Flying Geese Feather Quilting

If you've been intimidated by free-motion quilting, as I have been, it helps to watch people do it. 

I'm no expert, but here's a 3-minute video of me quilting on my Flying Plaids quilt.
You can't see the stitching all that well, but you get a feel for the speed and motion--very meditative.

I hope it helps you know you can do it.  If I can fmq, anybody can!

Wordless Wednesday

Simple and Sweet

This weekend was a simple one, with time to catch up on projects and to visit with friends.

"Jacks for Althea" 36" x 48"

I quilted and delivered this crib quilt to a friend for her granddaughter.  

To save time, I tried a fusible batting.  

It worked very well for this small project. 

Then I went to my neighbor's backyard for some outdoor sewing--my FAVORITE summer activity.

That's my neighbor, Shannon, (left,) and her visitor, Deanna, from Portland.

While they sewed on their Bernina's, I made progress on my embroidery.  

I finished the red chain stitch all the way around the lone star.

A Day with Kathy Doughty and Friends in Portland

This weekend I got to spend a VERY fun day in Portland, Oregon, with Kathy Doughty and her crew from Material Obsession in Sydney, Australia!

Aren't they gorgeous?  Well, so are their quilts!  Their works are truly stand-outs in the international quilt-making scene.

Cath, Wendy, Kathy and Carolyn

They were on their way to Sisters, OR, to teach at Quilter's Affair.  

I hope many of you will be there taking Kathy's classes!

We started the day in their hotel room.  The minute I walked in and saw them working on their amazing creations, I felt like I was home.  I was so bowled over by all their works, that I took only a few photos.  

This quilt is called "Fractured."  The pattern is in Kathy's latest book, Making Quilts, the Promise of Joy.  She's teaching it at Sisters and in Syracuse, NY, at Quilting by the Lake in a few weeks.

NEWS FLASH--THE U.S. VERSION OF THE BOOK IS BEING RELEASED THIS WEEK!  

Their strong, deep friendship is so evident.  They clown around and laugh all the time.   

I gave them these little pin cushions to tie onto their sewing machines.  Immediately, they all began trying out ways to wear them.  Necklace?  Bracelet?  Headband? 

Then we went to the Pendleton Woolen Mills Store.  This company is very Oregon.  They began in 1909, weaving blankets to trade with the Native American people.  The store sells top quality wool yardage and blankets in original designs.  They have BINS of remnants and strips for sale by the pound, plus sale tables.

I found some woven plaid cottons on sale for $2.50 A YARD!  

I bought three quilt backs, plus some remnants.  

Next stop was the very cool Alberta Street for lunch and visits to 

Bolt Fabric Boutique and Modern Domestic, plus other cute shops and refreshments at a patio cafe.

Then off to Pittock Mansion for a view of the city and a walk through the gardens.  

It was a real joy to see Portland through their eyes.  They found inspiration everywhere--a green painted house, a patch of red flowers, the shape of a thistle...  

The day renewed my gratitude for this amazing quilting community that we all share, with friends in every corner of the globe, inspiring and shaping us as we express our lives through our quilts.