy today's new design. Keep the questions and comments coming!

Till tomorrow,

Heather

Block #34 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-04-27T06:42:00.000-07:00

Good Morning,

Today I get to play with Batik painting at my studio. I've got a couple of students learning the technique. Thursday I've got a class on Shiva Paintstick techniques and Friday I'm going down to Colorado Springs to play with my girlfriends and do some Indigo dying. I really enjoy making my own fabric. It's nice to have my own original stuff from which to create.

Here is today's new stitch-out; Pretty Paisleys. Click on it to see it larger. It's a bit complex, but all of the shapes are ones we've used before. It features tear drop shapes with small petals and thin swirls. The swirls help fill in space and take you from paisley to paisley. Begin by doodling out the shapes separately until you have a feel for them. Next, draw the shapes out together trying to keep a consistent 'togetherness' and leaving equal negative space surrounding the shapes.

Before you begin stitching your block, you may want to practice stitching the shapes first. Once you feel prepared, begin stitching near the center of your block and make a largish tear drop that is about 1 1/2" tall and 3/4" at its widest. Make another, smaller tear drop inside the first one. Circle the outside of the outer tear drop with small round petals (half circles) making the petal at the top of the paisley pointed. Once all of the petals have been added, stitch in a gentle curve away from the paisley and make a long, narrow swirl, then make a couple more, linked by tiny loop d'loops if necessary. Next, make another paisley. Continue making paisleys and skinny swirls moving in various directions and stitching the paisleys in every direction.

Keep track of your negative space as you stitch. For this stitch-out to look tidy, everything needs to be pretty close together with spaces no larger than 1/2" between (1/4" is better).

I hope you enjoy this beautiful design. It's great in wide borders, wide sashing and even as an all over design.

Till tomorrow,

Heather

Block #33 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-04-26T19:11:00.000-07:00

Good Evening,

It's been a really busy few days, lots of teaching and today I shot 4 more video segments for Creative Crafts Group, two on color, one on fabric foiling and one on working with metal. For someone like me who doesn't like to have her picture taken, shooting video is an ordeal - I haven't seen any of the finished products, but I'm told by some viewers that I look a little stiff - I'm just trying really hard not to say a cuss word and concentrate on looking at the camera! Oh well, I'm an artist, not an actor!

Here is today's new stitch-out; Floating Circles (some folks call it Amoebas, but I don't like the sound of that). It's a very textural design and is great on contemporary quilts. It looks really easy, but you really have to concentrate on making circles and not just loop d'loops so I suggest (as always) that you doodle it out first. My circles vary in size from tiny peas to nickles but you could go as large as a quarter.

Begin near the middle of the block and stitch a nickle sized circle. Once the circle is complete, stitch past it and curve over in one direction and make a second, smaller circle. Once the second circle is complete, curve past it in the opposite direction and make another circle in a different size. Keep making circles and moving past them to make another. Do not let the circles touch and try to keep the distance between the circles similar. Remember to make the circles as round as you can, if they become elongated then they look like loop d'loops and won't yield the same great texture.

Hope you enjoy this great filler stitch,

Till tomorrow,

Heather

Block #32 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-04-23T16:11:00.001-07:00

Happy Friday Everyone,

We've had a lovely Spring day filled with rain and some big, wet snow flakes. I can just feel the grass growing and the flowers beginning to bud. I love Spring and it looks like we're going to get a real one here in Denver this year.

Here is today's new stitch-out. I call it Bark, but it looks like what some stitchers call Animal Print. and what others call Flames. What ever you want to call it, it's a great filler. It's got lots of movement and creates great energy. It's nice on landscape quilts, animal quilts and quilts for guys.

It can be a little difficult to find the rhythm in the design, but once you've doodled it out for a while you'll find it easy to stitch. It is merely a series of vertical lines that are wavy and irregular and change position with small angular juts to help you move up and down as you work your way across the surface.

To begin, stitch a long irregular line up from the middle that is about 3-4 inches. Next, stitch a 'V' and move down about 2-3 inches then make a second 'V' and move back up again. Keep making long stitch lines up and down, adding 'V's and changing direction until you have filled up the entire space. Try to have lines of various lengths, some as long as 4" and some as short as an inch.

H ope you enjoy today's stitch-out. Remember if you click on the block you can see it larger and with more definition,

See you tomorrow,

Heather

Block #31 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-04-21T06:38:00.001-07:00

Good Morning,

I've been spending the last few days at my studio making more "pages" of techniques from my book "Fabric Embellishing, the Basics & Beyond" I've been teaching it and needed to make samples of some of the techniques that my co-authors wrote and sampled up. It's been a lot of fun. None of the techniques are new to me, but I like adding the new fabric pages to my ever expanding Embellishment Book.

Here is today's new stitch-out; Cobblestones

This is a great design to use in landscape quilts for walkways or building facades. It can also be used as a background filler in contemporary quilts too. Because of it's lines and angles, it's good for mens quilts also.
I like it because it actually looks better if the lines are somewhat crooked. So, rather than worrying about straight lines, I can relax and just stitch.

This stitch out looks best with heavy lines so either use a 30 wt. thread or plan on doubling over the stitch lines at least a second time. You will be doubling over some lines to get to empty spaces in which you need to quilt, but I double over all of the lines since I have almost no 30 wt thread (it's too heavy for the dense quilting I usually do). Even though this design seems pretty straight forward, I suggest doodling it out before you begin quilting.

Cobblestone walkways generally have a natural, un-planned looking layout. A piece of stone is set where it fits. I've seen the workmen drop a large stone so that it breaks then use the pieces where ever they best 'puzzle' in. So, don't do a whole lot of repeat in pattern, simply make squares and rectangles that all intersect with each other, building up the space in between (the concrete) by stitching over previously stitched lines.

Begin by making a rectangle then attach a second rectangle to it that is laid in a different direction keep stitching rectangles and squares that are attached to each other until the entire surface is covered. Try to make the lines that make up the shapes slightly irregular and don't worry about perfection - with this stitch-out, it will take care of itself!

Enjoy,
Till tomorrow,
Heather

Machine Quilting Challenge - Block #30

2010-04-20T06:41:00.001-07:00

Good Morning,

Here is today's new stitch-out. I call it Daisy Chain. It is great in borders or it can be used as a fill in un-pieced blocks.

This design is rather simple, but for the best results, it's helpful to mark the squares. To do this, simply choose a size, mine are 1 1/2", then mark the segments using a Hera marker.

In the slice segment pictured here, you can see the process of making one flower. I drew out the segments of one square by making diagonal lines from corner to corner then bisecting the square vertically and horizontal. Stitching begins in the middle of each square. Remember to practice the design first by doodling it with pencil and paper.

Begin by placing the needle down in the center of the square. Stitch out to one corner making an elongated, tear drop shaped petal and return to the center of the square. Use the drawn line as a center reference for the petals. Stitch one of these petals into each corner of the square.

Next, stitch a petal in between each of the previously stitched petals. If you are stitching more than one flower (flowers in a row) then the last petal you stitch needs to position you so that you can begin the second flower. Stitch over half of the last petal to take you to the starting point for the next flower. This time, you will make one horizontal petal first then stitch the four corner petals and finish with the remaining petals, stitching the petal closest to the next flower last. Keep making flowers until you have completed the first row. Knot off and begin again in any subsequent rows.

I ALWAYS, mark the squares when I do this stitch out. It's easy to do. If I'm using the flower in a border (which is where I usually use it) then I simply mark lines across the border at equal intervals using my Hera marker. I never mark the lines inside the squares. I did that in the sample above so that you could easily understand where to aim each of the 8 petals in this design.

I hope you enjoy today's stitch-out,

Till tomorrow,

Heather

Block #29 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-04-19T06:29:00.000-07:00

Good Monday Morning,

Here is the new stitch-out for the day. I call it Rolling Waves. It is a great design to use singly in a narrow border or with three or more rows in a wider border.

Remember to doodle out the design befor you begin stitching it.

This design features a repeat of one motif that basically has three sections. When I stitch more than one row of it, I have each row reverse directions which adds more movement and therefore more interest.

Look at the block here and zone in on the motif that is at the far left in the third row up. The design begins with a large swirl then just to the right hand side of it is a smaller swirl which is topped by an arch that nestles right on top of it which is in turn nestled by a second, larger arch. Then the whole thing is repeated again. In the row above, the design is stitched in the opposite direction. Doodle it until it feels seemless and smooth.

It may be easier for you if you mark rows on your block with a Hera marker. Begin stitching in the bottom left hand corner. Stich a swirl that is about 1/4" shorter than the marked row, stitch in then swirl back out on the outside of the original swirl. When you reach the bottom, stitch over to the right and form the second, smaller swirl, swirl back out on the outside and stitch a half circle up over the top of the small swirl and stitch back down again. Finsh the motif by stitching back up again forming a second arch and back down again. Stitch over to the right and form a second large swirl. Continue stitching the complete three part motif (I could fit four across in my 10" square) until you have finished the first row. Now stitch up to the base of the second row and stitch a large swirl that rotates in the opposite direction of the swirls in the first row, follow it with the small swirl with the two arches above it. Continue until you have finished the second row. The third row should be stitched in the original direction. Continue stitching rows, in opposite directions until you have completed the entire block.

Working with a stitch-out like this one will help you learn more about spacing out designs as you stitch. It always helps in the beginning to mark registration lines. On rare occasions, I still use the Hera marker to draw registration lines, especially when I'm stitching a wholecloth quilt that will then be painted.

Enjoy, till tomorrow,

Heather

Playing with Indigo Dye

2010-04-18T07:16:00.000-07:00

I spent a few days last month playing with Indigo dye. It had been a long time since I had done dying of any sort and I had a great time. The first day I did it with my friends Chris and Ruth then I did tons more on my own.

We used a new Pre-Reduced Indigo that is put out by Jacquard. It's very easy to use and the dye bath can be used for several weeks.

The kit is very inexpensive and dyes a lot of fabric. I ended up with more than 30 extra large fat quarters (about 20" x 30") as well as some 1/2 yard pieces and yardage. I died 100% cotton broadcloth, cotton artists canvas and cotton gauze. These two pieces are some of my favorites. The first one was block resisted in a square form and soaked in the bath for about 20 minutes then refolded in a triangular form and re-soaked for another 20 minutes. The second piece was pole wrapped, Shibori style on a 2" wide piece of PVC pipe and soaked in the bath for about 15 minutes.

I will be playing with more Indigo dying then will over paint a lot of the pieces using a deep, blood red and a dusky, dirty yellow and hope to make working with these fabrics my next series. I will be teaching these techniques this next quarter. Summer is the perfect time to build up a stash of painted and dyed fabrics!

Don't you just love exploring textiles!

Till next time,

Heather

Block #28 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-04-17T13:03:00.001-07:00

Good Morning,

I hope you're all enjoying a lovely weekend!

Here is today's new stitch-out I call is Rolling Water. It is a versatile design which can be stitched out in several ways. In this block I've included spiral 'waves' mixed in amongst the gentle water movement, but you can easily omit the spiral waves and have Calm waters.

This is a somewhat simple stitch-out, a bit of a break after the intensity of block #27! It is fun and easy to do and is of course great in landscapes but also in Asian inspired quilts too. Be sure to doodle it out with pencil and paper before you try stitching it.

If you click on the block it will double in size. Then you will be able to see that I have used a multi-colored thread on this block. I don't turn to multi-colored or variegated threads often any more. I usually match the thread to the fabric color or use the same color but a shade darker or a slightly lighter tint. This way, the thread melds into the surface of the fabric. If I need a new design element because the quilt is lacking interest, then I will stitch with a thread that has more contrast. With this block I wanted you to see how I think variegated threads should be used. The problem with them is that the inclination is to match the thread to the fabric, however where variegated or muti-colored threads are concerned, the opposite is usually true.

First of all, the difference between the two; Variegated means different varieties of the same color such as light, medium and dark violet, Multi-colored means just that, different colors, one coming after the other.

When choosing a variegated or multi-colored thread you need to choose one that shows up equally across the surface of the fabric you will be stitching it on. If it does not show up equally, then the areas where it matches the surface will seem like they disappear and will look like you've made mistakes in your stitch pattern. So, if you're stitching on a medium valued violet, a light, medium, dark, variegated violet thread is not the answer because the medium valued areas of the thread will disappear on the fabric and the light and dark areas will show up. A better choice would be to choose a color of thread that is next to the thread color on the color wheel such as a blue violet that will show up equally across the surface of the medium violet fabric.

So, on to the stitch-out. This design features gently flowing lines that move from side to side and curve back and forth, to give the impression of gently, flowing water. The swirls are added to break up the side to side motion.

Begin near the center of the block and stitch a short line that is about 1 1/2" long. End the line with a curve that is about 1/4" deep, moving either up or down then stitch either back in the direction that you came from or continue on in the direction you were going. Every 1/2" to 1 1/2" change directions with a gentle curve and a drop down or climb up 1/4". Insert a swirl every two to three inches by stitching a line and swirling the end, leaving room to swirl back out then continuing on with the water design. You can stitch this design larger, but I think it looks best pretty tight as shown.

I hope you enjoy this mix of wavy lines, directional movement and swirls. It's great practice!

Have a wonderful Sunday,

Heather

Block #27 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-04-15T08:03:00.000-07:00

Good Morning,

It's a lovely spring morning and I've just returned from a walk to our neighborhood bakery for a blueberry scone and coffee - yummy!

Here is today's new stitch-out. I call it Peas & Paisley. It looks very complex, but it is relatively easy to do. It features the paisley design which is very similar to block #19, Asian Swirls along with small circles which were in the Stones block. This design requires a lot of stitching over previously stitched lines which helps give it it's wonderful depth. Also, if you want to change the direction of the paisleys you may need to knot off and start again in a new location. For this 10" square I knotted of and changed positions a total of three times. But it's worth it to achieve this wonderful depth and sense of movement.

Begin by stitching a tear drop near the center of the block that is about 1 1/2" long and an inch at its widest with a pointed tip at one end. Once you have completed the first tear drop, stitch a second one inside the first one that is a scant 1/4" away from the stitch lines in the first tear drop at the wide end and a scant 1/16" away at the tip. Next, make a third tear drop inside the second one. Finally, stitch 2-4 small circles in the center teardrop to form the peas. Try to fill up the whole interior of the inner tear drop.

Now, stitch back out of the center of the tear drop to the tip and make a second large tear drop, angling its rounded end away from the first paisley. Fill it with two more tear drops and circles. Keep adding new paisleys, inserting their pointy tips in the 'V's formed between other adjoining paisleys. You will have some areas that are too small to put in a whole three layered paisley. There, you can add small, tear drops or 1-3 small circles. You want to cover the entire surface with stitch lines, leaving little or no areas unstitched so make sure that all of your design elements are touching each other. This tight fill is what helps you achive so much depth with this design.

This stitch-out is very elegant and looks lovely in wide, plain borders or in un-pieced blocks.
Hope you enjoy giving it a try.

Till tomorrow,
Heather

Block #26 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-04-14T06:20:00.001-07:00

Good Morning Gang,

I'm getting ready to head up to Estes Park to speak to the quilt guild there. I'm looking forward to getting up in the mountains for the day.

Here is today's stitch-out; Petal Power. This design can be stitched in lots of different sizes from tiny to extra large. Here, I made somewhat small flowers, about 1" in diameter. I linked my flowers with tiny loop d'loops but you can also link them with small, pointy leaves. My flowers have five petals each. You can use six or seven petal flowers too, just keep them all the same. Doodle the design out in several different sizes until you find one that you like the look and feel of.

To make the flowers, start with the center and make a circle. Once you have completed the circle, begin making the petals which are 3/4 circles. I find it easiest to stitch the petals moving in the opposite direction from the center. Once you have completed a flower, stitch away from it with curvy lines and loop d'loops until you have room to make another flower. Continue making flowers and loops, filling up the space and keeping the design elements close together , leaving no large spaces unfilled.

This is a great stitch-out for girly quilts as well as spring and summer designs. It's very versatile as a filler and can be stitched in rows for borders.

Hope you have a great day,

Till tomorrow,

Heather

Painting the Painted Quilt

2010-04-13T07:17:00.000-07:00

Good Morning,

Thanks to Christa for all of her wonderful comments. It's so nice to know that someone is out there appreciating the work I do here on my blog.

Here is the tree, about half way painted. Eventually, there will be no white remaining. I'm using thinned Jacquard Neopaque to paint with. Then I will add some shading and fine details with fabric markers and I will finish with a wash of pale brown to unify the piece.

I'll show you the finished work once I've completed it.

Till tomorrow,

Heather

The Machine Quilting Challenge - Block #25

2010-04-13T06:56:00.000-07:00

Good Morning,

Here is today's new stitch-out. I call it Greek Spirals. It is similar to block #23, 60's Architecture and to circular spirals.

Like the 60's Architecture, this design features 45 degree angled turns. Like the round spirals, you spiral in first and leave space to spiral back out. It is also similar to one of the earlier blocks, Combs or Bubble E's in that it is stitched in rows.

As always, it's a good idea to doodle this design out. It will help you achieve a reapeat of shapes that are similar in size and teach you to keep your rows somewhat straight. My units are about 1 1/4" square. If needed, draw lines to separate the rows the first few times you doodle it or stitch it. Remember that when you turn a corner, you must stop the movement of the quilt momentarily or you will end up with a curve rather than a corner.

Begin in one corner and stitch rows that are either horizontal or vertical. I feel that horizontal is easier. If you start in the bottom left hand corner, then stitch up, along the edge about 1 1/4", then over to the right the same amount. Next stitch down about 1" and then over to the left stopping about 1/4" from the stitched side line. Next stitch up, again stopping about 1/4" from the top stitched line. Continue turning and sitiching until you are in the center of the square.

Now it's time to stitch back out. Simply re-trace your inward journey, keeping the new stitch line about 1/8" away from the origanal one. Once you get back to the start, stitch along the bottom till you are about 1/8" away from the first square and stitch up and make your next swirled square.

Continue making swirled squares in the first row, adjusting the size of the squares slightly wider or narrower, as needed, so that you can fill in the entire length of the row. Once you have completed the first row, stitch up along the right hand side to where you can begin the first swirled square in the second row. Try to keep each of the squares in this row, sized like and positioned right above the squares in the first row. Do the same in all of the subsequent rows too.

This is a very sophisticated stitch-out. It's great for mens quilts and art quilts too.

Have I mentioned..... That I Love to Machine Quilt

2010-04-12T18:41:00.000-07:00

Hello Again,

Yes, two entries in one day - I'm excited. And sometimes when I'm excited, I over do it.

Here is a new piece I'm working on as a sample for a class I teach called "The Painted Quilt". It's a technique where you quilt first then paint afterward.

I've been doodling the tree in one incarnation or another since I was about ten years old. I've made three quilts with it so far, each one very different, even though they share this similar tree. But I love it none the less and it's a great design element.

For this technique, I begin with Prepared for Dying, white, cotton fabric. It is layered with batting and a backing fabric. Once it is layered, using a ruler and Hera marker, I mark the inner design rectangle as well as the inner and outer border lines. Then with a very fine .5mm mechanical pencil I lightly sketched the skeleton of the tree trunk and it's major limbs.

I began the quilting with a heavy 30 wt. brown cotton thread and stitched the tree trunk, roots and limbs, adding in lots of fine limbs that were not previously sketched. I kept all of the limbs inside the marked lines of the design rectangle.

Next I switched threads and stitched the first line marking the foreground near the base of the tree. I also added some tall grasses in this area and along the tree base. I used a dark yellow green thread in 30 wt.

Next, I switched to a 3o wt dark teal thread and stitched the horizon line and added some textural stitches in that area. This was followed by mountains stitched in a 30 wt. dark violet with a different textural stitch inside.

I switched back to the yellow green thread and stitched the lines around the design rectangle and the inner border. I then switched to a dark blue 30 wt. thread and stithed the lines for the outer border.

The circles in the inner border came next, stitched in a 40 wt. violet followed by the wavy cross hatch in the outer border stitched in a 40 wt. dark blue.

The final quilting was all of the tiny leaves and stems that fill in the branches of the tree. They were stitched in a fine, 60 wt. yellow green.

Stay tuned for the painting of this piece - it's a fabulous way to make a pictorial quilt with no applique!

Till next time,

Heather

Block #24 in the Machine Quilting Challenge

2010-04-12T18:03:00.000-07:00

Good Afternoon,

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. I certainly did. I got some much needed Spring cleaning done, got some flowers and plants together for the garden and paid a visit to the Denver Contemporary Art Museum. All in all, a very productive three days.

Here is today's new stitch-out, Gentle Curves. The gentle curve is one of the most usefull stitch designs you will ever learn in machine quilting. It can be easy and effective used inside just about any straight sided shape such as a square, triangle or rectangle. When several are used together it yields interesting designs such as this one with it's alternating circles and four petaled flowers.

It looks easy, but making consistently smooth curved lines can be quite difficult. So, you guessed it, doodle it a whole bunch before you begin quilting it. Here, the design is done on a large section of fabric rather than in individual, pieced squares, so the first thing you will need to do is to mark a grid on your block. For my grid, I used 1 1/2" squares and marked them with my ruler and Hera marker (sharpened plastic that marks a crease only).

Once you have marked your grid, you are going to stitch either in a horizontal direction or a vertical one. This stitch-out can be completed with very few starts and stops, it is continuous and that is part of it's utilitarian beauty. Each square has four sides to it and you are going to make two passes in each row of squares. In the first pass you will make a gentle curve on two adjoining inner sides of the squares, one after the other. On the second pass you will make gentle curves on the remaining two sides of each square then you will double back over the last curve you made to the next row and do it again.

Begin by placing your needle down in the top right hand corner of the top left hand block. Stich a gentle curve from that corner to the upper left corner, making the arc anywhere from 1/4" to 1/2" deep (shallow for smaller squares, deeper for larger squares, here, mine are about 1/4" deep). Next stitch from that corner to the lower left hand corner and stop. You are finished with this block for the time being.

Now, your needle is in the lower left hand corner of the top block as well as in the upper left hand corner of the second block. Stitch from this corner to the upper right hand corner of the second block. Try to make the depth of this arc the same as the previous ones. Next stitch from this corner to the lower right hand corner of the second block. Now move on to the third block down and stitch two sides. Continue stitching two sides only in each successive block until you stitch the last block in the first row.

Once you have stitched the two sides on the last block, go ahead and stich the remaining two sides in that block them move up to the next block and stitch it's remaining two sides and so on until you have completed all four sides in all of the blocks in that first row. Because you began in the top right hand corner, you can move to the next row of blocks without having to stitch over any lines, but you will have to when you move to the third row and every other row after that.

This stitch-out can be used in so many ways, whether it's a pieced block or a wide border. It may just become your 'go to' stitch-out!

Enjoy,
Heather