Saturday, June 18, 2011

Playing with Patterns

Here's how I spent my Friday Night Sew-In (FNSI)–playing with (quilting) patterns.

This is my table topper, a 18 by 27 inch "super" rectangle, made from 9 of the easy 3-patch rectangle blocks.  

I decided that I would quilt each of the 27 different rectangles (3 in each block) with a different design.  They are all based on quilting designs in Leah Day's Free Motion Quilting Project.   I chose a bunch of the more organic-looking shapes, a mix of edge-to-edge, center fill, echoing and pivoting designs ... as well as mix of designs I liked and felt confident I could accomplish and some that I didn't think I'd like and thought were a bit beyond my technical reach.

Thread choices
Someone suggested variegated thread, so I pulled out a rainbow of sulky rayon threads from my thread box.  The color changes didn't always work in a pleasing way . . . and I confess that I ripped out one design when it was almost completed because it didn't work at all ;-)

At the end of the night, the quilting was done. I plan to bind it, wash it, and put it on my table soon.


I enjoyed losing myself in this little project last night, even if, this morning, it doesn't necessarily feel like I accomplished a LOT.  I always start the FNSI with a list of things I plan to work on . . .

In other news, I made a big covered button, with a cover pieced from scraps.  The button and loop closure to the string pieced tote.  The loop is actually a stretchy poly tail holder ;-)

Tote with button

7 comments:

Rhonda said...

What a great way to practice machine quilting and have a finished project, too. Oh I really love the tote with the cute button.... great job on both projects.
This is the time I've participated in the FNSI so I was very happy to get something accomplished.
Take care.

The 4 Bushel Farmgal said...

You really did get a LOT accomplished. FNSI is a great time to explore new techniques.

You've made one really GORGEOUS tote! I love it :)

Kate North said...

It looks really good - a great idea as well, to test out some new patterns. When it's time to quilt my next small proect, I must dig out my 72 ways not to stipple or meander and try a few of the ones I haven't done!

CathyC said...

It looks really good ;-)

Debbie said...

Great job on all those different quilting designs, Sophie! Wish I had the patience to practice to be able to do that.

Barbara said...

You should post this tote on the Flikr: Free Motion site, also. I think that it's fun and inspiring to see different things that folks do with their quilting.

Helen in the UK said...

Love the idea of a table topper that's also a ready reference for quilting patterns! Great job :)

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