I am moving up…

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I am moving up…

June 24, 2011 by ivoryspring

… in thread diameter. For a long while now, I have been working at being able to quilt fine feathers with Aurifil Mako 50 threads. In the past, when I had to quilt fine feathers, I would always quilt with YLI Silk 100. The result is shown in the picture below.

After experimenting with a different stitching sequence than the one I usually use for feathers, I was able to achieve very satisfactory results with using Aurifil Mako 50 for my fine feather quilting. I am moving on up!!! Click here to view my article on threads. The feathers you see in the following picture were quilted with Aurifil Mako 50 cotton thread. They were totally unmarked and free-handed, using my “quilting off the seat of my pants” method! To give you an idea of the size of the feathers — the block is a 7.5″ block.

Speaking of feathers, have you tried out my free bird feather quilting motif? Mandy did, and here is the wallhanging she made. I can’t believe she is a beginner. I think she is just a natural!!! Don’t you? Please head on over to her blog and tell her she did a superb job, would you?

What do you think of feather quilting motifs? Would you like to see more in the future?

As always, thanks for stopping by!

Posted in Freebies, Ideas, Tutorials, Quilting, Readers' Projects | Tagged Feather quilting | 27 Comments

27 Responses

on June 24, 2011 at 12:12 am | Reply tobydorris@yahoo.com

I love the feathers. Is there such a thing as a “Master Quilter”? You are one.
Charlotte
on June 24, 2011 at 12:13 am | Reply kATHERINE mCbRIDE

WOW
on June 24, 2011 at 12:26 am | Reply Elaine

Oh, how I love feathers. More feathers. And they are fun to do.
on June 24, 2011 at 12:29 am | Reply Lynette

I agree with toby about your mastership. And, yes! I’d love feather motifs.
on June 24, 2011 at 12:29 am | Reply Michele

WOW just doesn’t seem like enough of a comment. My jaw dropped when I saw the first picture.
It looks like a museum piece.
I followed your link back to your post on threads and found it extremely informative. Will give all your suggestions a try. Maybe there is hope.

Thanks for sharing.

Best regards.
on June 24, 2011 at 12:33 am | Reply Bunny

I still want to be like you when I grow up LOL I will download that pattern and try it LOL I know it might not even look like a bird when I am done LOL.
Hugs
on June 24, 2011 at 12:33 am | Reply Valerie

I’m not sure I could ever tire of feathers. Try me. Would love to see more feather motifs, and learn more about this “quilting by the seat of your pants” method. Sounds liberating!
on June 24, 2011 at 12:42 am | Reply Carol Hendrick

This is just beautiful-gorgeous– and I love the fine feathers. Wish I knew how to do this. I need to get back to quilting. We have got a new puppy so I have been puppy sitting, training, and I just can’t settle down to sew. The weather in Southern Az is also so hot and I just haven’t been motivated to get into this again–BUT I will . I have so much to complete. Have a great weekend.
on June 24, 2011 at 12:44 am | Reply Barb

Oh my goodness you do amazing work!!
on June 24, 2011 at 12:58 am | Reply Mandy M

Your quilting by the seat of your pants is spectacular! And yes, please more feather quilting motifs!
on June 24, 2011 at 1:28 am | Reply Anonymous

I love it when you do posts about quilting, thread, designs, etc. Your quilting is fabulous and always inspiring. Please continue to do so!
on June 24, 2011 at 1:39 am | Reply Joan

You know me Wendy – I always love feathers More is never enough and yours are always a wonder to me!
on June 24, 2011 at 2:08 am | Reply Allie

Mandy did a beautiful job! Your feathers are to die for, Wendy.
on June 24, 2011 at 3:18 am | Reply Sue Daurio

Yes, yes, yes, more feathers!! I love what you do with them.
on June 24, 2011 at 3:41 am | Reply marty askins

I would love to see more on quilting motifs and tutorials on how you do them.
on June 24, 2011 at 4:29 am | Reply Q @ JAQS

Love the feather motif!
on June 24, 2011 at 6:25 am | Reply Leeanne

I suppose there are some people who don’t like feathers but I haven’t come across any.They are so versatile, formal and can be informal too,or funky,childish…….yup I’m a fan!
on June 24, 2011 at 9:16 am | Reply Helen in Switzerland

Oh my goodness! Your quilting is really phenomenal – AWESOME! What more can I say – I love feathers!!
on June 24, 2011 at 12:09 pm | Reply Rhianon Taylor

Hi Wendy. Your feather quilting is stunning as usual. I for one would love to see more feathers and in particular, how to fit them into awkward spaces.
I’ve just finished a lap quilt which has lots of feathers (free handed) on it.
I’m thrilled with the results. Ii’m going to try your bird feather motif for sure.
on June 24, 2011 at 12:55 pm | Reply Jackie

Love feathers, they look so elegant on a quilt and McTavishing around them is an added bonus. I would love to see more.
on June 24, 2011 at 2:37 pm | Reply Melody

I love feathers and would use them on almost everything somewhere. My goal this year is to begin quilting on my Bernina so I can be like you when I grow up!
on June 24, 2011 at 3:41 pm | Reply Ellen

Beautiful!
on June 24, 2011 at 5:39 pm | Reply Cindy Helm

I am just in awe of your work.
on June 24, 2011 at 6:06 pm | Reply Barbara Jean

More feathers, please.
on June 25, 2011 at 12:04 am | Reply Jenny Fish

OH MY WORD! I literally gasped when the first pictures loaded. You are so talented!
on June 25, 2011 at 10:23 pm | Reply Helen from Australia

Love, love, love your feathers. I keep trying and although I am slowly improving I’ve still got a long way to go.
on June 26, 2011 at 12:00 am | Reply Michelle

Gorgeous! I am always blown away by your work.

Feathers are an absolute favorite and actually easier for newbie than one would think. Here was my very first attempt and I was tickled pink: http://thedesertquilter.blogspot.com/2010/07/first-foray-into-fmq-feathers.html