Fall Free Motion Quilting Lecture Series

We're back and excited to announce a

Fall Free Motion Quilting Lecture Series 

hosted by our good friends at 

Hotel Hamilton & Event Center 

Join Us -- It's Virtual! 

For details click the image below!

 Don't delay -- Early Bird Bundle pricing 

is in effect NOW through Sept 20th!

I look forward to seeing you there.

Stay safe,

Karen

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 ;)  

FMQ on a Featherweight with 28wt Aurifil

I'm psyched about Free Motion Quilting

on a Featherweight 221!
Have you tried it?
***
I used two of my favorite Aurifil
threads --  28wt and 50wt !

I'm sharing details on a
guest post for Aurifil's
Thread Matters 2020 - The Aurifilosopher Series

Stay tuned for my post
to be published on Friday Jan 10th.

I detail my learning adventure, tips, tricks and tools.
***
There's a Giveaway too!!
It's open through end of day
Monday January 13th, 2020

You'll want to click on the Rafflecopter
link at the end of the blog post and follow
the outlined steps to enter !!

***

For my mini whole-cloth stitched on the
Featherweight

I used a red Moda Linen

layered with Quilters Dream Wool.
I did a little pin basting and made
some "improvements" to my Featherweight
(thanks Featherweight Shop)
and I was ready to go!.

I stitched the curled feather and one round of echo quilting with Aurifil 28wt on top

with 50wt in the bobbin.
(with the January Milan yummy Color Builder colors... )

I switched to lovely February Pompeii red Color Builder colors in 50wt top and bobbin for subsequent echo quilting.

You can NEVER have enough color options!!
This is exactly why the new Color Builder subscription program is the best.
Learn more here - and be sure to check with your favorite quilt shop to get started!!

I love, love, love working on the Featherweight

with Aurifil thread and

all those amazing tools from The Featherweight Shop!
(read all about them in the Auribuzz Blog Post).

Stay tuned though as I have a new idea planned for my next project on the Featherweight.

I can't wait for this new learning adventure to begin !!

If you loved what I shared on the Aurifil Thread Matters post be sure to leave a comment there or on my blog to let me know.

Also -- I'd love for you to share the posts with your Featherweight Friends - they'll thank you!

I appreciate the feedback.

All my best,

Karen

***

NOTE:  The FTC requires me to tell you...
I occasionally use affliciate links on by blog and website.
Rest assured I will only share and promote products that I use and LOVE myself.
Many thanks for your support of my very small business.

2019 FMQ Along - Part 10: Fast Feather Border

Greetings all -
Happy April Fool's Day!
*
Be careful out there...
You never know what Fool may come your way.
*

Welcome to Part 10, 
the final FMQ portion of our  
2019 Free Motion Quilt Along.
This week we're stitching the outside border.

I'm excited for you that 
we're nearly complete 

but I'm also a bit sad that our time together is winding down.

Wendy and I were texting this morning -- giving thanks for the opportunity to collaborate on the QAL and keep in touch weekly (rather than bi-annually at Market !).
*
Who knows what other "projects" we might find to continue to keep in touch ;)

We hope you've enjoyed your time here too!

To recap...
We started with a 1 yard cut of fabric:
Lewe the Ewe panel by World of Susybee...

We added this awesome book by Wendy Sheppard,

Stitching Pathways.

We each chose our favorite Aurifil threads

and some batting....

I sandwiched with one layer of Quilters Dream Wool -

  It really does "Quilt Like a Dream". 

There's minimal shrinkage and it can be machine washed and dried
 (albeit on cool temps) .  

You can read more about Dream Wool by clicking here.

and we've spent a few weeks sharing how we would each quilt this beautiful panel.

I've stitched Reflections and Pebbles

and Loops and Swirls

and a variety of other fun quilting motif.

Hopefully you've learned a LOT!
*
Let's move forward to the 
specifics for this week
and stitch a new feather variation...
*

Feathers, 
feathers, 
 feathers...
I Love Feathers!

Any Shape

Simply Spring Fleur - Janome Home Machine w/ Aurifil Thread

Any Medium

My Sketchbook Doodles

Stitched on... Any Machine

Innova Longarm Free Motion with Aurifil 28wt

 I just LOVE Feathers!

If you're like me, you've gone page by glorious page through Stitching Pathways.
Feather details begin on Page 54 and continue through Page 66 !  
Now, that's a Feathered Frenzy...!!

Wendy's instruction and detail couldn't be more helpful for learning to FMQ Feathers.
Give those pages a run - through.
See what catches your eye.
Try some out, you can't go wrong!

 With the remaining border being varying widths and lengths I thought it appropriate to choose a design that was flexible -- that could shrink or grow as necessary.

So I stitched a variation of Wendy's
Pseudo Feathers found on Page 66
in Stitching Pathways.

I refer to my version as
Fast Feathers.

They are called this because, like Wendy's Pseudo Feathers, there is space between each feather plume.

Generally I'll draw/stitch a fiddle head (fern)

 and "grow" feather plumes from the "spine" of the fiddle head.

Else, you could draw/stitch a swirl and grow the feather plums from it.

Fast Feathers are generally unplanned and unmarked, although I will at times sketch in a simple spine so I have a clue as to where to fill with plumes.

Here's a practice sketch of fast feathers:

Have I mentioned that I like to practice on paper and fabric before I begin stitching the real project.
 
Practicing either way is a great opportunity to get warmed-up and to build muscle memory for that design.

At International Quilt Market last year many Aurifil Designers shared their skills and expertise with  Facebook Live feeds from the Aurifil booth. 

You can get a glimpse of me stitching out Bumpback and Fast Feathers in this video
recorded live!
(Best when viewed from a computer - not a mobile device).

Another Fast Fun Fact!
Did you know that Wendy and I are both Aurifilosophers ?
We're 2 of a group of 21 certified educators for Aurifil thread.
You can see our funny video clip here
and read about Aurifilosophy here.

But I digress...

Let's get some feathers stitched out...

Here's a few clips of my progress.

You can see where practicing a swirl and a plume would come in handy...

For consistency I used Aurifil 40wt thread color #2024 again.

I added in a few "extra" swirly plumes as necessary and traveled to make a new swirl or fiddle head as I needed to move along the border.

I love how the inside border swirls and the new fast feathers complement one another.

As you travel creating the design try to mix-up the direction of your plumes -- so they are not all going to the same direction.

It's pretty easy to turn a corner -- backtrack if necessary!

It's all starting to come together now...

Love, love, love the texure!

Pay no attention to the fact that I didn't take pictures until after the binding was on!

Ooops...

We'll talk binding, hanging and labels next week!

...and there you have it!

A few fast feathers around a swirl or fiddle head for the win!

Be sure to watch the video I shared above -- it always help to watch and learn.

And also be sure to jump over to Wendy's Blog to see what amazing stitching she is sharing this week.

Next week we're back to discuss binding, hanging and labels.

Then we'll take a week for ya'll to finish up before submitting your entries for the Sponsored Giveaways!

Have you visited our sponsors ?

Be sure to jump out to
Facebook or Instagram
and give them a "Like" or a Follow.

World of Susybee Facebook

Aurifil Facebook or Instagram

Quilters Dream Batting Facebook or Instagram

Creekside Fabrics Quilts and Yarns Facebook

We wouldn't have great products or giveaways without our Sponsors! 

You can checkout the Giveaway Post

here ==> QAL Giveaway

If you have any questions, please leave them below -- I'll respond as soon as I can.

Happy Stitching!

Karen

*************

Learn more about how to use various thread weights in these Facebook Live Sessions

hosted by Aurifil at International Quilt Market: 

Redbird Quilt Co Mini Trunk Show

Redbird Quilt Co Fast Feather Demonstration

***

Follow me on social media:

Redbird Quilt Co. on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, YouTube

Join my FMQ Frenzy Community Group on Facebook.

See my other Moda Bake Shop Recipes

Click here to see my upcoming events.

*

***  Guilds, Groups and Shops ***

I'm booking Lectures, Trunk Shows and Workshops
for 2020 and beyond!

If your Shop, Group or Guild is looking for programs or workshops I would love to hear from you.

Free Motion Quilting on Home Machines
Basics ~ A Quilters Doodles ~ McTavishing
A Full Day of Feathers
*
Aurifilosophy
*
Wool & Needle turn Applique
Technique or Project Oriented Workshops available.

Click here to see my upcoming events.
*

Send email inquiries to karen at redbirdquiltco dot com

or redbirdquiltco at gmail dot com

Note:  The FTC requires that I tell you.... I occasionally use affiliate links on my blog and website.  I may be compensated for purchases made using the links.  Rest assured I will only share sales and promotions for products I know and love myself.  Many thanks for your support of my very small business.

2019 Free Motion QAL Part 9: Narrow Sashing Swirls

Greetings !

Welcome to Part 9 of the 
2019 Free Motion Quilt Along
This week we're stitching the Narrow Sashing Areas...

I so enjoy spending time with
you and Lewe

 by World of Susybee...

I've also been having a blast stitching with my long term mentor and friend Wendy Sheppard.

Isn't Wendy's book amazing?

Have I mentioned I have a signed copy?
Yep - feeling blessed.  

This week was pretty exciting -- A big box of batting arrived from Quilter's Dream Batting for our QAL random giveaway!
Thank you Quilter's Dream...

Have you visited our amazing sponsors ?

Be sure to jump out to
Facebook or Instagram
and give them a "Like" or a Follow.

World of Susybee Facebook

Aurifil Facebook or Instagram

Quilters Dream Batting Facebook or Instagram

Creekside Fabrics Quilts and Yarns Facebook

We wouldn't have great products or giveaways without our Sponsors! 

You can checkout the Giveaway Post

here ==> QAL Giveaway

Now -- on to the specifics for this week.

As I investigated the remaining areas of the quilt I decided that I'd like to take advantage of the narrow sashing area for a small repeatable filler.

Wendy has some neat swirl designs in her book on Page 34 "Swirls" and on Page 38 "Swirly Vine" and again on Page 46 "Jester's Hat".

I took a combination of these swirls and stitched out a straight-line variation of a design I refer to as
"Wild Goose Chase". 

You can see an allover background stitched with "Wild Goose Chase" in this free video tutorial for: 

"The Subtle Tree"

For the narrow sashing I followed this straight line stitching plan: 

Swirl

 Backtrack

Swirl Opposite Direction

Backtrack 

Repeat

Don't be afraid to sneak around as necessary to stitch around and between all the panels.

It makes a beautiful framed accent.

I stitched the black dash area first (backtracking as necessary).

That allowed me to stitch around the entire outside area (red) in one continuous stitching path.

Of course when my needle is down I don't hesitate to twist my sandwich around so I have less quilt top to the right of my needle.  

PS -- I'm saving the remaining blue space for another design.

For consistency -- I continued with a 40wt Aurifil color #2024.

Here's a closeup:

Narrow inside sashing is complete here:

It may be helpful to mark a 3/4" or 1" line around the outside border of the panel (red lines above) before you stitch that space.  

Reference marks allow you to keep the design about the same size on the inside and outside areas.

This would be a perfect spot to use your Hera Marker to score the line...

Alternatively -- chose another marking tool to make your reference marks.

Sharing images of the corner transition below.

I started to the right edge...

(not much of a swirl is it?) 

and almost immediately went upward.

Do you see how easy it is to transition though?

This design allows you to change direction with ease.

Here's another example of a corner transition.

Backtrack or "Sneak Around" as necessary.

Gosh I love that texture !! 

More transition details...

And again...

This panel is so darn cute!

A counting sheep moment ;) 

Cliff recorded a short video of my stitching a bit of the design. 

Watch the video by clicking on the image below:

Was that helpful ?

Love the frame!

Speaking of counting... 

I choose to NOT worry about having the same number of swirls to the left and right of any space.  Just stitch them out ;) 

Love!

Love!

SO here we are -- the panel is nearly complete!

I'm so excited.

If you're just joining in the fun... 

Catch up with these Lessons: 

Jan 7:  Announcement Post  ✅
Jan 21:  Setup, Planning, Basting ✅
Jan 28:  Stabilization Quilting or Catch Up ✅

Feb 4:  Inside Center Panel ✅

Feb 11: Progress Pics ✅

Feb 25:  Top and Bottom Rectangles ✅

March 4: Top & Bottom Squares  ✅

March 11: Left & Right Panels  ✅

Next week we were scheduled to cover the outside border... but in reality we've decided to SPRING BREAK with everyone else... so we'll pickup the last 2 lessons beginning on April 1st.

March 25:  SPRING BREAK - CATCH UP

April 1:  Outside Border

April 8:  Binding, Labeling, Hanging if applicable

I can't wait to see what Wendy quilted.

You can jump over to Wendy's Blog <== here.

If you have any questions, please leave them below -- I'll respond as soon as I can.

Happy Stitching!

Karen

*************

Learn more about how to use various thread weights in these Facebook Live Sessions

hosted by Aurifil at International Quilt Market: 

Redbird Quilt Co Mini Trunk Show

Redbird Quilt Co Fast Feather Demonstration

***

Follow me on social media:

Redbird Quilt Co. on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, YouTube

Join my FMQ Frenzy Community Group on Facebook.

See my other Moda Bake Shop Recipes

Click here to see my upcoming events.

*

***  Guilds, Groups and Shops ***

I'm booking Lectures, Trunk Shows and Workshops
for 2020 and beyond!

If your Shop, Group or Guild is looking for programs or workshops I would love to hear from you.

Free Motion Quilting on Home Machines
Basics ~ A Quilters Doodles ~ McTavishing
A Full Day of Feathers
*
Aurifilosophy
*
Wool & Needle turn Applique
Technique or Project Oriented Workshops available.

Click here to see my upcoming events.
*

Send email inquiries to karen at redbirdquiltco dot com

or redbirdquiltco at gmail dot com

Note:  The FTC requires that I tell you.... I occasionally use affiliate links on my blog and website.  I may be compensated for purchases made using the links.  Rest assured I will only share sales and promotions for products I know and love myself.  Many thanks for your support of my very small business.