Today’s Topic: Preparing to Quilt-The Carolina Lily
Good Morning, Quilters!
It’s been a very cold and very snowy week here in Minnesota–what I call perfect “quilting weather”!
I’ve decided to take on a project I’ve been fretting about–my Carolina Lily quilt.
Quilting Fear
I’ve been fretting about this quilt for a very long time because I really love this quilt top. I found the pattern in an old magazine and immediately fell in love with the design. I hand pieced the flowers and applique, then stitched the blocks together by machine. When it was finished, I hung it in my sewing room for a long time, but I was too afraid to quilt it. (Does this sound familiar to anyone?) At some point it got relegated to a basket and the basket eventually went into a closet…
But it was always there…daring me to quilt it.
I made more quilt tops, but they filled the basket too–after all-I was too busy writing tutorials LOL!
Longarm Jitters
A few years ago, I purchased a BERNINA Q24 longarm and decided it was time to tackle my UFO basket. A quick inventory revealed I had accumulated 30 quilt tops–many purchased at ridiculously low prices on Ebay or at garage sales.
For the past two years, I’ve worked my way through all of the quilts (more on that soon) and the Carolina Lily is the last quilt. I told myself I need to practice and learn the longarm before I started this favorite quilt. To be honest, practice was only half of the procrastination-the other half is the fear I will ruin the quilt with my quilting!
(You might like my number one post of all time–Six Ways to Ruin Your Quilt with Machine Quilting)
But as I’ve said before, the only real way to ruin a quilt top is to leave it buried in the back of the closet, unquilted and unloved-and risking some later sale on Ebay!
Preparing to Quilt
This week, I took the first steps to turning my favorite quilt top into a quilted heirloom. Please join me as I share the process.
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
Take a Few Photos
The best way to start the design process is to take a full size photo of the quilt. This can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to be perfect! I was able to lay the quilt out and take photos from the stairs above.
This tip is from Lisa Calle: convert the photo to black and white-it makes the next design phase easier. You can do this in any photo app or just print the photo in black in white on your copier.
Which brings us to the next step-print a copy of the photo on regular copy paper-8-1/2 x 11 is great- in black and white.
Begin Playing with Dividing Lines
The next step is to start planning the quilting. Usually, you will need to add more dividing lines.
Place a piece of tracing paper over the black and white copy and see if you can come up with a few ways to divide your quilt. Save all options.
In addition to the dividing lines, start doodling a few motif ideas. Consider how the motifs work together. It is best to have some contrast between the motifs.
Digital Design
I prefer to work digitally, and use the Procreate App ($35) on my iPad. The app allows me to save layers and is very easy to use. If you have an ipad that supports a pencil–I highly recommend this app!
Next Time
- Design options
- Samples
- Loading the quilt
Doodling
How’s YOUR doodling progress? I know it’s hard to keep up the pace–but it’s the pace that helps you work spontaneously and intuitively! Don’t give up!
When you are ready, doodle your motifs in fabric. It doesn’t have to be a real quilt–just test your designs!
The silverware doodles above are a sneak preview of an upcoming American Quilter Magazine tutorial. Check out My Line with Lori Kennedy in every issue!
Please Share!
How is YOUR doodle practice proceeding?
Do YOU have a quilt top or a basket of quilt tops?
Does fear ever prevent YOU from quilting?
Or are you stymied by the process?
We’d LOVE to hear!
YOUR Fearless Quilter (ahem)
Lori the Lionhearted
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!
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