Feather Plume with a Spine

Way back in February this year, Diane Gaudynski gave a tutorial at Sewcalgal's website.  She gave incredibly detailed instructions about how to form a free-motion plume with a spine.  I entered my small sample that is based on her tutorial in the local quilt show.  Although it didn't get a ribbon, it did get attention from other quilters.  I hope to tackle another whole-cloth quilt like this in a larger format with more elements.  I really liked using the silk thread on the blue portion of this piece.  Here are some close up pictures.  Enlarge them even more by clicking on them.  Can you tell that the brown quilting isn't silk?  I sure could when I was working with it.

The background quilting really does give it a sense of movement.  I named it "Grow" since that is my mission this year with free-motion quilting.  In June, Cindy Needham will be the tutor at the challenge hosted by Sewcalgal.  I'm really looking forward to her lessons as well.

A Finish

Late last night, I completed the last stitch on this little whole-cloth quilt.  I really enjoyed working on this.  It's the right size for thorough and sustained practice but not too overwhelming.  Thank you to Diane Gaudynski for her tutorial on how to create feathers with an echo and for her images of an echoed background.  Thank you as well to SewCalGal for hosting the challenges.  I look forward to the March challenge.

When I had created the spine, my echoing was a little uneven, but once I added the feathers, it became impossible to see where the spine narrows and widens.  I still find echoing the outside of the feathers very challenging, but I'm determined to continue practicing.  Now, on the the March challenge with Ann Fahl.

Feather Lessons Continued

I practiced the joined-feather design that Diane Gaudynski highlighted on her blog for the next part of her feather tutorial.

I also practiced doing curved, continuous-spine feathers.  Both styles would look good around a border.  Next I practiced a little more on my 60 inch by 60 inch "sandwich."  I'm beginning to move the fabric with more confidence and ability.  Not sure it shows on my samples, but it does feel better while I'm quilting.

Here is another picture of my attempt from a couple days ago.

Now, back to the sewing machine.  Hmmm, I need a pet name for my Janome.