Thursday, January 15, 2015

2015 Free-Motion Quilting Challenge-Heart Pillow

So I decided to participate in QuiltShopGal's (SewCalGal) 2015 Free-Motion Quilting Challenge. It will be a year of pillows!!!

I chose to do option #3, the center heart designed by Luann Kessi. I just finished this morning and wanted to share it with all of you. maybe some of you would like to join in the fun? There still is time to do it and you will learn tons!!!!

So, here is a photo tutorial of my steps. I did sketch out the heart before I did it on the machine and referred back to Luann's drawing a lot!!!


Fabric cut to 20" for a 16" pillow
Using a Frixion pen, draw out the 16" pillow outline and then
trace the heart I cut out, centered.
All done with the tracing
Draw my feathers spines
Done
Lay out the backing and tape
Layer my favorite battings-Quilters Dream Wool and Cotton
I used this stencil for the background

I used both Aurifil and Coats and Clark thread for the quilting
All marked and ready to pin and quilt
The quilting begins



This background was really easy to quilt.

quilting done
This is my backing fabric. I cut two pieces, Made
hems on both, then.....
I made little sleeves to sew on the back of each back. This
pillow top is going to be a gift, so with the little sleeves, the
new owner can hang it on the wall if they prefer a wall
hanging!!
Edges presses and then sewn to the backs below.

All sewn and ready to construct 
Using my Frixion pen, I drew a 16" square on the
front of the pillow top, centering the heart. Then
I stitched 1/8" inside that line so when I
trimmed the top the quilting stitches wouldn't
come out.
All trimmed
Backing layered and pinned
First edge sewn
I saw a program by Nancy ZiemanNancy Zieman
recently where she folded the sewn seam down
to help get better corners.  So I tried it.
All edges sewn
Corners cut, then I turned it right side out, pressed gently,
and.................
My cute little pillow top/wall hanging is finished
and the corners look great!!






I love it and I am looking forward to next months challenge. I will be making another pillow to go with this one. The identical fabric is cut and ready to go!!!

Take care, Happy Quilting and join in the fun if you can!!! Martha
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40 comments:

  1. Marjorie's Busy CornerJanuary 15, 2015 at 7:55 AM

    Gorgeous job on your pillow.....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MarthaJanuary 16, 2015 at 6:09 PM

      Thank you!!! This was a fun project and I am really happy to be doing challenges with QuiltShopGal again!!!

      Delete
  2. GritJanuary 15, 2015 at 10:20 AM

    Your cushion looks so wonderful. Great work.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MarthaJanuary 16, 2015 at 6:11 PM

      Thank you! , it was fun to make and will make a great gift! I am going to make the next one in February with the same fabric so the two will semi match!!! And then mail it off as a surprise gift!!!

      Delete
  3. Quilter KathyJanuary 16, 2015 at 7:06 AM

    Great job...I enjoyed seeing the step by step photos of how you worked on each part!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MarthaJanuary 16, 2015 at 6:13 PM

      Thank you!! I actually left out a couple photos because they were upside down!!! Oh well, I think I have enough for everyone to get the gist on how I put the pillow together!!! :^)

      Delete
  4. HanneleJanuary 16, 2015 at 9:06 AM

    It's just fabulous!

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    Replies
    1. MarthaJanuary 16, 2015 at 6:14 PM

      Thank you!!! And it was fun!! Love learning new quilting designs!!!

      Delete
  5. KarinJanuary 17, 2015 at 3:34 PM

    That turned out very nice indeed. Like the background, nearly decided to do the same, but then divided my space into quarters. Almost done myself, just need to put it all together.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MarthaJanuary 20, 2015 at 6:17 AM

      Thank you!! It was fun to do, and so many options for the background. I look forward to seeing yours!!!

      Delete
  6. Angie in SoCalJanuary 17, 2015 at 7:47 PM

    A gorgeous pillow. You made it look so easy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MarthaJanuary 20, 2015 at 6:18 AM

      Thank you!!! It was easy with all the fabulous directions :^) I think I'd like to make another, the feathers in the heart was fun to do!!

      Delete
  7. Rhonda KennedyJanuary 17, 2015 at 8:40 PM

    Beautiful job!

    ReplyDelete
  8. PattiJanuary 18, 2015 at 9:44 PM



































    I'm going to work on this one too. But I'm trying to develop ways to do free motion from the back of my longarm so may not make the Jan deadline. This is very good Martha. Love your background choice!




    i

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MarthaJanuary 20, 2015 at 6:20 AM

      That sounds very interesting Patti!! I look forward to seeing your pillow top!!!

      Delete
  9. Danih03January 19, 2015 at 4:18 PM

    Your quilting choices are PERFECT! I really, really love it! What is the name of your stencil? I'd like to get one. Thanks :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MarthaJanuary 20, 2015 at 6:34 AM

      Thank You!! I am not sure where I got the stencil but the catalog number and name on it is: BS239 Japanese Traditional Weights. Funny name for an apple core design! :^0

      Delete
  10. What Comes Next?January 19, 2015 at 10:48 PM

    It turned out so beautifully! I like the idea of adding the sleeves to the back - I may have to borrow that idea!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MarthaJanuary 20, 2015 at 6:22 AM

      Thank you and borrow away!!! I was hoping it would work out since the pillow top is a gift. I still need to do some tweaking of the idea. I think doing an edge top stitch would help the pillow top to lay flat if used as a wall hanging!! Will try that out with the next one!!

      Delete
  11. ConnieJanuary 20, 2015 at 3:38 PM

    Hello Martha, I am so happy to meet you, that I am dancing my happy dance:) I absolutely love finding new quilting blogs. I learn something new for each quilter I meet, but your blog is totally amazing. This tutorial has set a fire under me. If it were not almost time for my husband to get home from work and for us to take our evening walk . . . well, I would be running out to my studio to give this a try. I think that I'll read it once again in the morning and then head out there while it is fresh on my mind. If this is an example of how wonderful your blog is . . . Well, I'm hooked! I started quilting about a year and a half ago. Once the quilting bug bites you, there's no turning back, LOL. It's a great illness to catch.
    I am your newest follower and I hope that you will visit me and follow me back. I'm adding you to my favorites list so that I never miss a single post.
    At the moment I am celebrating my three year blogging birthday with a Give-A-Way, it's not much but it is handmade.
    Your new blogging sister,
    Connie :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MarthaJanuary 21, 2015 at 6:31 AM

      Hi Connie, wonderful to meet you too and I look forward to seeing your blog and all your creations!!! Lucky you to have a studio to work in, that would be awesome!!!

      Delete
  12. BéaJanuary 21, 2015 at 6:54 AM

    I'm going to try this version now, hope to have a finish as beautiful as yours !

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    Replies
    1. MarthaJanuary 21, 2015 at 8:14 PM

      Thank you!!! I will keep an eye on your blog for your next one!! I may have to do your version! :^)

      Delete
  13. FionaJanuary 22, 2015 at 3:52 PM

    great pillow... I Love the wavy apple core quilting you have done behind.. it shows up your lovely feather heart...
    Hugz

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MarthaJanuary 22, 2015 at 5:32 PM

      Thank you Fiona!!! I really enjoyed this challenge and now I have a fabulous gift to give!!!

      Delete
  14. Ray and JeanneJanuary 23, 2015 at 8:33 PM

    Beautiful! And I love your background too. ~Jeanne

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MarthaJanuary 25, 2015 at 4:28 PM

      Thank you!!! It was fun to do and the background so easy using a template!!! Thanks for the visit!!!

      Delete
  15. JoanJanuary 24, 2015 at 12:22 AM

    Lovely work - its beautiful

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MarthaJanuary 25, 2015 at 4:32 PM

      Thank you Joan!! I am looking forward to a year of quilted pillows!!! I got used to the challenges in 2012 and really missed the monthly lessons :^)

      Delete
  16. Quilting BabciaJanuary 24, 2015 at 1:56 AM

    This looks like such fun! I'll need to catch up with you all and make a few of the challenges as soon as we finish unpacking and setting up the sewing room. Great pillow!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MarthaJanuary 25, 2015 at 4:33 PM

      Yay!!!! It will be fun "seeing" you again!! Hope all is well in the East :^)

      Delete
  17. ratamaJanuary 25, 2015 at 8:08 AM

    Your pillow is beautiful! I love your background and the photos of the whole process. I forget each time to take pictures :/
    Thanks for your nice comment on my blog!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MarthaJanuary 25, 2015 at 4:35 PM

      Hi!! You are welcome and thank you!!! This is so much fun!! Its almost like we are all working/learning together!! I am really looking forward to a year of pillows :^)

      Delete
  18. Dena@LivingWaterQuilter.comJanuary 25, 2015 at 7:17 PM

    Lovely!

    ReplyDelete
  19. CaroleMJanuary 26, 2015 at 7:45 PM

    great job!

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    Replies
    1. MarthaJanuary 27, 2015 at 6:27 AM

      Thank you Carole-So happy with it and cannot wait to send it to it's new home!!!

      Delete
  20. Can't Stop StitchinJanuary 27, 2015 at 5:22 AM

    beautiful pillow and great tutorial

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MarthaJanuary 27, 2015 at 6:28 AM

      Thank you!!! Could not have done it without QuiltShopGal and her fabulous lessons!!!

      Delete

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