Madrigal Machine Quilting Part 2

Hello Everyone,

I received a few comments and personal emails asking about the acrylic templates that I use for machine quilting.  While I was quilting yesterday, I took lots of pictures of them to show you my quilting process. I'm trying to keep track of my time on this one.  I'm not even halfway finished, and I've been working on it for 10 hours.

Let's start with the pieced block.  I use a small circle template to create a uniform shape around the center of the block.

I put a piece of white tape on the template so I can align it perfectly on each seam.

I rotate this circle and quilt around the block in one continuous pass.

I end up where I started and quilt a tight stipple in the light, center section of the block.

I will then use this ruler and stitch in the ditch across the whole row of block in one continuous pass.  I dislike stitching in the ditch as I find it hard to stay in that ditch!

For the center section, I switch to my micro handlebars for the fine, detailed quilting around the applique section of the quilt.

And I do mean small details.

The fabric I used for the vase screamed for crosshatching.  The end result looks like an old satin jewelry box.  After I took this picture, I went back and outlined all of the leaves.

Then I quilted a very irregular spine for the fill-in feathers.

I quilt up one side being careful not to catch in the flange.

Then I quilt up the other side.

Before you know it, the area is starting to look really good.  My irregular spine doesn't look so irregular anymore does it?

Then I work my way up to the top.  The throat space on my machine is only 16", so I will have to go back and finish the top of the block later when I can re-roll the whole quilt.

The embroidery is perfect to add feathers as leaves.

Now I'll show you how I quilt the setting squares using an oval acrylic template.

I center the template and stitch around it.

I quilt feathers up one side, then come back to my starting point by quilting a double spine.

Then I quilt feathers up the inside. The only marking I do on this block is a few dots up the middle of the oval so I can center the middle feathers.

Then I do the same on the other side.  (Opps, I see a bit of a wrinkle.....oh well I won't tell anyone it you don't.)

Then after I'm finished with several rows of very detailed, custom quilting, I have a glass of Potty Mouth wine from Twisted Oak Winery.

You know I am an honorary member of the Potty Mouth Piecers.  I could never do a You Tube video of my quilting....there would be a few censored words!

I'm off to the shop today to fill in for the owner.  No more quilting today, which might be a good thing.  My machine and I both need to take a break from each other!

As always,

Lynn