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Monday, June 6, 2011

It starts with a plan

I have finally starting hand quilting my log cabin "Wedding Memories Linger". I knew I wanted some feathers in the inner most border so I kept doodling until I got the proportions right. I picked the best section and cut that out. I then outlined it with a Sharpie and covered it with packing tape. I used this as a template and traced it onto the quilt. I first tried a light box but the paper kept moving so I traced it from the top.


It is very challenging to keep my stitches even going through all the seams and seam allowance's of the logs. Each one finishes at 3/4" so there isn't much room to get a rhythm going.


But I knew as soon as I started that the look of the feathers is exactly what I had hoped for. I finished the inside section by stitching in the ditch and then stitching down the middle of each log. I'm doing this part by just eyeing it, so it's not perfect. The slight wobbles add somewhat of an organic feel (at least that's what I'm telling myself) LOL!!




I am absolutely thrilled with the progress so far. There's lots more to come :).


Until next time,


-Karen

14 comments:

Ruth said...

I love it! Great quilting!

libbyquilter said...

very smart way to create a template and the quilting pattern you chose is perfect~!

i know what you mean when you talk about the thickness of so many seam allowances and my hats off to you for perservering through. my hands just can't take it in those situations so i'm pretty careful to choose quilting patterns that avoid as much seam area as possible.

this is going to be a stunning quilt when finished~!

:-)
libbyQ

FabricandFlowers said...

Wow! Thanks for sharing the close up pictures, Beautiful quilting.

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

ooh! your feathers look SOOOOO good!!You are cruising right along!

FlourishingPalms said...

This is really wonderful, Karen! Isn't this exactly the kind of stuff - the accomplishment - that makes you love quilting?! You're doing a great job with it. I appreciate knowing about your method for getting the design onto the quilt. You must have traced it when it was just the quilt top (not the sandwiched quilt). Well, it sure works. Keep up the super work! (How fun is it that we're sorta doing the same thing right now?)

Jayne Honnold said...

Your work is beautiful! The time you took to come up with your design has paid off! Very pretty!

Carla said...

Oh, Karen, I am so impressed with your expert design work and quilting! I am looking forward to watching your progress!

QuiltSue said...

It really looks wonderful. I think feathers were a great choice as they are very traditional and so are the blocks.

Abby and Stephanie said...

I'm amazed at the hand drawn feathers. Suitable for framing! Another special touch to your quilt.

Kim Brackett said...

Gorgeous feathers! And the straight line quilting really defines the section of dark fabrics. Applause, applause!

Wendy said...

Your quilting is fantastic on this quilt. Great idea to make a template, it's not easy to do. It's going to be gorgeous when your done.

paulette said...

WOW!!!! STUNNING!! Gorgeous!
Paulette

*karendianne. said...

Karen!!!! That's amazing. What a clever way to create you quilting plan. Very clever. Just perfect. I hope you enjoy every step of the quilting way. What a TREASURE!

Becky said...

Wow,Karen. That's quite a pattern to do by hand. You're so good!!! I'm still happy when my stitching in the ditch looks good! I've got such a long way to go but I love the journey! :) I bought Kim's other book. There are many quilts in there I'll be making in the future too.