They say a picture is worth 1000 words.
Seeing is believing.
Take a look at the feathers to the left here. I’m going to tell you a secret. Ready?
Don’t tell anyone but…
these feathers are not perfect.
That’s right. Not. Perfect.
And that’s okay. Taking time to learn well is an important component of mastering quilting. So I’m posting a quickie paper-practicing tutorial for the feathers I showed yesterday and I’m
issuing a challenge.
Challenge Step 1: Practice on paper
Challenge Step 2: Practice on a fat quarter or two
Challenge Step 3: Send me photos of your practice sessions and give me permission to post on my blog
I’ll get a couple of quilterly friends to choose a couple of “winners” and I’ll send you either fabric or a copy of Generation Q Magazine.
Happy Quilting!
Teri
- Step 6
- Step 8
My feelings/view is that “perfection and feathers” should not be what is sought after. Computer programs will produce that end result but we are “human” and I want that ‘human factor’ evident when I see a quilt. That is why quilting totally ‘hand guided, free motion’ is what I encourage and , hopefully, inspire. And FMQ feathers are so free-ing to do on a quilt…….no marking, graceful, flowing, etc. Great series of posts….for sure!!!! Hugs……………….
here! here!
What is your stutch direction on the petals? Where do you backtrack to get back to the stem? Thanks for posting, I have been trying to get this right, but I am also trying to get it perfect. Maybe I need to let go a little.
On this particular feather there is no backtracking on the stem. The first petal I stitch out from the bottom, curve around and back to just touch the stem. Once I touch I creep up over the first petal – when I get close to the top I curve back to touch the first petal (that’s the bump) I retrace the bump over the curve, when I get part way back then curve up over that petal I just stitched. There is very little back tracking on the feathers with this style.
Check out Karen McTavish’s Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMxfi6C9vv0
Oh! That is a great video! Thanks!
I dream of making feathers, but have always been too chicken. It’s on my list to try this year. I’ll keep you posted.
Just do it!!!
I have gotten the drawing step down…..later this morning I will attempt to quilt them……but I don’t know how to get you the photo…..
Hi Mandy Send the photo to my email: terilucas@gmx.com Happy Quilting! Teri