Thursday, January 27, 2011

Pondering…

IMG_4574The coloured pencils came out this week as I pondered how to quilt the 3 tops and the table runner that are waiting in the queue.  My leaf quilt is waiting to be hand quilted but as I am actively hand quilting my Hawaiian quilt pillow top I’m OK with the leaf quilt waiting a little longer.  The other two (the swap quilt and the Christmas quilt) are stifling my creativity.  I’m feeling that I shouldn’t just add new tops to the unquilted pile.  I can’t bring myself to start anything else, but I’m grumpy.  It’s just time to get those tops quilted!
I’m working up my courage to freemotion these tops.  I have been practicing on small quilt sandwiches.  My stitch length is all over the map, but at least stitches aren’t skipping anymore and I think my tension is pretty good.
A couple of days ago I decided I should take a deep breath, move on from practice sandwiches and quilt the twister table runner.  I promptly sat down and stared at it for over an hour, having absolutely no idea what design I wanted to quilt on it, beyond knowing I didn’t want an all-over design.  That evening I drew the runner in MS Publisher. I’m sure EQ would have been more efficient but I don’t have that software!  I printed out a few copies and started coloring and doodling.  Here’s what I came up with:
Fruit table runner motif Whether or not I have the skill to actually quilt this remains to be seen.  I haven’t have time to try it out yet.  It’s on tomorrow’s “to do” list though.
Thinking positively, I decided that I should plan a quilting design for the Christmas quilt as well so I’ll be ready to go with that when I successfully finish the runner.  I’m afraid my design is a little ambitious – I don’t have nearly enough control yet to consistently make these curves and make everything cross tidily in the middle as it should.  I like the design though so I’m going to be drawing grids on practice sandwiches and going over and over the design until it seems half-decent. 
Christmas quilt motif layout detail
At least I’m confident I can quilt the straight diagonals!

8 comments:

  1. I think you are doing very well with the free motion! I won't/don't even think about it. It is stitch in the ditch for me and let the fabric hog the limelight, LOL. Practice makes perfect! Keep up the good work!

    Liri

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  2. I like what you've planned and some of your practice sandwiches look pretty good. You're definitely getting better!

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  3. Your free motion skills are looking good! I've just started and mine look like a mess when I try it. I guess more practice, practice, practice is needed. Keep up the practice, I can't wait to see your quilts!

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  4. Your plan and practice pieces look great! I think I need to make a plan for my basket quilt. I'm planning to baste it today, so I need to work on a plan soon.

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  5. I agree your plans and practice pieces are looking great. Keep practicing until YOU are satisfied; then you will be ready to get them done. I know you will do a great job! Wish I had the nerve to try it! (But then I haven't been practicing either!) ---"Love"

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  6. Those are some lovely little combinations! I think you free-motion is coming along fine! :)Theri

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  7. Wow great job on the free motion quilting!! You look ready to go :)

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  8. Your free motion quilting is looking really good. I haven't been practicing, but gosh mine never looked that good. I'm not an artist and I really think you need to have artisit skills for to be good at this. Look like you have those skill.s Connie204

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