September 04, 2013

Stitching on Koi - plus giveaways!

I think using a print fabric as a guide for free motion quilting is a great way to get a little practice coordinating your hands without being responsible for choosing the quilting design. There's a project in my book that utilizes this technique. I have been keeping an eye out for in-stock fabrics that would work well for this project, or for anyone needing an easy bit of free-motion-quilting practice.


This pretty fabric, Koi Scalloped Edge from Cloud9 Fabrics fit the bill. Look at those nice spaces between the scallop shapes. Just perfect for stitching around!


I stitched following the curves of the dotted scallops. The colorful scallops didn't line up as easily for stitching around them. 


I tried to stop on the peak of the curve when I needed to reposition my hands. 


It looks good from the back too! 

I'd asked Cloud9 Fabrics for a fat quarter of this print to show it all stitched up. They sweetly gave me the fat quarter I asked for, and another one in a different color way. Bonus fabric! Let's have a giveaway! If you'd like to be in the giveaway for a fat quarter of this print in grey, just leave a comment on this post. The giveaway is now closed.


Also, there is a giveaway of First Steps to Free-Motion Quilting going on over at Sarah's blog, Confessions of a Fabric Addict, through Thursday. Hop on over quick and enjoy how very much this amazing lady gets done. Seriously, it's like light speed. She's already made three of the projects from the book! Plus quilted probably twenty quilts this week. I am forever in awe. Hope everyone has a great week. 

50 comments:

MareMare said...

Looks like perfect practice fabric! I love it!

pizzaeater said...

I liked how you quilted the fabric. I didn't realize that it was not pieced.

Anonymous said...

What a great idea.

Sarah @ mila+cuatro said...

I'd love to win! I have yet to try free motion quilting (I'm a newbie) - but this looks like great fabric to practice on.

pennydog said...

That's a cute quilting pattern, one day I want to quilt from the back using the print as a guide but I don't trust my basting skills enough yet!

MaryAnn said...

What a great idea for practice. That the fabric is cute is a bonus.

Gramma Quilter said...

Such a great idea!!! The quilting looks fab!

Gene Black said...

Wow, that would be such great practice. Please put me in for a chance to win. I love that quilting idea.

SewLindaAnn said...

That is just such an obvious idea! Why didn't I think of that, it's perfect for practice.

Unknown said...

Long time reader/stalker, first time commenter (I think), because I LOVE this idea as well as the fat quarter. Seriously, what a good idea!

M.W. said...

Looks like great practice fabric and would make a great pillow.
Thanks for the chance to win.
Shawn

SeeingStars said...

Your quilting looks terrific on this one. It's so consistent. What a perfect fabric design for practicing!

Suzanne said...

Christina, I am LOVING your book! Seeing how you used this fabric to guide the quilting really supports the exercise of finding one's FMQ rhythm without the stress of having to think too hard. It's like of like autopilot quilting, don't you think?

Elsa said...

What a great idea using whole piece fabric for practice ~ I could certainly use some (practice and fabric).
I'm loving your book and thanks so much for the giveaway!

DeborahGun said...

great idea for quilting - and I love this fabric :-)

Kim said...

At first glance I thought it was pieced than realized it was quilted. Awesome job with the quilting.

Kathleen said...

I need this kind of free-motion practice!!

What Comes Next? said...

a perfect fabric for practicing. I've used my backing fabric as my guide for FMQ before and it is a wonderful way to practice. Love the grey colourway!

SIMPLESEW said...

I koi this

Mara said...

I just got my quilting foot a few weeks ago and still haven't tried it out yet, this would be so fun to try on the beautiful Koi fabric.

Lauren said...

what a great idea! I'd love to test it out

Lynda said...

I love the grey - such vibrant colors that pop.

Gill said...

What a great idea!
I'd love to try some!

Jackie said...

I love the fabric selection you've shared with us and your quilting is great. I would love to try the fabric out.

Donna W said...

Great idea and great fabric. Can always use more practice!

Kim @ TiesThatBindQuilting said...

I've had my eye on this fabric! So pretty!

Nicky said...

Fabulous practice idea! Am also wanting to piece scallops EPP style in this pattern!

54diane said...

I love how you used the fabric to quilt. I wonder how often we could find this in other fabrics if we were looking for that.

barb said...

It would make a great cheater quilt top babscorbitt@ gmail dot com

Tiffany said...

I LOVE fabric that lends itself easily to a quilt design. Thanks for the chance to win, and the great advice!

em's scrapbag said...

Sarah is amazing! I don't know how she gets it all done.
I love the fat quarter. Thanks for a chance to win.

Christine said...

I can't wait to get your book so that I can start practicing my free motion quiltig. I ordered it a few days ago. Thank you for a chance to win.

Unknown said...

What a great fabric, I love free motion quilting and are looking forward to your new book

Vio said...

Such a great idea! Your quilting really made that fabric pop!

Anonymous said...

I've been doing this lately with some fabrics from my stash. I love the colors in the Koi fabrics.

Anonymous said...

I've been doing this lately with some fabrics from my stash. I love the colors in the Koi fabrics.

carla said...

Hi!!! This does look like fun!!! Thanks for the chance!!!

Anonymous said...

HELLO,love your projects!
Thanks for sharing!
Happy Stitching!

msstitcher1948@yahoo.com

barbara woods said...

Would love to have it, thanks

Carliiita said...

Su acochado es increíble
Gracias por la oportunidad.
10000cariños!

Karrie said...

Thanks for the chance to win!

KatieQ said...

That's a great idea. I am a stitch in the ditch quilter trying to improve my FMQ techniques (or lack there of). It sounds like something I should try.

Jessica said...

this is so pretty~ I've been keeping an eye out for fabric to try this with too (i mean, keeping an eye out in my sewing room..). I'm 1/4 of the way through a book project, that's something!

diane said...

What a great way to practice free motion quilting! Would love to win, but will dig thru my stash to find something suitable to play with.

Cathy said...

Cool fabric and nicely quilted! Count me in!

Debbie said...

I would love the pretty fat quarter. Thanks!

Unknown said...

Sounds like such a good idea that would work with other designs too!

Unknown said...

Sounds like such a good idea that would work with other designs too!

Anonymous said...

Your quilt is beautiful, that was a great idea.
smjohns63 at yahoo dot com

Susana said...

Gran gran idea!
Estoy mirando lo que tengo para practicar.
Gracias por la oportunidad.

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