Day 199 – Abstract Leaf
Whoa! Is it day 199 already??? It seems like just yesterday I was launching this project and now we have almost 200 designs to choose from.
So let’s celebrate with one of my favorite pivoting type designs. It’s a combination of a line, a triangle, and a tear drop which can only be called Abstract Leaf.
Let’s learn how to quilt Abstract Leaf:
Difficulty Level – Intermediate. After Saturday’s class, I’ve seen with my own eyes how easy it is for a beginner to pick up pivoting designs. They really are easy once you get the hang of how the design works.
If you need to make it easier you can eliminate the first single line and instead stitch the triangle first and then pivot with your tear drop shape around it.
Design Family – Pivoting. These designs are created by starting on a point, stitching a shape, pivoting, and echoing that shape. Because you’re always returning to the same starting point, this seems to be a good design for beginners to play with.
Directional Texture – All Directions. I love the multi-directional texture that you can get from pivoting designs. This one in particular is a little more graphic because of the straight lines of the triangles.
Suggestions for Use – This design will work big, covering your whole quilt really quickly, but it can also work really small in tight areas. That’s why I love these pivoting designs so much – they’re so versatile!
I think this one would look the best stitched over a guy quilt because the triangles add a nice bit of graphic texture that isn’t flowery or girly. Maybe not all guys are worried about that kind of thing, but it’s nice to have a design that doesn’t scream “flower power!”
Feel free to use this free motion filler designs in your quilts,Click here to support the project by visiting our online quilt shop.
Those Janomes know how to rope you in!! I have just a middle of the line MC4900, but it's so cool!
BTW, I have only free motion quilted once and after watching all these cool designs pop onto your blog day after day, I am pumped to try it. I'm sure I'll be posting pics over at Gen X Quilters when I get started….
That is a great quilting design, I love the leaf pattern!!!
I finally got around to quilting and got to use two of your designs – River Path (kinda), and Modern Art (kinda). They're not as good as yours, and maaaaaaaybe are more *ahem* "derivitave" than "representational" (meaning you can see that they really, really want to look like yours, but kinda pretty much don't look anything like yours), but they're great for me and I had a really great time doing them. Your blog has really inspired me to push myself, not be afraid of failure, and take my nose out of my quilt. I didn't get too into quilting this quilt because of time constraints (I'm still really slow at quilting, wihch is exacerbated by not having all the proper tools), but I am proud that I moved out of my nothing-but-straight-lines past. I am highly motivated to use my newfound skillz on my next quilt for my sweet daughter. I will absolutely invest the time to make hers spectacular.
I blogged about it here: http://stitchinmysideregan.blogspot.com/2010/07/t-shirt-quilt-completed.html
I have almost finished a machine embroidery course, which I've really enjoyed, but I can honestly say that I've learned more from your blog and tutorials than from my course materials! I absolutely love stitching and find your blog so inspiring. It has taught me to take off my pefectionist hat, which makes me reluctant to start quilting in case I mess it up, and just get stuck in. No, my stitching isn't perfect, but it's getting better every day and my confidence is growing. Thank you, Leah.