Day 325 – Wind Stitch

Way back in the Spring of 2010 (which feels around 10 years ago now) I created several designs for the first Quilting Arts In Stitches online magazine. It’s finally time to add these designs to the project so let’s start with Wind Stitch:

I’ll admit that it’s kind of weird seeing these designs fitting into the project a full year and a half after I designed them. My designing ability and style has changed a lot since then and these designs stand out quite a bit against the other designs I’ve been working on lately.

Even now, I can look back and remember when a series of designs were created and sometimes notice patterns when designs were coming easily to me and when it was more of a struggle. It’s really interesting to see the ebb and flow of creativity that has surrounded this project since the beginning.

While I’d love to say that designing is always a simple process, it can sometimes be complicated by deadlines, stress, and other outside factors. After running through a period of quilter’s block this summer, I’m not being a lot more careful not to heap loads of pressure on my shoulders at once. It’s absolutely the best way to kill your creativity completely!

Difficulty Level – Advanced. This design is stitched in a really interesting way stitching spirals from edge to edge and filling in the background section with straight lines of quilting. If you have to, try marking a few straight lines on the quilt as guidelines so it’s easier to keep the design straight and even.

Design Family – Edge to Edge. Wind Stitch works from one edge of your quilting space to the other, and because this involves so many straight lines, it will likely work best in a narrow space, like your quilt’s sashing.

A fun variation to this design is Spiral Curtain which is basically the same design, only stitched with all straight lines and sharp angles.

Directional Texture – 2 Directions. I really like this horizontal or vertical texture because the curvy spirals really stand out against the straight lines of the design.

Suggestions for Use – Since trashing my closet and throwing out more than 90% of my clothes, I’ve started taking a bit more interest in how I dress and accessorize. It seems now that I have less choice, I actually enjoy the process better!

One item I love to accessorize with is a red quilted cuff bracelet I made back in 2009. Even though red is my favorite color, I also wear a lot of blue, so maybe it’s time to make a blue bracelet and this time quilt it with a thin channel of Wind Stitch. Sounds like a beautiful combination!

Day 294 – Spiral Curtain