Stitch Out Some Feathers

Now that you've moved over to the sewing machine, I want you to keep some things in mind.  Please remember that your feathers need to flow from the stem.  They also will not all look exactly alike...even if you draw them out using a stencil.  They need to complement each other and most importantly--you will find your own style.  Your feathers need to look like YOU want them to.  Do they look pretty to you?  Not at first, they won't, but they will with practice.

Check out YouTube for videos showing quilters stitching out feathers.  Try looking at the Superior Thread tutorials with Cindy Needham,  or look for videos from Sharon Schamber and Patsy Thompson.  There are some spectacularly helpful videos there.

That said, here are some other ideas that will help make your feathers look pretty.

These feathers have echo stitching around them.  That makes the feathers stand out more or "pouf" more.

Try adding a little line in the middle of the feather--after you have already stitched the entire feather.  It makes a really pretty feather.  It also distracts your eye from any "bobbles."

Try adding a curl in the middle of your feather.  I changed thread for this one.  Patsy Thompson calls this "hyperquilting."

Try adding a loop and a little line in the center of your feathers to give them your special touch.  Changing the thread color adds personality to them.

See what other ideas you can add to your feathers.  Please share!  We all like sharing our ideas.

Keep doodling! You get better each day!

Feather Sampler

Here's a "sampler" of some feathers to try drawing.  Practice drawing them curving both to the left and right.  Draw them curved back upon themselves.  Learn how to leave space for the feathers on the other side.  Keep practicing drawing them.

Try to draw a line "echoing" the outside edge of your feathers.  When you stitch this echo it really gives your feathers more dimension and importance.  If you echo once in the same color thread you stitched the feathers then echo again with a different color thread, you have given yourself a place to travel when you start filling in around your feathers.

When you are ready to move to the machine, prepare a practice sandwich to learn on.  I really like stitching feathers on cotton sateen because the sheen of the fabric really gives my feathers the light and shadow that add extra dimension to them.  So....
1. I highly recommend using wool batting for your feathers--makes them puffy and pretty.
2. Start like any other machine quilting design--bring your thread tails to the top and hold on to them.
3. I prefer to draw my stem and freehand my feathers--most of the time.
4. Draw the stem and start at the top and stitch down the stem to begin the feathers at the bottom.  I start on the left hand side. Try any direction to see what works best for you.

Go ahead--give it a try.

stitching the stem

Allow your feathers to build and grow.  You might start with the same exercises that we drew at first--the straight stem feathers and then move to the curved stem or double stem feathers.  Remember--practice is how your learn.

Drawing Feathers

Yes, we are still drawing feathers with pencil and paper.  I told you that you could use stencils, templates or any feather tool to help you learn the shape of a feather.  What if you don't have those tools readily available?  Well--use what you have.  If you have a circle template from the hobby store or art store--use that.  Draw three lines one inch apart to practice on.  You are going to draw half way around a circle on the outside edge.  That will give you the rounded part of your feather.  If you don't have a circle template--use a dime.  It works really well.  See Figure 1.

Figure 1

Then, all you have to do is connect the curved part down into the middle or stem part.  Yes, I know easier said than done.  Remember to curve it down into the stem--we don't want tongue depressors sticking out.

How do you actually draw a feather?  You may need to try several different ways to find what works best for you.  Here is what works best for me.  I start by drawing my stem.  I draw the stem starting at the top and coming down the stem to the bottom.  Then I begin drawing my feathers going up the left side.  I am right handed so I don't know if that makes any difference but the left side is more comfortable for me.

Figure 2

I curve out and around to form the rounded portion of the loop.

Figure 3

Then I start the curve back into the stem.  I slide the pencil down almost back to where I started to be sure that my feather is completely curved back into the stem before I start back out for the 2nd feather.

Figure 4

I then slide back up the top of the last feather to start the next one.

Figure 5

Back out and around again then slide back into the stem.

Figure 6

Figure 7

That's the motion that forms the feathers.

When I get to the top--I travel back down the stem and start the right side from the bottom again.  I can't build feathers from the top down.  Many quilters prefer to build them from the top and work down  I need to see where I am going.  I also find it much easier to build from the bottom when I am doing free hand feathers just to fill up space.

Keep drawing and practicing.  Next up will be the difference between "formal" feathers and "free hand" feathers.

Feathers are Flying!

Let me start this by saying there are as many different types and styles of feathers as there are quilters.  You can learn the shape of feathers with stencils, templates, and all kinds of feather tools out there.  Use anything that works.  The place to start is with a pencil and paper.  Please use a pencil rather than a pen--it is much more forgiving and the flow in your hand is much better.

Think about the parts of a feather design.  First, there is a stem from which the feather "grows."  Then there is the feather itself--what shape will yours be? You want it to "grow" naturally from the stem---flow out and around to form a beautifully rounded loop and organically flow back into the stem.  See figure 1.

Figure 1

You can click on Figure 1 and print it out.  Figure 2 is a sheet for you to practice on.  It shows the first stem in a straight line with "boundary" lines on both sides to make your feathers all the same width.  Practice drawing these all the way up the stem.  Them move on to the curved stems.  The middle one should have feathers of different sizes.  See how you like that.  The third one curves but the feathers stay pretty much the same size.  Try them all and practice a lot!

Figure 2

Print Figure 2 out as many times as you like to have plenty to practice on.

Yes, I do draw them out and practice all the time.  I try different ways of filling up spaces and try different types of curls and branches.  See...

So...you need to learn to draw feathers on paper first.  Then we will move on to fabric and thread.

Port of Cassis by Lenore Crawford

Here is a little more inspiration from Paducah.  Look at the quilting on this one!

And this is what happens when you walk into Hancock's of Paducah for the first time.

My sister-in-law, Janie's eyes glazed over.  It only lasted a minute before she jumped into action, though.

Keep that pencil and paper handy for doodling feathers.

Report From Paducah

Why does one fight the crowds...and brave the rising waters...to attend a national show?  Ultimately it is to see the quilts.  This is where you see the best of the best.  Now, I know that can be intimidating.  But you view these quilts and you just want to head to your sewing machine!  They are SO inspiring!  Here is also where you can take classes from the quilters whose quilts you have admired and wondered how they did that.  It is also where you get to see up close and personal a quilt you have only seen in pictures...such as...

Mystique by Sharon Schamber

If this quilt doesn't take your breath away...well, I don't know what would.  There are so many absolutely fabulous quilts at a show this large!  The fun part is going through the show with friends and choosing your favorites.  Since you will all like different quilts, you can only imagine the tough job the judges have.

Best of Show Paisley Peacock by Pat Holly

These are just a few of the quilts that really took my breath away.

Garden Party by Philippa Naylor

Of course there is always the vendor mall.  There you can see the latest and the newest.  Browse your way through the vendors and see products that will help you do your very best work.

Fabric--there is always miles and miles of beautiful fabric.  Of course in Paducah you have the fabulous people at Hancock's of Paducah.  They are SO prepared for the onslaught of shoppers!  They are friendly and helpful so if you ever have the chance--make sure you go to Hancock's of Paducah.  Actually, the Chamber of Commerce must give a talk to everyone in Paducah on being extra friendly to the quilters because there is no place more hospitable than Paducah during Quilt Week.

Anyone have questions about attending a national show?  Please ask!

Now, are we ready to press on to feathers?  I am teaching this class at Patchwork Place in Norman this Saturday, May 14, so join us if you can.  If Norman, OK is too far away, I will be doing the class here on the blog as well so join us here!  Get your pencils and paper ready.

Keep doodling!