January Free Motion Quilting Challenge

2012 Free-Motion Quilting ChallengeEarlier this month I joined SewCalGal’s 2012 Free Motion Quilting Challenge. I want to use this challenge as a way to get to know my new sewing machine, George. January’s guest teacher was Frances Moore, and she did a video tutorial on quilting an all-over leaf pattern.

I used a fat quarter of Kona cotton with some scraps of 100% cotton batting to quilt on. I used 40 wt variegated thread by Superior. I roughly divided the quilt sandwich into fourths. My plan was to begin quilting the all-over leaf pattern which Frances was teaching in one section, and then do something a little more complicated in each section. I’ve taken these pictures with a flash to minimize the shadows so you can see the quilting lines better.

Here is the simple, all-over leaf pattern. I started in the lower left corner and worked my way around in a somewhat counter-clockwise direction. This leaf is just a simple shape with the center vein. Occassionally, I threw in a curly tendril.

All over leaf pattern

In the second section, I quilted the same leaf shapes, but this time I added veins within the leaves.

All-over leaf pattern with veins

In the third section, I wanted to work very loosely and sketchy. I did the same leaf with veins as I did in section two, but this time I went around the leaf a second time, purposely creating a line that meandered back and forth over the first line. I wanted to create places where the lines merged or crossed and places where they were just near each other. My purpose was to create variety and energy.

Sketchy all-over leaf pattern

In the last section, I just tried to do each leaf differently, some with multiple lobes, some with jagged edges, or whatever struck my fancy at that moment.

Variety of leaf shapes

All in all, this was a fun little challenge. I can’t wait until the next one. Diane Gaudynski will be the guest teacher!


Comments

9 responses to “January Free Motion Quilting Challenge”

  1. Wow, I love the third section where you went sketchy… It does give it lots more energy than the straight single lines. Very nice way to develop the pattern. I will require much more practice before I can get my motifs to be so evenly and nicely spaced. Great work.

  2. Awesome job in all four sections! I especially like the 4th quarter!

  3. This is a great idea….I’m going to retry the leaves, following some of your ideas.

  4. This is a lovely progression. I’m going to try that later this afternoon.

  5. Love your progression with these leaves. thanks for sharing your insights.

  6. Frances Moore Avatar
    Frances Moore

    It is incredible to see my name on a famous quilters blog. Thanks for looking at my video. Your leaves are beautiful!

    1. Famous? LOL! Remember, you’re the famous one who is doing the teaching! Thanks for teaching us all, Frances!

  7. Awesome free motion exercise. The progression is lovely.
    Have a great day.
    Always, Queenie

  8. Well done, you have great quilting skills