Day 204 – Spiral Illusion
This design is also featured in the DVD Beginner Free Motion Quilting Fillers, as well as the ebook From Daisy to Paisley.
It’s More Fillers Monday and I’m craving a new spiral design! Here’s a fun twist on Square Spiral that’s so easy to get lost in, it had to be called Spiral Illusion:
Today I’m super busy finishing up several projects and running all over town to get them where they need to go.
First I’m heading upstairs to add more stitching on My Cup Runneth Over. There was a huge mistake with water soluble thread that I will explain in depth on Wednesday, but suffice it to say Dottie Moore’s heavily satin stitched quilts are on my mind and definitely serving as inspiration for what I plan to add to this quilt.
Next I’m headed up to Gastonia, NC to pick up the master DVD for Beginner Free Motion Quilting Fillers! It’s finally done!
Now with the master disc, I’m one step closer to having this DVD project finished and ready to launch. These things always take longer than expected, but I’m so happy with the finished results that it was well worth the wait. Click here to learn all about it.
Later today I have to get back home to finish up the stitching on My Cup Runneth Over in time to get her photographed tomorrow morning with Shadow Self, just in time to finish up an article I’m writing on them and get that sent in before leaving town for the Asheville Quilt Show.
Whew! I got a lot on my plate this week, but there’s always a little time to quilt! Let’s learn how to stitch Spiral Illusion:
Difficulty Level – Beginner. Despite its complexity, this is actually a very easy design. Stitch it into a square and let the edges of the square be your guide for the first Square Spiral. Then rotate and, completely ignoring the first spiral, stitch another square spiral right on top all the way back to the edges.
Design Family – Edge to Center. You’re slowly working your way into the space, then back out again, and it really helps to have enough room for this design to show off. Stitch Spiral Illusion into the bigger, more open areas of your quilt for an easy finish.
Directional Texture – Center Focused. The texture of this design is really amazing, so make sure to place it where you want lots of attention!
Suggestions for Use – Has anyone ever made a M.C Escher inspired quilt? I’m thinking black and white fabrics, very graphic piecing designs, and Spiral Illusion would fit perfectly on top!
Let’s go quilt,
Leah Day
Good morning Leah, congratulations on your new machine, I know you'll love it.
To make the learning curve simpler you might consider joining the
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Janome6500/ list at yahoogroups, the basics of the three machines (6500/6600/7700) are ultra-similar and there is a wealth of information in the files.
I got my copy of the beginners CD's, well done, thank you. I've been away from home for 2 years and just now getting back to my own new machine, what a pleasure to come home to.
Sharyn in Kalama
I'm thinking this would look great on a pineapple block!
The new pattern is really nice– very balanced and modern!
I have a Janome 1600P DB and I love it for quilting. For piecing, I use either my Singer 221 or my Singer 99. Your new machine looks great, hope you like it as much as I like mine.
I really like this one, Leah! Straight lines, so simple and effective. Is it going to be on the new beginner video?
I want to let you know that I have been enjoying your Beginners Free Motion CD. You have the most soothing voice which really helps me to stay calm while I'm learning.
I have learned so much from that one CD. Now I know what to do with old telephone books!
I did a variation and did a square spiral in and a round one out. That works well too!
This is one of my very favorites! I tried it a few times on scraps but couldn't keep that second spiral straight, so for the quilt I'm working on, I let it inspire me instead- I did the square spiral in, and then came back out with a round spiral. Pretty neat texture, I think.
Hopefully someday I can do this one, as mine lacks the "illusion" look.