Flourish on the Vine and Around the World Bloghop!
So, I have been asked by the super talented Carla Barrett to participate in the Around the World Bloghop. Carla and I met briefly in Australia and she was kind enough to let me borrow a clicker and lazer pointer for one of my classes. She was a life saver and she is so sweet!
The Around the World Bloghop has a few questions that I answer and since I just finished Flourish on the Vine for Loanne - I figured I would kill two birds with one stone and create one blog post for both things.
Okay, first question - What are you working on now?
Well, I am always working on something and the current "something" I am working on can not be shared until February - sorry! But, I finished quilting Flourish on the Vine designed by Kathy K. Wylie and pieced and appliqued by Loanne last week. I feel like this project is current enough to tell you all about it now.
First off, let me tell you that I love this quilt. When I first took out this quilt to come up with a quilting design, the design concept came to me immediately. I knew exactly what I was going to do in a round about way. I always leave a little to the imagination as I am quilting in case a few more ideas come to me during the process.
Well, I am always working on something and the current "something" I am working on can not be shared until February - sorry! But, I finished quilting Flourish on the Vine designed by Kathy K. Wylie and pieced and appliqued by Loanne last week. I feel like this project is current enough to tell you all about it now.
First off, let me tell you that I love this quilt. When I first took out this quilt to come up with a quilting design, the design concept came to me immediately. I knew exactly what I was going to do in a round about way. I always leave a little to the imagination as I am quilting in case a few more ideas come to me during the process.
I quilted this beautiful quilt on my A1 longarm. I am a free motion girl and I do not have a computer aided machine. I have my straight ruler, my purple disappearing marker (both on sale right now) and a lot of patience to help me through each quilt I work on.
The thread I used on this quilt is the color Pearl 20005 from Fil-tec Glide threads. I used #402 So Fine as the bobbin thread and I really enjoy the combo of the two threads. I used two layers of batting, Hobbs 80/20 and 100% cotton. I love to use two layers for my quilts because of the detail I put into each quilt.
The thread I used on this quilt is the color Pearl 20005 from Fil-tec Glide threads. I used #402 So Fine as the bobbin thread and I really enjoy the combo of the two threads. I used two layers of batting, Hobbs 80/20 and 100% cotton. I love to use two layers for my quilts because of the detail I put into each quilt.
Second question - How does your work differ from others of its genre?
Well, I think my work differs because I see things in straight lines and shapes. I do not focus on feathers as the main part of my quilting (not that I don't like to quilt feathers), but I want each of the quilts I work on to have a different feel. I don't do curves. I like straight lines. It is pretty obvious with my quilting that you can see I utilize the use of my straight ruler. I like to focus on the background of the quilt tops I work on so that I can show off my quilting, but showcase the piecing at the same time. My quilting has evolved and I pray that it will continue to get better. I work hard at what I do and I try really hard to make sure my quilting is unique.
Well, I think my work differs because I see things in straight lines and shapes. I do not focus on feathers as the main part of my quilting (not that I don't like to quilt feathers), but I want each of the quilts I work on to have a different feel. I don't do curves. I like straight lines. It is pretty obvious with my quilting that you can see I utilize the use of my straight ruler. I like to focus on the background of the quilt tops I work on so that I can show off my quilting, but showcase the piecing at the same time. My quilting has evolved and I pray that it will continue to get better. I work hard at what I do and I try really hard to make sure my quilting is unique.
Another thing that I feel makes my work a little different is that I don't fully plan out a design. I design as I quilt. I quilt as I go and do most of the marking with each advance of the quilt. On this quilt I pre-marked the grid in the center of the quilt, I just had 7 lines as a reference. I did this because the area is large enough that I need to mark it before it is on the frames. The inside details were added later. That is why there are three different designs within the diamond shapes in the center of the quilt. If I had preplanned this area and marked it all out - I wouldn't have had the flexibility to change or improve my designs.
Third question - Why do I write/create what I do?
Seems like a simple question with a simple answer. I love it! I love creating! If you have read my blog from the beginning you would know that I started quilting out with the whole thought of it being a side job while I pursued my pattern and book writing. What I didn't plan on is that quilting would be the reason I could pursue a book, and now teaching. It's amazing to think that God's plans for you are always better than the plans you have for yourself. Because of that, I thank Him each day for the gift of creating and quilting and that I am able to do this as a job where for the most part, I am home with my family each day.
I feel lucky that I get to work on my next book throughout this next year. I am excited for the new designs and approaches to the quilt designs I have come up with.
Seems like a simple question with a simple answer. I love it! I love creating! If you have read my blog from the beginning you would know that I started quilting out with the whole thought of it being a side job while I pursued my pattern and book writing. What I didn't plan on is that quilting would be the reason I could pursue a book, and now teaching. It's amazing to think that God's plans for you are always better than the plans you have for yourself. Because of that, I thank Him each day for the gift of creating and quilting and that I am able to do this as a job where for the most part, I am home with my family each day.
I feel lucky that I get to work on my next book throughout this next year. I am excited for the new designs and approaches to the quilt designs I have come up with.
I hope you are enjoying this quilt. I had so much fun quilting it. Sometimes I struggle to work on the quilts that take me a long time. I get bored and want to move onto something new. Not this one. I had so much fun with the ceiling tile background as shown above. It gives the quilt a movement that is incredible. The applique pops on top of the quilt and the quilting is a wonderful element that enhances the work that Loanne put into the piecing and applique.
This border is a new design for me. I love it. I had so much fun coming up with this design and I think it looks incredible!
I figured out how to complete this in two passes of the quilt and I hope you love it as much as I do.
Isn't this texture fantastic!?! I am really proud of this quilt and I feel really grateful to Loanne for letting me "do my thing."
Last question - How does your creative process work?
So, my creative process starts first when I see a quilt. I usually take a day or two to mull over what design I want to put into the quilting. With this quilt it was a lot quicker. I leave my options open and design as I go. I let the quilting speak for itself and a lot of times it just comes together. It is hard to explain how I come up with a lot of my designs because they just "come." I can see exactly what a quilt needs just by looking at it. I look back at where I was in the beginning and realize that the quilting art is an ever evolving thing and with time - it gets better and easier.
You can see in the above picture what it means when I say I quilt as I go. I leave my options open to new design elements. I quilt around the applique first, then I quilt the designs in the background. I only pre-mark lines that are too big to fit within the quilting area that I have. I have about 18 good inches to work with on each pass of the quilt.
I hope you enjoyed this post and I really hope you like my latest project. Take care ~ Judi
So, my creative process starts first when I see a quilt. I usually take a day or two to mull over what design I want to put into the quilting. With this quilt it was a lot quicker. I leave my options open and design as I go. I let the quilting speak for itself and a lot of times it just comes together. It is hard to explain how I come up with a lot of my designs because they just "come." I can see exactly what a quilt needs just by looking at it. I look back at where I was in the beginning and realize that the quilting art is an ever evolving thing and with time - it gets better and easier.
You can see in the above picture what it means when I say I quilt as I go. I leave my options open to new design elements. I quilt around the applique first, then I quilt the designs in the background. I only pre-mark lines that are too big to fit within the quilting area that I have. I have about 18 good inches to work with on each pass of the quilt.
I hope you enjoyed this post and I really hope you like my latest project. Take care ~ Judi
