Tuesday, April 19, 2011

feathers - a work in progress

I am back at quilting my 4 block applique quilt. I loved quilting the feathers on my 9 patch quilt so I want to include some in this quilt too.
I need lots of practice at drawing them!

This is the space I am trying to fill. In each corner there is this open space that happened as a result of not bringing the vine around the corner.


This branching feathered sprig is what I have come up with so far. I have not decided how I will mark this - probably draw the feathers individually which means all 4 corners will be a bit different. I do enjoy a bit of whimsy in the quilting as I look at antique quilts as much as I love the perfect gorgeous wreaths of feathers in the wide borders of Amish quilts. However it turns out - I'll have lots of fun doing it! :0)


I thought I'd include a picture of the quilted center. The crosshatching is complete and the borders are outlined. I just need to finish up the rather tedious in-the-ditch quilting of the hst border and I'll be on to the feathers :0)


Happy Quilting!!

18 comments:

Cheri said...

Nice feathers, they will look wonderful in the corners. The quilt is just beautiful.

Barb said...

Oh wow....that will look sooo fabulous!!

*karendianne. said...

Oh Janet, I could barely get to this post fast enough. Clicking on the photos to see your work was really something else. I want you to know, if I were to choose something that came close to what I might dream to create - this is about it. Thank you for "be-stilling" my heart.

Janet said...

What a delightful feather design, you did a good job of drawing it and it'll look fabulous. The quilt is looking so, so stunning.

Unknown said...

What a beautiful quilt! All the detail quilting really sets it off. It is such a joy to see your work.

Crispy said...

OMGosh!! I wish I could draw feathers as nicely as yours!! If you want, you can poke holes with a knitting needle or crochet hook that is large enough for the tip of your pen to go through. Then you can just connect the dots :0) This quilt is going to be GORGEOUS!!

Crispy

Barb said...

what a stunner! I love the colors and the feathers are a lovely fill in - just lovely!

Deborah said...

This is beautiful!! I've loved watching the progress.

Lori said...

I think you are on to a great idea with the feathers in the corners. I also like the idea of making them a bit different.
The quilt is gorgeous!

Teresa Rawson said...

I love seeing your process of designing your quilting patterns...your corner feathers are lovely! Have you ever tried using fine gauge tulle to help you transfer your design? I tried it once and it worked really well. I just lay a square of tulle over my design and tape it lightly on each side to secure things with a little painter's tape. Then I use a permanent sharpee to trace the design on the tulle. Then I pin the tulle square over the section of quilt and use a chalk marker or pencil to careful mark through the tulle onto my quilt. It's not perfect, but it worked pretty well for me.

Your 4-block quilt is absolutely beautiful!

In stitches,
Teresa :o)

Ann Champion said...

Your quilt is absolutely gorgeous! The feathers will be a nice compliment to the beautiful cross hatch quilting. :)

Elsie Montgomery said...

Lovely! Thanks for posting your progress too.

Dixie Howard said...

Wow, your quilt is so, so beautiful. Please let us know how you decide to transfer the patterns. Totally gree with you on the whimsy factor!

antique quilter said...

this quilt is coming alive with all that quilting
love the feathers, I should show you what I have to do feathers with :)
kathie

Carrie P. said...

Great way to include the feathers in the quilt.
Cross hatching is one of my favorite ways to quilt. I just like the look and yours looks great.

Karen said...

The quilt is gorgeous. The quilting is the icing on the cake.

JohnR said...

Interesting that are inspired by Amish quilters. Sometime you should come visit an Amish settlement in Ontario..

MARCIE said...

All of your handwork is so beautiful!