The Windowsill Garden Mini-Quilt
IF YOU CAN DOODLE IT, YOU CAN QUILT IT
I hope you had time to try yesterday’s Free Motion Quilting (FMQ) tutorial, The Windowsill Garden. Remember, if you don’t have time to stitch the patterns, try to find a few minutes each day to doodle the motifs. It’s a great way to learn the pattern before you get to the sewing machine.
THE WINDOWSILL GARDEN MINI-QUILT
I used the design from yesterday’s tutorial to create this “vase quilt” –just a little something to add color under my vases, candy jars, Easter basket…
MAKING THE QUILT
I started with a 20″ x 24″ piece of fabric and drew a rectangle in the center of the fabric – leaving a wide margin to test my tension and for trimming later. I drew diagonal lines across the rectangle and lines bisecting the rectangle in each direction. By placing the major design elements on these lines, I know my quilt will be visually balanced.
I began by stitching a large flower-pot on each of the drawn lines and a few smaller pots in between.
Then I layered in more quilting to fill the entire quilt.
I used this (new-to-me) two-ply 35wt Rayon thread from Robison-Anton (It’s now called Twister Tweed-not Swirl Sensation.) I found it at my LQS (Local Quilt Shop) or try Sewforless.com HERE and Red Rock Threads HERE
The two plys are different colors and together they create a fabulous textured effect! Fabulous! I want ALL the colors! The thread stitches beautifully with a Schmetz Topstitch 90 needle –(I used Aurifil cotton 50 wt in the bobbin.)
I’m hoping the little birdies will be singing on my windowsill now that the flowers are returning…
What’s new out your window today? Flowers? Birds? Threads?
I’d love to hear…
Lori
PS…You can follow Robison-Anton on Pinterest HERE. (And YT–YOURS TRULY–HERE.)
PPs…All images, tutorials and information are the property of Lori Kennedy at The Inbox Jaunt and are intended for personal use only. Feel free to pin and re-blog with attribution to The Inbox Jaunt. For all other uses, please contact me at lckennedy@hotmail.com….You’re the best!
Lovely! Thanks for the tip about doodling. I should grab a notebook and start doodling your tutorials – and make my way to the sewing machine!
I’m a huge fan of doodling–because doodling makes you smarter! Read this post:http://lorikennedyquilts.com/2012/08/20/doodlers-are-smarter-assignment-2/
I’ve been following you for a few weeks now, and I have to say your FMQ is lovely. What’s even more fantastic is the way that you share your ideas and skills. This little quilt is right up my street, I think I’ll give it a try. Thanks.
Lynne, So glad you like it! Please send a photo or link to Flickr—I’d love to see what YOU create!
Hi Lori, Cute cute as usual…I love it. Such a happy little piece and so doable I think maybe I could get a couple of these done for some girlfriends and my daughters for Easter. I always think I have to start with piecing something etc…but starting with just a beautiful piece of fabric is just as stunning. I am addicted to all these colors you use, I just can’t get enough. OH gosh and the new thread!!! Awesome sauce…want that too!
It is my day to spend with Mom so I’m taking my doodle book for something to do, she’s recovering from knee surgery and I’ll be icing my back…we make a fine pair today LOL.
Have a good day! It’s finally warming here but there’s nothing but dirty left over snow and lots and lots of mud…can’t complain about moisture here in Wyo too loud. 🙂 But I’ll be glad when the snow is gone and the mud is dried up at least a little. LOL! I have a pair of bluebirds that showed up in my back yard bird house! yay!!!
Oh…I just saw your reply to yesterday’s post…I did read somewhere in your past posts that you mentioned being a PT…that is actually helping me a lot I almost canceled my shot until I crawled around on a cold wood shop floor one entire day and put in a rotten night…oops! L5 (? I think) bulging disc and a narrowing of some space in the joint is irritating a nerve and making my leg ache at night when I lay down…Up during the day I do pretty good. Sleep became impossible…told hubby if he could strap me to a pole and let me stand there and sleep I’d sleep for a week! LOL! I wish I’d of sought out PT months and months ago. 🙂
Nothing goes right when you can’t sleep. Hope the PT helps soon!
Just beautiful! Doodling makes me smile!
Wow…I love your garden…I am inspired to make my own quilted garden! I will try marking the focus points for balance…great strategy, thanx!
Thanks to you I now doodle everyday but don’t know if I will ever get as good at FMQing that you are with yours. I have a question. Can you do these FMQ patterns only on solid fabrics. I did your star pattern on a quilt and it has disappeared in the pattern. I never know where to use them can you help.
Hi Barb,
Great to hear from you! The patterns can be used on any fabric, but they are more noticeable on solid fabric which is why I use solids for my tutorials. Your best bet is to use the intricate patterns on lightly patterned prints. Also, try using a heavier weight thread with more contrast to your background. That will help emphasize the quilted line.
Just so cute. Thank you for sharing your talent!
Coats & Clark has made a Rayon Twist thread like you describe (35 wt) for years; I have all of their colors and love it. I assume it’s still around in stores.
Thanks, Linda! I’ll have to look for that!
I really appreciate your notes on how to make it. I’m often at a loss as to how to go from concept to reality in using the various designs. Thank you.
I have tried aurifill thread 50 ct but it kept breaking. Is it something I am doing to cause that? New to quilting…
If your thread is breaking–change your needle (it may have a burr), make sure the needle is large enough (80 or 90), clean your machine, especially the bobbin area–make sure there are no broken threads or lint, and rethread both the top and bobbin. If that doesn’t work…write back to me!
Lori – you’re so creative! Love this vase quilt! You’re suggestion to doodle the patterns is very helpful. Thanks for sharing!
Doodling will help create the motor memory necessary for free motion quilting. I consider it essential!
Lori I get soooo confused about thread….I don’t have a huge pocketbook and would like to get a collection of colors for quilting. Could you suggest your favorite ?
Hi Lori,
My favorite go-to cotton thread is Aurifil 50wt–it is beautiful workhorse thread for everything piecing, appliqué, and quilting. I often want a little luster for free motion quilting– then I use Sulky or Robison-Anton Rayon threads on top, but I still use Aurifil in the bobbin. I would buy less thread, in neutral colors to save a bit of money–these threads never give a lick of trouble!
Awesome blog. How do you avoid puckers and pleats when quilting the fillers between the large flower pots?
Hi Judy. I avoid puckers by using a thin batting (Warm and Natural). I press all the layers well and then I spray baste. For larger quilts I use wool bathing and I Pin Baste carefully.
How genious!!! I just found your blog and love it! Thanks for this ideas.
Greetings from Germany!
Rike
doodling… excellent advice!
thank you
Hi Lori, I’m sure I never would have thought to draw the diagonals to keep the designs centered. Thanks so much!
Leslie
Cedar wax wings swarmed the mountain ash trees in
My neighbourhood by the hundreds. Must have been hungry from their long trip. Got my cats all excited. Yeah Spring !!
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Cedar wax wing. Can’t wait for spring (and all the birds) to return!