I think my backtracking…you know when you go back over a stitching line…needs a lot of practice. So I had the brilliant idea of using a design from a coloring book page to practice. I definitely need to practice on almost a daily basis to get (and stay) really good at quilting. I got a new coloring book from Dover Publications in their “Keep Calm & Color” series of adult coloring books. I got in touch with them and found that I can use up to four pages in a single project without further permission even though it is copyrighted.
So I scanned one of the pages into my computer and enlarged it. Then I printed it out in Corel Draw, which tiles my pages for me. Several drawing programs or even printer software will do that. Before I got Corel Draw I used Excel spreadsheet, which also tiles your images for printing. Anyway, I taped it together and traced it onto my fabric using a light box and Crayola washable markers (trust me, they come out of cotton when washed)., and sandwiched the fabric with batting and a backing. I machine basted it using my Bernina Q 20’s basting mode BSR3.
Sew now I’m having fun stitching the design with repeated lines of stitching along the design, which gives me plenty of practice backtracking. After I finish the initial design stitching, I will background quilt the rest of the little quilt and I think it will look great if I add lots of beads and other assorted embellishments after it is quilted, washed, and bound. This might just come out being a nice enough small wall art quilt to add to display in the second part of my exhibit at G Street Fabrics, and I am getting in lots of practice. We’ll see what I think when it is finished. So far, I’ve only had to take out a few stitches where somehow it went awry. I’ll show you a picture when it’s finished.
I think this is a very fun way to get in some quilting practice and encourage you to grab one of those Dover coloring books and give one a try. They would make a nice present for someone or wall art in that small spot in your home.
By the way, how is your stylized landscape project coming from this blog post? Have you finished your sun yet and gotten your background constructed or found a nice piece of fabric for the background? I am planning on publishing part 2 the first week in May. If you aren’t making one you can just bookmark the blog posts and make one later, or just watch the rest of us have fun with this.
Sew happy everyone! Try using coloring book drawings for your quilting practice.
Backtracking is a challenge. Sometimes for me, it looks nice on the front; but, not so nice on the back. Your design is a great one to practice backtracking! Have fun with it. (I know you will!)
Hi Terry, I have the same problem. I just finished the backtracking pattern and rinsed off the washable markers. Now I’m going to use the little quilt as a practice piece for an online class I am taking from Lisa Calle. After I quilt and bind it, I’m going to add sequins and crystals and add it to the G Street Exhibit in July maybe, if it comes out good enough. cheers.