Showing posts with label SusyBleasby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SusyBleasby. Show all posts

Thursday, March 31, 2016

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
and/or
I post all sorts of fun things there!!
**
If you love to Free Motion Quilt consider joining my 
Facebook Community Group
*
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...

Saturday, February 27, 2016

2016 Free Motion Quilt Along - Part V More FMQ!

Greetings fellow quilters!
Welcome to Part V 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
Let's Keep on Quilting!

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

Also, do checkout our fantastic Sponsors and the awesome Giveaway products they've provided!
See that post ==> here

This week you're invited to watch 2 YouTube videos that cover
  • A little more about clouds -- and a marking exercise
  • FMQ a couple of the balloons with a Swirly "V" and Echo Stitching
Note: when watching the videos be sure to view on a device that allows you to see the embedded annotations.  There is a lot of useful information included via annotation.

Before we get into the Part V video series here is an image of the upper right hand corner Bee once quilted.  I used the same plan as outlined in Part IV:
Aurifil 50Wt thread #2600 Dove
Free Motion pebbles along the flying path
Echo Stitching around everything to create movement
I LOVE the way it finishes!!

Now let's get started with the Part V video series:

Note:  Woohoo!!
We're up to 10 videos so far in the 2016 FMQ Along!
Be sure to watch the 8 prior videos before taking this lesson.
Each new one builds upon skills learned in previous videos.
See the entire list of videos here.

FMQ Motif Quilting - Another Cloud


In this video I share some marking and stitching options for quilting another cloud.
Click the image below to watch the YouTube video.


Here are some completed images from this session:
Cloud #3 Quilted:

FMQ Motif Quilting - Swirly "V" and Echo Balloon Quilting


In this video I share a simple Swirly "V" motif and repeat some echo quilting on the balloons.

I must give credit to my friend Wendy Sheppard for inspiring the Swirly V's motif.

I learned this sweet motif from Wendy's tutorials and her online Annie's course.

Visit Wendy, read more about her free FMQ tutorials, Thread Talk, and review her informative and inspiring Annie's Online Courses here.

Click the image below for the Swirly "V" motif tutorial:
Here are a few still images from this lesson:

Before quilting the balloons I changed thread color
from Aurifil 50Wt #2600 Dove
to Aurifil 50Wt #1231 Spring Green
for the top and bobbin thread.
I love the way the balloon and bee quilted!
This balloon was simple and fun -- the whimsical approach worked perfectly!
Showing the "jump" results before the threads are trimmed.

How is your FMQ coming along?  

Do you have any questions ~ need input for troubleshooting ?

I would love to see your progress!
Email (below) or hop on over to one of the Facebook pages with an update.

Thanks for stopping by and for joining us for the 2016 FMQ Along!

PS - Don't forget about the huge sale now through 2/29 for Aurifil ThreadKits & Designer Fabrics.
If you've thought it too expensive to invest in Aurifil 12Wt and 50Wt threads -- these prices are the lowest I've ever seen -- and I'm a pretty fussy deal finder ;)
More details ==> here.

Social Media Details....
*** e-Mail me ***
karen@redbirdquiltco.com or 
redbirdquiltco@gmail.com

*** Follow Me ***
Did you know you can visit me on
and/or
I post all sorts of fun things there!!
**
If you love to Free Motion Quilt consider joining my 
Facebook Community Group
*
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 Crafty Store

Thanks again for stopping by...

Monday, February 22, 2016

2016 Free Motion Quilt Along - Part IV Let's Get Quilting!

Greetings fellow quilters!

Welcome to Part IV 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


It's time to Free Motion Quilt!! 

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, Machine Setup & Practice ==> here

Also, do checkout our fantastic Sponsors and the awesome Giveaway products they've provided!
See that post ==> here

This week you're invited to watch 4 YouTube videos that cover
  • Straight line stitching with Aurifil 12Wt thread to stabilize the quilt top
  • FMQ Motif practice & quilting simple swirls, pebbles and echoes
Note: when watching the videos be sure to view on a device that allows you to see the embedded annotations.  There is a lot of useful information included via annotation.

Here is the Part IV video series:

Quilting Motif Practice:

It's very important to practice any and all quilting motifs before you begin to quilt them.  I love practicing with pencil and paper, a whiteboard, or with a dry erase pen on a mirror!   You can practice with clear plastic sheets, Press 'n Seal, or plexi-glass positioned over your quilt top!  Do whatever it takes to draw-out and practice your quilt motif, building muscle memory each time you practice. When you finally sit with needle and thread the motion will be simplified if you practice ahead!

In this video (click image below) I share (on a whiteboard) the swirl, loop, pebble and echo motifs that we'll use for some areas on our Lewe's Balloons Growth chart.   


Stabilize the Quilt: Top Stitch w/ Walking Foot

We've discussed using straight line stitching to stabilize the quilt top before you begin to FMQ.   I LOVE to use Aurifil 12Wt thread and a walking foot for this step.





This video is specific to Stabilizing the Quilt top using a Walking or Even Feed Foot.

FMQ Motif Quilting - Lewe and Swirls

Woohoo!  Now let's get quilting Lewe with Swirls and Loops... we'll do some outline quilting too!
This is an image of the Janome Convertible Free Motion Quilting Foot Set.  The foot holder has an adjustable spring used to raise or lower the quilting foot on the fabric.

Ideally your quilt foot should rest just above the quilt sandwich.  A foot that is too high may cause your machine to skip stitches.   A foot riding too low may push the quilt top and risk the creation of puckers when quilting.
The video below introduces you to swirls and loops on Lewe!
Here is still image once Lewe is quilted:
I love the texture and the Aurifil 50Wt color #2600 is perfect for Lewe.

FMQ Motif Quilting - Pebbles and Echoes

How about that bee!  Adding pebbles and echoes gives dimension and implies movement.   We also outline and echo the cloud for beautiful texture.

Watch this video for more information (click image below).
Here is a still image of the bee pebbles and echo quilting
Here is a still image of the cloud outline and echo quilting

 Congratulations on another FMQ lesson under your belt!  If you like, apply your new motifs to the other clouds, bee and ewe on the panel -- I'll share still images of those next week!

Thanks for stopping by and for joining us for the 2016 FMQ along!

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
and/or
I post all sorts of fun things there!!
**
If you love to Free Motion Quilt consider joining my 
Facebook Community Group
*
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...