2016 Free Motion Quilt Along - Part VII Landscape & Background FMQ

Greetings Fellow Quilters!
&
Welcome to Part VII of the

2016 Redbird Quilt Co.

Free Motion Quilt Along

using the whimsical 

Lewe's Balloons Growth Chart

by Susy Bleasby

for World of Susybee

We're in the home stretch and it's sew exciting!

If you're just joining us be sure to checkout the previously published

Free Motion Quilt Along Posts:

Introduction => here

Sponsors =>  here

Supplies =>  here
Part I Pieced Borders =>  here
Part II Pin Basting ==>  here
How to Quilt That =>  here

Part III Tools, Setup + Practice => here
Part IV Let's FMQ => here
Part V More FMQ => here
Part VI Echo, Pebbles, Loops & Swirls Oh My! => here

Also, do checkout our fabulous Sponsors and their generous Giveaways....
You can read all about it  ==> here

This week we're going to get busy quilting the Lewe's Balloons Landscape (at bottom of panel) and Background.

Lets start with the Landscape quilting.
There is 1 video and a few still images (below) to check out.

On the landscape quilting....
Yes I did -- I changed my mind on the thread color .
(Isn't that a quilters prerogative ?)

In our "How to Quilt That" session I thought we would go with the Aurifil 50Wt in Creme Brulee -- but at the last tossing of the colors on the quilt top, the Aurifil 50Wt Spring Green color won!

It just spoke to me.
Does that ever happen to you ?

Of course you should always do what speaks to YOU!
It's a personal choice.

Take a few minutes and watch the YouTube video by clicking the image below:

Here are a few close up images of the landscape quilting:

This one addresses the "Ghost" quilting that I mentioned in the video

 Of course I quilted both Susybee's the same as we had before. Pebbles on the flight path and a slight echo around everything.

The landscape Susybee was a bit of a challenge.
My stitches were a little small and the quilting area was TINY.

Feel free to make bigger pebbles here - you don't have to pebble every
flight path dot.

Remember though - no stressing - we're in learning mode.

 I also tried to follow the landscape lines in this area.  it worked out pretty well.
The Spring Green color was just right.

Next up:

Lets Talk Background motif ideas and a

ways to Test Drive the motif on your quilt top.

Click the image below to watch the video:

I used my nifty Dritz Longarm Transparent Quilting roll to "test drive" a motif.

I love being able to "test drive"
a motif on the quilt top.

Unfortunately, I could not longer find the product on the market.

In its absence though you could try one of these alternatives:
Clear Vinyl Sheets
Plexi Glass
Press-n-Seal
Other...
Be sure to use a dry erase marker so you can try a variety of designs.

If you decide to go with Windy Swirls on your Quilt top, use the images below for a guide in placing them.

NOTE:  Now that my quilting is complete -- I have a few "things to consider" before your quilt your "windy swirls"

It may be easier to quilt a nice looking "windy swirl" by making them short and keeping a nice curve along the way.

Also -- consider stitching your Windy Swirl echos further apart.

I made mine a little tight and, if I were to do it again, I would make the echos a little further apart to use up a bit more of the background fabric.

Does this make sense ?

The last video of this lesson shows you how I quilted the
"Windy Swirls"

See disclaimers above on length and echo width for your Windy Swirls.

Here are still images to help you consider placement for your Windy Swirls.

As I mention in the video, use an air or water soluble pen to mark a windy swirl guide line on the fabric.  No need to mark each line in a Windy Swirl - just one should do the trick.
Also -- it's only a guide, don't let it control you.

My positioning for the Bottom left panel area:

Middle right:

Top left:

Top right:

And finally -- I also used my FMQ foot and the Aurifil #4241 Very Dark Grey to stitch the growth chart lines up the left side of the panel.

And here's a view of the top of the panel:

I am just LOVING the way this panel is finishing.

I must admit though, it's hard for me to NOT quilt every open space.

I tend to quilt very dense on my home machine.  It's quite a hard habit to break.

For the purpose of our QAL and our Growth Chart though, there is no need to do dense quilting in the background.   

I hope you're enjoying our progress. 

I sure am!

Finally:

The next lesson will cover the two outside border fabrics.

I'll add in a short tutorial on the hanging sleeve and binding and we'll be all set.

Are you excited ? 

How is your quilting coming along ?

Be sure to leave me a comment on the blog,  any YouTube Video, or over on Facebook. 

I would love to see your progress and hear your woes (if you have them).

Happy Quilting!

Karen

More Info:

I'm booking Redbird Quilt Co. Lectures, Trunk Shows and Workshops for 2017.

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

Domestic Machine Quilting,  Wool & Needle turn Applique - Technique or Project oriented workshops are available.

Send email inquiries to karen at redbirdquiltco dot com

or redbirdquiltco at gmail dot com

*

Social Media:

*** 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
*
I have a few patterns available in my Craftsy Store
Thanks again for stopping by...

2016 Free Motion Quilt Along - Part II Pin Basting

Greetings fellow quilters and Welcome to Part II of our 2016 Free Motion Quilt Along. 

If you're just joining us be sure to checkout these prior blog posts:

Introduction => click here

Sponsors => click here

Supplies => click here

Part I Pieced Borders => click here

Many thanks to our fantastic sponsors including:
Aurifil
Quilter's Dream Batting
World of Susybee
Creekside Fabrics, Quilts and Yarns
Sew It Is Quilt Shop
Quilty Pleasures Quilt Shop
They've provided some awesome products for Giveaways -- to learn more click here.

This week we're preparing the quilt layers and pin basting.

Why Baste?  

Proper basting technique is essential to avoid tucks, folds, or puckers in your fabrics. It also helps to ensure your flimsy (quilt top) stays somewhat square, and will fit within the batting and backing layers without shifting.

If you do a good job of basting, you can avoid puckers and folds on the back.  If you're a bit sloppy or go without basting - you take your chances.

  The basting process can be completed many different ways -- I prefer pin basting with curved safety pins.

There are many alternatives to pin basting including: basting with straight pins, using straight pins with caps or anchors (brand name Pinmoor), basting with needle and thread by hand or machine, or basting with an adhesive spray.

Personally I avoid spray baste because I'm ultra sensitive to chemicals and aerosol...  and really -- as you'll see from the video clips, I enjoy the process of pin basting.  I use the opportunity to study and think about how to quilt a particular fabric or flimsy I'm working with.

Another possible pitfall to basting with adhesive spray is the potential for it to flatten your batting, therefore limiting the loft you see in your quilting.  I've seen some quilt sandwiches sprayed excessively with adhesive to the point where there was no texture left to the beautiful wool batting.   If you Spray Baste, avoid that pitfall.

Pin Basting - The Process

For Part II of the 2016 FMQ Along I've created two videos and Pin Basting basics tutorial with images and text below.  If you're new to basting, be sure to review the tutorial AND the videos before you begin the process.

Preparation

Cut backing & batting 1.5" to 2" wider than quilt top on each side.
Let your flimsy be a guide for sizing up the quilt backing and batting.

I normally rough cut my backing with shears followed by trimming the straight with a rotary cutter.

Using pinking shears or a pinked rotary blade will reduce fray.

Having a straight edge helps with the taping process.

Be sure the top and the backing fabric are pressed well.

No need to worry about stubborn creases, they'll work out in the quilting!

 Check batting and fabrics for stray threads that might show through the fabric once quilted. Especially dark threads - Remove as necessary

If you have a table large enough -- use it!  Otherwise consider using the floor, or visiting your local quilt shop, community center or library for this step.
*
Gather up tape to secure the backing -- I love using the 3m Blue Tape.  It adheres just fine but also peels away without taking finish off the table.

Secure the Quilt Backing

After pressing, position the quilt back face-down on a flat surface
Tape along a single long edge, using 3M Blue Tape.  Secure to the surface taping every few inches.

Prepare to tape the opposite long edge.
Below I'm showing the ripples that exist before you tape the opposite side.

NOTE: It's important to pull the batting taut and remove all the waffles or puckers from it to avoid folds or puckers in your quilting.
From the other side of the backing, smooth the fabric, pulling taut and tape it in position.

Once you've secured both long edges, those ripples should be GONE!

Continue the same on the top and bottom of the quilt.

Pull taut but DO NOT STRETCH or DISTORT your quilt back.

One the backing is taut and secured :

Add batting and quilt top layers

Layer batting, one at a time, smoothing from the center outward as you go.

If you're using two layers of batting, use the higher loft batting on top -- for example, in my sample I used Quilter's Dream Cotton on the bottom and Quilter's Dream Wool on top.

Putting the loft toward the quilt top will help build dimension in your quilt stitches -- you will love it!

NOTE:  I DO NOT tape or secure the batting -- after smoothing it rests flat on the quilt top.

NOTE: I never press or put a hot iron on a quilt once the batting is layered.

Because I rely heavily on 100% wool batting, I avoid using a hot iron or steam that may flatten the woolen fibers.

Layer the Quilt top (aka flimsy) right side up on the batting -- centering it in the middle of the arrangement.

Flatten the quilt top starting in the center and smoothing from the center outward

Checkout the Pin Basting Prep video tutorial by clicking the image below:

We're ready to Pin!

Pull out your handy safety pins - I place a handful directly on the quilt top.  This reduces the likelihood of getting poked by reaching into the box.

Over the years, I've acquired several sizes of Dritz Quilting Curved Safety Pins. I tend to use the 1" version more than the larger ones.  Using smaller pins reduces the number of times I need
to stop and remove a pin ;)

Let's get pinning!

Begin pinning in the center of the quilt with a curved pin -- be sure to pin through all 3 (or 4) layers.

Between each pin be sure to smooth outward from the center.
(see video)
Masure a fist-width spacing between each pin.
Work in a circular fashion from the center outward -- smoothing outward and pinning as you go.

Have you tried the Kwik Klip tool?  It's a great way to get your pins closed
without stressing your fingers (or your fingernails). I purchased mine years ago -- give it a try.  If you don't have one readily available, try the blunt end of a small crochet hook.
That works too!

It's effective to put several pins in before going back and closing them.
Try it out - it saves time to do pinning and then closing in batches.
Moving on -- continue smoothing outward and pinning as you go.

Checkout the Pin Basting video tutorial by clicking the image below:

Some tips for pinning:

Try to pin in the middle of a subject area or block.  On our panel I avoid pinning near the edge of Lewe or any of the Balloons.  Anticipate where you'll be quilting first and avoid those areas.

Always smooth an area outward before placing a pin.  You want to be sure your top fabric is smooth to avoid puckers or tucks.

Consider using a Kwik Klip tool to aid in the closing and opening of the pins.

Congratulations!

As the sun drops behind the Keuka Bluff our pin basting is complete.

What next ?

A bit later this week I'll be posting a "How to Quilt That" video to discuss the quilt motif ideas that spin in my head while I'm pin basting...  Stay tuned for that.

I also owe you a bit more about the tools I use to FMQ.  If you want a sneak peek into those tools click here.

It's getting exciting -- soon we'll be learning motifs and quilting away!

Are you ready ?  

Does this help ?

Thanks for your feedback.

Cheers!

Karen

2016 Free Motion Quilt Along - Happy New Year!

Happy New Year -- Welcome 2016!  

2015 was an awesome year but now we're gearing up for 2016 to rock the house!!

For those of you new to, or just interested in Free Motion Quilting at home, we're firing up a short, simple, free, and fun Quilt Along for beginners.

We'll be using the Lewe's Balloons Growth Chart Panel by Susy Bleasby for The World of Susybee.

We've got some great sponsors -- that means great prizes!!

There'll be lots of FMQ basics and simple motifs, with NO PRESSURE, just FUN!

You can find all details by clicking the image above -- or my visiting:
Redbird Quilt Co. 2016 Free Motion Quilt Along

When we're done quilting you have a sweet Growth Chart to give to someone special.

Share with your friends -- we'll have a blast!

Find the details here.

Happy New Year all!
Hugs,
Karen

The Quilted Pineapple Curve Templates - We Have a Winner!

Hi everyone!  I'm so excited to announce the winner of the full set of Linda Hrcka's "The QP Curve Templates" in this post.  Woohoo!! 

First let me thank all of you for your kind, supportive and generous words on both my blog and Linda's Blog in the last two weeks.  We were overwhelmed with your comments and many compliments.  There is nothing more rewarding than hearing how a short tutorial here or a part number there can help someone through a Free Motion Quilting challenge.

Personally, I'm all about FMQ on a domestic machine -- I was thrilled with how many of you are actually doing your own FMQ on a domestic!  Good for you!

And for all you quilters on a mid or long arm -- YOU are so lucky {wink, wink}.  Keep up the good work.

For anyone experienced or interested in FMQ, please do consider joining the small  Facebook Group we have active "Free Motion Quilting Frenzy".  There are about 1000 members that share their work, questions, tips, tutorials, giveways and lots of inspirational images.  Click here to request membership to that group.  Free FMQ Inspiration - how can you say NO ??  

Of course, if you're like me, you're totally in awe of Linda Hrcka's Free Motion Quilting with or without TheQPCurveTemplates (her feathers ROCK!!).  If you haven't already, I highly recommend you sign up to follow Linda in one of her many Social Media outlets.  Here's a link to Linda's great blog, a Facebook page and an Instagram account.  I promise you'll always walk away inspired by her shares!! 

It's been another wild week here at Redbird land.  Late last week I participated in the "Meet the Stitchers" blog hop sponsored by SewWeStitch.  As a part of that hop, there's an active Aurifil giveaway on my blog that you won't want to miss!  (open until end of day March 31st).  If you haven't jumped to this blog post and gotten in on the fun you really should.  Aurifil is sponsoring this giveaway by providing and shipping a bright and cheerful Splendor 1920 Designer Collection of large spools of Aurifil 12 Wt thread by BariJ.  Many thanks to the Aurifil team for that!   You can get all the detail AND enter for your chance to win by clicking here.

Finally, I'm really happy to say that I recorded the "Feather Star-burst" or "Feather Firecracker" tutorial/video tonight (well I didn't record it - but my husband did ;). 

It will take me a couple of days to get it published on YouTube - but please stay tuned.  If you haven't subscribed to my YouTube Channel yet you can see it by clicking here.

Whew - that's a lot of gibberish when ya'll are just waiting for the winner to be announced.  Let's get on with that!

There were a total of 371 comments on the Giveaway post.   I used Mr. Random.Org to choose the winner :

Thank goodness the blog comments are numbered!!   Number 212 is:

LC's Cottage - Congratulations is in order for Laura Conowitch who blogs over at LC's Cottage!

Laura I've sent you a message through your blog - I look forward to hearing from you - sew exciting!  

From what I saw on Laura's blog, she too is a domestic machine quilter and shares tips and tricks for anyone that is interesting in hopping over to visit her. 

For those that didn't win - thank you so much for playing along!  You might want to consider purchasing your own set of The QP Curve Templates.  The quilting and designing options are endless.   Click to see ==>  The Quilted Pineapple Big Cartel


Its been a fun couple of weeks - and with upcoming video's and more giveaways we'll continue to have fun - so stay tuned.

Many, many thanks again to the very talented AND generous Linda Hrcka of The Quilted Pineapple.  Linda's generosity is what made this giveaway happen.  Thank you again dear friend.

Have a fantastic day all -- we'll be in touch soon!

Hugs,
Karen