michelleslongarm Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 I like using the feather that has a dip in the top of the feather. They are more forgiving. Does anyone have pictures or suggestions?? I've seen pictures but now I can't find them. Thanks for your help...Michelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisy2018 Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 Have seen them many places, just got a new book "Machine Quilting Solutions" by Christine Maraccini, she includes them in it. Don't know who first published them, I'm newer to machine quilting, no offense to the first person to publish! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doodlebug Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 here's how i turn the corners on mine. on the outside of the spine , you just bring in the bottom closer to the start of the last one. i mark (with chalk) the 'miter' and butt the insides ones up against it. i'll post a pic of it quilted as well... hope this helped/s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoryJM Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 Shannon, I'm buying my ticket tomorrow...you could teach me so much! You are good, girl:P:P Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michelleslongarm Posted May 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 Thanks Shannon. Your spine isn't "thready" like mine from backtracking. I'm going to go practice. A picture is worth a thousand words! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramona-quilter Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 Michelle - I use a similar method as Shannon. When I approach a curve, I know tht when I have to make the turn, I make a smaller feather and then the next one dort of wraps around it. You mentioned that you spine is thready. Do you drawn the spine first? I took a Dawn Cavanaugh class (one of many I have attended) for feathers. I found out that my comfort zone is doing feathers is from the bottom up. I can do top down but I have to really concentrate. I think most folks start their spine and then wave it however the want and end it with the last feather. I do just the opposite. I put my needle down an inch or so from where I want my last feather and that is where I stitch an ending feather, it looks like a balloon with the string sideways. Then I stitch the rest of the spine back to the beginning, where I want to start the feathers. The other thing that Dawn taught me is that you don't want to touch the spine. If you start out bringing your feather back to the spine, then you have to do that with all your feathers or one that doesn't touch will stick out like a sore thumb. So I bring my feather return back close enough to launch into the next feather. You may need to shorten your feather return line to avoid that thread build-up ni the spine. Here is a drawing. Quite awful but it gets the point across. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeriGirl Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 Do you stitch your feathers across the top border then stitch them down the sides as you roll the quilt? Or do you stitch the top and bottom borders then turn the quilt to stitch the feathers going down the sides? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doodlebug Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 jerigirl- it depends. if the thread matches REALLY well and i can totally camo my starts and stops, i'll do each border as i advance the quilt. if not- like the black border with green vari thread- i'll quilt all the inner patchwork, then do the border last. i chalk the spine for "training wheels" (kim brunner's termology) then i stitch the entire spine, then i feather the inside (the side closest to the quilt piecing) then i do the outside (closest to the quilt top's raw edge. if done this way- the entire border is continious (imagine one BIG feather wreath) but be careful- double check your backing with every advance! if you're not paying total careful attention to the backing fabric- you'll get pleats and puckers in the backing. and i DO quilt my feathers from the bottom up. i never can get the look i want from doing them top down. also- i don't do the bump-bump-backtrack-on-the-spine type. i backtrack on the backbone and belly of the feather. this is easy for me- but try doodling it different ways. you'll find your way and the will instantly become like second nature. clear as mud right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 Originally posted by doodlebug you'll find your way and the will instantly become like second nature. Your silly, I'm still trying to find my second, third and fourth. I am getting better, but can't hold a candle to you girlfriend.:cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeriGirl Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 Shannon..........thanks so much. I think I GOT it!! I will try it and see how I do. Am I correct to assume that you quilt the feathers up the side as you roll your quilt, then turn the quilt to do the top and bottom borders? I do not do the bump, bump type feather either.....unless I am trying to do the twirly whirly feathers by Kim. Then I get confused and do a few traditional and a few bump bump. Oh my........so much to learn. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doodlebug Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 no- i don't turn quilts. tried it once and swore i'd never do it again. i have a millie with a motorized advance, so i just go backwards ad forwards all aways around the quilt. until i figure something else out that works better, that's how i do it. takes some extra time and effort, but it's how i roll... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doodlebug Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 this is IMHO, a more 'formal' look. but this would work if you really wanted to turn a quilt. mark the center of the border, and your 'miters' quilt the feathers going from the center out- ending them at the miter... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witha'K'quilting Posted May 5, 2009 Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 Shannon...when is a DVD or book coming out with your name on it? We can all learn so much from you. "How to doodlebug?" or "Doodlebugging...Your Own Style!" Get busy Chick-a-pea! We are all waiting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michelleslongarm Posted May 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2009 Linda and Shannon I"M DOING IT!!!!!! And it's on a customers quilt. I'll try to post a picture when I get done. THANKS SO MUCH! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindasewsit Posted May 6, 2009 Report Share Posted May 6, 2009 Michelle, I can't wait to see it!! Shannon, I am drawing out your pictures!! You are such a talented young lady!! Thank you so much for sharing your ideas and the way to do them with us! linda I would LOVE to take some class from you!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoAnnHoffman Posted May 6, 2009 Report Share Posted May 6, 2009 Too much trouble turning corners. I work from the corner to the middle of the quilt, that way I never have to turn my quilt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeriGirl Posted May 6, 2009 Report Share Posted May 6, 2009 JoAnn, Wow, wonderful feathers!! Do you stitch a spine first? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Posted May 6, 2009 Report Share Posted May 6, 2009 Originally posted by JoAnnHoffman Too much trouble turning corners. I work from the corner to the middle of the quilt, that way I never have to turn my quilt. JoAnn... Do you mark the centers of the top, bottom and sides so that when you go to the next row you know when you are getting to the center of the sides? And then do you work from the bottom back up to the side centers to finish? Just wondering about your process. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoAnnHoffman Posted May 6, 2009 Report Share Posted May 6, 2009 I mark the four centers of each border, most the time when it's on the machine. I mark my 45 degree angle in the corner with air erase pen or Brunzeel chalk pencil. For the spine I mark it with the June Taylor Fancy Fleece ruler you can find at Hancock Fabrics for cutting fleece with a rotary cutter. It has the perfect smooth curve on one side and a scallop on the other. With this quilt I marked some lines to follow along the edge so I could put in an echo but most the time I feather to the edge and stitch in the ditch. I don't mark the feathers until I get about 6 inches from the end and then I stop and draw some in so they don't come out squished looking. Because I stitch in the ditch and baste my sides I wait to quilt the feathers from the bottom up to the side centers when I get to the bottom border. I roll as I go till I get to the center then I roll back and start at the bottom again and work my way to the center again. I never try and go up one side and down the other with feathers. My feathers always look better from the bottom up on a spine. I think I will try from the center out next time like Shannon showed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kimmiequilts Posted May 6, 2009 Report Share Posted May 6, 2009 Awesome Hankie quilt JoAnn! I do my feathers all of the ways described, depends on the quilt and the look I am going for. It's so nice to have the freedom to quilt it as we like! Shannon your diagrams are great as is you quilting! I do the roll forward and back rather than turn the quilt too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonnie Posted May 6, 2009 Report Share Posted May 6, 2009 Thank you JoAnn....I will look for the June Taylor fleece ruler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeriGirl Posted May 6, 2009 Report Share Posted May 6, 2009 Thanks Shannon and JoAnn for the info. You gals sure help us with all our questions. My feathers have been a bit of a challenge but with all this wonderful info, I now have a direction to go for!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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