A step by step walk-through……..

Of the stitching motif I am doing on the red/white quilt I posted here. If needed, you may click on the photo to enlarge for detail. First, the “cast of characters”. For these I raided the one room that seems to have all that I need for such a project……..the kitchen!!

In spite of the fact I have purchased so many “gizmos” over the years, searching the house results in the items I most often need! Go figure!!!!  I mark the circle/spine of the outer feather motif.   The air erase marker is being used on this quilt, as it’s a customer quilt that I will not be washing. If it was to be mine, or given as a gift, I would/could use a water soluble marker (as I always wash my finished quilts in cold water and put them in the dryer).  Next, I mark the inner circle. This defines the “grid” pattern for the center.  I decide the desired size of the grid (this ruler was the perfect width/size) and mark it well. A fan blowing in my room causes the markings to disappear rather rapidly!!!! Ask me how I know!! LOL!  I, then, stabilize the area by stitching the inner circle.  The design I am doing is created by stitching wavy lines through the intersecting grid junctions, first, one direction on all and then coming back to finish.  That completes the horizontal direction.  I complete the vertical direction the same way.  Next, I stabilize the outer area by stitching the larger circle, which becomes the ‘spine’ of the feather motif. This is all the marking that I do. The feather ‘plumes’ are done FMQ/freehand (and this is the method I usually use when FMQ). I find that most of the quilts I do are “edge to edge” stitchings and don’t require any type of markings….even if I do all feathers.  The inner plumes………  Completed……and the outer plumes………   In process, and………  Done…with the first of several setting triangle motifs. This morning I will do a few more and then we head to the river for the weekend. I, also, have a bridesmaid dress fitting to do later today for a September wedding. Yup, I haven’t totally let go of that part of my life!!! (note: For those not aware, years ago, I had a bridal/formal wear sewing business) I hope this answers/clarifies any questions about how I completed this portion of the quilting on this quilt. Let me know if there is any further info I need to “put out there”….thanks and have a wonderful weekend!!! Blessings……