Circling Geese

by Nicole

I see geese circling around me!

Cirle of Geese

This quilt is the first one I’ve finished since taking the Angela Walters’ workshop nearly 3 weeks ago. Ever since the workshop, I’ve challenged myself to go the extra step with my quilting, to do something new, that is just outside of my comfort zone. Here are the results of that first effort!

I quilted this one on my domestic sewing machine instead of the longarm because I wanted to get super straight lines with sharp points at the angles. Some day I’ll figure out how to do that on my big machine!

Circle of Geese2

I started by outlining the geese and then stitched in the ditch around each triangle. I don’t usually stitch in the ditch as I find it too difficult to get it to look nice and neat, but Angela said that she does so I figured I’d give it a try. I used monofilament thread for the stitching in the ditch just so that any stitches that fell out of the ditch wouldn’t be obvious. It took a long time, but it gave the triangles an extra little puff that was worth the effort.

Circle of Geese4

I stitched straight lines in each triangle alternating between spirals and arrows. I decided to stitch pebbles in the middle of the circles of geese and paisleys in the rest of the negative space.

Circle of Geese3

This is the most dense quilting I’ve ever done. I must say I’m liking it! I think it’s the thread that makes the difference. I tried Angela’s recommendation for So Fine! by Superior Threads. She said she likes it because it blends in nicely. I was hesitant to try a polyester thread after being taught that 100% cotton is the only way to go. But I gave it a try, along with her recommendation for polyester batting – gasp! – and I am now a believer! I loved working with the thread. It is smooth and strong and oh so very fine! And the batting gives a nice puff to the quilt.

Circle of Geese1

This little quilt measures 28″ by 28″. I will miss it while it’s away at Thimble Pleasures, serving as a sample for the paper piecing class I’ll be teaching soon.

If you are interested in the pattern, you can find it for free at Piece by Number.

Happy sewing to you!

Linking up to Crazy Mom Quilts!

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33 comments

Lynn March 15, 2013 - 11:46 am

I love this pattern, but your quilting on it really takes it to a whole new level. Really is exquisite!

wish2stitch March 15, 2013 - 12:23 pm

WOW! I loved it before, but the quilting has just made it some to life!I keep clicking on the photos to enlarge them and see the detail. So much quilting must have taken ages, but so worth the effort.

Jenny Squawk March 15, 2013 - 12:24 pm

Quilting looks great. Glad you added the dimensions, too.

Foster March 15, 2013 - 2:44 pm

It turned out lovely. You did a wonderful job!

Kelly March 15, 2013 - 4:05 pm

Just stunning Nicole!

Becky March 15, 2013 - 4:16 pm

That is GORGEOUS!!!! You sure are a fast learner!!

Deb@asimplelifequilts March 15, 2013 - 4:24 pm

This is just beautiful! I love it.

JaneB March 15, 2013 - 4:58 pm

Wow.. That class with Angela must have been great. You have done an amazing job on this little beauty. Thanks for the link to the pattern. This one is now on my to do list.

Little Island Quilting March 15, 2013 - 5:27 pm

Fantastic. This has inspired me to do more FMQ on my domestic sewing machine.

Katy Cameron March 15, 2013 - 7:01 pm

Brilliant decision on the quilting! I really want to use her book with some minis to practice some of this stuff :o)

evaj March 15, 2013 - 7:27 pm

So beautiful,,wow!!!

Renee March 15, 2013 - 9:06 pm

Ooooh this is lovely! Awesome quilting!

Heidi Grohs March 15, 2013 - 9:47 pm

Seriously beautiful! I took her Craftsy class last summer and just keep pushing myself. I am just starting to get a hang of straight lines on the LA. Rulers! But still iffy if I want something perfect!

factotum-of-arts.com March 15, 2013 - 9:48 pm

this is beautiful, nice job with the quilting and I love this circular design !

factotum-of-arts.com March 15, 2013 - 9:49 pm

I hope you bring it along to the next meeting, would love to see it up close 🙂

amidthismoment March 16, 2013 - 2:44 am

The quilt is beautiful, and the quilting is fantastic!

-Bobbi

pandchintz March 16, 2013 - 8:59 am

Fantastic Nicole! You were obviously a very good, attentive student – class has paid off!! I'm very impressed.

Leanne March 16, 2013 - 3:41 pm

I love the quilting on this quilt, and the piecing and colours too. So could you take the quilt after you finished the straight line quilting and then put it on the long arm to do the swirly bits?

Kathy@KayakQuilting March 16, 2013 - 11:06 pm

Love the quilting! Really makes the quilt so special!

Kathy@KayakQuilting March 16, 2013 - 11:09 pm

That didn't come out right!! Your quilt is beautiful…the quilting is the "frosting on the cake!"

Tessa Marie March 17, 2013 - 4:51 am

Wow, your quilting is fantastic! It is a gorgeous little quilt – have fun teaching the class!!

Annabella March 17, 2013 - 10:37 am

Your quilting is just fabulous Nicole – I am in awe!

JHNickodemus March 17, 2013 - 6:22 pm

So striking! Love it!

Lu March 18, 2013 - 4:13 am

Nicole
You creative such beautiful quilts. Your talents are so awesome. I just love to admire your work.
Thank you for posting your creations.

Terry Quilts March 18, 2013 - 6:20 am

Excellent quilting, almost urges me to want to learn to PP.

Beth March 18, 2013 - 2:49 pm

OH. MY. GOODNESS. Beautiful! This is a work of art!!!! I am utterly impressed at your quilting skills and how you so artfully combined linear and curvy designs in a single project. Your students will have a marvelous example to aspire to!

Beth March 18, 2013 - 2:50 pm

P.S. Thanks so much for linking to my pattern, too 🙂

Beth, Piece By Number

ann March 19, 2013 - 12:37 am

I wish I were more eloquent but…wow.

thisyearsdozen March 20, 2013 - 5:12 am

Fabulous quilting!!

Britt G. March 21, 2013 - 3:33 am

This is my first visit to your blog (visiting through Finish it up Friday at Crazymomquilts) and I am impressed! The quilting on this Flying Geese quilt demonstrates how quilting is just as important if not more than the piecing and design of the fabric pieces. Simple quilts can be very striking, but can fall flat and appear two dimensional with some quilting patterns. Your quilting pattern completely enhances the movement that the piecing begins to convey but that your quilting cements in the viewer's mind. This is so inspiring and I am definitely going to follow your blog to see what other inspiring, well executed projects you post next. Thanks for he inspiration and the link to the pattern – I am definitely adding this to my do list.

Joy March 21, 2013 - 6:31 am

Nicole!!!!! you are truly awesome! Your learning curve is truly amazing.

Pennie March 30, 2013 - 10:39 pm

Beautiful

Beth April 15, 2013 - 1:52 am

This looks fantastic! I just took Angela's class as well and am trying out the thread. This is a complete success!

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