Monday, March 24, 2014

Tennessee Lightnin' Strikes Again



Tennessee Lightnin',  54" x 70",  is now quilted!
It started back here, with some old shirts bought with friends on a trip to Tennessee 
and inspiration from the book, Bold Improvisation by Scott Heffley.




It had another border for awhile, but it just wasn't working for me.    




I quilted it with straight lines, using the free motion foot.  
The trick is turning the quilt at each corner, so you're always sewing forward or backward, 
not side to side or diagonally.  At first I tried it with the walking foot, but the fmq was faster.




I kept the diagonal quilting lines going in the border.  
It's hard to see, but it makes a nice overall texture.




Even the binding got to join the diagonal dance!




Now for more play with fans.  Hmm, straight or diagonal?











at

28 comments:

  1. RachaeldaisyMarch 24, 2014 at 1:01 PM

    Yay for quilting Tennessee Lightnin!! The border it ended up with really suits it perfectly!! I love your fans too, both ways look great but I think I like them pointing upwards a bit more.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownMarch 24, 2014 at 2:34 PM

    Beautiful quilt! The darker border really makes the colours sing :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Tonya RicucciMarch 24, 2014 at 2:40 PM

    woohoo, congrats on finishing your fabulous quilt!!!! your quilting is excellent. gotta say I like the fans better on the left side (is that diagonal?)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Julie FukudaMarch 24, 2014 at 3:38 PM

    That is really stunning and I have great admiration for someone who can make a machine behave that well.

    ReplyDelete
  5. audreyMarch 24, 2014 at 3:39 PM

    That black floral works perfectly! Love your very striking quilt and those fans are wonderful. Will be fun to see where you go with those.:)

    ReplyDelete
  6. smazoochieMarch 24, 2014 at 5:14 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  7. smazoochieMarch 24, 2014 at 5:16 PM

    I have always loved your Lightning quilt, it inspired my lightning quilt. Free-motioning the zigzags is pretty darn smart (maybe next time, for me).
    You are my inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  8. QuiltdivajulieMarch 24, 2014 at 5:52 PM

    Diagonal for fans

    LOVE your lightning quilt - and that new border!,,

    ReplyDelete
  9. reganMarch 24, 2014 at 7:00 PM

    This quilt is fantastic! I love how bold it is! Awesome! And I vote for diagonal on the fans! They're gorgeous, too!

    ReplyDelete
  10. ChrisMarch 24, 2014 at 7:03 PM

    I heart your zigzag quilt - border quilting all of it! Nice fmq! And the fans? Diagonal on the fans. Have fun!

    ReplyDelete
  11. SherrillMarch 24, 2014 at 7:10 PM

    LOVE it--so beautiful!!

    ReplyDelete
  12. KimMarch 24, 2014 at 7:19 PM

    Oh wow love the zigzag, I can't believe you took the borders off and replaced them, but you are right the new border is just perfect.
    Oh the fans are gonna be wonderful not matter how you place them :0)

    Happy Sewing

    ReplyDelete
  13. BarbMarch 25, 2014 at 6:09 AM

    FABULOUS finish! can't believe you FMQ the straight lines - good for you!!
    I love the floral border, perfect foil for this quilt.
    Your fans are wonderful. Are they vintage or did you make them?
    I have to say I like them straight.

    ReplyDelete
  14. CathyMarch 25, 2014 at 6:38 AM

    I love your Tennessee Lightning. Very striking. Hugs

    ReplyDelete
  15. cinziaMarch 25, 2014 at 12:36 PM

    lovely quilt! I like the fans on the diagonal!

    ReplyDelete
  16. KarenMarch 25, 2014 at 1:32 PM

    Yay!! I know you are doing a happy dance :). And the fan blocks are looking so good,

    ReplyDelete
  17. Cynthia@wabisabiquiltsMarch 25, 2014 at 6:43 PM

    Really playful and strong - just awesome. The fans will be great too - I like seeing your progress on those. I think I said this before but... I love your use of red as a "neutral" - nothing neutral about it!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Cheryl's Teapots2QuiltingMarch 25, 2014 at 6:49 PM

    I like the fans on the right best.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Carol E.March 25, 2014 at 7:34 PM

    I love your zig zag!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. MaritMarch 26, 2014 at 1:48 AM

    Another great pattern I would love to make! Such a fun and colorful quilt. I think your border really binds it all together. Well worth not settling for the first choice. And your quilting is the perfect choice
    ; )
    Not so clever with fan blocks, but a bit inspired by using the shape as snakes... I think Denyse Schmidt has one in her latest book. Sorry, just a stray thought... Have fun testing out your options.

    ReplyDelete
  21. AnnemiekeMarch 26, 2014 at 2:12 PM

    Dramatic border fabric, I like it. I can imagine why you chose the dark one. Your quilting looks very good and of course fits this design very well. The fans look fun too. It is maybe a bit more uncommon to place them straight? But I think they will look good anyway.
    Groetjes
    Annemieke

    ReplyDelete
  22. fiberchickMarch 27, 2014 at 6:09 PM

    Really striking quilt and I love the darker border. Have never heard of quilting straight lines fmq- thanks for the tip!

    ReplyDelete
  23. MarisaMarch 31, 2014 at 7:13 AM

    Your finished quilt is awesome. I love all the colors and patterns together. Floral border worked out very well. Congrats on finishing it. Well done.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Mary KeaslerMarch 31, 2014 at 9:46 AM

    Fabulous. The finish is perfect. Can't wait to see it in person. :) And now for those fans. Whatever you decide will be perfect!!!

    ReplyDelete
  25. YvetteMarch 31, 2014 at 12:34 PM

    via Nat....i love love love your quilts

    ReplyDelete
  26. imquilternityApril 2, 2014 at 8:02 AM

    Ooooo... it's gorgeous... I love it! I agree with you about the second border being the perfect choice.

    ReplyDelete
  27. AnonymousApril 2, 2014 at 3:09 PM

    Your quilts are so gorgeous! Love the diagonal fans too :-)
    Mandy

    ReplyDelete
  28. MonicaApril 28, 2014 at 2:59 PM

    You source such amazing fabrics. I quite like the grey one too -- I could go either way. Very nice finish, great job!

    ReplyDelete