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Tuesday, April 14, 2020

Thread Matters - Blending: Give it a Try! Plus -- A Giveaway...

Hello Creative Friends -- many thanks for stopping by!

I'm thrilled to be sharing a post on the Aurifil blog as part of the 2020 Thread Matters Aurifilosopher Series.  We write something fun and educational each month - don't miss out on all the great information and inspiration!!

In 2020 the Aurifilosophers are highlighting the luscious Aurifil Color Builders collections.  Use this link to preview the Thread Matters series.

To prep for the post I pulled out a UFO from a fairly recent Workshop with the amazing Lorraine Turner of Calico Horses.    Oh -- you must see the beautiful creations by Lorraine.  Hop on over to her website for more inspiration and available workshops.

Let me introduce you to "Silent Awareness" the Eagle Owl -- one of Lorraine's many beautiful collage workshop subjects.   I'm really excited to get moving on this piece because, you know,  I kinda LOVE birds.

Although I have a little more fabric selection and placement to do before finishing this piece I was thrilled when the April Color Builder color #2375, Antique Blush was announced.

Antique Blush looked like it would blend perfectly with the background and feathers of my little red friend.  As a bonus -- it works well with Burgundy too -- I'm hopeful it will give the feathers a little cast of glitter.
I outfitted my 221 Featherweight with all my favorite FMQ notions including this nifty replica Feed Cover Plate from The Featherweight Shop.   Here's my "real-life" image of the feed dog cover (dust and all).
Here's the shined up version that the Featherweight Shop shares:
Isn't it sweet ? 
It's simple to install too !! 

I learned about the Featherweight Shop feed dog cover this winter -- just after I shared my first experience with Free Motion Quilting on my Featherweight.  
If you missed that documentary {wink-wink} be sure to checkout Thread Matters from January 2020 -- 28wt and a Featherweight.   I wrote about the awesome Horizontal Thread Post there too !! 

I began using the Feed Dog Cover in March while preparing Springtime Hearts on my 221 - a mystery challenge between two Quilty friends. 
Wendy Sheppard and I each quilted 2 hearts with 2 different weights of Aurifil thread.  I just had to try the 80 weight -- see the 80wt heart and learn more of our adventure in this Auribuzz post.  

FMQ on A Featherweight - With 28Wt Aurifil
Now let's get back to blending...   Oh -- and that Giveaway !!


Jump on over to the Auribuzz April Thread Matters post for all the details and images of HOW and why I blended two shades of thread for my Eagle Owl work-in-progress.
While you're there -- be sure to leave a comment on the post -- just one of the steps necessary to make you eligible to win a 12 Large Spool Collection of Aurifil thread -- The Subtle Sampler.

The Giveaway!!


That's right -- I'm giving away The Subtle Sampler to one lucky winner in the USA.   If you're from outside of the country I'd be happy to send you a digital version of one of my patterns for free!  I'll look to find a USA winner for my favorite thread collection. 

To Enter The Giveaway:


Before Midnight EST Saturday April 18th...  

1. Leave a comment on The Auribuzz April Thread Matters post ==> click here
2. Leave a comment below on this  blog post  ==>  scroll down

Be sure that I have a way of reaching you -- leave me an email address or a blogger profile that includes an email address.   

I'll choose and notify a winner early next week !!    

I so look forward to reading your feedback!

Tell me...   what you love about the project(s) or share what you need to know to get free motion quilting on your home machine.   Have a Featherweight ?  Follow the Featherweight Shop?   Tell me what you LOVE about your Featherweight !! 

That will do it -- remember -- comment on The Aurifil Blog and My Blog to be eligible to win.

Thanks for following me too!    
Redbird Quilt Co is on Facebook, Instagram, Blogger, & YouTube !! 

PS -- The FTC requires me to tell you that some of my links are Affiliate Links.   Rest assured that I only share products that I use and love myself.   If you purchase through my affiliate link I get a small kickback.   It helps me pay the bills ;)  

185 comments:

  1. Your birds in a bird is so creative, and your shading with multiple threads is gorgeous! I'm amazed at the creative spark in so many in the quilting community!

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  2. I love birds and yours is so unique! I really love the colors. I was just gifted a featherweight and am looking forward to using it!

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  3. I have an adorable Featherweight that I mostly take to classes. I've taken two classes with Cynthia England and brought my featherweight. I think I'm going to try to get the feed dog cover and give my featherweight a go with quilting. I've got the sheepy panel to try free motioning on-I haven't gotten the gumption to try yet but I would like to while I'm home during the Current Unpleasantness. Thank for for the opportunity to try for the thread!

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  4. I LOVE Auriful thread! It's the best for piecing quilts and now I'm using it for making masks. I need to get a cover for my feed dogs- can't wait to try FMQ on my Featherweight!

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  5. Karen, your FMQ and thread painting and blending are amazing. I'm not very good at FMQ on my domestic, but your post makes me want to try again! I do not have a Featherweight, just several other machines!! LOL I commented on the Aurifil post earlier but I did not see it when I checked just now, so commented again. Maybe it just hasn't been approved yet! Thanks for sharing your wonderful talent with us!

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  6. I'm very interested in thread blending. Your post ups my interest. Love your demo.

    susan4cats@gmail.com

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  7. Karen, How wonderful that you are taking up thread blending. With your FMQ skills, I bet this new technique will go well with it. I look forward to seeing the whole bird done. Stay safe

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  8. Love seeing your work and reading your tutorials.

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  9. Wow, I am amazed by your bird and the 2 thread idea is really cool.

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  10. Karen, this looks like so much fun! I have an extra thread holder that I bought and have never used so I'm going to try using two threads. I always learn so much from you!! Thank you for sharing so much with us to help us be better quilters.

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  11. This is a wonderful idea of using 2 threads at a time. Thank you for this post. I'm still a beginner but I love seeing the work of those ahead of me!

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    1. Looks amazing. can't wait to get to know my Featherweight better.

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  12. I find this very interesting and hope to try it someday on a project. Thank you for the information.

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  13. I'm the one who keeps drooling on your quilting! I do all my own quilting on my domestic machine.

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  14. I've been amazed at the difference truly good thread can make, and my sewing machine agrees and always performs better with Aurifil.

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  15. Wish I had a featherweight! Love the two thread blending. It makes such a difference. I have seen several of Lorraine's gorgeous and very impressive creations. She never ceases to amaze!

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  16. I like that you share the process and your suggestions. Great idea on how to do thread blending. I think you should call your featherweight Ducky, as in it's just ducky to use! lol. Keeps with the Feather theme, and birds, lol

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  17. Your thread blending is beautiful!! Thanks for sharing your tips. Enjoy your day!! 🦋🌻angielovesgary2 atgmail dotcom

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  18. Great information! Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us!

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  19. Absolutely love Aurifil thread! I haven't tried threadpainting on my featherweight, but my old Brrnina, with dual thread spool pins, does a perfect job of blending 2 colors of aurifil. Missing the Finger Lakes

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  20. I love thread painting and can't wait to try on my featherweight!

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  21. I am inspired! Thanks for sharing.

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  22. Oh ,, never tried this would be great way to start .. featherweight machines are a true wonder !!

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  23. Sew creative! I use Aurifil 50 wt on my Featherweight all the time for piecing and putting together my quilts. This machine has an impeccable straight stitch. Always delivers so long as I keep her oiled and working. We have to use them! Looking forward to trying the 12 and 40 wts as well. Thanks for sharing your techniques!

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  24. Thanks for this info on blending threads. I'm definitely going to try this!

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  26. Love the double thread info, will use it on some wool applique I recently finished. I mostly use my Featherweight for piecing and "embroidering" quilt labels, the Juki for FMQ in the bigger harp.

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  27. Will give it a try. Love the effect!
    Thank you

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  28. I've never tried this before. You make it look so interesting!

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  29. Oh, my, this is a whole new world to explore with my well-used and well-loved Featherweight. What a lovely resource for learning you are!

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  30. I just recieved a Featherweight from my cousin and I AB-SEW-LUTELY love it! I've done very little FMQ and never with my Featherweight and I've not tried Aurifil thread either. I would love to try it.

    bettyann2014.bd@gmail.com

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  31. I saw Karen in Houston in 2018. She gave a talk about Aurifil thread. I was so inspired by her talk and the samples she showed. My email address is Donna.tomlinson@verizon.net.

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  32. I fell in love with the size and cuteness of my Featherweight. I have both a black and white one. I would love to own a tan also but the y are too pricey for me. I follow and subscribe to Featherweight Shop newsletter. Love how you blend your threads for amazing results.

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  33. This is so interesting - and way out of my comfort zone! I have not even sewn on my featherweight (purchased last fall) and really had not even considered FMQ on it! I'm very curious to see how this works now!

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  34. Fantastic and inspirational. Love the owl,the thread blending. I have a featherweight and follow the featherweight shop, but really need to use it.
    I commented on the other site with my email, but this one wants to use my google. Hope you can find me if I win. Mary

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  35. We use aurifil thread a lot in our small quilting group. Sews beautifully.

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  36. I am so excited about the free motion info you have been sharing for FWs. I sort of freeze up on trying Free Motion--but my Featherweight is my comfort go-to-machine. Can't wait to try this! I've also ordered the items you mentioned from the FWshop to help! Thanks for sharing! I love the updates on this!

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  37. Just found your post, this is amazing, just beautiful. Thank you.

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  38. Wow - thanks for showing us more things to do with the Featherweights!!

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  39. Amazing what you do with a featherweight!

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  40. I’m sew excited to try this with my Wee Little Lass

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  41. Your creations are so inspiring!

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  42. I would never have thought of blending with a machine... Duh....
    It's beautiful. Thank you for the inspiration!

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  43. Always enjoy your creative work and great information

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  44. I love my featherweight but have never tried free motion quilting or double threading-very informative post-thanks! Beautiful threads and gorgeous owl!

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  45. Can't wait to try my new feed dog cover to FMQ with my Aurifil threads. I haven't tried it yet!
    judy_burns32@yahoo.com

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  46. Excited to try freeform on the featherweight - ordering the plate/foot today!

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  47. So excited to learn my Featherweight can free-motion! My featherweight was a gift from my niece "Jenny Lynn". We lost her last summer and it was the last gift she gave me so I named my machine after her. I sew with a group from my church and we make quilts for Veterans and Disaster Relief. Thank you for sharing this information!

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  48. I never new free motion quilting could look like this. I cant wait to try this myself.

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  49. I do have a featherweight and should really use it more than I do. I was thrilled to find it at a local flea market!
    Thanks for the opportunity to win!
    Kathleen -- kakingsbury at verizon dot net

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  50. Very interesting blog about one of my favorite threads. I'm sure to be following these.

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  51. The idea of 2 threads is unique, haven't seen it before. Have a Featherweight, love it, seems like I have more control at times, than my Bernina.

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  52. Thank you, I didn't know about how thread weight gives a very different look.
    Cbabnick@icloud.com

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  53. Thank you for filling my head with many new ideas! I am learning how much thread matters!

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  54. I mainly use grey Aurifil thread for piecing except when piecing black or white, but I'm intrigued by your FMQ on a Featherweight. Will have to try it!

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  55. Very interesting and something I would like to try. You do such awesome work on this technique.

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  56. Wonderful post. Love the tread blending technique and that owl is just amazing!

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  57. THIS IS THE BEST THREAD I HAVE EVER USED. I WON'Y PURCHASE ANYTHING ELSE.

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  58. I an in aw of how your free motion on a Featherweight.
    I love my Machine but sure can't do that.

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  59. You've got such a great eye for color and your technique is fantastic. Aurifil is my favorite thread for quilting!

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  60. I am in awe of how you have taken needlework embroidery to a new level. No need to purchase a high-end computerized embroidery machine, when you create with a Featherweight! I would love to see a workshop from you near South Carolina soon!!!

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  61. Love this thread ever since a fellow quilter introduce me to it years ago. Lovely colors and the quality!

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  62. I am eager to try aurifil thread....the colors are so vibrant. Always looking for things to try on my darling Featherweight!

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  63. i have several fws but mainly use only one. i began collecting many years ago and really only recently began using aurafil threads for piecing. lots of color options to choose from.

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  64. I think I am a long way from doing what you are doing, but I need to start somewhere. I need to get my machine tuned up, but it has been difficult to do with the stay at home edicts and store closings.

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  65. I am in LOVE!!! next on my list of to do's. Your skills are amazing.

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  66. I am amazed, did not know that you could free motion on a featherweight. I SO LOVE the subtle colors to let the stitching really shine. It seems a bit scary like you would need special skills like an artist to do this.

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  67. Seems like you would need special artist skills to do this type of stitching. Did not know it was even possible on a featherweight. Wow so in love with all this.

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  68. I love the work you did on these projects. I can't wait to try them. I have two featherweights and love them both!!!

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  69. Great information, can't wait to try it out for myself. carroljp@hotmail.com

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  70. I am so excited I taught myself to sew with youtubes help, and freemotion was the first thing I tried. iv got a couple of machines now and I need to learn to move my project slower. but most of all im dreaming of owning a featherweight machine. thank you for inspiration. sgclaxton6@aol.com

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  71. Beautiful threads. I love aurifil, its the best! Very interested about free motion quilting with a Featherweight machine

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  72. I have never tried to fmq on my featherweight, but you have given the inspiration to try. How lovely is your work. Thanks

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  73. Your work is so beautiful! I have two Featherweights and use them as much, if not more than my two Berninas. Your thread collection is wonderful!

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  74. Enjoyable information in a fun format(as usual), Karen!Your projects are gorgeous

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  75. Would love to do more fmq on my featherweight!!!I am practicing little by little.love all the colors of the arrival thread.

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  76. I had no idea this was possible on the Featherweight. The result is FANTASTIC! I will have to try some of your techniques! Fabulous work, that you're doing!

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  77. That Aurifil sampler is just beautiful! And I'm going to have to get a feed dog cover to try FMQ on my Featherweight.

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  78. You are my free-motion hero Karen! I don't have a long-arm machine, and every time I start longing for one, I remind myself of the beautiful work you do on a domestic machine. That gives me motivation to keep practicing. Thanks for sharing this information on thread blending! I can't wait to try it. And thanks for this awesome giveaway. I love Aurifil thread, and so does my machine. .

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  79. I have 2 Featherweights. Got my first one 60 years ago for my birthday. Love 'em. I do all my piecing and most of my quilting on them. If I win the thread sampler you can contact me at mwpstnk@ptialaska.net. Thanks for all your interesting tips and tricks.

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  80. Your work is beautiful. You make it look easy and I know it is not. I am going to buy a featherweight someday. I love how quiet and sleek these machines are. They are just plain sweet.

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  81. My granddaughter, who is very artistic, asked me to paint some crafts the other day. Not me, I only paint with thread! was my reply. This discussion and tips on using thread to color and shade your projects is right up my alley. What a difference and dimension the two colors add to the design! Great work, Karen!!!

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  82. What beautiful work I am blessed to be able to see it. I hope to one day be half as good as you are. Thank you for sharing your expertise.

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  83. Karen, again you are amazing! You do all the “hard work” so we can have the fun of machine quilting! Thanks for explaining the process so well! Love the new colors of thread and their names as well! Lots of inspiration in this stay-at-home time!

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  84. Can't wait to try this FMQ on my featherweight. The colors are amazing. I am so inspired.

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  85. Looking forward to trying FMQ on my Featherweight. It would be great to win the Aurifil thread. That's my favorite thread to use.

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  86. Thanks for sharing. Can't wait to give this a try!!!Chimaine.taylor@gmail.com

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  87. I have a 222, and can drop the feed dogs to do free motion. Do I need a special foot for that?

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    1. @lonetreequilter ! To be so fortunate to own a 222 - it's mt dream ! Your 222 may already have a darning foot with it . Check out this post I did in January -- I documented my Featherweight FMQ learning adventure...
      https://auribuzz.com/2020/01/10/thread-matters-2020-28wt-a-featherweight/

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  88. I have a 1933 featherweight and she sews like a dream. I have never tried free motion quilting on her but I have done stitch in the ditch and it comes out perfect. I would like to try that thread and make a pretty bird.

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  89. I'm amazed at the beauty of the free motion feathers done on your FW. I would love to give this a try.

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  90. Beautiful results. I have my mom's Featherweight and it has never failed me. I am just a basic seamstress and am in awe of what you can do.
    slrdowney at hotmail dot com

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  91. I love the consistent stitching on my featherweight. I did a small baby quilt with freemotion quilting 3 yrs ago. Your work is just lovely!

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  92. I forgot to leave my email: celiaambrose@hotmail.com

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  93. Can’t wait to try some fmq and thread blending on my featherweight. Bethgeorge4462@icloud.com

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  94. I am FOREVER learning from you!!! Thanks for sharing your talents and creativity.

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  95. I love your hearts! I still just need to dig in and just go for it, free motion quilting. You give me and many others the best advise and examples. Thanks for all you do! Stay safe.

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  96. I love your birds!!! The colors are absolutely yummy!

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  97. I am in love with birds too especially cardinals and your colors are yummy!

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  98. I love your featherweight and I have one too, Boo(Beulah) named after her first owner. I have been eyeing a few items from the featherweight store and think that you may have convinced me I need that spool holder. She is waiting to get a big workout this summer on the porch!

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  99. Dear Karen, your work is amazing! I sew on a Bernina & had no idea that a Featherweight could do what you do until my quilting friend showed me her Featherweight & let me try it. I just inherited a 1910 treadle machine, that was my great-grandfather's, but someday I would love to own a Featherweight.
    About your giveaway, every time I try FMQ on my domestic, I just can't seem to get smooth curves.. does it just come with practice?? But it seems that I piece more than FMQ, so will I lose the flow if I don't do it all of the time? Love your blog!!
    Stephz0607@gmail.com

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  100. I love your work...amazing and beautiful.

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  101. Wow thread painting with a featherweight! I too have a featherweight and love the beautiful stitches I get when piecing. Now I am excited to try free motion too! Thanks for the giveaway. glynette74atgmaildotcom

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  102. Your owl project is absolutely amazing. I follow patterns, I don't 'create'. My daughter helps me w/ color choices, I'm that pathetic! LOL The blending of thread is a great idea. Thank you so much for sharing your ideas.

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  103. I have a white featherweight that I take to our local quilt group. I love it! I also have just started using Aurafil thread and love that too. I have only used the 50wt so far but look forward to trying some others. I watched one of your blogs and demos and really enjoyed it. Thanks.

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  104. Thanks for all the information and the pix of other projects. I have to admit the horse pair pulled my heart and with lace.

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  105. I too follow patterns but wish I could be creative to come up with something of my own.

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  106. I’m impressed! Looking forward to giving it a try.

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  107. Love FM on my featherweight with a kidney vintage plate. Now to try two threads! Great post.

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  108. I just love aurifil threads. My go to choice for piecing and even quilting. I just received some embroidery 6 strand floss and can't wait to use that. The aurifil threads work awesomely for thread painting.

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  109. I have never thought of blending threads before and will look for ways to try it now. I don't own a featherweight but will see if I can try it on my machine!
    Sandy A

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  110. I love the horizontal spoolholder for the featherweight. I have to get one of these. Thanks karen

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  111. I’ve never seen thread blending before, I must be hiding under a rock! Just another thing in the quilt world to learn. Thank you for the inspiration

    Fran. quiltmaker 93551@gmail.com

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  112. Owls are my favorite birds! Yours is amazing, and I can't wait to see it completed. You are scheduled to come to my guild in Warwick NY in August. I really hope it can still happen.

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  113. Your are so creative! I am so glad to be able to get all the great ideas from you, especially new ways to use my Featherweight. You are an inspiration to me an to so many others Thank You!

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  114. I've been following you for several years. I strive to quilt like you. I love to stitch free feathers without marking. I've seen your usual photos reposted but today your feathers off your appliqued flower stems caught my eye. Brilliant idea for the floral quilt I'm quilting this week. Thank you! I will try thread blending, too.

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  115. bbroadt@verizon.net Karen, you are so creative! I am so glad to be able to get all the great ideas from you, especially new ways to use my Featherweight. You are an inspiration to me and to so many others Thank you, Bonny

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  116. What amazing work you do! I’m eager to try blending 2 threads on my old Featherweight with such glorious threads! Thanks for the inspiration!

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  117. Thanks for reminding me how lovely thread blending is! I did some years ago and forgot about it

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  118. Never thought about thread blending and it is such a wonderful idea. Looking forward to trying it to create a custom "variegated thread" for free motion quilting.

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  119. Love your work. I have two featherweights but have never taken them out of the cases. I have a Janome but have never free motion on it. I don't know how to attach the foot to even try it. No dealer anywhere near.

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  120. It's a thrill to see you experiment with Aurifil thread! I've learned so much from these posts. Thanks for sharing what works for you! yoyopattycakes at hotmail dot com

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  121. I love your owl and your red bird makes me smile every time I see it! I sense a theme here. Your thread blending idea is genius!! Can’t wait to try this! Thanks for the inspiration and the chance to win this awesome prize!
    cathylouwilson@gmail.com

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  122. Amazing to see free motion on a Featherweight. I love how well Aurifil works in any of my machines.

    Caryn
    caspharm@yahoo.com

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  123. I love fiber of all types and sizes including yarn and threads. It's amazing what we can create with some 'string'. I'm new to free motion quilting but have loved the thread painting process and can't wait to try blending as well. Email mimibabydoll2002@yahoo.com

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  124. Thank you for the giveaway. I would love to do the thread blending, just learning and your instructions is very helpful and beautiful work.

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  125. I have 3 featherweights. Two of them are working wonderfully and go mostly to quilting retreats with me. They are dependable, easy to use, and lightweight. The third, my husband bought at the steam and gas show and needs to have a "spa" day to get it up and running correctly.

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  126. I am looking forward to receiving the Feed Cover plate and embroidery foot which I recently ordered for my Featherweight which I mostly use when I am traveling in my RV. Your blog post has inspired me to actually use it. I can see that free-motion quilting is a reality with my Featherweight.

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  127. I am 69 years old and I am always wanting to learn more and try new ideas.

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  128. I love how you use your Featherweight for free motion quilting. Thread painting is next on my list of things to try.

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  129. I am always interested in learning more and more about everything and anything. Up until about 5 years ago I was told it didn't mattered at all on what type of thread you use except when it came to embroidering then you should use embroidery thread. Had no clue. Then I started becoming drawn to learn more and more about everything about sewing and its components. Thank you for this opportunity to share my thoughts.

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  130. I had never thought of using two colors of thread at the same time! I have a FW and I think there is a feeddog cover in the toolbox. I am inspired! Thank you for sharing and for your give-a-way. :)

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  131. You do such beautiful work! I can only wish I was that talented. My Mom has 2 Featherweights I was cleaning for her and she gifted me with one of them for myself! Can't wait to create something beautiful with it!

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  132. I have quilted with my featherweight, but only straight lines. And I took a class on FMQ using a modern machine which I LOVED. Good to know it's possible to do on a featherweight. Each of my grandmothers had a featherweight, as well as my mom and her 2 sisters. I had to buy one for myself, because no one wanted to give their's up! Not that I can blame them!!

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  133. I am excited to see another way to stitch with my featherweight. I am never too old to try something new.

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  134. I never thought of doing FMQ with my FW 221! Love Aurifil threads and would love to add to my stash by winning!

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  135. As ever, thank you for taking the time to educate us on how to do these special techniques :) I love the hearts! and I just got a Janome M7 that I have yet to run ... might give that a try! Lastly, any Aurifil thread is the best! Most of my thread rack is Aurifil, I am never disappointed!

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  136. I didn't know you could do this with a featherweight.. i love my featherweight and the even stithes it produces. I could really use some new thread colors!

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  137. I love to machine quilt and have a wonderful featherweight machine, but never thought about quilting on it. Thanks for all the great ideas and inspiration.

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  138. Love my featherweight for the beautiful stitching and it glides over those thicknesses on patchwork blocks easily. I'm excited to try the thread sketching and I love and use Aurifil thread! Love the owl!

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  139. Something new to try,thanks!

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  140. I didn't realize there was a feed dog cover for the FW, so now I need one so I can try thread blending and free motion quilting. Thanks for the inspiration to try something new!




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  141. Karen, what beautiful work you do! I have a feather weight and I’ve never tried anything like this.

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  142. I love the owl! I just discovered the Featherweight Shop recently and purchased the walking foot and an eyelet cam for my buttonholer and some odor spray for my case. My buttonholer comes with a cover plate, so I don't have to purchase another one. I am anxious to try the double thread blending. I love Aurifil thread. Thanks. Connie

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  143. Aurifil is the best thread ever! After I was introduced to it & never quilt with any other type of thread. cdgearey@hotmail.com

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  144. All I can say is WOW! Beautiful! Quality product that makes a difference!

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  145. Wow, your owl is great. And the red bird, just may have to get it to make. So much creativity. Love it. You are an inspiration.

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  146. I have never thought to tread my needle with two different threads. I can't wait to try it. Thank you for all your helpful hints to using your thread.

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    1. I did not mean to be unknown, betz50@sbcglobal.net

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  147. I have used two threads together, but it was with a twin needle. I will have to try this blended technique. Thanks for sharing!

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  148. I need to go check to see if I have a feed dog cover for my Featherweight. Love the Featherweight Shop and have bought from them several times. They have so much great information on their website. Thread paint with two different colored threads? Who knew it would look so great!

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  149. I'm in awe of your free motion quilting on the Featherweight. Simply spectacular! I'm looking forward to trying the 2 thread technique.

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  150. I have always wanted to try free motion quilting, now I see it just takes a bit of time to get started and practice. Your little hearts are amazing. Thank you so much for sharing your tips. Love your thread collection.

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  151. I never imagined blending with two different threads, it is like painting. I need to find out more...

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  152. Thank you for all the info - your designs are lovely - I will definitely try some on my Featherweight - and I never thought of using it to do these techniques! I am a fan of The Featherweight Shop and love their products - they are my "go to" place for my supplies.

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  153. I am so tickled to have "discovered" your blog! I am just starting to truly appreciate the magic of thread play, and am amazed that you are able to create such lovely works of art on a Feather Weight machine. Absolutely beautiful!

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  154. I want to free motion quilt on my Featherweight some day. I don’t have the right foot.

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  155. I would love to own a Featherweight...am so jealous of guild members who have one and bring it to sew with. The thread blending on the owl is absolutely gorgeous and so creative!

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  156. I love everything about free motion quilting, and know that a you have made me a better quilter. What I really need to learn more about is moving, how to take the pattern, or my thread eloquently around my quilt top. I can visualize a small block. Thank you.

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  157. I love everything about free motion quilting, and know that a you have made me a better quilter. What I really need to learn more about is moving, how to take the pattern, or my thread eloquently around my quilt top. I can visualize a small block. Thank you.

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  158. Love my Featherweight... and Aurifil thread!!! pjrquilter@msn.com

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  159. Thanks for sharing thread blending. Now to order the cover for my feed dogs.

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  160. Karen , I could only hope to be this good with my featherweight.

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  161. Gorgeous work! I really need to grab one of those feed dog covers and try this. I've only had my Featherweight since Nov. but I love her to pieces. So far she has succeeded at every job I've given her. I've not tried Aurifil thread so winning would give me the perfect opportunity to do so. Thank you for the chance to win. P

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  162. Beautiful work Karen!
    catmardesign@shaw.ca

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  163. Very informative and interesting.

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  164. Your thread work is fantastic! Guess I should see what I can do with aurafil thread!

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  165. Love your thread work....amazing!!

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  166. Two threads at once! I feel like that's such a unique thing! I've never tried that, but love the results, and now that's on my to-try list! And I love Aurifil!

    Sliceofpilife (at) gmail (dot) com

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  167. I'm still getting used to my Featherweight I got from my mom last year. Gave it a good cleaning and spa treatment thanks to the Featherweight Shop and their videos. I've been piecing for a few years now, and finally taking the leap into actually quilting. Not many 57 year old men can say that.

    ptrumand@yahoo.com

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  168. I've used Aurifil a bit and it's awesome. Haven't tried free-motion on my featherweight, but it's made tutus, costumes, and done a bunch of piecing!

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  169. I would like to try this. Thanks for posting.

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  170. Well very beautiful!!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful skills. As I was telling Alex Anderson just this morning, it’s people like you that have made all this craziness easier to cope with.

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  171. Thankyou for this, it looks brilliant, can't wait to have a go

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  172. You do beautiful, inspiring work. I have a Featherweight, and love it's charming size and adore the sound it makes while sewing. It also has a sewing history, though I know nothing about that.

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  173. I have a feather weight but haven't tried FMQ with it yet. I love FMQ with my Bernina though.

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  174. I found a reference to your gorgeous Redbird And Berries mini quilts but the link no longer works. Can we find the project anywhere?
    Thanks.

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  175. Karen, Your quilting is amazing. I can tell you put your heart and soul into everything you do. Thank you gor sharing your ideas with us.

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