Quilting Book Review

It isn't often I add another book to my collection. It is even more rare for me to write a review about one of those books. Today I want to tell you about Step-by-Step Texture Quilting: 65 New Free-Motion & Walking-Foot Designs (affiliate link) by Christina Cameli. I first heard of Christina Cameli when I was still active on Craftsy and Bluprint. There I watched a couple of her classes and enjoyed both. I recently received a little nudge from Sam Hunter of Hunter Design Studio either via social media or from her subscriber list. I looked up this book and placed my order. (Full disclosure: I purchased this book with my own money and received no compensation for writing this review.)

This cover, front and back, makes me want to quilt up some of this texture. I suddenly have more quilting ideas than quilts. That is a good problem to have.

Each design is clearly explained with both line drawings and quilted examples. I can't imagine working up all these samples to photograph. Every design has step-by-step instructions and direction arrows when needed. Perfect for both beginners and beyond.

My favorite thing about this book is the photographic index in the back. I need to be able to see the designs quickly so I can make a selection without paging through the entire book (though sometimes I do anyway because I have quilter's block). This way I can see the design as it would be stitched out and turn to the applicable page. Brilliant!

If you want to see what else Christina has to offer, check out her website. You will get a free pattern for signing up to her email list. She offers free tutorials and you can buy her books, patterns, and fabric. You will also find links to her blog and free YouTube videos of her quilting.

Free-motion Quilting Books in my Library (affiliate links):
Step-by-Step Texture Quilting: 65 New Free-Motion & Walking-Foot Designs - Christina Cameli
Free-Motion Quilting Idea Book: • 155 Mix & Match Designs • Bring 30 Fabulous Blocks to Life • Plus Plans for Sashing, Borders, Motifs & Allover Designs Spiral-bound 
Free-Motion Quilting with Angela Walters: Choose & Use Quilting Designs on Modern Quilts
Beginner’s Guide to Free-Motion Quilting: 50+ Visual Tutorials to Get You Started • Professional-Quality Results on Your Home Machine
Shape by Shape Free-Motion Quilting with Angela Walters: 70+ Designs for Blocks, Backgrounds & Borders
Shape by Shape, Collection 2: Free-Motion Quilting with Angela Walters - 70+ More Designs for Blocks, Backgrounds & Borders
Graffiti Quilting: A Simple Guide to Complex Designs (no longer available through Amazon but you can buy it directly from the designer)
Quilting Modern: Techniques and Projects for Improvisational Quilts

Star Struck

I picked up this panel by Anthology Fabrics a couple years ago at a quilt show. It has been waiting around in my collection for me to get up the nerve to quilt it. Since I completed my Dream Big panel I figured I had enough confidence to give it a go.

While I complete expected variance from the package print, I did not expect it to be this different. Granted, it didn't change that I was going to quilt it, it was just kind of surprising how much my panel did not match the package photo.

I decided to let the quilting really show on this one and pulled out a bunch of coordinating colors in Fantastico and Magnifico by Superior Threads. This poly thread has great shine perfect for machine embroidery and sometimes works as a great top thread when machine quilting. Paired with Bottom Line in the bobbin. 

I loaded, basted, and looked at the center of the quilt. I wanted to work from the center out. 

I created some large pebbles and echoed closely around each. I used the dye pattern to guide me and keep everything mostly balanced. 

A couple big swirls mirrored on the top, bottom, and sides got me really moving. My swirls may not be perfect but in the overall view that doesn't matter all that much. 

I created a background for those swirls. 

I squared off with echoes and another large pebble. So simple and really effective. 

I replicated the stripes for the second to last round. This will create a sort of background for the center motifs. I used a wavy echo for the last round trying to add some organic texture to break all those straight lines. 

Here is a view of the back of the quilt. It isn't easy to see the texture on the front but you can really see it here. 

Trimmed and ready for binding and a hanging sleeve. I'm really having fun exploring more quilting and less piecing. Not that I don't want to piece any more, just that I like adding to my quilting toolbox.

Anthology Fabrics Cube-Bori panel (non-affiliate)

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):
Fiskars Micro-Tip Scissors, 5 Inch
Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle
Fiskars Rotary Cutter
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion
Fiskars 8-inch scissors
Juki TL-2010Q

Free-motion Quilting Books in my Library (affiliate links):
Free-Motion Quilting Idea Book: • 155 Mix & Match Designs • Bring 30 Fabulous Blocks to Life • Plus Plans for Sashing, Borders, Motifs & Allover Designs Spiral-bound 
Free-Motion Quilting with Angela Walters: Choose & Use Quilting Designs on Modern Quilts
Beginner’s Guide to Free-Motion Quilting: 50+ Visual Tutorials to Get You Started • Professional-Quality Results on Your Home Machine
Shape by Shape Free-Motion Quilting with Angela Walters: 70+ Designs for Blocks, Backgrounds & Borders
Shape by Shape, Collection 2: Free-Motion Quilting with Angela Walters - 70+ More Designs for Blocks, Backgrounds & Borders
Graffiti Quilting: A Simple Guide to Complex Designs (no longer available through Amazon but you can buy it directly from the designer)
Quilting Modern: Techniques and Projects for Improvisational Quilts
Step-by-Step Texture Quilting: 65 New Free-Motion & Walking-Foot Designs by Christina Cameli

Dream Big

Part 2

Last week I shared the first part of my Dream Big panel. Above, the order I used for the thread changes. I love that I have so many colors of So Fine! from Superior Threads. Options are good.

As I worked each petal I would decide what to do with the next. I looked at panels quilted by other people and realized I really went middle-of-the-road with the quilting. So many others did some pretty intense quilting. My quilting is light in comparison to some. 

I worked on it for several hours but I had to quit for the day and come back to in the morning.

I finished rather quickly in the morning. I trimmed it and admired it.

The decision to use a double layer of batting was good one. It really helps sections puff up when the quilting isn't too dense.

Bound and hanging sleeve added. I just need a short curtain rod so I can hang it. The more I look at it, the more I like it.

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):
Fiskars Micro-Tip Scissors, 5 Inch
Hoffman Fabrics Hoffman Digital Dream Big 43'' Floral Panel (I didn't see a panel in the colors I have, but there are loads of options if you want to try one)
Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle
Fiskars Rotary Cutter
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron
Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion
Fiskars 8-inch scissors
Juki TL-2010Q

Free-motion Quilting Books in my Library (affiliate links):
Free-Motion Quilting Idea Book: • 155 Mix & Match Designs • Bring 30 Fabulous Blocks to Life • Plus Plans for Sashing, Borders, Motifs & Allover Designs Spiral-bound 
Free-Motion Quilting with Angela Walters: Choose & Use Quilting Designs on Modern Quilts
Beginner’s Guide to Free-Motion Quilting: 50+ Visual Tutorials to Get You Started • Professional-Quality Results on Your Home Machine
Shape by Shape Free-Motion Quilting with Angela Walters: 70+ Designs for Blocks, Backgrounds & Borders
Shape by Shape, Collection 2: Free-Motion Quilting with Angela Walters - 70+ More Designs for Blocks, Backgrounds & Borders
Graffiti Quilting: A Simple Guide to Complex Designs (no longer available through Amazon but you can buy it directly from the designer)
Quilting Modern: Techniques and Projects for Improvisational Quilts

Dream Big

Part 1

I've had this Dream Big panel for a while. I picked it up because it seemed everyone was doing it.

I found a piece of leftover backing fabric that was wide enough to user and I picked my threads. I wanted to blend the thread with the petals so I pulled seven different thread colors. 

I used a double layer of batting and basted the entire panel before beginning. I don't usually baste, finding I get a better result without basting. 

I started in the middle. 

If you look at all the different versions of this panel, both in color and quilting, you'll see so much variation. I looked at none of those while planning my quilt. I worked color by color, petal by petal, until I was done. 

I tried to use a different quilting motif on each petal. It wasn't easy, and I needed my stack of free-motion quilting books to get some inspiration. I'm breaking this post into two because it's just too many photos. Look for the second part next Wednesday.

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):
Fiskars Micro-Tip Scissors, 5 Inch
Hoffman Fabrics Hoffman Digital Dream Big 43'' Floral Panel (I didn't see a panel in the colors I have, but there are loads of options)

Books in my Library (affiliate links):
Free-Motion Quilting Idea Book: • 155 Mix & Match Designs • Bring 30 Fabulous Blocks to Life • Plus Plans for Sashing, Borders, Motifs & Allover Designs Spiral-bound 
Free-Motion Quilting with Angela Walters: Choose & Use Quilting Designs on Modern Quilts
Beginner’s Guide to Free-Motion Quilting: 50+ Visual Tutorials to Get You Started • Professional-Quality Results on Your Home Machine
Shape by Shape Free-Motion Quilting with Angela Walters: 70+ Designs for Blocks, Backgrounds & Borders
Shape by Shape, Collection 2: Free-Motion Quilting with Angela Walters - 70+ More Designs for Blocks, Backgrounds & Borders
Graffiti Quilting: A Simple Guide to Complex Designs (no longer available through Amazon but you can buy it directly from the designer)
Quilting Modern: Techniques and Projects for Improvisational Quilts

Scrap Happens 2018

I have several bins full of fabric scraps, little blocks, and even big blocks. Sometimes the bigger blocks come from testing a new-to-me block or construction method. Sometimes I make more than a couple blocks for a bee and hold back the few that don't make the cut. Other times, I just make too darn many blocks. When the bin has enough blocks, it is time to make another quilt. 

This is another of those quilts. There isn't a real rhyme or reason to layout. I try to match up elements to make interesting things. Like that big orange diamond. 

I decided it would be a great time to use up a bunch of leftovers of wide backing fabric, too. I used three pieces to make this backing. This is how I measure my backing to make sure it is big enough for my quilt. I fold the backing into quarters (fold in half, then fold in half again) and do the same with the top. Place the folded edges of the top on the folded edges of the backing and make sure you have enough all around. I like to have at least 6" on the sides (for the long arm clamps) and at least 3" at the top and bottom (for pinning to the long arm frame). This backing was actually much bigger than I needed but I didn't trim the excess until after quilting. It is so much harder to add to a backing once it is on the frame than it is to trim after the quilting is done. That remaining strip will find its way into another quilt. 

I quilted with mostly swirls. This kind of quilt doesn't lend itself to fancy quilting. This quilt is destined for the travel trailer, so fancy isn't important. There is one mediocre feather in there somewhere. 

Almost every year I make a quilt made up of leftover bits and blocks. Sometimes they're even called Scrap Happens. The only way to tell them apart is the date. 

Even the binding came out of the bind of leftover binding. Making this a real scrappy masterpiece.

And that bin of 12" squares? Yeah, only about halfway full now. I need to get to work on some more scrappy blocks!

Other scrappy masterpieces:
Scrap Happens (2009)Scrap Happens 2012 and Part 2 of Scrap Happens 2012Scrap Happy (2013)Scrappy Stars (2014) Scrappy Bee Blocks (2015)
Scrap Vortex (2015)
Stringing Along (2017)Sparkle (2017)

Geese in Flight

When I join in block bees at guild I seem to have trouble picking a block. This year I decided to ask for flying geese blocks. In 2017 I joined in the stash bee. Meaning you were supposed to pull fabrics from your collection and not buy new fabrics. You can read the directions for my bee blocks in this post from April 2017. A paper piecing pattern is available if you want to make big flying geese.

During the Baltimore Modern Quilt Guild retreat I pulled out a bunch of geese and decided to use up some of my leftover fabrics, add in some low-volume blocks, and add some black geese to the mix. I played with layout but didn't make any decisions. In January I decided to pull out the blocks and come up with something I liked. I tried the geese in different directions, but decided I wanted to limit the geese to flying either North, or East. Why? Because I needed some sort of rules for the layout.

I made some changes as I went along.

Another challenge came in when I got to the borders. I still had a couple geese left over. I also had a few black and white half-square triangle units that I thought would be great for cornerstones.

Then, I put together a border with only low-volume background fabric. I think it is big enough to be a quilt now. Maybe not a big quilt, but a quilt. Now I just need some backing so I can get it finished up. This one is number 4 on the Get It Done UFO Challenge for 2018.

Cutting tools: Wrights 4.5" Easy Angle, Wrights Companion Angle, Tucker Trimmer II, Creative Grids 6.5" Square, and Deb Tucker's Wing Clipper II

Sparkle - A Scrap Quilt Finish

Last month I shared a scrappy quilt I made during the Baltimore Modern Quilt Guild annual retreat.

I got back to work on it. I loaded up my backing, batting and quilt top. Basted it on the frame and got quilting.

I had planned on using several quilting motifs, but mostly it ended up just being a bunch of swirls. I like swirls.

I also planned on using several colors of thread. I ended up using only two colors. A somewhat mustard color that blended with the borders and white for the big white section.

Some feathers made there way into the quilting, too. Not many, but a few.

The backing isn't as dark as this makes it look. The lighting is what one would expect from gloomy winter days and early sunsets.

After about a week, I finished the quilting. Working it in an hour or so a night after work is really a challenge.

Quilted and bound! See how the white spot looks like an explosion? That turned out better than I thought it might.

The bin for 4.5" squares is running low. It might be a long time before I make another one of these. The 12.5" bin is getting full, though, so expect another big block scrappy quilt in my future.

So Many Strips

When I get to the end of a piece of fabric I try to cut it to usable sizes. I cut my binding at 2.5" and use a double-fold binding so I often cut my scraps to 2.5" wide and save them away for a rainy day. I've been meaning to use some of these to make something for a while. Instead of spending more money on more fabric, I decided it was time to pull out these strips and make some blocks. I was inspired by Bonnie Hunter's Hourglass Leader Ender challenge from 2016 for the design of these blocks. Her design is still in the free patterns section of her blog.

I had some wide backing fabric leftover from more than a couple quilts (that teal fabric that makes the square) so I used it to make some blocks. I am really pleased with how to use of a single color for the center of each strip set gives the blocks a cohesive look.

Unfortunately, I was a little too scrappy with my selections. I love the blocks, but they don't tell a cohesive story. Some of these will end up in the 12.5" block bin to become part of an orphan block quilt. (We'll look in that bin sometime in January to see what's left over from 2017.)

I sorted all those strips into color families. The green stack was the tallest, so I decided to use it along with some of the browns and yellows to tell a cohesive color story. There will still be plenty of scrappiness in this quilt.

I may write detailed block tutorial at some point, but for now I'll just list the tools I use to make the cuts. These blocks are trimmed to 12.5" by 12.5" after assembly. The Tucker Trimmer III is a great tool for squaring up these large blocks.

I'll keep adding to these as I have time. Such a fun project.

Cutting tools:
Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle Quilting Ruler
EZ Quilting Easy Angle 6.5-inch
The Strip Tube Ruler
Tucker Trimmer III