BLOG 158

 

Another week, another blog! And this week it is the quilting of the Delectable Mountain wall quilt.

 

QUILTING: As I have shown in past projects, I like to think long and hard about the all quilting patterns that I can possibly try. I usually do this mentally during the construction of the quilt top when I am familiar with the twist and turns of the design that I am sewing. I even go to the effort of doing a rough pattern on paper and trying out different ideas.

                                           Quilting ideas

 

The first lines of sewing are the stabilising lines which go in the ditch across the quilt and around the outside edges. These are done with a walking foot so that all the layers of fabric are fed through evenly (hence the alternative name of even feed foot!).

                               Sewing in the ditch

 

I always wear a gardening glove on my left hand when I am machine quilting, to get the maximum control with the flat of my hand on top of the fabric. I grip the folds of fabric firmly with my right hand.

                                   Maximum grip

 

Once stabilised, I then change to an embroidery foot for free-motion sewing. As the Delectable Mountain pattern is very angular and linear, I chose to make all my quilting designs fluid and organic. From my original ideas and doodles on paper, I chose to do a continuous leaf and circle motif across the light areas of the design. The horizontal safety pins that are removed from the light fabrics during sewing are repositioned into the red fabric on the vertical.

                           Quilting design light fabric

                                                 Detail

After completing all the bands of light fabric I chose to do a contrasting undulating line across the red fabrics.

                               Quilting design red fabric

 

Around the border I to drew leaves, with the occasional flower. I used this darker border thread to spill into the light fabrics near the top and bottom borders, drawing a branch and leaf motif (which happens to be a favourite at the moment!)

                                           Border quilting

                                          Branch and leaf

 A double binding was sewn around the outside edge, enclosing a sleeve for hanging. I think a signature is all that’s required and it will be ready to be hung in situ as a soft furnishing.

                   Delectable Mountain

 

PS I hope this technique may have inspired you to have a go. I am always interested to see quilts that have been made as a result of my blog.  It’s good to share!

PPS In the August issue of the British Patchwork and Quilting magazine, my husband has written a funny article on our quilt about Sun Bonnet at the Olympics quilt. It’s brilliant!!