Challenging myself

Over the last month or so, I've been putting together my next project for Quilters Companion and have finally reached the quilting stage. The design of this quilt is quite simple, so I'm trying something new (to me) and creating a secondary pattern with the quilting (heavily inspired by the likes of Angela Walters). I'm the first person to admit that I love a challenge when it comes to quilting, and what I'm attempting on this quilt is really challenging my skills as a quilter :o)

I've been using my recently acquired Hera marker to mark some foundation lines onto the quilt top, free motion quilting along these first and the filling in with some of my favorite motifs. 

My straight lines aren't completely straight - but I'm trying to remind myself I'm doing this on a domestic machine, not a long arm so I can't expect it to be flawless (as much as the perfectionist in me struggles with this concept!) And honestly, on an 80" square quilt I'm pretty sure no one but me will notice the imperfections anyway.

I'm doing a bit of matchstick quilting for the first time, and I can really understand the appeal now - I don't think I could handle doing it on an entire quilt, but for the little sections I'm doing it is adding some really great texture.

I'm really pleased with this arrow quilting - I marked the centre of the strips with my Hera so that the point are all lined up. Definitely something I'll be using more - it's quick to do and looks really cool!

I won't be showing any more of this one until it's published sometime next year - but you'll understand if things a wee bit quiet around here for a few weeks ;o)

I also wanted to mention that my Full Moon Lagoon has been nominated for viewer's choice in the Blogger's Quilt Festival - I am completely in awe that it has been nominated (huge thanks to whoever nominated me!) Quite a few of my friends have quilts that have been nominated so it is going to be very hard to choose. I encourage you to go and have a look and vote for your favorite (and also vote in each of the categories, there are some truly remarkable quilts entered in all of them.)

xx Jess