05.15.21 Hoffman Panel Dream Big

by ProjectsQuilting TechniquesUncategorized

I am working on my Hoffman Spectrum Digital print fabric panel that I received for a gift about four to five years ago. I have been so excited to do this and have so appreciated all the generous quilters who have posted photos of their amazing quilting of this panel. They have also offered information on the process they used and what materials they used.

I requested a black and white panel because I wasn’t sure where I might hang this when it was completed. I am using white thread at the center, a lighter gray, medium/dark gray and black as I work out from the center.

I’ve had to be patient with myself and let the quilting designs come to me.  I just want to look at the panel and know quickly how I will fill each pedal.  I am not able to do that, so I have to take time to seek ideas and audition designs.  Also, because I am using new quilting designs I am not happy with my first attempts and have found I need to practice them first.  This all slows down the process.

It is taking much longer than I anticipated.

Practice Quilting
Practice quilting for the center of the panel.
Hoffman Panel Center
Final quilting in the panel center.
Hoffman Panel
Slowly making progress.

03.28.20 My Favorite Quilt

by BooksProjectsQuilting Techniques
Close up photo of sewing machine doing free motion quilting.
Whimsical Pine Tree Quilt

I worked on this design for over a year.  Then worked on the piecing for a year…and then because I loved the quilt so much I had to take a lengthy pause to really make sure the quilting I added would be perfect.  Well, it’s not perfect, but I do love how it turned out. I hang this quilt in our family room all year!  I just love it.

I am happy to share this pattern with you.  Like the rest of my free patterns I have only sparse directions.  My intention is to share the idea with some direction and hope that you are able to take if from there. The pattern I have posted includes a seven, five, and three-inch block for paper-piecing. I hope you find something fun to do with the pattern.

I have included a couple of photos of the layering of my quilt using Harriet Hargrave’s techniques for layering and pinning, which has never failed me. Even when I piece the backing, which I had to do with this quilt, her method allows me to know what is going on with the backing to place the piecing where I want it in relationship to the front. If you have not explored her books, I highly recommend a that you do. She has been a leader in domestic machine quilting. I owe so much of my ability to free-motion quilt to reading and studying her books. I ALMOST got to attend a week-long retreat years ago, but the retreat location changed and I was unable to attend. I have two editions of her comprehensive Heirloom Machine Quilting books and I have all the books in her amazing Quilters Academy series. She has deep, useful, practical information packed into her books. In later posts, I will mention the many other domestic quilters who have shared their expertise and inspired me.

  • Whimsical Holiday Quilt
    Whimsical Holiday Quilt
  • Whimsical Holiday Quilt
    Layered, pinned, and ready to quilt

I love Christmas fabrics and everything made with them.  This quilt allowed me to use many different holiday fabrics from my stash for the trees and the corners.  Nearly everything I free-motion quilt includes feathers.  I am trying to expand my skill set and use other quilting designs. I love to make free-motion feathers. 

I did spend a lot of time trying out various ideas for the quilting.  For me this decision is the most difficult step in completing a quilt, unless I designed the quilt with a specific quilting plan or feature in mind.  Here you can see a draft design idea for the quilting that I finally liked. Yes, I went with feathers…..again.

  • Whimsical Holiday Quilt drafting the quilting
    Draft design
  • Whimsical Holiday Quilt back quilting
    Quilt back
  • Whimsical Holiday Quilt feathers
    Free motion feathers
Link to PDF Pattern Whimsical Holiday Quilt