I’m between actual projects at the moment and awaiting inspiration for my next one. However, I decided to take advantage of the down time to practice my free-motion quilting a bit. It’s rather nice to do this, not only to try to improve, but also because there’s no stress involved, since it’s “only” practice! 🙂
My first session was to refresh my filler skills with some McTavishing, which I haven’t done in a very long time and really like. I used a sample sandwich and some fine thread to minimize the thread build-up that is a necessary part of this motif.
The second session (different day!) was to make a triangular spiral effect, using my Bernina ruler foot and a ruler. I started with a triangle that was a bit too large for the ruler, meaning that I had to fudge a bit to estimate where I was going, but — again — it was only practice, so no problem. I may do this sort of thing again, this time using a square or a pentagon or another shape to start.
4 thoughts on “Practicing”
Sandy that’s soooo good. Like the free motion pattern, why is it McTavishing? Just bought some basic rulers had a go at the same pattern very effective isn’t it. How about a whole quilt using mandala patterns for inspiration, next blog perhaps?
Thanks, Suzanne. 🙂 Karen McTavish popularized this curvy, swirly style of filler some years ago, and the name stuck. Of course, everyone does it a bit differently, so mine doesn’t look precisely like hers. Wow! Mandalas all quilted out — that does sound interesting!
Thanks Sandy for explaining, much appreciated. Take a look at Phillipa Naylor’s Measure for measure miniature quilt, she won best in show at Festival of Quilts’17 reminds me of an iced cake.
It’s gorgeous, isn’t it? She does such amazingly gorgeous work and is very generous as a teacher. I love her work!