Good-bye stippling. Hello paisley patterns. Our first assignment in the pivoting paisley family could be described as echoing a tear drop. I am used to paisleys looking more like either Yin or Yang. This pattern doesn't curl or have a tail.
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Full View of Pivoting Paisley - Mid Scale
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Working on a new to me pattern is a humbling experience. This was particularly difficult because I opted to follow Leah's lead and try to execute the pattern in a larger scale than my usual small scale style. I did fine with the inner tears but when I tried to echo them 1/2" or so out I really struggled to keep swooping lines. By the time I reached the outer echo my lines tended to undulate instead.
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Detail of Pivoting Paisley - Includes Travel Stitching
and Filler Lines for Odd Gaps |
How do you do it, Leah? How do you keep your echo lines so evenly spaced with such perfect arcs and swoops? I can imagine that practice is beneficial, but do you have any other tips for large, even very large free motion quilting?
Well, all I can say is I very much like it...whatever you would call 'it' really doesn't matter. I use a similar motif quite frequently myself and my echo is about like yours. For myself, I wouldn't worry too much about it..just keep using it and the echoes will take care of themselves. You have kept up so nicely and come so far! Hugs, D
ReplyDeleteI used another "Leah" pattern as a water filler that is similar to the pivoting paisley. It was easier for me because I used a smaller scale, the echo was the same distance from beginning to end versus starting tight and getting larger at the apex then returning to tight and the travel space was a quarter arc versus nearly 360 degrees. There is a lot going on in this subtle pattern.
DeleteThanks for checking in and the voice of support.
I like your paisley. You know as well as anyone that free motion is all about these shapes. I think it looks great.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sam. I can tend towards the perfectionist. :)
DeleteWell, I think you are being way too hard on yourself. It's looks great. Even looking for what you said was bad, I couldn't find it. I'm the same way with my quilting so maybe we both need to give ourselves a break.
ReplyDeleteIt felt more uneven and jerky than it looks. I think the wiggly paisley may be easier on me emotionally. :)
DeleteDon't beat yourself up Gwyned! Honestly this is a tough design to get perfect on a large scale. I mastered it on a much smaller scale. Also, yes, you can absolutely bend and twist your tear drop shapes if you want to. I just didn't happen to need to in the video, but will often bend them around a bit just like a half yin yang shape. I'll think on it more tonight and post more tips tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteLeah
I look forward to Tips on Thursday. I find it comforting to know that you find it easier to work from small scale up to a larger scales.
Delete"Working on a new to me pattern is a humbling experience." I really resonated with your statement. It felt uneven and jerky and I got lost with how or where to go next, and how to fill in the spots between motifs. I am hopping the wiggly paisley will be easier.
ReplyDeleteJoni, figuring out how to fill those awkward gaps between a motif is a challenge. I tend to be a bit lazy. I just fill with similar spaced parallel, or in the case of this pattern echo curved lines. In a large overall filler motif if you don't quilt in the gaps the gaps will stand out. However, if you quilt something of the scale, whatever you quilt is basically hidden.
DeleteGwyned, you FMQ like a pro. For real! But I understand not being happy with ones own work. You did a great job on the paisley.
ReplyDeleteThis morning I was trying guestimate how many hours I have spent FMQ. I came up with 1,500 hours. It takes 10,000 hours to master something. I'm still early in the learning curve, but much further along than someone who has been FMQ for an 1 hours, 10 hours or even 100 hours. I am so grateful that Leah has given us all practice assignments. I may struggle on occasion, but I sense my ease and comfort improving, especially when doing my own work.
Delete10000 hours??? Ack! We both have a looooong way to go....haha!
DeleteYes we do. Fortunately there is forward progress (although it may not feel like every day) with each hour spent practicing. Speaking of which it is time to return to my studio and get work on those tad poles.
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