Colorful Finish
I marked up this little wholecloth quilt a few weeks ago with this Drunkard’s Path 10 inch stencil and today I finished up the quilting:
Yes, it’s high time I stopped quilting only with white thread!
I’ve been experimenting with a few things beyond my comfort zone, even if that is a little…uncomfortable.
One of the big changes I want to make this year is using to use a lot more color in my quilts.
Changing colors is not so much difficult as it is time consuming. I’m pretty lazy some days and the idea of changing bobbins for every thread color isn’t always my favorite thing to do.
But I think my attitude is changing now that I see this bright, beautiful effect! So what do you think? How often do you like to change colors in your quilts?
Let’s go quilt,
Leah
I love quilting with colors. I don't always match my bobbins, but after seeing the back of Claudia Pfeil's quilts, I decided it was worth the time to make the back as beautiful as the front.
However, I feel like I waste a lot of bobbin thread, because Bernina bobbins are expensive so I only have 10- which means I sometimes have to pull thread off of them to wind a new one.
So far I have stuck to only 2 colours as it adds more work, but seeing the effect you have achieved throwing a few more in might just be worth it. Keep pushing the boundaries as it give us something to aim for as we master the skills you have been teaching us.
I love the effect!
Love it! Thanks for sharing the journey as you stretch your own boundaries.
I have the Bernina 820, and you're so right about the price of the bobbins. I like the fact I can wind as much thread as I think I need on the bobbin, but it is hard for me to estimate how much I will need….sometimes my estimation is good, and sometimes not so good! Grrr!
Beautiful, Leah! I love the thread colors; it gives a whole new dimension to FMQ stitching. Perhaps I too should consider FMQ in a color other than white….
Whee! I'd have liked to see this one on video! Great result.
I usually have strong contrast, so I often need two colors in quilting. I agree; it really slows the process, and eliminates some effects like matchstick (which I will try someday).
It looks beautiful! Why not match your bobbin to the fabric instead of your top thread?
A wonderful 3D-effect!!! I love the colors.
Great question Jackie! I always match the thread colors for piecing, applique, and fmq because there's always a chance that a subtle tension issue will pull the top thread to the back or the bobbin thread to the top and if the colors are different, this is REALLY noticeable! It's almost impossible to see if the thread colors are the same so matching is the way to go in my opinion.
I used to keep only 5 or 10 bobbins for any particular machine – basically as many as were included with the machine. Then I realized what a waste of time this was and began ordering 20 – 50 along with my machine. A good dealer will give you a break on this if they realize you want a large collection.
Also NEVER buy off brand bobbins. I realize only now that two machines I had terrible issues with were probably the generic bobbins I was using, not issues with the machine itself.
I love your use of colored threads. I usually get in a rut and use the same color for the whole quilt.
Hello Leah!
As always you have done a beautiful job. I really admire your work. I hope one day I can become as talented as you are.
I have a question. I saw a clip about zigzag free motion quilting. It is like regular quilting but with a zigzag stitch instead of a straight / needle up-and-down ( regular free motion quilting). The quilter that used this method did a beautiful job. I tried to apply it to a small sample but I did not get beautiful results. It was messy especially around the curves and corners.
I think this stitch would be a great way to applique. I was hoping you know more about this. If you do, would you please share your tips with us?
Thanks !
Oh yes! Free motion zigzag can be a lot of fun, but you're right it can be tricky to get control over. Here's a video I included free motion zigzag – http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/2014/05/19-lines-grids-in-drunkards-path.html
Wonderful! I love it! And your new thread colors are so great! Congrats!
I am sorry my explanation was not clear. English is not my mother language 🙂
I actually meant something more like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_b-Nqadz60
Yes, if you watch the video on this page it explains the same thing – finishing the edges of an applique with zigzag – http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/2014/05/19-lines-grids-in-drunkards-path.html
Thank you Leah!
Leah, this is beautiful and I am so glad to see you using color! You are going to go crazy after a while. The color will get into your blood. You go girl!
I also wanted to share with you a quick little funny free motion story. I tried free motion quilting a couple of years ago and decided I would never be able to do it. I confirmed my decision again almost a year later. It just was not going to be for me.
Still the feathers are so pretty I just found myself drawing them on paper over and over again. One day I thought to myself , "Hey they say its all about muscle memory", so I set down and FMQ'd a feather and it was decent, the second one was good, and the third one was really good. Now, I need to move forward and try a few more patterns. Currently I am taking a class with Judy Hall and learning how to use rulers and templates also.
I do believe I am going to rock some quilt tops in 2016. And you my dear, started it all for me with your Free Motion Quilting Project.
You are my hero.
Wonderful Marietta! I'm so glad to hear that you're seeing improvement with your stitching and you've let go of your limiting beliefs about your ability. Once upon a time you couldn't walk, but you learned how – the same is true for quilting, drawing, anything creative really. You can learn how step by step, quilt by quilt. I can't wait to see what you make this year!