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

Fall Is Coming, Are YOU Ready To Sew? Join Me At Quilters Corner, Ithaca, NY

Does life fly by at the speed of light for you?

It does for me!!  I've been running in circles trying to keep up with life lately -- some good things and some very sad things -- but this evening I sat down and outlined all of the things that are going on in the near future and thought: "How did I get here?" and "Why haven't I told anyone?"

Well,  now I'm sharing with you my excitement about being an instructor at Quilters Corner in Ithaca, NY, for my 2nd semester. 

In the fall semester I'm going to be teaching three fun Projects and hosting one Open Studio (where you can get help on any of my projects).  

The first class is "Redbird and Berries", created for the Moda Bake Shop.  I know I've talked about this Mini Quilt 1000 times before, but I'm really excited to be teaching it locally and had to share the image "one more time".  

Since this recipe was posted on the Moda Bake Shop, (Jan 24th, 2014), there have been nearly 30,000 views on their blog.  WOW -- that just blows my mind!  Will someone pinch me?

I wish I could tell you how many times the PDF has been downloaded from the Bake Shop, but I don't know.

What I do know is that since the tutorial in PDF format has been available in my Craftsy Pattern Store (April, 2014), it has been downloaded almost 3,000 times!   On average about 18 downloads per day!

For some that may seem like nothing -- but for this country girl on a dirt road to paradise -- it's really awesome!!

So....  the point of the story is:

If you live within driving distance to Quilters Corner in Ithaca, NY -- I would LOVE to have you join me for the Redbird and Berries class on Wednesday, September 10th and September 24th from 6pm to 9pm each night.

We will be covering some basic needle turn applique (for the Redbird -- unless you want to do him in WOOL - I can share a quick lesson in that too) and we'll also cover bias stems, perfect circle berries, and quilting options for your beautiful new wall hanging. 

Quilters Corners is a full service quilt shop that offers more than 75 classes per semester!  That is a fantastic lineup of classes.  You can peruse the list on their website, or by viewing their latest Newsletter here.

You can see the latest Redbird Quilt Co. Facebook post about the Class here.

You can jump over to Quilters Corner Website and enroll here.

Before you enroll, think about doing so with a friend.  If you enroll with a friend, you'll save 20% on Class Fees -- that is a great deal.

I'll share more upcoming class info in another post, but if you can't wait for that post you can see all of my Fall Semester classes at Quilters Corner by clicking here.

Have a blessed day everyone and thanks so much for your continued support!

Hugs,
Karen

Sharing WIP Like a Proud Momma

Oh I'm having such fun!!   I still have to pinch myself to be sure I'm not dreaming.... In the last few weeks I started teaching Introductory Wool Applique "Spring Basket" with two different groups and I'm doing cartwheels in celebration!!

Spring Basket Sample by Karen L. Miller ~ Redbird Quilt Co.

Many thanks to the ladies at the New Quilters On the Block Guild in Candor, NY and to the Partners and Students at Quilters Corner in Ithaca, NY for taking a chance on this green instructor!   Thank you ladies -- ya'll are just wonderful to work with...  

New Quilters on the Block - Working Hard

The New Quilters on the Block wanted to learn the basics of wool applique -- knowing that we wouldn't finish any pieces in the 4 hours we spent together.  We reviewed wool preparation, floss basics, Needles: threading - knotting - burying - finishing;  Stitches: blanket, couch, overhand, french knot, and so on...  They did a fantastic job on their quilts -- and Joan came sharing her own overdyed wools with the entire group of 11 ladies (and one lucky instructor)!   We had a fun time!

New Quilters On the Block -- Almost quitting time...

Besides the people, personalities, and comradely -- here are some moments that make this sew much fun....


1.  The "Light Bulb" moment - You're looking in a persons eye -- they're watching the lesson, and listening to what you share, and they sit down and take fabric, needle and thread in hand and "click" -- it works!!  They get it!  WOW - now that is fun!

2. "Individuality & Creativity" -- this is really, really fun for me.  The class comes in with their wools and backgrounds and nobody is exactly sure where they're going.   After 3-6 hours it all starts coming together and everyone is drooling over everyone else's projects.    Oh my that is fun!

Here are some Work in Progress images from Session 2 at Quilters Corner:

My apologies to Ruth -- somehow I managed to get out the door without taking a picture of her quilt -- I promise I'll share in another post.

This is Barbara's Spring Basket - she is stitching it onto black wool -- so soft and plush.  Don't you just LOVE that basket and how she cut it on point... the piece is coming together beautifully - I love how she used different color berries for her hyacinth. 

Barbara's WIP

This is Cathy's WIP -- Cathy took a whole different approach with a Gray wool background and a complimentary gray wool basket -- She used buttons for the centers of her mums -- how sweet!  And how about that bird ?  Don't you just love the red breast?   It's fabulous!

Cathy's WIP

Here is Mary Ann's WIP -- Mary Ann had fun with colors that were closer to the original pattern sample and it worked out wonderfully.  Her forsythia are bright and cheery, and the entire piece just jives... I love it!

Mary Ann's Work in Progress

No matter if you're the teacher or the student -- it's just fun to share quilting moments.  If you're a quilter you LOVE to see other people's work....

Here is "the other" Cathy's Spring Basket -- she nearly finished it in our 2nd 3 hour session.  The background is cotton fabric but it comes off plush and full -- and almost looking like green grass.  Cathy went with brights and WOW -- what a fantastic finish.  Congratulations Cathy!

The other Cathy's Spring Basket -- All done except for the quilting

After class Mary Ann worked hard and finished her piece over the weekend.  Here is an image she sent me -- didn't it come out beautifully ?  Way to go Mary Ann !! 

If you live locally and would like to take Introduction to Wool Applique ~ Spring Basket, I'll be teaching it in a 1 day Workshop at Penn Yan Sewing Machines on Tuesday, August 19th from 9am to 3pm.   You can reach the shop by calling 607-243-7879.   

I'll be updating my Facebook Events Page with a complete lineup of classes this week.

If you're not local, a PDF version of Spring Basket is available for immediate purchase and download at my Crafty Pattern Store.

Thanks for stopping by today and sharing in my excitement!!

Hugs,
Karen