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Free quilt design – free motion quilting feathers

September 26, 2018 22 Comments

I just finished two new quilts (wall hangings) – and on both I quilted feathers.  I thought to make a new small design for you –  my newsletter subscribers-  in case you want to practice free motion quilting feathers.

I made it the perfect size – 10”, not too small, not too big.

I selected my threads and stitched first with the dark colors…

free motion quilting feathers

…then with the light colors.

free motion quilting feathers
Stitching feathers is fun and while we are comfortable stitching them in a certain direction, stitching in the opposite direction must be practiced, too, that’s why I made this design with wedges divided in half.

free motion quilting feathers

Then I marked some guidelines on the background -because the design allows!

free motion quilting feathers
And I added some more feathers; here is my little piece.

free motion quilting feathers

free motion quilting feathers

free motion quilting feathers

If you don’t have so many colors, you can stitch it with only two colors: one dark and one light. You will change the thread only twice.
I changed my thread 16 times for this little 10” piece!

free motion quilting feathers

free motion quilting feathers

The thread is Aurifil 28wt and it worked wonderfully on this little piece; you can’t achieve the same bold look with 50wt thread!

free motion quilting feathers

I LOVE a stitched rainbow!

free motion quilting feathers

If you want to try this design, subscribe to my newsletter below. You will find it in the Library of Free Designs.

Happy quilting!

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Filed Under: free motion quilting

Comments

  1. daisy says

    September 26, 2018 at 3:45 pm

    WOW! this is really gorgeous!
    well done!
    best regards,
    daisy 🙂

    Reply
  2. Margaret Foster says

    September 26, 2018 at 3:47 pm

    All your work is incredible, I am so impressed with it and envious of it.

    Reply
  3. Lela says

    September 26, 2018 at 4:05 pm

    Your work is amazing and very inspirational! I love your use of color and your design is stunning. I have several other projects that are in the “must complete” category right now, but I can’t wait to try some of your designs.

    Reply
  4. Charmaine Erickson says

    September 26, 2018 at 4:26 pm

    very pretty

    Reply
  5. Diane says

    September 26, 2018 at 4:28 pm

    A truly great way to practise both ways
    Thank you

    Reply
  6. Diane Evans says

    September 26, 2018 at 4:53 pm

    Lovely, Geta — what size and type of needle do you prefer for 28 wt. thread? You’ve achieved such a beautiful look with the stitches.

    Diane

    Reply
    • Geta Grama says

      September 26, 2018 at 5:00 pm

      Diane, I use Jeans Needles #100/16, sometimes even #110/18.

      Reply
  7. Judy Chastain says

    September 26, 2018 at 5:01 pm

    Thank you, Geta! That is a perfect practice piece for me. Hope I can make it look as good as yours.

    Reply
  8. Susan says

    September 26, 2018 at 5:57 pm

    Hello Greta,
    As I am new to quiting I always enjoy seeing the gorgeous work you do and getting inspired from looking at it. Hopefully some day i can share some of my work .Thanks for sharing your gift.
    Regards
    Susan

    Reply
  9. Miriam says

    September 26, 2018 at 6:45 pm

    Stunning!!!

    Reply
  10. Floarea Cveta Dimitrovici says

    September 26, 2018 at 9:29 pm

    wow, great work

    Reply
  11. Joy Denver says

    September 26, 2018 at 10:12 pm

    Just so beautiful,and what a lot of hard work.
    Well done Joy

    Reply
  12. Cathy W says

    September 27, 2018 at 2:32 am

    This is beautiful, I love that you used a dark and lighter shade for each color. Your quilting is so beautiful

    Reply
  13. Mary Carroll says

    September 28, 2018 at 4:14 pm

    Just under the last photo, it’s stated the design can be found in library. I need all the help I can get. I haven’t been able to locate the design. Thanks!

    Reply
  14. Shirley Berryhill says

    September 28, 2018 at 7:01 pm

    I do not have a printer, so do you have paper patterns. Thank you. Love your designs.

    Reply
  15. Irene says

    September 28, 2018 at 7:30 pm

    It’s a pretty design, and I love Aurifil threads! But I’m still confused about the #wt of them. How to select which one is the best for each work? Or is a question of try and test?

    Reply
    • Geta Grama says

      September 28, 2018 at 7:45 pm

      Irene, no need to try and test! If you want to draw attention to your quilting, you should use a heavier thread (like 28wt). It works great on wholecloth quilts, on solid or tone on tone fabrics.A heavier thread is not better than a regular weight thread when used on a busy print; on such fabrics you could use 40wt or 50wt.

      So, if you want to emphasize the quilting, use heavier thread. If more important is the pattern of a quilt (the shapes) and you don’t want to draw attention to the quilting, use the regular weight (40wt or 50wt). I hope this makes sense.

      Reply
      • Irene says

        September 28, 2018 at 10:35 pm

        Thank you very much, Geta! So I will do.

        Reply
  16. Christine says

    September 30, 2018 at 2:18 am

    A question. When you use 28wt thread, what do you use in the bobbin?
    Thanks

    Reply
    • Geta Grama says

      September 30, 2018 at 7:44 am

      Christine, I use 40wt or 50wt in the bobbin.

      Reply
  17. Rebecca says

    January 23, 2019 at 8:21 pm

    I just purchased your heart pattern and am quilting it – I was afraid of feathers but did some practicing and marked some guide lines and voila – I was looking for ideas and am so glad to have found your site. Thank you

    Reply
  18. Bonnie Blake says

    August 12, 2021 at 7:29 pm

    Geta, where do I find this pattern?? I keep looking but can’t seem to find where it’s available. Thanking you in advance for any help with this. Love your free motion quilting!!

    Reply

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