#438 – Free Motion Quilt Octopus Legs
This is one of the things I love and hate about being online so much – on the one hand I feel like I’ve gotten loads accomplished, but on the other hand my quilts downstairs are not going to complete themselves so I’d better get my work done and get off this computer so I can go stitch something!
So here’s a new design for this week – Octopus Legs – long wiggly tentacles that will fill your quilts with absolutely gorgeous texture:
I usually find edited photos with a little copyright symbol annoying and I hate having to spend MORE time on the computer to edit every single photo to put that bit of text in. Shooting this way, I can slip in my websites without having to do any extra work and when the photo gets shared and linked up as I love them to, it’s easy to see where you can find more info about that design.
I’ve also been working on my YouTube thumbnails, which does add more computer time, but I think it’s worth it. I certainly like seeing the design front and center rather than a blurry shot of my hands. See what I mean?
Hmm…Octopus Legs…this definitely requires more photos! Josh, James and I actually saw a real octopus for the first time at Sea Life aquarium in Charlotte. It was so still that I nearly missed it perched up at the top of the tank:
Then it was fed and it’s legs started to move in the coolest way across the surface of the water. Undulating is a great word to describe it, but it might not do enough justice. Suffice it to say octopi are now one of my favorite creatures!
So that’s it for Octopus Legs! Do you have any questions about this free motion quilting design? Where do you plan to use it in your quilts? Make sure to share your thoughts in the comments below!
Let’s go quilt,
Leah Day
Just watched your new octopus video….great job! You always make it so easy for us. I noticed that your free-motion foot didn't move up or down…..is the foot with the spring necessary?
I think I enjoy your design names as much as your designs.
Great question Carol! I've actually broken this foot so it doesn't bounce on the surface of the quilt. So no, the spring isn't really necessary anymore, but it doesn't need to be removed either.
To break the foot so it stops hopping you just need to bend back or break off the top bar that hits your needle bar, then adjust the height of the foot with a rubber band placed at the top. Check out my video here for more details: http://www.leahday.com/shop/product/darning-free-motion-quilting-foot/
I like your embroidered strip. My first thought was "She's getting use out of her new machine," and explaining how it works as a copyright or watermark makes it even better.
BTW, I also like your closing now…just positivity. So: let's go quilt!
I was so pleased with my new machine when I realized the quilting foot didn't hop, so I didn't have to break it!
(Brother 1600)