28. Get Tips on Outline Quilting!

It’s time to get started with a new version of Express Your Love! For this quilt, I’m getting started with the printed fabric panel created by Spoonflower. Click here to pick up a panel of your own so you can follow along with us!

Now before we get started, I do want to address what is happening with the other version of Express Your Love we’ve worked on so far this year:

We learned many beautiful designs and techniques on this quilt, but I don’t want to finish up the hair or bind it just yet. This quilt is now hung up on my design wall, inspiring me daily with her beautiful presence, and waiting patiently to be finished.

Why don’t I want to finish it just yet? Well, I know how my brain works and I know if I finish this quilt right now I might find it hard to start new versions of the same design. I need this to remain “open” in my mind, which means unfinished.

Is this weird? Yes. But it’s also honest.

The experience of creating this first version taught me a lot about being honest and true to myself. I honestly didn’t like how it was looking halfway through. I had to admit that publicly, deal with the frustration of unsatisfactory design, and figure out ways of fixing it. She is now a testament to the power of honesty, allowing myself to feel and deal with negative feelings, and not be afraid to admit something is wrong.

Learning how to listen to my intuition, even when it was telling me something I didn’t want to hear, was a very important step. I’m listening to that same intuition now and it’s saying that the best thing to do right this second is start a new version of this quilt with a brand new set of goals, ideas, techniques, and challenges.

So that is what we’re going to do! Let’s get started by learning what challenges I’ve placed on this quilt and get tips on outlining it so it’s ready to fill with many beautiful designs!

So challenge #1 was to use a new batting! I’m trying out Quilter’s Dream Puff, which is a super lofty polyester batting. It’s definitely a very different feeling from my usual batting (Quilter’s Dream Poly).

Challenge #2 is to use all NEW designs. We have space for over 50 new designs in this quilt and it’s going to be loads of fun to play with new textures and ideas over the surface.

Yes, I’ll admit, there will be times I will cheat and try out a design in a 4 inch square just to be sure it works and will look good in this quilt, but for the most part we will be learning right on the surface this quilt!

Now one thing I am definitely going to simplify with this version is my thread color. Rather than use multiple colors of thread, this time I’m sticking with one thread: Isacord Silky White. With the amazing textures we’re going to play with, I think this one thread color needs to remain constant throughout.

So definitely jump right in and get started with this new version! Even if you’ve not participated so far, this will be the perfect time to jump in and start learning new designs and techniques for free motion quilting.

Let’s go quilt,

Leah Day