Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Chevron with a Twist Celebration!

Greetings everyone!! I've been hiding out behind the scenes lately and I'm so excited to show you why. 

I'm thrilled to celebrate another
Moda Bake Shop recipe with you...
Do you remember the Heart's Content Decorative Pillow I created for the Bake Shop in November?
Well, I slightly overestimated the fabric for that recipe and was left with a beautiful layer cake of Heart's Content fabric by Laundry Basket Quilts for Moda (poor me ;)

Oh what to do with a layer cake of fabric...  How about designing a quilt using Half Square Triangles... ?
And it's probably important to include a little applique and a Redbird...
And how can you pass up a design that affords you bunches of Free Motion Quilting options?
Chevrons and Feathers?
Yes, thank you!
Curved crosshatches, scallops, and a neat new feather block using my newly acquired QP Curve Templates ??  
Eeeek - YES! 
I've always admired curved crosshatching and was excited to try it myself -- I'm addicted... 
I quilted "Chevron with a Twist" on my domestic machine with one layer of Quilter's Dream 100% Wool #dreamwool and using my favorite Aurifil thread!  

I just love Aurifil Mako Cotton 50Wt thread for machine quilting... it rarely breaks, has minimal lint, and is fine, yet strong.  Actually, on this recipe, I used it for the applique, the piecing AND the quilting!!  
#Aurilove
New to me!!  I can't begin to describe how much fun I had working with the curved templates (acrylic rulers) on my domestic.  

They were designed by Linda Hrcka of The Quilted Pineapple (Linda uses them on her long arm machine and turns quilt tops into masterpieces!!) 

They're called "The QP Curve Templates" and WOW - did they open the door for some neat FMQ designs on "Chevron with a Twist"!  Can you tell I really, really loved working with them?
I have so much to share about the quilting I really can't fit it all in one post.  Let me tell you though, there are a series of posts coming up that include information and Giveaways you won't want to miss!!    I'll share more about the awesome QP Curve Templates then too!!

Right now though, we're going to celebrate this new Moda Bake Shop Recipe and the luscious Aurifil thread I used throughout the process.  The wonderful and generous team at Aurifil provided not one, but TWO sets of Aurifil thread to share with YOU!!   

The first set of thread includes 12 large spools of 40 Wt Mako Cotton thread put together especially for the Operation Homefront - Quilted in Honor initiative.  What a beautiful collection of threads and for a wonderful cause.  Learn more here. 
The 2nd set of thread includes 10 small spools of 50Wt thread the "I Can Fly" Citrus Collection by Mark Lipinski.  Oh you'll LOVE this amazing collection of colors.  Mark is a hoot! and a promoter of the #slowstitching movement.  You'll see from preparing "Chevron with a Twist" that getting in the slowstitching zone will payoff and make the journey more enjoyable!!  You can get to know a little more about Mark by clicking here.

To enter the giveaway *** Giveaway is Closed ***:

Leave a comment letting me know your thoughts on "Chevron with a Twist".   You can use this link to review the complete tutorial at the Moda Bake Shop.  Feel free to say hi or leave questions at either location - but be sure to comment here, on my blog, to get in on the giveaway!

For one extra chance to win, leave me an additional comment letting me know if you follow me on other social media outlets.   Redbird Quilt Co is on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter - do you follow me on any or all of these ?  
Next weeks' fun might intrigue you to join me on one or two of these platforms ;) 

Note:  If you're a "No Reply" blogger --  leave me an email or blog address in your comment so I can reach out to you - otherwise I'll have no way to contact you.

The giveaway will close on Monday, March 2nd 11pm Eastern time...  but... March 3rd is a new day -- you never know what will happen then ;)

Thanks for stopping by today and, as always, thanks for your continued support.
Blessings,
Karen

PS - Just a quick note of thanks to all those that encourage and support my Redbird Quilt Co endeavors - especially my husband Cliff and my dear sisters Janet and Michele.  Also a shout out to Cindy at SewItIs - she is always taking my last minute call for help when I chop something wrong and need more fabric!! #showmethemoda  Thankfully she's only a few minutes away.