December Free Motion Quilting Challenge
December’s Free Motion Quilting Challenge from SewCalGal was provided by Patsy Thompson. Patsy encouraged us to have fun free motion quilting borders. So I created this 22″ piece with a center medallion and 5 borders for the challenge. I used cotton sateen, wool batting and a variety of threads. I marked the feather spine, center medallion circles and the squares-the rest was unmarked.
This was a fun one to do and I pretty much did what came to mind. I do see that the second border in from the edge would have benefited from a darker thread. I actually kind of like the piece now and I’m kicking myself for marking a few of the borders with a regular mechanical pencil. The marks don’t seem to be coming out and I’d actually like to bind this up and hang it or make it into a pillow.
Anyone know a surefire method to get pencil out?
Sorry I don’t have any sure-fire hints about removing the pencil marks. This is a gorgeous piece. Someday would you mind sharing a little tutorial on how your do that wonderful curly-que design in the central wide border? So very arabesque – love it!
Ooops-sorry I overlooked your comment until now Pat! I have thought about a tutorial for the “curves” but I don’t think I can communicate it well that way. It’s not that hard but it takes some explaining, more than I think can go in a tutorial. Maybe if I learn how to make You Tubes next year it would work.
I don’t have any tips on removing the pencil marks either, but the piece turned out very nice. I, too, love the arabesque looking border!
Thanks Laura-it was fun to just let go on this one!
This is beautiful, Jenny! I have wondered how you do that curlique design, too. I’m sorry about the pencil marks. I don’t see them at all in the photo, though. Why not just bind it up anyway? You could also embellish with fabric paints or beads and camouflage the marks that way. Every “oops” is an inspiration opportunity in disguise. Happy holidays!
Thanks! You really do see the pencil marks in person. You’re right-I need to see this as a design opportunity!
Ignore them, bind it, enjoy it and move on! I totally am in love with this piece!!! You did a marvelous job on this one!!! If you can’t think of a place to hang/place it, I can!!!! Just direct it my way! I am sure that Patsy is very proud that one of her students achieved such a high level of expertise!! Blessings and hugs…..Doreen
Thank you Doreen! The pencil marks do bug me though…. Dang, the only reason I used a regular pencil was cause I couldn’t find my Morgan pencil.
I ‘hear’ ya! and feel your pain;-\ Quilters, generally, are an impatient lot (also, a tendency towards perfectionism!). Blessings, D
Beautiful! Antique quilts sometimes had pencil marks because they were never washed. Do you have anything to lose with a simple soap and water wash? Make it into a pillow, wash it, use it, love it–’cause we love the way it turned out!!
I admit I haven’t actually scrubbed it yet. I was hoping for some miracle cure! I do like the way it turned out, just have to get rid of those pencil marks.
Really beautiful Jenny. Definitely would look great on the wall or as a pillow. You did a great job.
Many years ago I made a signature baby quilt where I had every relative of the baby sign an applique’ foot. I made my first and last mistake of marking with a pencil. I had to wash that quilt 5-6 times to get it to come out. To this day, I avoid regular pencils and strive to always test any fabric marking tool before I use it. I hope you can find a good solution, but at best I recommend soak and washing a few times. I have heard some use gum erasers on pencil marks.
SewCalGal
http://www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com
Thank you! I have a belief in the wash-cotton-a-bunch-of-times-and-it-will-come-out theory too! I’ve only washed it once so far so it almost doesn’t count. Glad you finally got yours to come out. I was just being lazy and didn’t use the right marker.
I googled ‘remove pencil from fabric’…this might work, though I haven’t tried it…
•Use a soft eraser to remove any excess stain.
•Rub a little liquid detergent into the stain and add a few drops of ammonia.
•Tamp gently, then flush with water to remove all traces of ammonia.
•Launder as soon as possible.
Another mentioned a ‘Fabric Eraser’…Hope to see you at our SIS meeting on Thursday!
Deb I haven’t tried anything yet but this is a good idea. Not sure I will have tried it before we meet!
That is gorgeous! I was just thinking that a “Fabric Eraser” might work. I have one but have no idea where I got it but it’s a whitish color.
I did find and try my “fabric eraser” and it didn’t come out. It may be because this is sateen and there are extra long threads on the top of the fabric for the sheen.
Gorgeous you should be very proud. I love the thread colour you chose. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Thank you Jackie-I hope you had a wonderful Christmas too and may the New Year be happy for us both!
Me, too, was gonna ask for a tutorial on your curly cue border! :) This is a beautiful piece. Very well done.
Maggie in Arizona
Thank you Maggie! If I figure out YouTube and invest in what I need to to make videos, maybe I can do the curves as a tutorial.
How bout drawing two or three curly cues on a piece of paper, with arrows, and show us that? Obviously, you didn’t show this to teach others. And, I’m being kinda pushy and don’t mean to be. It’s just you did such a good job and these curlys seem to be new. My main comment is to tell you how pretty it is and what an excellent job you did – in choices as well as execution. Thank you, Jenny!!!
Maggie in Arizona
Wow that is beautiful. Very well done. We have Patsy coming to our Guild in April. I can’t wait to take her class.
Lucky you to have Patsy coming to your guild! She is so encouraging and fun!
Someone once told me to use a soft toothbrush and Fels-Naphtha soap. I ruined the finish on my fabric. I found a pencil-mark removal solution in a little spray bottle; it seems to work pretty well. Spray and launder promptly…. I’ve had it so long I don’t recall my source–plus we’ve moved–but Google can work wonders…
Elaine I have learned my lesson on ruining the fabric finish trying to get a stain out-I ruined the sheen of a beautiful Radiance quilt once…..ugh! I will look for the pencil mark remover solution-glad it worked for you.
Wow! This is amazing! Great job! I really need to try quilting on sateen….
Thanks Kelly-and oh yes, do try sateen! Your work will look even better on sateen-it just elevates it somehow.
Your quilting is just amazing!
Thank you-I love to quilt!