Artic Blue
I'm back from my conference and ready to quilt again. Weather is changing, as well. I'm looking forward to cool weather, just not Artic weather. :-) We had another hot weekend and I spent part of it running a virtual half marathon with Patty. It got quite a bit hotter towards the end, but we made it!
Immersion Live
Immersion Live is the conference I attended. The focus is providing resources and encouragement for the Surface Pattern Design community. This group is inspirational to me. If you are not familiar with Surface Pattern Design, think about your surroundings. Surface Designs are the artwork on your clothing, home goods, walls, phone cover, coffee mug, websites, well, just about everything. Surface Pattern Design is more specifically for products that require patterns that repeat continuously. Like on quilt fabric.
I've been practicing my artwork and in the coming months, I plan to introduce you to my work and even a few products. I'm not ready yet but along the way, I'll share my process and progress. Stay tuned for more.
My Latest Panel Quilt
I just completed the Dream Big Leaf in the Artic Blue color. Unlike the Dream Big panel, which I quilted from the outside to the inside, this panel is quilted from the center out.
Using the "Circular Array" feature, each design is placed, then repeated and rotated around a center axis point. Controlling the shrinkage is different with this method. With the outside-in method, the fullness is floated and distributed within the remaining area you are quilting. With the center-out method, the stitching is drawing the fabric in towards the center. Personally, I think I prefer the outside-in method for shrinkage control.
That said, the circular array provides a way to place the leaf designs around the central leaf design. It takes small adjustments to get the placement right. With practice, I found it easier to get the placement right. I used four thread colors and realize now, I made more work for myself because this colorway could have easily been completed with one thread color throughout the top.
I'm happy with the result. What do you think?
Next Project
I've loaded my next project on the long arm. It's the February 2020 Skill Builder lesson. You remember February 2020, right? Ha, ha. Seems so long ago…
The project is more of a modern style quilt. It provides a good stretch for me as I tend to be a very traditional quilter.
Of course, I have other projects too, but right now, my laundry is calling me.
What are you working on this week?
Until till next time,