Today’s Topic: Designing and Samples for the Carolina Lily Quilt
Good Morning, Quilters!
Can you believe it is March already!!!! I can tell you–I am not 2/12ths finished with my 2023 goals!
Though I have made progress on one of my big goals–quilting the Carolina Lily .
(I’ve resolved to quilt it every year since 2005!–Maybe this is the year I’ll lose 20 pounds too!?!) I digress…which is partly why I am behind on my goals–the constant digressions… But wait, this is yet another digression….Back to the Carolina Lily! ARGH!!!
Preparing to Quilt
Last week, I completed the first three steps:
- Step One–Get over yourself! It’s only a quilt!
- Step Two-Press the quilt top and take a few photos
- Step Three-Start Planning the Design
In addition, I made an open declaration to all of you that I will finish this quilt this year. (I read somewhere that declaring a goal in public increases the likelihood of completing the goal–okay–I’ll add the twenty pound thing too…–but no photos….Ugh–again with the digressions…)
Planning the Major Dividing Lines
The first step of the design process is to plan some of the major dividing lines. I like to look for ways to break up large negative space areas or wide plain borders. Sometimes, you can find ways to bring sections of the quilt together by carrying a line through the sections.
After playing with a few designs, I chose Option 2. I like how the lines bring focus to the center of the quilt and prefer the overall simplicity of the lines.
Designing on Procreate App
I like to use my iPad and iPencil to do some of the design work using the Procreate app. The app is about $12 and is a very popular app because it has so many uses. However, like most software, there is a learning curve. I’ve watched a lot of YouTube and Skillshare videos to learn how to use it –and still only use a fraction of it’s capability. It is a great value at $12–but again, it requires a time investment to learn. I hope to offer a few tutorials on using Procreate for quilting at some future time–if there is enough interest…
What I like about Procreate is the ability to draw right on the tablet screen and save or hide the layers. For instance, I can draw a layer of basic lines, then try a different version. It’s easy to toggle between them with a tap of the pen. Later, I will be able to layer in more ideas–like motifs–and audition them as well. If you have an Ipad Pro (must support the iPencil), I highly recommend downloading the app and slowly learning to use it.
(Hint–to UNDO-tap the screen with two fingers-or use the backward arrow below the pencil opacity slider.)
Designing with Tracing Paper
While I like to use a tablet, you don’t need a computer or an app to design your quilts! You can use layers of tracing paper over a print of your quilt. Paper and pen remains a great way to test a few designs before you work on your quilt.
The important thing is that you spend some time thinking about the quilt as a whole and designing the big picture.
Mark the Major Dividing Lines
After planning the lines, I marked the lines directly on the quilt. I decided the spacing between lines I like best was an (inconvenient) 3/4 inch. I used the classic blue pen to mark the quilt (after testing, of course).
The process of marking took me around two hours–but that included a few digressions (laundry, texts, let the dog out…you know the drill).
Two Layers of Batting!?
I’ve been reading about quilting (another form of digression?) and noticed that many quilters use two layers of batting. This seems to add a little more oomph to the quilting lines-so I thought I’d give it a try. Because this is a new technique for me, I spent some time making samples. I love wool batting for the washability and softness so I used Tuscany wool with a layer of 80/20 poly/cotton batting.
Samples-A Very Good Habit!
ALWAYS make samples! Sample the batting, thread and motifs and see how they will work together. This is the cure to disappointing or unexpected results!
I really LOVE how the batting shows off the quilting line–it’s a go!
We can file this under “Good Quilting Habits”-in keeping with the series we started earlier this year…
See Good Habits Series:
Quilting the Carolina Lily Steps
- Step One–Get over yourself! It’s only a quilt!
- Step Two-Press the quilt top and take a few photos
- Step Three-Start Planning the Design
- Step Four-Choose and Mark the Major Design Lines
- Step Five-Sample batting, thread and motifs
- Step Six-Create and press backing (not shown here)
Next Steps-
- Load the quilt and batting on the frame
- Begin stitching major lines
- Stitch in the Ditch quilting
- Continue to plan the design
Please Share!
Are you doodling five pages/day? What have you discovered from doodling?
Do YOU have a favorite quilt top waiting to be quilted?
Have YOU ever used two layers of batting?
Are YOU 2/12ths finished with your 2023 goals?
We’d LOVE to hear!
Your Focused (for now) Free Motion Quilter,
Laser Lori
PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy Quilts and are intended for personal use only. Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to LKQ. For all other purposes, please contact me at Lori@LoriKennedyQuilts.com!
Check out my books on Etsy: LoriKennedyShop
28 comments
Kaye Mattson
I am interested in your plan to use 2 different batting together in 1 quilt. If you use a wool batting and cotton-poly batting will there be any problem with them shrinking at different rates when the quilt is washed? Thank you
Donna Harmeyer
Udemy has courses that you can take on Procreate. They run sales all the time.
Becky Shaffer
Hi Lori,
Your quilting sample is beautiful! I would be interested in a Procreate tutorial. I don’t have it, but I might invest in it if it looks like something I can manage.
Becky
Jennifer
Please, please, please to do Procreate tutorials! I’ve been slowly learning it, and it’s already so much fun. I love this series you’re doing, where we get to see your entire process. I think I’m going to find it very useful.
Sandy
I love Procreate and want to learn so much more about the app as it applies to quilting designs. Please put together some tutorials. I would also like to have a Quick-Reference sheet for the basics. I tend to forget how I did something and don’t want to take the time to look it up.
Adrienne
I place a clear vinyl sheet, material bought at JoAnn, and place it on top of my quilt. Then I audition possible quilting patterns directly on the vinyl using erasable markers. I get to see what the pattern will look like in true scale. IMPORTANT IF YOU USE THIS METHOD: put some tape around all the edges of your sheet so you don’t accidentally doodle off the vinyl and onto the quilt. ALSO, mark with tape or with PERMANENT marker which side you are going to use of doodling. Again, you don’t want any errant erasable ink getting onto the quilt itself. When I am done doodling, if I like the design, I snap photo. Then I remove the quilt, clean the sheet, and roll it up in the paper it came with when I bought it.
Kathie
I don’t have a to do list for 2023. I’m just working on the projects I started in 2022…but because of some guild projects, I’m digressing…LOL. It’s my habit to plan how I’ll quilt something as I piece it. I then use the basic MS Paint program provided with Windows to doodle my plans on images that I’ve taken of the quilt as a whole, and close-ups of the blocks in the quilt. I have used double batting on quilts for grandkids to keep them warm. We call them double stuffed. Double batting does make the quilting pop! I look forward to watching your Carolina Lily progress. Have fun!
Jenny Garcia
Count me in as someone who would learn how to use Procreate with quilting. I’ve been using it to work on some collage designs and you’re right, there’s a very steep learning curve, but it’s definitely easier than tracing and drawing designs over photos.
Thanks for all your great suggestions!
annthompson51
Thank you for this very helpful and informative tutorial!
Cheri
Hi Lori
Actually you are doing better than I am…..I have a quilt from 1994 (for my beloved Aunt) who has since passed, that I need to design the quilting for.
I do like how you break down the thought process and offer other solutions for helping create (procreate) designs. Anxiously waiting to see your designs come to life!
Cheri
Roxy Sherburne
Super Fantastic post today, Lori! Yes, I know what you mean by goals and not getting things done like you planned. It’s like an ocean/sea, or a grand smorgasboard of things to do! I’m still plugging along on my Ribbon Cancy Christmas quilt, but I’m almost there. I have 7 more horizontal seams to sew. Today is going to be pressing what I worked on yesterday. The main thing is that I am working on quilting after a slump of not doing anything. The quilt you are working on is beautiful! I have 2 of my grandmother’s quilts that she hand appliqued that are beautiful, however, they get put on the back burner for another project I am working on. I have committed to the Bountiful QAL through Fat Quarter Shop, but have not started yet because I want to finish up the Christmas quilt first.
Bette
Procreate tutorial? Yes please Lori!
And Step 1–“Get over yourself! It’s only a quilt!” I’m going to make a sign with that quote and post it by my machine.
Thanks for all your great advice and encouragement.
Alice Rhodes
Hi Lori,
You also inspired me to try free motion quilting a couple years back. Now that I am retired, I have plenty of time to practice. I test my quilting plan on a large piece of clear vinyl over my quilt top., i.e. 40′ x 40″ It starts out blank and as I progress with the actual quilting, I keep filling in my trial and error designs with a dry-erase marker. Provides some muscle-memory practice while I’m at it. Endless fun! Thank you for the inspiration and keep up your good work!
Stephanie O Ryan
Thanks for all of your most helpful blogs. I started a doodling notebook about 2 years ago when first finding your blog. I am actually ahead of my 2023 plans but have more requests from friends and family coming in, one of them being a king size. Don’t have a lot of time to practice but you are so right in encouraging making samples, practicing and planning. It actually makes the process more relaxing and enjoyable. As always, I look forward to this blog and thank you for being so kinnd to share. 🙂
Karen
Would love some lessons on Procreate
Clare Beth Rutila
Facilitating an AMAZING applique study group has left me with quite a retirement project. We made a bed size quilt every year (ten and counting) … now the first to be quilted is hanging on the door. Because of the layout I figured it would be the easiest to work out the ‘plan’. We’ll see?! Thank you for telling me to ‘get over myself.’ Can I be a world class appliquer AND a world class quilter? No. But I can do the job with appropriate love and effort.
Mary Northway
Thank you Lori! You never disappoint.
Joan
Love your quilt design and love your blog! Glad you are back! Yes to Procreate!
Marsha Thornburg
First off, LOVE your quilting design. I think all your tips are great. I am a hobby quilter with a very basic quilting machine, so I do everything free motion. My goal this year is to complete my machine pieced projects that I have stored in bins in my closet, some of which I have had for several years! I have completed one and have started the second so I am getting there. I also made a bargello quilt for my church mission auction in between, so I’m on track. Thank you for sharing your knowledge with all of us.
Tammy Kelley
I started the doodling challenge
Lost my way on it a bit because I have never been a doodler, but still trying to do some. I have tried Procreate with little success. Would love a tutorial to learn how to use it for this purpose, as I have only found elaborate artist type videos.
My goal for 2023 is to get confident with using my longarm. Also planned about 14 quilts to make this year. I am not 2/12ths finished with my goals either.
Barbara Ann
Please tell us more about quilting with 2 layers of batting, the pros and especially the cons, using a domestic sewing machine. Thank you.
Naomi Yergey
Just wanted to share how you inspired me to be able to FMQ in the first place. Love your books and reading your blogs. I admit that I haven’t actually done the doodle challenge but I do keep a few notebooks handy and use them for doodles while dreaming/planning projects. Thank you for all the guidance you provide to us!!
Sharon
As I’ve learned most of what I know and do with fmq from you, I woul very much like to learn Procreate. You are so inspiring, funny and creative. Thanks for starting up your blog again. I encourage everyone to get your books.
Sue Sharer
I have been using Procreate to practice doodling. My biggest challenge to your doodling challenge was deciding what to doodle. I’ve been going through the 180 Doodle Quilting Designs books and doing at least 5 per day on my iPad. Thanks for that challenge. I would love to see something on using Procreate for quilting.
Kathy Pawlik
I would LOVE to see a tutorial on procreate for quilting. I used it once for testing out a design…. And after reading your post realize I need to use it more. Love the design you came up with….. can’t wait to see it when done.
Linda Swanekamp
Thanks for showing your thinking steps. I don’t have a tablet- I print out a full page in b&w picture of the quilt and put it in a clear plastic sheet protector. Then I use wipe off markers to make my lines. I can take a picture with the phone, erase it, and try again. I like what you came up with for the quilt. Thank you!
janaj0601
I have a free copy of Procreate that I’ve never used. PLEASE show what you know. Sounds like I’ll need to upgrade my app, but that’s the way everything is working . . .
Comments are closed.