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 Thread, Kits & 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.

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2016 Free Motion Quilt Along - Part I Pieced Borders

Hello fellow quilters and welcome to the first Redbird Quilt Co. Free Motion
Quilt Along!

I'm so excited that you're joining in the fun -- thanks for your patience and honest feedback while I work my way through this new adventure! 

If you missed the Introductory Post for the Free Motion Quilt Along -- click here to review it. It's never too late to join

If you missed the Supplies Post -- click here.

To learn more about our awesome sponsors (Aurifil, Quilter's Dream Batting, World of Susybee, Creekside Fabrics, Quilts and Yarns, Sew It Is Quilt Shop & Quilty Pleasures Quilt Shop) and the fantastic products they've provided for the Quilt Along Giveaways click here.

FMQAL Part I:  Pieced Borders

We're going to run right though getting the simple borders on this unit so we can move along to basting and quilting next week -- So let's do this!

For Part I of the Free Motion Quilt Along (FMQAL) we're going to add the pieced borders to the whimsical Susybee Lewe's Balloons Growth Chart.
Get those fabrics ready!!

As outlined in detail on the Supplies page, for piecing you'll need:

*  1 Lewe's Balloons Growth Chart Panel
*  1/2 yard of Black Dot fabric for Border 1 (& Binding)
*  1/4 yard of Yellow fabric for Border 2
*  1/2 yard of Green fabric for Border 3

Also on the Supplies page I've recommended several different colors of Aurifil 50Wt thread.

Choose your favorite neutral Aurifil 50Wt color for piecing. #2105, 2600, 2024

I encourage you to try 50Wt Aurifil thread during the FMQAL for piecing AND quilting!

This fine, yet strong, 100% Egyptian Cotton thread keeps seam bulk minimized - it helps with accurate piecing by not adding bulk with thread.

Below are some of the colors that go wonderfully with Lewe's Balloons...

If you're planning to use Aurifil thread for your quilting and you haven't picked it up yet and/or can't find it at your local quilt shop -- Checkout the current sale at the Bear Creek Quilting Company.
Aurifil thread is currently 25% off!
That's a great deal.
Last I looked they had all the colors I outlined above.
On sale now through 1/31/16  Click here!

Prepping the fabric - some notes...

I do not pre-wash my fabrics.
If you decide to pre-wash yours be mindful that your quilt measurements may differ from what is specified. 

Also, I love to press with steam!
Others prefer to use a dry iron.
Either way, when pressing, try to avoid stretching or distorting the fabric.
Before cutting WOF (Width of Fabric) strips I normally leave the fabric folded in half and press through both layers (on both sides).  Then I open up the fold and press it flat.

Additionally, I didn't starch these fabrics.  Starching has become a very popular method to stabilize fabric for cutting and piecing -- but for our simple borders we can scoot-by without.   

Lastly, all seams were finished with a scant 1/4" seam allowance.
You can use this method to test your seam allowance.

Now lets get cutting!

The Free Lewe's Balloons Growth Chart with Borders Pattern Page 2 specifies the exact cuts necessary for your border fabrics:
Download and print Page 2 by clicking here.

I included the cutting requirements (highlighted) in 2 images (below):

We'll begin with the Lewe's Balloons Growth Chart panel.
Press it well -- anticipating you'll trim it to 17.75" wide by 42"long.

When working with panels it's sometimes a challenge to square them up.  If you feel your panel is twisted or NOT square you could consider using starch and steam iron to "persuade" it into shape.

NOTE: All subsequent cuts are dependent on the panel being trimmed to 17.75" x 42".
 If your panel is a different size, adjust accordingly.

Cutting requirements highlighted and enlarged:

How to read the format used above:
Border 1: Black Dot - Cut (3) 1" x WOF
means
For Border 1 you will cut 3 strips that are 1" wide by the Width of the Fabric.

The Width of Fabric is the distance between the fabric selvages.

I assume a 42" usable strip after trimming selvages.

Continuing... following the directions above, cut the Growth Chart and WOF strips for Borders 1, 2 and 3.

Once the WOF strips for the borders are cut you will piece and/or sub-cut to achieve desired lengths for left/right and top/bottom strips as specified below:

NOTE:  Border 2-C may need to be pieced to achieve a 43" length
Border 3-E will need to be pieced to achieve the 45.5" length.
All other pieces will be sub-cut to achieve the desired length.

When I am piecing non-binding strips together, I use a straight seam (not mitered).

Need help cutting long strips?
See my tip for cutting long strips on the Family Tree Quilted Envelope Pillow tutorial I created for the Moda Bake Shop ==>  Family Tree Pillow   Scroll a few pages into the tutorial to find the Cutting Tip.

Soooo.... once you have all the pieced or sub-cut lengths prepared you can begin to attach them to the growth chart panel.

The quilt construction diagram on Page 2 of the free Pattern is labelled alphabetically indicating which strips should be pieced first, second, etc.

Free Pattern Page 2 - Construction Diagram

When I piece long strips I like to use this method:

1. Fold The growth chart in half lengthwise and finger press to mark the center spot with a crease.  (Just along the left/right and top/bottom edges).
2. Now fold the border strip the same, in half and finger press a crease at the center.
3. Now align the center marks (creases) right sides together and pin at the crease.
4. Next, ease and pin the remaining border fabric to the chart.
If your measurements are correct this should lay flat

Stitch with a complementary thread using a scant 1/4" seam allowance.

Continuing... referencing the Page 2 construction diagram (above)

Begin with:
 Border 1 "A" strips -- attach both.

After attaching both, 

Press once to set the seam, and
press seams toward the outside.

Attach Border 1 "B" strips.
Repeat the process through Border 2 and 3 as specified.

Eventually you'll have a quilt top ready to be paired with batting and backing!
Woohoo!

The Big Picture!

At this stage I normally choose my thread and backing for the project by laying the thread on the quilt top and unwinding a few lengths.

What's next ?

You'll have about a week to get the borders pieced on the Lewe's Balloons Growth Chart at which time we'll be layering, pin basting and discussing "How To Quilt That".

In preparation for the next steps I'll share a post about my favorite quilty tools -- but if you want a sneak peak of the tools I LOVE to quilt with visit this post ==> Do You FMQ? The Process

Don't Forget The Batting

  For this project I recommend using Quilter's Dream ~ Dream Wool batting.

Dream Wool is 100% wool made with scoured and super washed domestic and fine merino wool.

It adds beautiful texture to your quilting, is washable without shrinkage and truly does "Quilt like a Dream".

I hope you get a chance to try it out.  You can find it at your local quilt shop in pre-cut sizes or off the roll.  You'll be amazed at the tension issues that are helped with a higher loft batting.

Thread, Thread, Thread

 -- as I mentioned above, you'll want a variety of fine weight threads for quilting.
I share with you what I've been successful with -- and I adore using Aurifil brand 100% cotton thread.  If you missed it above:

If you're planning to use Aurifil thread for your quilting and you can't find it at your Local Quilt Shop -- Checkout this sale at the Bear Creek Quilting Company.
Aurifil thread is currently 25% off!
That's a great deal.
Last I looked they had all the colors I recommended for the QAL.
On sale now through 1/31/16  Click here!

We're off and running -- now be sure to leave your questions here on the blog and check back here for my responses.  Sometime I cannot reply via email as blogger does not track addresses for everyone.

Yippee -- I can't wait to Quilt with You!
Have a blessed weekend - stay warm (or cool).
Karen

2016 Free Motion Quilt Along – Sponsors and Giveaways

Welcome!
I'm so looking forward to starting up the Redbird Quilt Co. 2016 Free Motion Quilt Along using Susybee's adorable Lewe's Balloons Growth Chart.

Are you joining us ?
Click here for the details.

Today I'd like to share our Sponsor contributions for the Free Motion Quilt Along (QAL) -- but before I do that, I'll share a little history of my Susybee growth chart quilting.

My Growth Charts - Image courtesy World of Susybee Buzzz

Susy's characters are adorable, the artwork is amazing and the fabric is oh! so perfect to learn and practice Free Motion Quilting on a home machine.

My journey with Susybee began in August of 2012 when I quilted my first Lewe Growth Chart.

I was VERY new to Free Motion Quilting but anxious to learn and improve my skill.

As you can see, back in 2012, I took a pretty safe route and quilted minimal echo stitches around Lewe and his friends, but I did play with some loops in the borders!
It was very basic quilting -- but important to my FMQ progression

Lewe Growth Chart - Quilted August 2012

Just two months later, October 2012, I broke away from the echo only quilting and included a variety of motifs on this Zoe the Giraffe Growth Chart... Zoe is adorable -- and so fun to quilt!

Zoe the Giraffe - Quilted October 2012

Although I did more quilting on Zoe, I left a considerable amount of negative space un-quilted...  

Fast forward to January, 2013. For the first time ever I quilted Bird -- of course this sweet Redbird stole my heart.   I'm still very new to FMQ at this time but I practiced, practiced, and practiced my pebbles on this fun growth chart.

Bird - Quilted January 2013

Note: Using thread that complements the fabric works wonderfully to cover inconsistencies and beginner issues with starting, stopping and stitch length.  

Don't be hard on yourself - just have fun!

The January 2013 Bird was quilted for our great niece Abbie

Also in January, 2013 I quilted another Zoe the Giraffe.  I did considerably more quilting on this version of Zoe for our grandson Zachary.

With this growth chart you might notice me getting more and more comfortable with FMQ -- the echos are growing and the filler stitching is getting more dense too!

Zoe the Giraffe 2 - Quilted January 2013

Moving ahead to July of 2013, I decided we MUST have a BIRD growth chart for our small cottage at the lake.

You can see in this quilting of Bird that I added swirls among the pebbles... 

So fun!   

Bird - Quilted July 2013

Bird - Quilted July 2013

Finally -- in June of 2014

I quilted Flip the Pig... 

Talk about fun!  

I used yummy Aurifil threads on this chart and share details of the journey

in this blog post.

Flip the Pig - Quilted June 2014

Flip the Pig - Quilted June 2014

As you can see, my Free Motion Quilting experience and skill grew considerably from the Summer of 2012 to the Summer of 2014.

I continued doing my own Free Motion Quilting, taking online classes, learning with the famed Karen McTavish and never giving up on my goal of improving my Free Motion skills!  

To this day I continue to learn and grow those skills -- You TOO can experience this progression as you learn and regularly practice your Free Motion Quilting.   

The Free Motion Quilt Along Sponsors

It's time to talk sponsors and giveaways for the upcoming 2016 Free Motion Quilt Along!

We'll start with my favorite 100% Cotton Thread...

If you've followed me over the years you KNOW I love to piece, hand applique, top stitch, and quilt with a variety of luscious Aurifil threads.

   

Aurifil 50Wt thread allows for dense machine quilting without thread build-up and with very little lint.  

Aurifil 50Wt thread is my go-to thread for machine quilting but at times I'll fold in an Aurifil 40Wt (a little thicker than 50Wt) or a 28Wt (which is much thicker than the 50Wt) for awesome machine quilting highlights.   I also top stitch and blanket stitch with beautiful Aurifil 12Wt thread - I love it!

I've outlined my recommended list of Aurifil thread for Lewe's Balloons Growth Chart on the QAL Supplies page and encourage you try out this fantastic thread during the QAL.

For the QAL giveaway the great folks at Aurifil are sending Subtle Strings -- the beautiful new designer thread collection by my favorite FMQ mentor, Wendy Sheppard.  

Subtle Strings contains 12 spools of Aurifil 50Wt thread -- they're perfect for FMQ'ing most backgrounds and negative space.  

Checkout the beautiful quilting Wendy did with this collection in this blog post -- don't miss it!

Thanks so much Aurifil for this awesome product and giveaway!

Images courtesy: www.wendysheppard.net

Next up -- the generous team from Creekside Fabrics, Quilts and Yarns in Arcade, NY.

I had the great pleasure of meeting the owner of this family run business (Sandy) through the Buffalo, Chapter of the American Sewing Guild.   

Subsequently, Sandy invited me North for a multi-day program at the shop including programs for the local Hope Lutheran Quilt Show.

We had fantastic turnout and received heartwarming feedback!  I so look forward to returning in 2016! 

  Creekside Fabrics is a full-service shop and an Elite Dealer for Baby Lock Machines and Products.  

Fabrics, yarns, custom quilting, long arm rental -- you'll find it all at Creekside Fabrics, Quilts and Yarns.

Sandy is providing a $25.00 Shop Certificate for the QAL Giveaway - Sew exciting! 

Thank you Sandy & Creekside Fabrics.

Next up -- the great folks at Quilter's Dream Batting - my favorite batting/waddling. 

Quilter's Dream is a USA based company and sponsor of the annual Hopes and Dreams Quilt Challenge for ALS

I've been using Quilter's Dream 100% Wool batting (Dream Wool) for just over a year and absolutely LOVE it.  You can read about my first encounter and see the awesome quilting results using Aurifil thread and Dream Wool batting in this blog post.

Wool batting provides for great quilting texture, drape-ability, and warmth without adding excessive  weight and with little/no bearding.

Quilter's Dream wool really does Quilt like a Dream.

The great folks at Quilters Dream Batting are providing us two products for the QAL giveaway!

A package of each Dream Wool and Dream Cotton -- Oh So Fun!!!
Thank you Quilter's Dream!

Moving right along... our next sponsor is
Cindy at Sew It Is Quilt Shop

Sew It Is Quilt Shop is a family run business based out of Endicott, NY.   

It's funny, Cindy and I became friends when I realized I could ride my horse to her shop in an afternoon!  Seriously, I found this little shop and this sweet lady a few years ago when looking for a specific fabric.  I'm so happy I did.  

Although compact, this local shop is full of fabric and also offers great long arm quilting services too!

  Be sure to visit SewItIs online (or in person) the next time you can't find something at YOUR local shop.

Sew It Is Quilt Shop is donating another Susybee Quilt Kit for the QAL giveaway.  

  The quilt kit will consist of a Lewe's Play Mat and Susybee border fabric -- Oh you will LOVE quilting the Lewe Play Mat.

Thank you Sew It Is!!

Oh goodness -- another Sponsor!

Our next sponsor is Quilty Pleasures in Geneva, NY

Another family owned business, these two lovely ladies, Val and Roni, invited me in last year to teach Free Motion Quilting on domestic machines.  We had such productive sessions we're looking forward to the weather breaking in the Spring so we can continue the fun!

Quilty Pleasures is another full service shop with beautiful fabrics, classes, and long arm quilting services.  Visit their store in person or online for more information.

Quilty Pleasures is providing a $20 Shop Certificate for the QAL!

Thanks so much Quilty Pleasures!

Last, but certainly not least...  The World of Susybee is joining in the sponsorship fun!

As I mentioned above, I've been quilting Susybee's adorable and whimsical characters for several years now -- oh the joys of improving your Free Motion Quilting skills on such precious panels!

I had an opportunity to meet Glynis, the VP of World of Susybee, at the 2015 Spring Quilt Market.  We've created a wonderful working relationship and are planning some more fun adventures for 2016!  

Glynis, Susy, and the fine folks at World of Susybee are offering up their latest character for the Free Motion QAL giveaway!

Meet Lal the Lamb -- isn't she adorable?  Lal is a 36" panel that can be used as a floor play mat, turned into a pillow or just quilted and hung in the nursery.   

Oh I can't wait to quilt Lal!

Thank you Susy and World of Susybee!

That concludes the QAL Sponsor overview. 

Be sure to show your appreciation of our sponsors by clicking on the links provided and, where applicable, liking or following them on social media. 

To be eligible for the giveaway drawings you'll need to share an image of your quilted Lewe's Balloons Growth Chart on social media or via email. 

Stay tuned - we're nearly ready to begin to piece and baste the Lewe's Balloons Growth Chart.  

Do you have your fabric yet ?  

We recently updated the Supplies page to include distributor information for UK, Australia and Canadian participants.

All information will be indexed through the main QAL page:

http://bit.ly/RedbirdQuiltCo2016FMQAlong

Thanks for stopping by and stay tuned for updates!

#RedbirdQuiltCo2016FMQAlong #Aurifil #QuiltersDream #threadmatters #SewItIsQuiltShop #CreeksideFabrics #QuiltyPleasuresNY #WorldOfSusybee #SusybeeArt 

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

Do you FMQ? The Process...

It's been many, many weeks since I've had my hand at moving fabric around under a needle - I needed the practice, I needed the down time, I just needed to do it!  

This is a sweet little Piggy Growth Chart by The Wonderful World of Susybee and it's a fun way to get those FMQ juices flowing again.   I dove into my stash of beautiful #Aurifil Mako Cotton 50Wt threads and had some fun!!

Here are the steps that worked for me:

1.  Give your machine a good cleaning inside and out.  The Janome Horizon doesn't need to be oiled, so a good dusting did the trick.  I removed the face plate, swept all around, and discarded those dust bunnies!  It's extremely important to start with a clean machine.

2.  Outfit the machine with a Little Genie Magic Bobbin washer -- (see it below in the bobbin area ?)  These little guys are the best.  They take up that little extra space in your bobbin area and help your bobbin thread glide smoothly - especially during Free Motion Quilting zigs and zags.  One washer lasts years so they are well worth the investment (12 per package).  I've never done without one and purchased them originally on recommendation from Leah Day.   Give them a try!  Share with your friends!

3. Start with a full-up bobbin loaded with Aurifil Mako Cotton 50Wt thread.  YOU KNOW I love this thread! The 50Wt thread is thin and goes a long way to make your bobbin last and last...  I use the same thread in the top and bobbin and it works out wonderfully.  

4.  Thread, thread, thread -- was fun to open and use a brand new, full spool of Aurifil thread on the machine.  This is Mako Cotton 50 Wt in Color #2423.  Just right for the piggy and the border...

5. Feed Dogs -- to Drop or Not to Drop:
Oh NO!  Now all my secrets are out... this is a sweet little workaround to avoid dropping the feed dogs and setting the thread length to zero.

On the Horizon I find that the machine makes more consistent stitches when I leave the feed dogs UP and the thread length at 2.5.    (Yet another tip from the wonderfully skilled Leah Day).

I tape this little helper down so that my feed dogs don't damage the underside of the Supreme Slider...  PS - I do NOT engage my single hole throat plate on the Horizon as I have a small burr on the underside and it snags and breaks my thread -- I really should have that checked out ;)

NOTE:  I've replace my cardboard feed dog cover with one made from template plastic.  The template plastic holds up better to the feed dog movement and puts less "dust" into the casing area.

6. Insert a new needle --  This time I was running with a  Microtex 80/12 needle.  The Microtex Sharps are fantastic too! Aurifil recommends you use Microtex 80/12 with 50Wt thread - (I didn't realize that).  You can see their recommendations for Mako Cotton 50Wt by clicking here.

Note: My Janome Horizon 7700 REALLY likes it when I use Janome brand needles.  Superior Brand Sewing Needles are awesome too!.  If you're skipping stitches chances are your needle need to be changed and/or "right sized" or your foot needs to rest closer to the fabric.

7. Supreme Slider & Gloves:  I washed the linty back-side of my Queen Supreme Slider (so it will stick well) and gathered my Machiners X-small gloves.  The slider is a Teflon like sheet that allows your quilt to move smoothly over the machine bed.  There are other less expensive models available as well but I've not yet tried them.   The Gloves are prefect to Grip your quilt layers while manipulating for quilting.  The Machingers gloves run large -- so the X-small was well large enough for my hands.

8. Quilting Foot:  Choose and attach your favorite FMQ foot. I normally work with my open foot --if I could only find it (Where did it go ??)

Note: When I quilt around applique I almost always use a CLOSED foot.  The Open Toe Feet may catch on wool or needle turn applique pieces, especially if you're using a higher loft batting. Personally I also prefer to use a foot that is ROUND.  Some feet are square or oblong and personally I find this distracting, especially when I am echo quilting.

9. Needle down position:  Before you start stitching -- engage the "needle down" option if your machine has it.  This way, whenever you stop sewing your needle will stop in the "Down" position.   This allows you to reposition your hands without the quilt top moving.

10.  Top thread tension:   Last but not least, up the top thread tension -- this is a MUST DO for me on the Janome with Cotton fabric, Aurifil Thread, and one or two layers of batting (cotton/wool).  Works like a charm every time.  

Note: Each machine and quilting style will vary.

Woohoo!  We're ready to stitch !!

Note:  This quilt was prepared with one layer of warm and natural batting.  An additional layer of Wool or Silk batting would give much more texture to the quilting.

First I wanted to outline all the pigs, then follow their inside features as well, eyes, noses, etc.

On this sweet little growth chart my customer sister told me not to fuss... so I took a few shortcuts.

To start, bring the bobbin thread to the top, take a couple stitches in place and trim threads (do not do this on a show or juried quilt).

Proceed around the piggy , highlighting the piggy features as best you can. 

This top piggy was fun to stitch -- the rounded features of his face and belly screamed spiral!!  I was a little wonky starting out but he's still sweet!!

After outlining the piggies and filling in their features, decide on a background filler (and color).

Use the filler to travel from background component to background component.

I chose to use a quick "loop de loop" and it worked out great.

The Aurifil Mako Cotton 50Wt in Color 2600 gave the background a bit of sparkle...  Sweet!

While traveling with the background loop de loop I would find myself inching up on a background component (butterfly, bee, etc).

When close enough stitch in the ditch around the item -- then make a few echo stitches to complete the shape.  I love the way stitching the pebbles gives the butterfly movement...

The flower component was fun to quilt!  Start on the perimeter and work your way to the middle with a swirl -- then split the width of the quilting on your way back out.  Be sure to outline the inside and outside of the petals - and echo stitching always makes things look more defined.

The green background spoke of leaves and grass to me -- so I decided to incorporate an Angela Walters design -- I love the way it turned out.

Oh, and that Aurifil Mako Cotton 50 Wt in Color #1231 matched the greenery perfectly!!

I had a tough time deciding what to stitch in the outer border -- so again I let the fabric talk to me and did an outline stitch around the flowers and swirls and pebbles... I think it came out just fine.  Do you like it ?

Here is the status as I head to bed -- I think I need to do something with the green border but my customer sister is telling me not to fuss.  

We'll see what tomorrow brings ;)

You can see other Susybee Growth charts I've quilted here, here and here.

***
There are more Free Tutorials and Patterns on my blog - just click here -- or visit the My Tutorials tab at the top of this page (or, on a mobile device drop down the line options).

I also share Free Motion Quilting on a Domestic machine on my YouTube Channel -- Click here!

I would love to hear your feedback - Thanks for stopping by!

*****

For a more in depth Free Motion Quilting tutorial -- please visit the "Free Motion Quilting Fun" post where I share insight to different weight threads and quilting motif.  This main tutorial is hosted by the Bear Creek Quilting Company but you can click here for my introductory post. 

*****

Linking up to a few of my favorite parties -- check them out on the sidebar and click on over to view the eye candy.

Hugs,
Karen