FMQ on a Featherweight with 28wt Aurifil

I'm psyched about Free Motion Quilting

on a Featherweight 221!
Have you tried it?
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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.

Chevron Shuffle on the Moda Bake Shop - A Modern Mini

Greeting fellow quilters -- thank you for stopping by!

I've been busy lately preparing a new recipe for the Moda Bake Shop and I'm excited to share it with you today.

Meet Chevron Shuffle!

Chevron Shuffle is a modern mini quilt prepared with the colorful and bright
Basic Mixologie by Studio M for Moda.
It finishes just about 24" square.

The design is based on my
February 2015 Moda Bake Shop Recipe
Chevron with a Twist and was created to celebrate the Bake Shop's December Month of Mini's.    

The recipe uses 84 print/white Half Square Triangles and 16 white/white Half Square Triangles.
The quilt top uses well less than 2 Charm packs and can be prepared in a weekend.

 For some fun I decided to use the "Focus" layout shared in the March 2015 post For the Love of Half Square Triangles.
The Focus layout uses the same number of HST's as Chevron with a Twist but they're arranged differently. 

On Chevron Shuffle I strayed from traditional applique and created a modern layered flower that complements the half square triangle design.

Also on Chevron Shuffle I tried some
new-to-me batting,
Dream Orient, by Quilter's Dream.
It's really unique batting -- dense but soft, all natural fibers, and oh-so-dreamy!  

I layered the Dream Orient with Dream Wool (100% Wool batting).

These two layers of batting provided for generous quilting texture, don't you think?

Other fun parts of preparing Chevron Shuffle included quilting with my favorite Aurifil threads in 3 different weights.  50 Wt for piecing, 40Wt for quilting and 12Wt for machine applique and top stitching.
Do checkout the Moda Bake Shop post to see all the details.
You know I love Aurifil thread!

And one last fun component of this quilt was using the QP Curve Templates to create some beautiful curved quilting texture around the modern flower.

I used a water/air soluble pen to mark my reference points 1/4" (A) and 1/2" (B) in from the seam points.  The #8 QP Curve Template worked beautifully!

If you've not tried out Linda Hrcka's
{The Quilted Pineapple}
curved acrylic templates you should.
I use them on my domestic machine to make beautiful designs.  They certainly open up a whole new world of quilting options -- even on your home machine.
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You can read more about the QP Curve Templates on this post.
***
To view a few videos of my using the templates on my home machine,
 click on over to my YouTube Channel
***
If you have an interest in learning to Free Motion Quilt on your home machine, be sure to join 4000+ other quilters on my Facebook Community Group
 Free Motion Quilting Frenzy.

Also, I'll soon be starting a short but informative Free Motion Quilt Along -- stay tuned to my blog and/or my Facebook Page for more information on that.
Supplies and schedule to be announced soon.

Many thanks for stopping by -- I do hope you like the new Chevron Shuffle Mini Quilt.

Jump on over to the Moda Bake Shop to view all of the details.

Social Media ....

Have you made a quilt inspired by my patterns or tutorials 

-OR-

Would you, your shop, or your guild be interested in my Workshop or Program offerings ? 

You can write me anytime:  

karen@redbirdquiltco.com or 

redbirdquiltco@gmail.com

*** Follow Me ***

Did you know you can visit me on

 Facebook ~ Redbird Quilt Co

and/or

Follow Redbird Quilt Co on Instagram

I post all sorts of fun things there!!
**

If you love to Free Motion Quilt consider joining my 

Facebook Community Group

 Free Motion Quilting Frenzy

*

Plus

I share quilting related

videos on my YouTube Channel
*
I'll soon be sharing live feed TV on my Periscope

*

I'm also on Pinterest and Twitter 

and I share other tutorials and patterns on
My Tutorials on my blog

Thanks again for stopping by...

Have a blessed holiday.

Karen

Tis the Season - A Donation Quilt

Mr. Redbird and Berries has gone mini!
Really Mini

A wee 11" x 13"
Isn't he sweet?

 He was created for the O Tannenbaum fundraising event at our local Historical Society...

with a little Moda Muslin for the background and backing fabric...

using Aurifil 12Wt cotton thread to hand stitch the wool applique... 

AND a bit of Aurifil 50Wt thread for fun free motion quilting

on a domestic machine...

It was the perfect opportunity to re-use the
flanged and mitered machine binding technique
(See the tutorial here)
using this beautiful fabric by Primitive Gatherings for Moda -- LOVE!

And yes, on that binding I used yummy Aurifil 12Wt thread for finishing with a machine.
Oh! I love that little extra touch :)

I was sure to use 2 layers of Quilter's Dream 100% Wool batting -- it provides lovely texture!

Last I checked the silent bid was up to $75 - not a bad price for a mini quilt
Bidding is open for another week though -- you never know what it will go for.

The donation quilt is considerably smaller
 than the original Redbird and Berries
created for the Moda Bake Shop.
Click here for the original tutorial and download.

Making little pieces like this are fun and rewarding...
especially for a great cause.

Sister snapped a picture of me at the O Tannenbaum event... 

I thought it would be fun to share! 

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If you've not tried wool applique and would like to learn more...

Click here and follow the links for some introductory posts.

Have a blessed weekend...

Hugs,

Karen

Social Media Details....

You can write me anytime:  

karen@redbirdquiltco.com or 

redbirdquiltco@gmail.com

*** Follow Me ***

Did you know you can visit me on

 Facebook ~ Redbird Quilt Co

and/or

Follow Redbird Quilt Co on Instagram

I post all sorts of fun things there!!
**

If you love to Free Motion Quilt consider joining my 

Facebook Community Group

 Free Motion Quilting Frenzy

*

Plus

I share quilting related

videos on my YouTube Channel
*
I'll soon be sharing live feed TV on my Periscope

*

I'm also on Pinterest and Twitter 

and I share other tutorials and patterns on
My Tutorials on my blog

Thanks again for stopping by...

AQS Quilt Week - Paducah Bound!

Well.... not me -- but I am excited and honored that you'll find two of my quilts in the Moda/United Notions Booth #4508 at Paducah 2015!!  Woohoo!

Downtown Paducah - Image Courtesy AQS

How cool is that ??   Thank you Moda Bake Shop!!

Yep -- be on the lookout for Chevron with a Twist

Showing off a sweet little Redbird and Faux Ruched Flowers

And quilted using my Janome Horizon and The QP Curve Templates...

I do hope you have a chance to see it in person.

And while you're there -- be sure to look for the Original Hearts Content Decorative Pillow

The 2nd Heart's Content Decorative Pillow

It will also be located in the Moda/United Notions booth...

The pillow shown above is the 2nd Heart's Content Decorative pillow - made from Jelly roll strips leftover from the original Jelly Roll -- I love that you can make two pillows with one Jelly Roll.

Both "quilts" are sporting shiny new labels -- attached just prior to being packaged for shipping...

Both quilts were

• designed and shared as tutorials (aka recipes) on the Moda Bake Shop!
• made with the lovely Heart's Content fabric by Edyta Sitar/Laundry Basket Quilts for Moda 
• made using Aurifil thread and Quilters Dream Wool batting
• quilted on my home sewing machine (Janome Horizon 7700)

I'm just so honored to have them there - and very thankful to Moda/United Notions and the Moda Bake Shop for providing many the opportunity to design with their awesome fabric...  It's so much fun!!

You can find the original Chevron with a Twist recipe here: Moda Bake Shop Chevron w/ a Twist
You can find the original Heart's Content Decorative Pillow recipe here: Moda Bake Shop HC Pillow
You can find tutorials for quilting Chevron with a Twist here: Karen's Blog Chevron w/ a Twist

If you happen to see either quilt - I would LOVE to see pictures -- just email to redbirdquiltco at gmail dot com...  post on my Facebook page (RedbirdQuiltCo) or on Instagram tagging @redbirdquiltco -- Thank you so much!!

Have a fantastic time at Paducah!   Tell the crew at the Moda booth "Hello" and "Thank You" from me....

Maybe next year I'll meet you there...
Hugs,
Karen

Half Square Triangle Love Winner!

Oh goodness -- how did I let the week get by without announcing the winner of the Heart's Content Charm Pack donated by Cindy at Sew It Is Quilt Shop ?

50 Lashes with a wet Jelly Roll Strip!   

I do apologize and hope you forgive me.

It was a ton of fun to hear which Half Square Triangle layout was your favorite.   I'll put my vote in for the Focus Layout being mine - well, besides the original Chevron with a Twist layout of course.   I just love the way Focus sends your eye to the applique, and because I love applique this layout is perfect! 

I would really enjoy hiding away with a Moda Charm pack and preparing this layout.  Wouldn't that mini be sweet?   Does anyone else want to miniaturize this ? or am I the only crazy person out here ?  It's now on my official wish list of Quilts to Make!!

If you decide to make 'Focus' or any of the other layouts, be sure to reference the original recipe for whipping up Chevron with a twist - it's so fast and easy.  You can find the recipe here ==> Chevron with a Twist on the Moda Bake Shop.  I would also LOVE to see an picture of it.  Please do send it along via email.  Thank you!

*

If you're interested in seeing larger images of the other layout options use this link ==>  For the Love of Half Square Triangles on the Moda Bake Shop.

Thanks again for playing... and many thanks to Cindy at Sew It Is Quilt Shop for sponsoring the giveaway.   Cindy has some fantastic prices in her online shop and is one of the sweetest shop owners alive !!  Notice I said "one of" - I'm really blessed to know some great shop owners (near and far!).  Lucky Me!!

OK - lets announce a winner of the beautiful Charm Pack of Laundry Basket Quilts Heart's Content Fabric...  It's the same fabric I used in the original Chevron with A Twist. 

There were a total of 74 participants in the Giveaway.  I used Mr. Random.ORG and he chose Comment #40!!

Woohoo - lucky number 40 is Miss Jean! 

Congratulations Miss Jean -- I've sent you an email!!!   You'll just LOVE this fabric. 

Well - I'd better turn in... We're celebrating my Aunt's 100th Birthday on Saturday so we have a bit of traveling to get in.   

I'll check back with everyone real soon - have a blessed weekend.

Karen

Free Motion Feather Sampler and Aurifil Giveaway Winner

Hi fellow quilters...
thanks for stopping by!    

Before we announce the winner of the Aurifil thread (so exciting) I wanted to share a neat new Free Motion Feather sampler that I quilted on my domestic machine this week.
(Of course I used Aurifil thread ;)

The center motif was inspired by an Instagram post from Mary of Addicted to Fabric a few weeks ago.  

After a little doodling on paper and fabric we unearthed the appropriately named "Feather Galaxy" motif.  It's sew fun to stitch.

...Below is the back of one of my first attempts to actually stitch it out...   

Have I mentioned how much I love using Aurifil 50Wt Mako Cotton Thread for lint free - break free dense machine quilting ?   NO ?

You've gotta Love that thread!!

Happily, this sweet motif will be included in upcoming FMQ Feather Workshops being held at Quilter's Corner Ithaca, NY later this summer.  You can keep up on my class, lecture and workshop dates on my Facebook events page by clicking here. 

A Workshop Sampler was in order.

I started with a selection of the beautiful Grunge Fabric by BASICGREY for Moda.   

Oh how I LOVE Grunge - Those Colors!!
Just fabulous...  

If you haven't checked out Grunge you really should... I know you can find some online here.  Be careful - it's addicting!

  Oh! Don't forget to add the 12Wt and 50Wt Aurifil threads (Insert Happy Dance Here !)

 I pieced a little 23" x 25" sample, starting with a 10" x 12" center, adding a 2.5" sashing and a 5" border.  Very quick and simple (you know me and piecing - I would rather NOT ;)   

Add two layers of Quilter's Dream 100% Dream Wool and pin baste to prepare to quilt on a Janome Horizon.

To start I used a walking foot and Aurifil 50Wt #2805 thread to Stitch in the Ditch - it stabilizes for quilting.

After Stitching in Ditch, I used a 90/14 Needle, 12Wt Aurifil #5005 to top stitch a 1/4" around the seams.  Oh you've got to LOVE the texture and sheen the 12Wt thread adds to the piece...

I used 50Wt in the bobbin when top stitching with the 12Wt thread.  It's important to use that 90/14 needle though.

Next, the center panel was quilted using the "Feather Galaxy" motif (diagram below) and adding a neat swirl/feather vine in the sashing.   I kinda made it up -- but I love the way it stitched out.

Here's a finish / close-up of the feather vine and the lovely top stitching... Swoon!  After I finished quilting I decided to add that extra line of top stitching with 12Wt Aurifil in Color #1147    I really liked the way it framed the center.

On the outer border I did a gentle wave bump-back feather - it's always good to practice those feathers!!  They come out differently each time.   Next time I think a little Amish Swirl is in order!

If you're interested in quilting the "Feather Galaxy" motif, here is the step by step diagram I prepared to walk you through it:

Personally, I love to practice with pencil and paper before putting it on fabric.  When I do quilt,  I create small table runners or place-mats with my practice pieces.

If you need a good laugh  - checkout the quick YouTube video recorded right after the Facebook  Free Motion Quilting Frenzy group started stitching this motif.  My friend Doreen from TreadleMusic Blog was the first to stitch it once the diagram was out -- and me next.  Click the image below to watch on YouTube - don't laugh!!

Because I finished the binding while sitting in my car, I don't have an actual finished image (oops) -- but do have these two I took before leaving home:

In the image below the binding is only pinned - still love the way it came out.

I hope you enjoyed the FMQ Feathers Sampler and Feather Galaxy Motif.  If you're in the area I'll be sharing Feathers I and II at Quilters Corner in August -- do get signed up!  We'll have some fun!

Now onto our Aurifil Thread winner from the Sew We Stitch Blog Hop

This beautiful designer Thread Collection is being provided by Aurifil and includes 12 large spools of 12Wt Mako Cotton thread.  This weight works perfectly for machine top stitching (above) and for all sorts of hand work -- from wool applique, to cross stitch, to beautiful embellishments.

There were 258 entries on the Sew We Stitch - Meet and Greet post and Mr. Random.Org selected comment number 55!!  Lucky 55!

Congratulations go out to Kathryn -- what a coincidence that Kathryn went to college in Ithaca years back!!   Kathryn, I've sent you an email  - I look forward to hearing from you!

Many thanks again to Aurifil thread for their generosity.
What a wonderful bunch of individuals and a fantastic team at Aurifil.
On my bucket list at Spring Market is to finally meet the folks that create this awesome thread!

I leave you with an image of our granddaughter Angelina - just after finishing the piecing on her very first quilt.  She choose grunge for her main blocks and setting triangles - is that cool or what ?   This quilt will be showing locally next month at the Common Threads Guild Show in Endicott, NY.  Do stop by if you're in the area!   So proud of Angelina.

Oh, and if you're interested there is one open Giveaway on my blog through end of day April 4th -- you can see it here.

Have a blessed weekend all,
Karen