2012 Free-Motion Quilting Challenge-February Feathers

So this is my first practice piece for our February lesson. Diane Guadynski is the teacher for the tutorial and I have a lot of work ahead of me. Lots and lots of practice is in order after evaluating these feathers!!

I've done feathers a couple times, but they were not free form, they were either from a stencil or a book of feathers which I drew onto the fabric. It takes more skill to do them free form I am finding out, but I will continue to practice and hopefully one day perfect it!! 

I did some drawing of feathers as suggested and I think I like the drawn ones a bit better than the sewn ones. Ah well, lessons learned!!

Here are some of my paper and pencil drawings. This is actually a fun activity while "watching" TV.

I am going to add two more feathers to my little quilt and found another use for my Quick Curve Ruler! The curve makes a perfect spine for my feathers! 

I measured two inches in from each side and placed the half inch mark on the bottom and the one inch mark on the upper outer edge. Then I marked the line within the cutting curved area from the three inch mark on both ends. I did the same for the left side which gives me two perfectly placed lines to quilt more feathers on.

I am now ready for more feather quilting.
Once I have this done and stippled, I will share again!!

Take care everyone, Happy Quilting and keep those needles sharp!! Martha