I have always admired traditional feather quilting designs. Something about those sweeping fronds of elegant feathered shapes just says "master quilter" to me. Today's trend toward stylized designs, carefully constructed to fill almost any open area, takes tradition a step further. It's my goal to become a better feather quilter.
Of course, such goals are not easily attained. I poured over patterns, articles and books by the latest quilting experts. I doodled feather spines and shapes on note paper, carefully marked a quilt top, and pinned it on the frame. I practiced making feather shapes on an unthreaded machine. But when I dropped my feed dogs, needled down and started stitching, no fine feather designs flowed from my needle. Burps, blobs and basic amoebas emerged. My machine had a mind of its own. Even my husband was amazed.
Some may fall easily into the rhythm of stitching evenly-spaced, uniform fronds. Not me. Still, I'm not giving up. I'm sure, with practice––a LOT of it––I'll at least become a better amoeba-maker, if not a feather master.
After all, I'm almost an expert at ripping out stitches.
P.S. Thanks to everyone who responded to my request to hear about your own online escapes. I love reading your thoughts, even though I can't respond to each and every one. I wish I could share some of our cold, wet weather with all the quilters toughing it out in hot and dry Australia, and that you could send some sunshine my way!
The staff at McCall's Quilting magazine is revved up and raring to go for this summer's 2007 Symposium in Mile-High Style! Visit McCallsQuilting.com to download a brochure, registration form and class supply list to get all the details. Don't miss these five full days of quilting fun!
What's our man Mark doing on the cover of Quilter's Home magazine?
Read Mark's editor's letter online to get the inside scoop, and watch newsstands and quilt shops for Mark Lipinski's Quilter's Home magazine. Sassy, stimulating, and the perfect way to add a little life to your quilting. Order online at the VillageQuiltShoppe.com.
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What's our man Mark doing on the cover of 
