Dec 28 10

Gosh, I’ve Been Missing My Sewing Machine!

After more than a week away from any sewing, I finally got a bit of time to quilt today! I’m plugging away on a quilted wall hanging for a new class to experiment with Sizzix fabric cutting machines. I began by outlining all my applique shapes with invisible thread, then I moved to echo-outlining my feathers with a nice shiny polyester thread. As you can see from the above photo, that echo outlining helps to make the feathers a focal point and it accentuates their voluptuous curves.

Next up, I began adding quilted feathers to my applique tail feathers:

…and then I added my second feather offshoot:

…and then the third feather offshoot. I want these to appear to flow naturally as if they are also tail feathers, so I mark my spine guideline in the same curves that the real feathers have:

And that’s when I could let my hair down and start doodling away to fill space! I switched to a very lightweight Invisifil thread and began the doodling:

This is all so much fun! I’ll only have a bit of time to quilt before work the next 2 mornings, then I’m off to hit the road again! I’m living for next week, when I plan to hole up in my sewng room and really put the pedal to the medal! Until then, Happy New Year!

14 Comments

  1. Leslie Says:

    Gorgeous feather plumes on the birdie! Love the quilting too! Can’t wait to see those dies Patsy!

  2. SewCalGal Says:

    I’d love to be a quiet little mouse in your sewing room and watch you create these beautiful feather plumes. Ok, I’m hoping this is an obvious hint that I think this project would make another great DVD. Beautiful!

    And I hope you had a wonderful Birthday too!

    SewCalGal
    http://www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

  3. Sally Says:

    Gorgeous work as usual. Looking forward to what else you have up your sleeve.

  4. Chris Says:

    Wow. What a fabulous quilt!! have fun getting reacquainted with your machine πŸ™‚

  5. Claire Pereira Says:

    Are the blue plumes cut from a suzzix die? Love those!
    Just received my Big Shot and looking to do some small projects like this. Watching for your tutorial.
    Love your quilting!

  6. Kelly Jackson Says:

    Hi Patsy,
    I love it….great fun and the plumes….are beautiful.

    Smiles,
    Kelly

  7. Debbie S. Says:

    Hoorrraaayyy…a blog entry! Great little birdie struttin’ her fine feathers!! More please…I’ve really missed your blogging! πŸ˜‰

  8. Cornwoman Says:

    Your work is always so beautiful! How wonderful that you are going to have some time to hole up in your sewing room next week!

    Happy New Year!

  9. Teresa Harich Says:

    Gorgeous applique and quilting! Will this feather die be available to purchase or is it a custom die? Love the feathers!

  10. Marika Says:

    Wonderful work πŸ™‚
    I like it very much wonderful has a freedom pushed in patch sewing gives for me.thank you,that I may have learned a lot Őntâl in this virtual world .I need the look of many videos and drawing, practice yet .
    I desire very happy New Year ,with much affection his big admirer Marika Hungary

  11. Scott Says:

    What kind of fabric is the white background? The quilting shows up so beautifully on it. Really appreciate the work you share on your blog.

  12. Kim Says:

    Oh my…….how absolutely beautiful……your colors are so lovely and bright and your machine quilting is amazing……..
    Thanks for sharing your work.

    Happy Sewing

  13. Marie Says:

    Your work is so beautiful. I look at some of the feathers you’ve stitched and I’m always in awe at their perfection. Thank you so much for all you’ve shared and please continue your good work.

  14. Betsey Ryan Says:

    Thought process please if it is not giving away trade secrets. I know that the background fill had to be done in order to get the quilted/ embroidered feathers to pop out. But how did you decide to do that particular type of background fill- kind of a scrolly McTavishing vs loops or plumes or just plain meandering. I would be so afraid of getting 1/4 of what you’ve done and decide that the two were incompatible and that I’ve just ruined my whole wall hanging. Or does it really matter what type of background fill one does, as the object is TO FLATTEN the background using any type of fill? Or is it that you’ve done so much of this and have learned from past experiences (good or bad) what type of fill would enhance what type quilting/embroidery? I’ve noticed on some of your work and on others like Ricky T. that there can be several types of background fill patterns and it all blends and looks great. Again what is the thought process to change and how do you integrate one pattern to the other? It can’t be as simple as I’m board with doing one type of fill lets try something else? Thanks for sharing!!!
    Betsey from snowy north of Toronto