Prairie Point Quilt in Batiks,

A while back I started a quilt-as-you-go project.  I had never done one before and thought I should try this method.

Making up the blocks was a breeze and they were fun to quilt, especially as I could turn the block as I quilted - the only benefit to making a quilt this way- I discovered.

The blocks measured 18.5" square and I did a 3 x3 arrangement.  The trouble started when I decided to add borders.  It was time consuming and fiddly work having to splice wadding, then backing fabric and finally quilt.

To get the puffy effect I wanted, I used a 4 oz polyester wadding.
A mistake I think as the quilt has turned out to be pretty heavy.

I needed the extra support of my ironing board whilst quilting it.

The border quilting went well - more feathers. and why not?  I love them.

All the coloured fabrics I used are gorgeous batiks.  I get them from a shop in Southport, UK.
Twice a year they come to the quilt show, so I get to stock up.  They are called Crafts and Quilts.  You can find them on Facebook too.

                                                                  Back of the quilt.

I'll be keeping this quilt for myself just because I love the batiks.

Linking up with Confessions of a Fabric Addict fo Can I get A Whoop Whoop and TGIFF

Enjoy your weekend quilty friends :)

Rhianon.

More Free Motion Feathers

Hi there

I did get a few things finished this week but I can't show you as they are Christmas presents and I wouldn't want to spoil a surprise....... but I did get some feather practice done which I can show you.

It started as this...

a doodle on my daughters school jotter

First I worked the feathers using Gutermann Sulky varigated threrad

Then I worked into the feathers with a metallic pink thread.

Followed by some pebbles in a contrasting sparkly blue metallic thread.

I'm using a 4 oz polyester wadding for this piece.

I took this photo at night and I love the lighting in it - really shows up the texture.

This shot was taken in a rare moment of sunshine

After working the pebbles arounfd the feathers, I decided to do some Mc Tavishing.  Only my second attempt at it.  I find it quite a difficult pattern to do.... but I like it.

It's quite a big piece - this is my daughter holding it up for me in the kitchen,  Approx. 3' x 2'

I'm not sure what I'm going to do with this when it's done - maybe make a bag?  Whatever - I'm just enjoying working on it - hope to do some later today.

Just to remind you, it's nomination time over at Amy's Creative Side for the Bloggers Quilt Festival.  You have until 4th November to cast your vote.  My entry is #57 The butterfly quilt.  If you'd like to vote for me I would really appreciate that.  Thank you.
See you all again soon.
Enjoy your weekend.
Rhianon.

Feather Practice

Well after a busy day yesterday doing food shopping, washing, ironing and housework and NO sewing I was itching to do something in the evening.
In the morning I had read Monika's blog and she had made a lovely cushion which inspired me to get working on some feathers.

First of all, I watched Karen McTavish's tutorial on creating Victorian feathers.
Then I practiced on paper :

I only marked some spines on the fabric, the rest is freehand.

I used a rainbow coloured varigated thread so it would show up nicely .

                                                            I quilted all the feathers first..............

...... then filled in the background with some pebbling.

It's the first time I've quilted feathers using the 'bump bump' method and I really enjoyed it.

I think I've managed to create a billowing effect with the feathers, which I am very pleased about.

I am planning to do this in the borders of my QAYG project so the aim was to fill a space wider than a narrow strip.
I feel confident I can do this now.

The finished piece measures 18" square approx and took me 2 hours to complete.

Okay, I'm going to go and finish the prairie point blocks now so I can get on with quilting more feathers.
Have a great monday everyone.
Rhianon.