Friday 8 November 2013

Free Motion Oak Leaves and Acorns


The latest free motion experiment has a definite autumnal feel to it.  The last time I did oak leaves and acorns it was in applique, which is slightly more time consuming.



The shape of the leaves was not much of a problem.  I did the veins first and then went round them to give the outline.



The acorns were a bit more hit and miss, and using the dark thread the misses show more than I would like.  

As always, botanical accuracy had to be compromised.  A self-respecting real life oak hasn't got flimsy trailing branches, and the leaves have extremely short stems.  I have to keep reminding myself that this is quilting, not botanical drawing.

When I was busy with the applique last year I was lucky enough to stroll into the museum and see a touring exhibition of Leonardo da Vinci drawings owned by the Queen.  The drawings were displayed in individual glass cases, with the glass only a couple of inches from the paper so you could peer at them close up - which is what you need to do, because the drawings are really small, they would fit on a page of a school exercise book.  I spent ages glued to this magnificent work.

Welcome to the latest followers, Susan and Gail Auen - thank you for joining!

Linking up again to Sarah's blog Confessions of a Fabric Addict for Whoop Whoop Friday and Leah Day's blog for Free Motion Friday.

15 comments:

  1. Hi Muv
    I'll be humming heats of oak all day now! Great free motion yet again.
    Hugs
    G

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Gavin. Love the change to the lyrics. It might stick. xx

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  2. It is beautiful. I fear my travel stitching leaves a lot to be desired and always (mostly) thread that blends, just so you cant see my mistakes, he he
    Beautiful design and quilting!!

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  3. Wonderful free motion quilting!

    Greatings Klaudia

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  4. Your sense of line is beautiful Muv, do you make any sketch lines on the cloth or is it all making the patterns as you go ? & thank you for the link to the drawings of Leonardo, the great master of observation.

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    1. Thank you Mo!

      No, I don't put any lines or marks on the cloth. The only planning I do is to work out on paper the route to take for a leaf, an acorn or any other elements of the design, then the rest just happens with the machine.

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  5. Your oak leaves and acorns look great. Even if the branches aren't quite scientifically correct it's totally obvious what they are. Super fun FMQ design.

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  6. I think it looks great! I don't know what you're talking about- I don't see any misses. :)

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  7. Great design! It makes me think of squirrels, which is always a good thing :)

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  8. Very impressive! Beautiful work.

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  9. Wow, lovely design. I have to practice everything on paper a few times, then on a practice piece before trying it on a quilt.

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  10. Good job! Thanks for the inspiration and instruction on how you did this marvelous quilting.

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  11. Muv, as always, your stitching just blows me away. Wonderful job!
    (Linda Wulf Koenig)

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