Week 8 of my 2015 FMQ Challenge

This week, I wanted to try something different.  I love the mariner's compass, and have paper pieced a few, so wondered what it would look like in FMQ.  I agonised a bit over whether to have all the quilting in one or more colours and whether or not to paint the compass.  In the end, I went for 'less is more' and added a little colour in the compass using Isacord in turquoise, yellow and red.

As usual, my accuracy has let me down.  I drew the cable badly - in particular, the top part sinks in the middle and the chalk markings were not as crisp as they could have been, making my quilting a bit uneven.

On the upside, I felt confident enough to FMQ a wavy design between the arms of the compass and a different wave design around the compass.  I was really happy with my little pebbles.

If only I could discipline myself into ensuring that my drawn design is perfect before I start to quilt, the result will be much better.  I think my problem is that I am always hurrying...note to self..STOP IT!
 
Happy quilting!

Comments

  1. Glenda25 February 2015 at 16:08

    Hi Sue if you had not told me the cable had sunk in the middle I would not have known I thought it was meant to be like that LOL. Any way I think it looks great. You are much braver than I with your machine quilting I stick to hand quilting mostly Cheers Glenda

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Recreating an old Favourite

Image
I have always loved the Hearts and Crosses coverlet in the Quilters' Guild collection and have made two previous quilts with more than a nod to the original.  This time I wanted to make a 'modern' version using the same dimensions as the original.  When I look at the original (on the cover of the pattern), I can see that the maker sometimes changed fabrics part way along a strip.  How 'Improv'! I guess nothing is new. I wanted to use Improv crosses (slash and Insert) rather than the Victorian style ones on the original.  I moved the hearts to the cornerstones.  Their appearance is more subtle than in the original.  I left the sashing plain as the quilt is already very busy.  The eye needs to rest somewhere! So, what do I think of it, so far?  In retrospect, I think that using more pale strips would have been easier on the eye. I am not used to adding random colours to a quilt.  I am a planner and always coordinate the fabrics I put to...
Read more

Update...first in 8 months

Image
 Time has really got away from me over the past few months.  I have started more projects and finished some, as well.  A pineapple quilt made during the summer, but not quilted until Christmas.   A mini pineapple made during summer. A hand applique project - design by Erin Russek called Home Again. Below is a table topper I created from scraps.  I call it 'Crazy Test Card'. A couple of small improv pieces My favourite quilt of the year.  It started as a few improv blocks from scrap fabric and grew.   I have several projects in varioua states of unfinishedness...was it ever so?
Read more

Lush and Verdant

Image
Not much progress to report this week.  I was inspired by the ferns in my front garden to draw some ferns unfurling and then to attempt to FMQ them.  I used a fat quarter yard of Kaffe Fassett shot cotton and Isacord thread.  I used a dark green thread for the ferns and regretted it.  The thread looks black, rather than green against the shot cotton.  I used Patsy Thompson's method for doing trapunto for the first time.  It does make the ferns pop.  I intended to leave the piece with just the thread  - like a wholecloth, but to my eyes, it looked pretty dull, so I used my Inktense pencils lightly to add a little dimension.  I think the piece would have looked better with some hand dyed backing...maybe next time.  I get frustrated with myself at times, but I learn from each and every mistake. :) A fern in my front garden
Read more