Welcome to Week 9 of the Machine Quilting Blog Hop!
Today we are working on Chapter 10 of The Ultimate Guide to Machine Quilting by Angela Walters and Christa Watson, Migration.
Once again I pulled out an orphan block from the Modern Blocks hop. Line Up by Angela Yosten is one that I always liked, but wasn't sure how to use.
For this block, I decided to use a heavier weight thread so that the quilting would really show. I had this perfect pale pink 12 weight spool that I won at QuiltCon in the Aurifil booth.
I learned a couple of things about this thread. First, it really does make the quilting stand out. In this case, I think it's a good thing, but you would have to be really careful and rip out any mistakes.
Before you think I am somehow magical and managed to keep my stitch length perfect all by myself, let me tell you the second thing I learned. Free motion quilting with this thread is not really a thing. I tried but could not get it to work. It's really meant for sashiko and embellishment.
I ended up doing the whole block with my walking foot. This took longer and would have been nearly impossible on a larger piece, but since it is just a 12" block I made it work.
I'm so glad I did because I love how this turned out. My square spirals never look right when I use FMQ, but these created a texture that makes me so happy!
Getting the tension right was tricky. I think I'm going to make this into a small pillow so you don't see the back. Sneaky!
I hope you're hopping along with us and improving your machine quilting. Just in case you don't already have the book, Martingale has generously donated a copy of the book for each of us to give away. You can enter in the Rafflecopter widget below. Be sure to visit Vicki, Kristin, and HollyAnne to see what they did this week and enter their giveaways as well.
Next week is the last week of the hop when we will revisit Chapter 4, which is whole cloth FMQ. I have some ideas but haven't started quilting yet, and I'm trying not to be too anxious about it. You'll have to check back next week and see how it all turns out!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Once again I pulled out an orphan block from the Modern Blocks hop. Line Up by Angela Yosten is one that I always liked, but wasn't sure how to use.
For this block, I decided to use a heavier weight thread so that the quilting would really show. I had this perfect pale pink 12 weight spool that I won at QuiltCon in the Aurifil booth.
I learned a couple of things about this thread. First, it really does make the quilting stand out. In this case, I think it's a good thing, but you would have to be really careful and rip out any mistakes.
Before you think I am somehow magical and managed to keep my stitch length perfect all by myself, let me tell you the second thing I learned. Free motion quilting with this thread is not really a thing. I tried but could not get it to work. It's really meant for sashiko and embellishment.
I ended up doing the whole block with my walking foot. This took longer and would have been nearly impossible on a larger piece, but since it is just a 12" block I made it work.
I'm so glad I did because I love how this turned out. My square spirals never look right when I use FMQ, but these created a texture that makes me so happy!
Getting the tension right was tricky. I think I'm going to make this into a small pillow so you don't see the back. Sneaky!
I hope you're hopping along with us and improving your machine quilting. Just in case you don't already have the book, Martingale has generously donated a copy of the book for each of us to give away. You can enter in the Rafflecopter widget below. Be sure to visit Vicki, Kristin, and HollyAnne to see what they did this week and enter their giveaways as well.
Next week is the last week of the hop when we will revisit Chapter 4, which is whole cloth FMQ. I have some ideas but haven't started quilting yet, and I'm trying not to be too anxious about it. You'll have to check back next week and see how it all turns out!
I like the swirls and paisleys.
ReplyDeleteThat thread really does look beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLOVE the spiral squares!
ReplyDeleteLove the square spirals!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! You're the winner! Please check your email for details on how to get your book.
DeleteThanks for playing!
I really appreciate your tips on using 12 weight thread. I have some and always decide not to use it because my mistakes will show. Now I am eager to try it using a walking foot and being careful. Your quilting is so lovely!
ReplyDeleteI love the square spirals AND the straight line quilting.
ReplyDeleteI like the spiral squares. It's been great seeing all the practice pieces.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy using the walking foot as it eliminates alot of my speed and hand coordination problems~
ReplyDeleteI am so utilizing the square spirals. I never know what to do with borders and this is perfect. Thank you
ReplyDeleteI like the square swirls/spirals.
ReplyDeleteYour square spirals look very nice.
ReplyDeleteLove what you did with the negative space-and what a great idea to use 12wt! The curvy line is something I could do as a beginner, anyway I will definitely give it a go! Thank you, Susan
ReplyDeleteI like the organic wavy lines. I'd like to practice and get the square spirals looking OK.
ReplyDeleteI love your wavy lines.
ReplyDeleteI really like the spiral squares.
ReplyDeleteGreat honest tips! Pratice, pratice, pratice! Thanks for all the encouragement!
ReplyDeleteSwirls, paisleys, feathers... love them all!
ReplyDeleteThe square spirals are a new technique to me and I really like the look! Good idea to make your square into a pillow. I need to remember that when practicing my FMQ and the back side isn't as perfect as I want it to be. Great work!
ReplyDeleteI like the square spirals but fear I could never pull them off!
ReplyDeleteThis book would be so welcomed with open arms. I really need it to help me with my fmq journey.
ReplyDeleteI'm partial to the square spirals you show here. I can envision how the walking foot helps here. Yes, the thread makes a big difference.
ReplyDeleteI like the pebbles, curvy lines, paisley, and of course, feathers. 90% of the time, I like what I am seeing at that moment. I just love the look and feel of quilting!
ReplyDeleteSpiral squares are awesome! Love looking at the transition pictures, which were extremely helpful as a new quilter.
ReplyDeleteI like the square spirals!
ReplyDeleteI will always love feathers in all of their variations.
ReplyDelete