My quilting thoughts and inspirations sprinkled with a glimpse of life down on the farm

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Cushion Challenge

Tonight I'm linking up with quiltshopgal to join in with this month's fmq challenge.
An expert each month shares a tutorial or similar and we need to complete a cushion/pillow showcasing what we have learnt.
This month' s tutor was Patsy Thompson and there were several different options for the cushion - I chose to make mine using techniques from her Craftsy class, Ultimate Free-Motion Quilting' which I already had in my library (keep an eye out for the Craftsy specials!).  A fun, inspiring class where Patsy shares techniques for hyperquilting, feathers, trapunto and more. Very visual techniques that really show off your quilting........
Ahem... a challenge right from the start for me who likes to quilt in fine matching thread so that those 'not quite up to scratch' stitches remained relatively hidden! Uh-oh!

I decided I wanted to applique something on the cushion, rather than do it whole cloth style. This helped give a starting point for the quilting, I don't think I would have known where to start otherwise. I drew up the sloping teardrop design in EQ7, appliqued it then started panicking!!
I used another piece of the main fabric as a practise sandwich, experimenting with the threads I'd collected which I had thought might be suitable... in the end I really only used 2 of them, in the photo below you can barely see my first thread - I thought a green on the beige would show up more but it didn't.
The hyperquilting involves stitching out a design, then going back with another
colour and adding more detail... then more detail, etc.
This piece has 3 passes, green, light pink, dark pink.
I'm pleased I had the play on this piece as it helped me decide what to do on the main piece.
The flower in the centre is trapuntoed with two layers of batting - the first was
too flat - now it sticks out a mile!
Only ended up using 2 coloured threads but I enjoyed the playing.
This is how I finished the border. Just straight lines and something a little fancy
in the corners.
And this is the finished cushion.
I used 60/40 wool/poly mix batting which really does give a nice puff.
I used the practise piece as the backing. Leeanne shared the idea with me recently and I love how it snazzes up the back, and you only need a bit of binding on the edges.
My practise piece was large so I had a big overlap...may - or may not- come
back to it with a button or two.
I've just realised this is my fourth year of sewcalgal (now quiltshopgal) challenges!! I love them, they always stretch me.
Visit the blog *here* to see what amazing creations others came up with. (You need to scroll down a little bit to get to the mr linky section.). There will be another challenge next month, feel free to join in as anyone can take part.
And while I am here in blogland, I thought I'd quickly share this stitchery I completed last night. It was sitting in a basket of traced stitcheries and at the moment I'm not sure where it is from... I have a suspicion it's from one of Gail Pan's Christmas books. I'll find out for next time I post it, when I've added the borders!
See you next time, happy creating, and thanks for visiting, 
...and Happy Easter!...

33 comments:

  1. great job on your pillow!!! I really like the quilting you did..must check out that class...

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  2. Raewyn, your quilting on the cushion is just gorgeous... so pretty & girly! Love it!
    The stitchery seems very Gail to me too... it's cute! x

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  3. I am so impressed with your cushion! Lovely design and beautiful quilting!
    Those challenges really do make us grow, don't they? Though I have only participated in a couple of years, I saw so much progress during that time.
    I commend you on sticking with them. It seems to have really paid off! Gorgeous work!

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  4. Hi Raewyn ,wow and double wow with your cushion,its gorgeous and i love your stitchery,its very cute,well done my friend on your beautiful finishes.xx

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  5. That is so beautiful. Amazing quilting! I like the cute stitchery too.

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  6. I don't think you need to worry about using contrasting threads your quilting is just amazing and I love your completed pillow , just gorgeous ! I also love the stitchery , sweet design . I have missed a couple of your posts not sure why but your work is always lovely .

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  7. I am just loving the way this cushion came out Raewyn - you've done a fantastic job on it. I must say, I own many of Patsy's books and have viewed and viewed her online tutorials but I haven't signed up for her Craftsy class. I certainly will do that! Thank you for sharing all the great info and your beautiful pillow. Your stitchery came out wonderfully too. Hugs from America! Karen

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  8. That cushion is so pretty, great job luv, as always xx I'm itching to do some stitchery and add that into a quilt, I'll probably make it up as I go along :D

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  9. Amazing work on your quilting.....you must be the best student!

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  10. Your pillow is amazing! Great job!

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  11. Your pillow is amazing! Great job!

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  12. Your quilting looks wonderful!!!!! thanks for the link to her website and videos I think I have one of her books but had not seen the videos
    thanks
    Ann

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  13. wow your quilted pillow looks amazing!
    love your blocks from your previous post too.

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  14. your cushion is stunning... I love the colours you used and the detail in the quilting.....
    Hugz

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  15. That cushion is gorgeous Raewyn, love the back too :-) And I even know what trapunto is (for a change) !!! Have a great Easter.

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  16. Wow Raewyn what awesome quilting......will look into Patsy Thompson's class. Your cushion is amazing and I like the quilting on the back too. xxxxx

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  17. Wow Raewyn what awesome quilting......will look into Patsy Thompson's class. Your cushion is amazing and I like the quilting on the back too. xxxxx

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  18. Your pillow is amazing, wonderful job !

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  19. Absolutely beautiful cushion Raewyn!

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  20. The work in your cushion is lovely. Thanks for explaining how you have done all the quilting. It looks amazing.

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  21. Raewyn, your pillow is very creative! Love it!

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  22. Dear Raawyn,
    lovely cushion and to see how you did the job makes it quite good to understand (for me ;-)). I also love your stitchery...:-)))
    Hugs
    sigisart

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  23. Raewyn such a great job at quilting, love the colours.

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  24. Wow Raewyn your cushion ist outstanding, lovely deatails - beautiful work!!!
    Your stitchery ist gorgeous too.
    Happy Easter to you and yours!
    Liebe Grüße
    Bente

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  25. Your cushion is wonderful! Patsy is such a wonderful teacher. She came to our guild and we had such a good time. Happy Easter. :-)

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  26. Wow! Your cushion is beautiful! You did an amazing job on the quilting! Very pretty Christmas stitching too!

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  27. Wow the quilting is gorgeous! So effective!

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  28. WOW - your cushion is spectacular Raewyn! All those wonderful details! You met the challenge and then some! One would never know this was something new for you.
    Love the sweet little stitching you did too!

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  29. Wow!! That's about all I can say. I need to do those challenges too - but just never can find the time. So I'll just admire yours for now.

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  30. I love the quilting you did on your cushion... both front and back! And I love you little Christmas embroidery!

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