Wednesday, October 24, 2012

OCTOBER FMQ CHALLENGE AND MOUNTAIN TRAIL

SewCalGal has been hosting a Free Motion Quilting (FMQ) challenge all year, so I am submitting October's entries.  Teri Lucas is the quilting expert for this month and she gave a lesson with lots of ideas.  You can find out more about Teri and the challenge by clicking on the SewCalGal link.

My first practice piece was done on muslin with wool batting.  I used a few different threads:  the dark red was Essential Pro Turkey Red 70/3 that I got from Connecting Threads;  the yellow is Isacord 40; the variegated orange/green/yellow is Signature size 40 cotton; and variegated blue is Gutermann 100% cotton 50.  I used Essential Pro in the bobbin.


For my second and final piece, I used some shiny grey fabric (don't know what it is - some kind of satin?) and the yellow Isacord thread.  I like the way the yellow shows up on the grey and I really enjoyed quilting the nautilus shells and the pebbles - it was fun!  Thanks for all the pointers, Teri!


Next, I just finished my QAL from Lori:  Mountain Trail reproduction quilt.  At first, I was thinking about hand quilting it (very briefly), but then I thought that I would like to have feathers in the rows and hand quilting them would take a lot of time (which I don't have), so I machine quilted it yesterday with feathers in the rows and in the 2 borders, I quilted a Swirl Scroll from Angela Walters book, Free -Motion Quilting.  I also used that border in a table runner that I made and found that it is quite easy.

close-up of quilted feathers

close-up of swirl scroll border

View of fabric and quilting on back.  The fabric is Jo Morton fabric that I had left from my Jo's Little Women class last year.

It's hanging in my front hall above my desk.
Do any of you have this pattern or know where to get it?  Barb is looking for it and can't find it anywhere.  If you know where to get it, please contact Barb through her blog.

Some of my storage shelves came down in my guest room, so that bed is piled with linens, fabrics, items I have bought for gifts, etc. etc.  What a mess!  Hopefully, DH can get it fixed soon.  He is at the hardware store right now.  

21 comments:

  1. Your FMQ looks just amazing! Love all the different things you did on your piece.
    Quilting looks great on your small quilt too.

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  2. The feathers were a great choice for the log cabin quilt. All your quilting is looking fabulous. I hope your shelves get back up soon!

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  3. I have been struggling with whether or not to do this month's tutorial. I don't have a variety of fabrics, battings and threads like she recommends using.
    You have done a great job with it. Your designs look really good, and the contrast on that second piece is very pretty.
    I think the feathers you put on your Mountain Trail is perfect. Wish I had more confidence with feather. And your border is so nice, too. The quilt looks wonderful in its new home!

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  4. You did a great job! You FMQ skills are really developing nicely!

    Liri

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  5. Your FMQ is wonderful!! so pretty and creative!! Love, love, love your Mountain Trail!!! Perfect spot for it, too!!! Sorry, I've been lax in commenting - just not taking time, but always love seeing your projects!! A perfect way to inspire me!!

    Blessings

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  6. You never cease to amaze me! When we get together, you MUST show me how you do that beautiful quilting! I want a front row seat to watch, even though I know I'll never be able to do it! ---Love"

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  7. Beautiful work Ruth...I have so much trouble with feathers, love the Mountain Trail mini..
    Julia ♥

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  8. your machine quilting is fabulous! I loved seeing the backing as well.
    The quilt along turned out great and congrats on finishing it so fast. The feathers look wonderful with the straight log setting.
    thanks for posting my search!

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  9. Love your quilting and the little quilt looks lovely in your hall.
    Lillian
    lillianscupboard.wordpress.com

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  10. Your feathers are amazing and look like you've been practicing for years! The whole quilt is great and looks fantastic hanging on your wall.

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  11. Lovely machine quilting! On the one and only log cabin quilt I made (before mountain trails) I did the same feather quilting diagonally. I loved the results!! Yours is beautiful!

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  12. Lovely job with this tutorial. Still working on my piece, hopefully by the end of the month ...

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  13. Love your FMQ samples! The second one really glows.
    The new mini is fabulous - your hooked feathers ARE wonderful!

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  14. I'm pretty sure that Jan Patek has a pattern for that Bible quilt - you should check her website. Love the quilting on our Mountain Trails quilt!

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  15. Great looking Mountain Trail with some lovely quilting!

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  16. some really fabulous fabrics in your Mountain Trails quilt and i think that your use of the quilted feathers on the diagonal is gorgeous~!!~

    :-)
    libbyQ

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  17. You get the prize for the best quilting on all the Mountain Trails - I love the feathers. I am attempting my first FMQ on a large quilt this week, and I am learning a lot. Good job!

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  18. OMG...your machine quilting is awesome! What a great job you did on the monthly challenge AND the mountain trail!

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  19. WOW, Ruth your 'mountain trail' quilt is a little stunner!! Gorgeous quilting and i love the patchy backing too!!
    This was such a FUN quit-a-long :))
    cheers...Marian

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  20. Love your Mountain Trail quilt. Wonderful feathers! Says a lot about doing the FMQ challenge.

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