Let's Quilt It - A Valentine and Giveaway For You!

Greetings quilty friends...

I'm excited to share a Free Motion Quilting
recipe on the Moda Bake Shop today.
*
We start with a little
💕 Moda Grunge & French General fabric...💕
layer with Dream Wool batting
add in my favorite Aurifil thread
and walk through the steps necessary
to free motion quilt
pebbles, echos, feathers & matchsticks

using a HOME machine!!

*

So... if you need a quick gift for a friend...

Or to dress-up a table display,

Be sure to visit the Moda Bake Shop and
learn how to create and quilt
this sweet 11" mini.

*

It will get YOUR creative stitches hopping!

Ready to improve your

Free Motion Quilting Skills?

Join my Newsletter for a free FMQ Pumpkin Template.

Join the Redbird Quilt Co. Newsletter.

_______________________________________________

The design and quilting is very versatile so you might consider the following
finishing options:

1.  Forget the applique and prepare a mini whole-cloth.

Quilted on Moda Muslin with Aurifil 40Wt thread - Dream Wool batting

In the sample above I used my QP Edge Template by my dear friend Linda Hrcka ~ The Quilted Pineapple and added a double-line cross hatch in the center.
Sew FUN!!!

2. Make it larger by duplicating the design for a 4 patch!!

Image via PhotoBooth for Instagram 

The hearts look fabulous oriented in either direction.

Image via PhotoBooth for Instagram 

3.  Consider adding sashing to the middle of a 4 patch... so pretty!

Image via PhotoBooth for Instagram 

 4. Or surround the blocks with setting triangles...

Image via PhotoBooth for Instagram 

Just a few of the things you can do to turn the mini into a real quilt.

Be sure to jump to the Moda Bake Shop post for the quilting details
and return here to enter:

A Kit Giveaway!
Giveaway CLOSED

That's right!!
I've packaged up
Moda Grunge & French General fabric
and my dear friends at

tossed in the exact colors of Aurifil 40Wt and 50Wt thread that I used to make the sample.
💖
Moda Fabric +
4 Large Spools of Aurifil
Oh MY!!!

You will LOVE working with this fabric and thread...

To get in on the giveaway
I need a little feedback....

Leave a comment below or on the
Moda Bake Shop tutorial...
describing what you like best about it.
Is it the images, the advice, the project, learning a new Free Motion motif ?

For an extra (optional) entry -- share this blog post or the Moda Bake Shop tutorial with your friends on social media and leave a comment letting me know you did.

Need one more (optional) chance to win ?
If you're on Facebook -- be sure to "Like" Redbird Quilt Co,  Moda Bake Shop and Aurifil Thread for another optional entry.  Leave another comment here letting me know you did.

Giveaway Entries Open through Midnight EST Feb 27th
 💕  Sister Janet's Birthday!!  💕

Updated 27-Feb-2017
I've uploaded 2 YouTube videos for "Let's Quilt It... A Valentine for You!"
Click the images below for Part 1 and Part 2 respectively.

Also -- stay tuned as I've recorded a YouTube video of my stitching the sampler.
As soon as it's uploaded I'll include the direct link here.

Comedy and quilting go hand-in-hand

Updated 5-Mar-2017
Click the image below to download the Heart Template from Google Drive:

Thanks for your continued support!

Follow me on social media:

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

Facebook my FMQ Frenzy Community Group

See my other Tutorials

***  Guilds, Groups and Shops ***

I'm booking Lectures, Trunk Shows and Workshops for 2018 & 2019

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
Ruler & Template Work
*
Wool & Needle turn Applique
Technique or Project Oriented Workshops available.

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.

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

Chevron with a Twist Celebration!

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

I'm thrilled to celebrate another

Moda Bake Shop recipe with you...

"Chevron with a Twist"

Do you remember the Heart's Content Decorative Pillow I created for the Bake Shop in November?

Well, I slightly overestimated the fabric for that recipe and was left with a beautiful layer cake of Heart's Content fabric by Laundry Basket Quilts for Moda (poor me ;)

Oh what to do with a layer cake of fabric...  How about designing a quilt using Half Square Triangles... ?

And it's probably important to include a little applique and a Redbird...

And how can you pass up a design that affords you bunches of Free Motion Quilting options?

Chevrons and Feathers?

Yes, thank you!

Curved crosshatches, scallops, and a neat new feather block using my newly acquired QP Curve Templates ??  

Eeeek - YES! 

I've always admired curved crosshatching and was excited to try it myself -- I'm addicted... 

I quilted "Chevron with a Twist" on my domestic machine with one layer of Quilter's Dream 100% Wool #dreamwool and using my favorite Aurifil thread!  

I just love Aurifil Mako Cotton 50Wt thread for machine quilting... it rarely breaks, has minimal lint, and is fine, yet strong.  Actually, on this recipe, I used it for the applique, the piecing AND the quilting!!  

#Aurilove

New to me!!  I can't begin to describe how much fun I had working with the curved templates (acrylic rulers) on my domestic.  

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

They're called "The QP Curve Templates" and WOW - did they open the door for some neat FMQ designs on "Chevron with a Twist"!  Can you tell I really, really loved working with them?

I have so much to share about the quilting I really can't fit it all in one post.  Let me tell you though, there are a series of posts coming up that include information and Giveaways you won't want to miss!!    I'll share more about the awesome QP Curve Templates then too!!

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

The first set of thread includes 12 large spools of 40 Wt Mako Cotton thread put together especially for the Operation Homefront - Quilted in Honor initiative.  What a beautiful collection of threads and for a wonderful cause.  Learn more here. 

The 2nd set of thread includes 10 small spools of 50Wt thread the "I Can Fly" Citrus Collection by Mark Lipinski.  Oh you'll LOVE this amazing collection of colors.  Mark is a hoot! and a promoter of the #slowstitching movement.  You'll see from preparing "Chevron with a Twist" that getting in the slowstitching zone will payoff and make the journey more enjoyable!!  You can get to know a little more about Mark by clicking here.

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

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

For one extra chance to win, leave me an additional comment letting me know if you follow me on other social media outlets.   Redbird Quilt Co is on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter - do you follow me on any or all of these ?  

Next weeks' fun might intrigue you to join me on one or two of these platforms ;) 

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

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

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

Blessings,

Karen

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