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…
…then with the light colors.
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.
Then I marked some guidelines on the background -because the design allows!
And I added some more feathers; here is my little piece.
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!
The thread is Aurifil 28wt and it worked wonderfully on this little piece; you can’t achieve the same bold look with 50wt thread!
I LOVE a stitched rainbow!
If you want to try this design, subscribe to my newsletter below. You will find it in the Library of Free Designs.
Happy quilting!
WOW! this is really gorgeous!
well done!
best regards,
daisy 🙂
All your work is incredible, I am so impressed with it and envious of it.
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.
very pretty
A truly great way to practise both ways
Thank you
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
Diane, I use Jeans Needles #100/16, sometimes even #110/18.
Thank you, Geta! That is a perfect practice piece for me. Hope I can make it look as good as yours.
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
Stunning!!!
wow, great work
Just so beautiful,and what a lot of hard work.
Well done Joy
This is beautiful, I love that you used a dark and lighter shade for each color. Your quilting is so beautiful
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!
I do not have a printer, so do you have paper patterns. Thank you. Love your designs.
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?
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.
Thank you very much, Geta! So I will do.
A question. When you use 28wt thread, what do you use in the bobbin?
Thanks
Christine, I use 40wt or 50wt in the bobbin.
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