Does this happen to you?? I come across this all the time….You make up the quilt, runner, table topper (whatever) and you get to the binding and the instructions say “Quilt as desired.” Well, I would desire to have a little stippling, meandering, maybe some snowflakes here and there but hey, I don’t know how to do that! I don’t own a long arm and I am not taking it to a professional. I’d like a little help here…some suggestions perhaps, a picture or two…maybe a close-up would be nice…I’m sick of stitching in the ditch. So here I am, finishing up my little snowman table toppers and guess what it says….yup, “Quilt as desired”. The quilt is called Holly In the Snow so after much stewing, this is what I came up with ….(after stitching in the ditch) I cut out some holly shapes, got out my Mark – B-Gone pen, then traced
around the holly shapes. Stitched it with my sewing machine (with my walking foot on).
Spritz it with water and presto Mark-B-Gone has vanished…like magic! 
And you’re left with lovely holly in the snow…hey that’s a good name for this pattern!! AND maybe I should sign up for another lesson in free motion quilting…. ;o)
Have a fantastic Friday (what already!!!) and Happy Quilting!
You did a wonderful job on the quilting design. I love to do free motion and sometimes I draw it one like that and other times I go nuts and do whatever comes to mind, lol.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
Your holly in the snow looks great! I bought a free motion foot for my machine but haven't tried it out yet. One of these days! :0)
ReplyDeleteLove your Holly in the Snow, Lovely stuff, and what a great pen! Must look for one of those! super cool blog
ReplyDeletegood for you - the quilting is perfect! I just recently did a lot of holly leaves and berries on one of my quilts. I'm with you - I hate that quilt as desired! Have you checked out Leah Day at http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/ . She's doing 365 days of free motion quilting designs - and has recently been discussing this very issue, and providing some info on how she goes about deciding. Her videos are great, and most of her designs are pretty easy to master with some practice. She gives hints and tips about where and how to use, too!
ReplyDeleteWell done! Like you I'm not madly confident with my FM quilting so I need to practice more.....but I don't practice because I'm not very good at it......need to just jump in and do it.
ReplyDeleteIt looks great - I think you did the right thing. Next time it will be easier!
ReplyDeleteI can understand the frustration of finishing a pattern only to see "quilt as desired". I sometimes find this to be true, also. So, I try to add an example or two and even occasionaly quilting templates with my patterns. Sometimes just a picture or example is all we need for our own inspiration. Quilting techniques and designs are as plentiful as applique and traditional piecing patterns, techniques and designs.
ReplyDeleteIt sure looks like you came up with something really great!
Hi Paulette - I learned from the blog "freemotionquilting" how to stiple, and several others. I just kept looking back at all of her older blogs to see the different designs. She has little video how to's and it's so well written. Then I practiced and made a bunch of hot pads, trying different designs. The first quilt I worked on was on our grandbaby's guilt. Go check out that site. It's wonderful / JoLynn -West Side of Straight
ReplyDeleteYour holly in the snow looks great!
ReplyDeleteDon't you just hate it when they say,"quilt as desired'
But i think your on the right track..doing holly quilting..
Julia ♥
This is fabulous!!!!! I hate that too, quilt as desired....I'm not good at free motion, I have arthritis in my neck and it kills my arms and shoulders to try to be precise. If I want a pattern in my quilting, I resort to hand-quilting. I love your holly, you did a wonderful job!!!!!
ReplyDeleteIt looks great. I have lost count of the number of times, when working in the quilt shop, that a customer would come in and say "I don't know what to do, the pattern says QAD" Perhaps the pattern writers should be forced to write some suggestions for the quilting. Shall we start a campaign? What should we call ourselves? What should our campaign slogan be?
ReplyDeleteYour quilting is perfect and inspiring. I'm bored with my stitch in the ditch, too, so I stitched straight lines from corner to corner as well in my newest quilt. Not very exciting, I must admit.
ReplyDeleteIt took me a long time before I finally broke down and used my free motion quilting foot. I just sandwiched a piece of scrap fabric and plugged away at it trying everything. It just felt so odd and I didn't have much control at first and finally after doing it for a while, I'm getting a little bit better. If I was to start all over again, signing up for a class is the way to go.
ReplyDeleteWell done. THe holly leaves look just right on the white and cream fabric. The subtle stitching shows nicely on the lighter fabric and it's a good contrast with the green piecing in the block. I have a friend and she does a lot nice doodles with the blue marker pen in the light areas of her quilts. Sometimes she even writes inspirational words in the borders using cursive lettering. It is a special treat to read around the edge of her quilts.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful job you have done!!! Best way of learning is just jump in and do your best! The holly is perfect here!
ReplyDeleteBut I can't believe you did this with your walking foot!?!? I'm not good friends with my walking foot! I use my darning foot for nearly all my quilting, even sometimes use to quilt straight lines (f.ex. doing in the ditch and cross hatch).
I too sometimes get annoyed with the "quilt as desired" - gimme a small tip please!! And then I can decide if I want to go with the suggestion or do something else ;o)
I am sooooo with you on this one Paulette....there's so much about the 'putting together' but very little about the 'finishing'!! Seems like secret squirrel stuff!!!! I recently made a Batman quilt (still finishing it!!) and when it came to the quilting....aaaaaaargh!!!! I decided to do the same as you....I traced Batman insignias on card and traced them onto the quilt with my water soluble marker.....not too bad if I do say so myself!!!! You've already heard about Leah's 365 days of FM quilting....that's a project I'm going to work on over the Christmas holidays....updating my skills!!!
ReplyDeleteLoved the holly BTW!!! You did a great job.
sugary hugs 'o) XXX
Stitched as you desired :)
ReplyDeleteLooks good to me! Its like recipes which say 'cook until done'- well obviously, but what exactly is 'done'? My Dad has the perfect toast recipe-'burn black and scrape to taste'.Now THAT is accurate! I think more quilt pattern writers should use it as an example of helpful finishing off...well not literally...
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