Saturday, January 7, 2012

Make Life Top, how to quilt?

I started this quilt to be a fun lapsize for a co-worker to keep in her office and remind her of bright days when her days at work were tough.  However, as I was pieceing it, I noticed these little blotches along the way. I pre-washed this fabric but the water was on warm (unrealized), not cold and I didn't take care to keep things with like colors even though I knew better.

So, I decided I would hang on to this one as an extra house quilt. That leaves me with the idea to use these squares as individual test patches for quilting designs and I've decided to reach out to you. What continuous motion quilting designs do you suggest? I plan to practice feathers in the boarders (2 borders = 2 types of feathers).  For the blocks, though, what should I try. If I have enough ideas, I may go ahead and use each block as a different test area. 
Oh! Pebbles.

I've always wanted an excuse to try those. Maybe I'll do those in one of the little blocks.

Any other thoughts?

Cheers!
Beck

9 comments:

Staci said...

Good for you, making an unhappy situation into an opportunity to learn and practice! Clever!

Shevvy said...

just do the pebbles in a really small area - they get old very quick and take forever.

I like loopy designs on the whole. I don't know what that says about me. And I've started on simply flowers, it doesn't take a lot to be effective.

Leah Days has loads of designs, some I like some I don't but its a great place for ideas.

The Thompsons said...

I like the tear drop look. I haven't tried it yet, but it's on my list.

Barbara Sindlinger said...

I like the look of pebbles but they are very time consuming - better for small art quilts. I would just do some loopy or flower type design. Or if you want to practice feathers - do a quilt full of feathers that go every way and fill up the space.

Shay said...

I like scallops...and I actually managed to do those last year at a quilting class.

Loopy flowers also float my boat. Concentric circles?

Bummer about the bleeding but it seems you've turned it into an opportunity to update your skills !

Barb said...

I love doing pebbles....someone mentioned scallops, that sounds great!

Mary said...

I've read two different solutions to your bleeding problem. One is to rewash your quilt with some Shout Color Catchers and they will remove the bleeding. Next time you wash new fabrics together use the color catchers to prevent the problem. I've also read to wash the quilt using Dawn dish soap to remove bleeding. It's worth a try.

Mrs A said...

possum tails, you cant go wrong! you can loop them around eachother, and make it up as you go, which is what i like to do, trailing hearts is another one that looks lovely, pebbles are good for plain backgrounds, but they do my head in!

QuiltNut Creations said...

that sucks Beck but good for you for making it work.