There's been precious little time for this ...
July's Free Motion Quilt Challenge tutorial was provided by Angela Walters, modern quilt FMQ expert extraordinaire. She provided a tutorial for a design called Tiles, which is also illustrated in her new book Free-Motion Quilting with Angela Walters - Choose & Use Quilting Designs for Modern Quilts. My copy of her book arrived just a few days before we received our July Challenge tutorial, and this book is definitely a keeper! Not only does it illustrate some gorgeous modern quilts, but she provides step by step diagrams and instructions for all of the featured designs.
So, this design challenge looked easy enough. What I've learned about SewCalGal's Free Motion Quilt Challenge is that some of the most deceptively simple designs prove to be the most difficult to achieve, this one being the latest case! Thinking this challenge block would take 15 or 20 minutes to complete, ended up taking an hour and a half, and it isn't that large! Those tiles turned out to be difficult to freehand - found myself dead-ended more often than I'd have liked.
Lessons learned: I don't draw a straight line any better with a needle than with a pencil - take the time to draw out all the straight lines with a ruler and washout marker before starting to stitch. Secondly, practice lots and LOTS of swirls before attempting to use them in a quilt. My swirls were abysmal at best. Think they might go a little better if quilted in a larger scale.
This will probably be the best I can do this month. The garden is coming on strong now that we finally have summer in the Pacific Northwest. But, I know Angela's designs will be used often, especially in the quilts planned for the older grandsons, who will definitely appreciate "modern" rather than traditional feathers!
Thanks to Angela Walters for a great tutorial and to SewCalGal for providing us with new opportunities for growth each month. Links to both of their blogs can be found in the list at the right.
9 comments:
I really like your tile quilting and agree that the grandson(s) will appreciate the more contemporary 'take' on feathers. I'm about to start a quilt with a deer/hunting theme for a grandson who will be a high school grad next spring. I have already planned on going more of a modern route on the piecing and quilting. Our garden presents NO challenge this year since it's been weeks since we've had rain and watering is not possible with our well set-up. The whole area (S.E.MN) quite hot and very dry....rain possible on Saturday, though. Happy gardening/canning/freezing!!
I think it looks great! When you are using this on a regular quilt, try making the design bigger. You will find that it goes much quicker. PS. Thanks for the compliments about the book, I am glad that you like it!
Your quilting still looks fabulous! It does take more time to do smaller designs, as I found out, too. But BERRIES GALORE - WISH you were next door! I love, love berry season... some of my best memories of my gramma - have fun; all your hard work will pay off! (FMQ and berries!)
Your quilting looks great! It really is hard to get sewing when all the produce is ready. This is certainly a great design that is very versatile! ~Jeanne
I love your July piece, the filler designs look fantastic in your tiles. Bravo on a job well done.
Very nice, Pat! You did a great job.
Looks like a nice harvest! Love your FMQ. I struggle with swirls and really wish mine looked half as good as your.
Looks great! I'm like you....don't do well with straight lines and I ended up boxed in a corner several times. It was fun though!
I think it looks wonderful, I love the angles you used. Larger does seem to be easier and so much faster for those of us her have precious little time.
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