Quilted Symphony foundation piecing. . .

The last segments needed to pull our project together are pieced.  Due to the unusual sewing lines, these segments are foundation pieced. 

Begin by tracing segments 3 and 6 from the project sheet onto tear-away stabilizer.  Label the segments including the top end of the segments.  Cut out 1/2" away from drawn edge.  Turn over and trace outline to the backside.  Label as back.  This is the side your fabric will be sewn to.

Retrace segments onto freezer paper labeling wedges from top A, B, C, etc. 

Cut apart Wedge A, press to frontside of fabric adding 1/2" seam allowance.

I precut all of my wedges to I could determine my fabric choices. Notice that the fabric wedges are reversed from the stabilizer they will be sewn to.

Fold tear-away stabilizer at A/B seam line.  Line up Wedge A with section A on stabilizer; pin in place.  Using ruler, trim fabric to 1/4" seam allowance.  If you have, use an add-a-quarter ruler.

Cut out Wedge B from freezer paper and press to corresponding fabric.  Match up Wedge B edge to cut Wedge A edge, right sides together.  Sew to drawn line on backside of tear-away stabilizer, beginning and ending a few stitches outside the line.

Turn over and press seam toward Wedge B, covering the next section on stabilizer.  Continue for all wedges until segment complete.  From the backside, stitch 1/8" outside of drawn line.  Trim to 1/4" outside of drawn line.

The segments can now be laid together.  Now I just have to stitch them together.  Keep watching.

Quilted Symphony applique continues. . .

Long time no writing.  I apologize for the time lapse in posting.  Cold season has hit me hard and I have been slow to recover.


Now that I'm feeling better it's time to continue the applique on my Quilted Symphony project.  The circle patterns for this section have been drawn directly onto the fusible web.  Rather than tracing the circle patterns, I found round household items such as a thread spool and dime to trace around.  This is easier for making the circles round.  Press the fusible web onto the back of the fabric and cut out.  

Press applique circles onto background segments.

Free-motion stitch around circles.  I used a free-motion zigzag stitch.

I love the free-motion zigzag stitch.  It is so versatile. Creating foundation pieces is the next step.  I'll post soon (I promise!).

Quilt Art Project continues. . .

Once base pieces are prepared, time for applique.  The applique designs are traced onto freezer paper.  Fusible web is affixed to applique fabric.  My new favorite fusible is "Soft Fuse."  It comes on a 37" roll and is a light web-like fusible.  Similar to MistyFuse but paper-backed.  Now press freezer paper to web-backed fabric and cut out.

Now comes the fun part:  thread embellishing!

I used a free-motion zig-zag stitch (my new favorite) to this one,

and this one.  I used wool for the embellished yellow circles and free-motion straight stitched the spiral.

Free-motion straight stitching was used on this one.  Boy, am I having fun!

Art Quilting Workshops for 2011

Last year I led a monthly art quilting workshop.  Every month we learned a new technique with the opportunity to complete one project.  This year we are beginning with projects from one book  "Quilted Symphony" by Gloria Loughman.  It will take 4 to 5 months to work through the book.  Completion of this book will give all an opportunity to turn an abstract design into a quilt.  I will record my progress on my blog so follow along and see where it might take you.

Project Base

Using a tear-away stabilizer, trace the drawn design, numbering segments in order of placement.

Draw segments onto freezer paper, cut out, and press onto right side of fabric.  Cut around shape approx. 1/4" away from freezer paper shape.  Layer each shape with tear-away stabilizer and stay-stitch 1/8" away from paper shape.  Remove freezer paper.


Segments are now ready to decorate with applique.

Love a mystery or . . .

Mystery quilts and I have a love/hate relationship.  It excites me to see if I can pick the right fabrics for the unknown pattern :), but I'm not that crazy about piecing:(.  

On New Year's Day I attended a mystery event at Bigfork Bay Cotton Company and was pleasantly surprised with the pattern and results of the fabrics selected.  I enjoyed my fabric selections so much I couldn't wait to get home and put it together.  Here is the result:  "Tossed Greens."  


Now that it is together I have decided to add random appliqued flowers in these pinks.

My flowers are designed and I hope to have the flowers fused on in the next few days.

New Year's Word . . .

The new year has begun and I couldn't be more excited about 2011.  Rather than making New Year's resolutions I have chosen a word to work toward.  My word for 2011 is "action."  I came across this idea while reading other quilter blogs and took it on.  Here is my word as I created it for my first art journal page which I am starting this year.  My goal is 2 art journal pages a week with a time limit of 1 1/2 hrs to create.  I am going for being creative without thinking about it too much, whether it's an idea or a technique or a product I want to try.  I'll keep you updated and share the results.

I wish you all a happy, successful, and creative 2011.

Feathered Fibers blog

Here is a blog worth watching: Feathered Fibers.  She is a talented quilter in many ways:  she quilts, draws, makes jewelry, very creative.  I love reading her cartoons.  They are very quilt appropriate.  She has great tutorials and creative exercises.  I want to grow up to be like her!  (Seems like I've said that before about another site.  Oh well, at least I always want to keep growing. LOL)


Happy Day to all.  I am off quilting a quilt of my own, not someone else's.  I am going to practice some new motifs I am going to put on a customer quilt.


P.S.  I am going to Seattle to pick up my quilting machine this weekend.  It will be set up around the 1st of November.  I can't wait to have full-time access to my machine again.  Watch for photos as I move into the realm of machine quilting once again.

Sunday's Solace
The wind whirls
The leaves dance
A silent ballet
Quiets the heart.

Quilt Whimsy is now established. . .

Notice the heading change.  My company name has changed and my logo has been created. What do you think?  Keep watch as I get back to writing and share all the bumps and joys of starting my business.