Sep 03 09

Spine Fun!

I have been messing around with feather spine designs for many months now, and it’s really surprising how much you can get away with inside of a feather’s spine! They’re very fun to develop by adding one layer after another into the design. Here’s the baseline block that I’m using for the final 4 corners of the outer border of a quilt I’m working on now:

Of course, this whole thing could be done in one thread color, but I just can’t pass up the chance to add more threads! In the next phase, I fill in a quickie rotating swirl of plumes into the dead center of the block, using that strategy called “improvisational quilting” from the 3rd volume of Fast and Free:

In the next move, I create a design merely by doodling with thread inside the spine area. I’m using 24 karat gold rayon thread by Robison Anton and color #307 (the blue) from Ricky Tims’ Art Studio Colors by Superior Threads:

I’m starting to like it, but it’s just not done…plus, I don’t feel like the whole design is integrated well. Hmmm…what to do? Hyperquilt it, of course! And in this way, the design works as a whole, even with 2 different thread colors!

2 Comments

  1. Barbara Sindlinger Says:

    Love your feathers – the two color threads gives such a beautiful look.

  2. Eileen Keane Says:

    Patsy,
    That is just awesome! I’m getting the IQ but I’m getting some great add-on ideas from your blog. Thank you so much for the inspiration.