Day 128 – Spiky Vine
Ah! Today was a yoga day so I’m wonderfully stretched out and relaxed.
Let’s continue to chill out with this cool, spiky design:
Last night I uploaded the whole first disc of the beginner DVD to my manufacturer! YAY!I only have a few more hours of work to do on the second disc and hopefully will upload it tonight.
It’s funny, I’ve ended up using these white photos of stippling and paisley for the covers of the DVD.
I think I’m going to nickname this set my White Album after the Beatles!
Inspiration – I’ve been playing around with spiky shapes lately. For some reason shapes like these used to give me a lot of trouble, but now they’re becoming my favorites.
Who knew opinions could change like that, eh?
Difficulty Level – Intermediate. This design isn’t that hard, but if you find you’re struggling, maybe try slowing down right before you hit the tip of your spikes.
Sometimes when changing direction you can get a lead foot and stitch too many times in one place before your hands catch up and move you out of the area.
If you start seeing a buildup of thread on the back or front of your quilt at every spike point, this is probably happening to you!
Design Family – Edge to Edge. This design is stitched in one direction, almost like the vine is “growing”. I’ve read that designs like these should be stitched away from you, like they’re growing out of the ground.
For me that totally doesn’t work. I always stitch towards myself. Maybe this is a spiky tomato vine growing from one of those cool upside down planters!
Directional Texture – 2 directions. This design is pretty obviously horizontal or vertical, but if you make your spikes a little more wiggly or wobbly it could easily become a free form filler too.
Suggestions for Use – Ahhh….My brain is fried from the wonderful mix of shoulder stands and jasmine essential oil my yoga instructor brings to class. You think of what to do with this design today!
Make sure to leave your inspirational suggestions in the comments below!
Back of Spiky Vine
and make sure to tell your friends where you learned it.
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Leah,
Rather like this one!
It could also work as a twisted spiky vine or a swirly spiky vine. Then you could add a flower or two! That covers the rest of the week for you.
Judy B
The "White Album" is going to be awesome. So artistic looking…the quilting really is easy to see. We don't always get the opportunity of a "do over" but your second run at the videos will prove to be beautiful!
Another keeper.
I'm currently trying to figure out how to enlarge some lovely font initials and use this as a tester / practice piece for FMQ and I'd then make the panel into a cushion cover.
Unfortunately the font can't be used in Autocad where I could print it out any size, so still trying to work something out.
Leah,
you are such an inspiration and I envy your fantasy, I don't think I could come up with more than maybe 20 different ideas for quilting. I so enjoy visiting your blog – keep up the good work, you do have followers ever here in Sweden!
Regards
Agneta in Uppsala, Sweden
Leah,
Somehow I have just discovered your site. WOW! Thank you so much for this incredible resource. My brain is spinning with the possibilities!
This design is perfect for a quilt I've been stalling on. It was a 4" block swap, and I wanted to quilt the 1" sashing with something besides "in the ditch."
Can't wait to try more later with some bigger spaces!
Where to use this pattern – hmm quilt sashing, bag handles, up the side of a scrapbook card with a stamped or embroidered flower as the centrepiece, on a fabric bookmark, anywhere 'skinny' and plain that needs a simple focus item to just finish it off.