2019 Free Motion QAL: Final Call for Giveaway Entries

Greetings fellow quilters - We did it!  

We've completed the 2019 Free Motion Quilt Along -- Congratulations!

Now it's all about getting your entries emailed to me or Wendy so can award the prizes!

I'd like to apologize for neglecting to share the new deadline date of May 3rd with you last week.

Thankfully my quilty partner, Wendy,  shared the new date on her blog.

If you were worried you missed the deadline rest assured you still have 48 hours to wrap up and email Wendy or I at least 2 pictures of your quilted panel.  

If you're not quite done -- it's ok -- submit what you have - we'll call it close enough.

So again, email an image of your quilt to redbirdquiltco at gmail dot com.

-OR-

If you have Wendy's address you're welcome to email her as well.

We'll compile a hat full of entries and draw some winners over the weekend.

When you email your entry be sure to indicate if it's OK to share a picture of your quilt in an upcoming blog post or on Facebook.   I'd love to share your creations with others. 

The entries I've seen to-date are fabulous!

Congratulations everyone!

Quilt Along Recap:

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  ✅
March 18: Narrow Sashing Swirls ✅
April 1: Fast Feather Border ✅
April 8: Binding, Sleeve & Label  ✅

That's a wrap...

We look forward to seeing your results.

Be sure to email redbirdquiltco at gmail dot com by end of day May 3rd to be eligible for the Giveaway drawings.

***

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 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.