Wednesday, February 19, 2014

How do I quilt this??

I'm still pretty new to long-arm quilting  and quite honestly, this is a question I keep asking myself when I look at this current quilt top:
This quilt top was made by the local Project Linus ladies & I'm completely  stumped!

I continue to come home from work and just stare at it in wonderment, with what feels like a zillion questions:  (fast forward to the next paragraph to skip the rattling in my mind...lol!) Should I use one thread color or multiple? Do I quilt a different pattern in each color? Do I mimic the flames in the flame strip? If so, what do I quilt in the red and yellow strips? Do I stitch in the ditch around the yellow and quilt patterns  into the other two colors? 

Serious, how do you know  how to quilt a quilt sometimes???  My inexperience is showing. 

My "normal" pre-quilting routine is to doodle and sketch, practicing designs from various Free Motion Quilting books and find inspiration from all your work. This is not working this time. I really  am stumped! LOL! I've been looking for classes/workshops and have been seriously considering taking The Beginner's Guide to Longarm Quilting Workshop through Longarm University this summer. It's a 4-day workshop by Cindy Roth in Renton, Washington. Anybody familiar? Anybody gone?

Quite honestly,  I feel like a kid learning to ride a bike. I think I'm a little afraid to take off my "training wheels" as I venture away from my safe and secure quilting  pantographs and  whimsical free motion. This top presents a set of new challenges for me.  My creative mind knows there is potential here. I know I can do this. But, seriously, right now all's I can think is: How do I quilt this??

I'm looking forward to your input and please do share any workshops or learning opportunities you have had (or offer) that you would recommend and are located in the Pacific Northwest area.

Thanks ahead of time!
With Smiles,

Val:)

43 comments:

  1. What about feathers on the flame and red swirl fabric lines and straight lines through the blocks? Or a stacked spiral in the flame and swirl fabrics and again straight line quilting through the rectangles?

    I feel your pain - sometimes I look at quilts for days and wonder what the heck (my thoughts might involve other words LOL). I'm sure you will get LOTS of ideas from the wonderful blog quilters! You will know the right idea when you see it or it comes to you :)

    Good luck!!

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    1. I am so glad to know I'm in good company when it comes to looking at a quilt for days in wonderment! Thank you for that affirmation!

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  2. Good luck Val I can't wait to see the outcome!

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  3. This is my all time most asked question to myself. And I do them on a domestic machinge. Good luck, Val. If you find an answer, let us know.

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    1. Right! Some quilts ya just know exactly what to quilt...others, do stump ya! Glad to know I'm in good company! THANK YOU!

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  4. Val -- deciding is always my biggest challenge too. I think you're on the right path letting the fabric speak to you. I think maybe some sort of swirl in that medium tone fabric -- because it looks like there are swirls there already... and then you could do the figure 8 skinny loop in the flame area (dont fuss too much in this area -- it will be hard to see anyhow)... and maybe the yellow area ends up being geometric -- either a cross hatch or continues rectangles ? I would tend to save myself the turmoil and choose a taupe color that will work for all 3 without making a big statement anywhere. I feel for you... I sure understand. One thing to be sure about, the child that receives this quilt has all sorts of blessings and love stitched in. Hugs, Karen

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    1. I sketched out what you described Karen...makes sense. Would not have thought of using a taupe color,,,but see what you mean about using a neutral color. Thank you!

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  5. My advice Val is don't over think it. Keeping it simple is sometimes best. If you want to work on some line work, you could just echo both sides of the two zig zags and then in the yellow just quilt what I call a double wish bone. A diagonal line going into a loop then a diagonal in the other direction, etc. Use a dark gold thread on the whole quilt. Have fun and Karen is right. The child will love it!

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    1. I too think simple is best. I sketched out what you described too....and get what you are saying. THANKS a bunch Cynthia. And right...it's about the child:)

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  6. It is such a pretty top. I wish I could help but I only hand quilt and my go to is cross hatch.

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  7. what about going simple ? An all over flame design, or a flame and swirl combo, in a medium scale, I think would bring it together , rather than doing it all separately. Since the red stripe resembles a fiery theme as well, I would stick to that theme overall.

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    1. I have a "flame" pantograph too!! And the backing is the red...so the overall flame would keep it simple.

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  8. If you can attend Cindy's class, I advise a resounding YES. I took this class as a completely novice longarmer and can't stress strongly enough how much it helped me.

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    1. Good to know!! Thank you for the resounding YES!!! (it helps!)

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  9. I am in the same boat, looks like I need a longarm quilter. I met one but all they do is stipple. I want some design , stopping by from Linky Party Freshly pieced.

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  10. I would do an all over design with a flame-like stipple. I wouldn't over quilt this one. I'm in the same boat trying to learn how to FMQ on my domestic!

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  11. good morning Val my friend Sherry http://quiltsfabricthreadtales.blogspot.com/ is a teacher and a long arm quilter-perhaps she could help with suggestions-tell her you are my friend-she lives in Missouri too

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    1. Thanks for the resource Kathy! I will definitely look her up.

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  12. I think I might go with an all over flame design, so that they look like they (the flames) are rising from the bottom to the top? In a warm color variegated thread maybe? Good luck!

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    1. Oooohhh Rachel...now I would have never thought of this. But I LOVE how creative yet simple your idea is!!! I sketched this one out too and it is by far my favorite as it's simple but unique. Thank you!

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  13. I think I would probably go with a curvy pantograph, like Flame or Steam. Steam will soften the angular look while Flame will further enhance the spikey bits. Both are available in various online shops. I use Steam a good bit when I have a geometric design that needs softening. It's going to be great but as others have said, don't over-think it! :-) Often the simple design is the best. Good luck!

    http://www.busyneedle.ch

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  14. Beautiful top Val and it looks like you have gotten some great suggestions! Thanks for sharing.
    Freemotion by the River Linky Party Tuesday

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  15. I would go with flames, maybe with some smoke curls thrown in. Have fun!

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  16. I also think that simple is sometimes best. I love the idea of a golden or variegated thread. What is the backing fabric? I often pick thread that blends with both. I also really like the idea of flame quilting all over. However with that said, if you want to practice other quilting (like on the different fabrics) I would go for it. Whoever receives this quilt will absolutely love it because someone made it for him.

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    1. I have a variegated red/orange thread that I think will be perfect! I'm now leaning towards an all over flame design too. Everyone has made me realize I may have been over thinking this one just a bit....LOL!!!

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  17. Remember your audience... quilt some shapes that a kid would recognize. Leaves, animals? Just anything recognizable for something added to discover in the quilt. You aren't making an art piece, and I don't think a kid would recognize feathers. I'd say even a large meander would be good. Don't agonize... if you are quilting for PL you will have other chances at different designs.
    Hugs

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    1. Such a good point Terri! I usually add words and fun things like ya said, but for some reason this pattern stumped me...it's more "geometrical" than I've quilted before.

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  18. Use fun variegated thread and quilt a shape you want to practice. Nothing elaborate as it won't show. I'd go for something to learn sweeping curves or circles, the hardest thing to get even. The kids won't care what it is and you grow. How about hearts. It's my fall back, next to spirals. This kind of quilt is hard... Flower petals practice that curved sweeping line.
    LeeAnna Paylor
    lapaylor.blogspot.com

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    1. I think I have the perfect variegated thread and I agree, nothing elaborate. I like the idea of perhaps just practicing my spirals.

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  19. I think an all over flame design would be nice. Or even just an all over meander?

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  20. 24 hours later, and my feeling of being stumped has been replaced with inspiration after reading all your comments!!! THANK YOU!!!! In reflection I realize I was letting a new quilt pattern stump me and this led me to over-thinking it and kinda having too big of expectations for the quilt. It is important to remember my audience. I like the idea of focusing on one quilting technique and to keep it simple. All your comments affirmed by original instincts to use a variegated thread and to quilt it with a flame pantograph. A Project Linus recipient would LOVE a cool "flame" quilt. THANK YOU fellow blogging friends. I appreciate your time in commenting and your support! You have truly helped me take a deep breathe and look for the fun in this quilt project!! I very appreciative!! With smiles, Val:)

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  21. I came to this post from the front page, and before I clicked over to see the comments, I thought "maybe flames?" and you've all already figured that out and quilting in variegated thread is perfect! :-) Sounds like it will be awesome, and I can't wait to see it.

    For whatever it's worth, I struggle with the same thing Val, all. the. time. Once I've made a decision it's easy and I can quilt anything, but the decision part is maddening even after quilting for 20 years.

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    1. Thank you Nadine. It's reaffirming to know this is just a creative process we all kinda go through as quilter's. I really appreciate your insight as a experienced quilter.

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  22. I think that I'd stick with something with a swirl or loop to it. To counterbalance the straight lines of the blocks. For what it's worth.

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    1. I value everyone's input, especially because you make a good point. This post and everyone's comments are really helping me think about design and the balance of things. So thank you.

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  23. First let me say I pretty much tie my "quilts," and so far have only quilted in the ditch around letters. So I'm the opposite of an expert. I have, however, done a lot of quilts with what I call "Charlie Brown stripes" diagonally across. These stripes aren't on the diagonal, but still, they have a direction or a movement. My advice would be *not* to connect the three different fabrics with quilting, but to quilt each fabric separately. For the flames and the orange swirls, you want to follow the fabric, right and down, right and down, etc., to accentuate their direction/movement. I like the idea of flames for the flaming fabric and spirals for the orange swirly stuff. Since this is for a kid, it could be fun to quilt yellow things in the yellow fabric, like bananas and lemons. But maybe that's too goofy, or difficult to do.

    I think yellow would work for all of them.

    And let me say again -- I'm coming from a place of zero experience! ;)

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    1. Well with zero experience you have very creative ideas! I like the idea of adding something fun to the yellow blocks especially.

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  24. Oh, yay! I think the flame quilting would be perfect and if you had a yellow/orange/red variegated thread - that would be so hot! That curves of the flame quilting would look great against the straight edges and set this quilt on fire!

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  25. I am afraid I can't help you about the quilting. But I have been looking around at your blog, and enjoy all your work, and will be a new follower :)

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  26. I agree I like the idea of a flame shape! But must admit I struggle sometimes with the right quilt pattern. Good lick!

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  27. When I have a very linear quilt, I go curvy with the quilting. This one calls for an all over curving pattern, to me. I do not own a long arm, so how you figure out a pattern, I don't know.

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  28. I think simplicity is best. I KNOW it will look fabulous however you decide to quilt it- and it will be well loved no matter what as well!

    I'm so glad you shared at Needle and Thread Thursday!

    :) Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation

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  29. Hi Val I also took Cindy's class but only the two day . I really enjoyed it and learned a lot. In fact most of what I do is from her class. As far as the quilt you are working on I don't have a recommendation. This is the same area I have trouble with. Coming up with a design that will enhance the quilt and not be the total focus. The class will help but I think a lot of it has to come from with in and the confidence we have in our selves that we are doing the best job for that quilt. Best of luck to you. Linda

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I have to admit, your comments make me smile! Thanks for sharing and for letting me know you stopped by. I Hope your day is awesome!

Val:)