Saturday, December 10, 2016

That's a heap of piglets

I've been working on the quilting for my Higgledy Piggledy quilt.  Yesterday I managed to get about to the 3/4 point with it, but the third time I'd been happily "air quilting" across because I'd run out of bobbin thread again, I dumped the quilt on the floor and took a break.


I'd been grumbling away for a while a couple of days ago, trying to keep the presser foot from snowplowing across the quilt, when it suddenly dawned on me that I now own a walking foot.  Out came the manual to check how to attach it, and off I went.
I really really like the walking foot.  Really.  I love to hand-quilt, but machine quilting is something that I've always regarded as a necessary evil.  Something that has to be gotten over with so I can say "yay, done" and get on to the binding (which is a fun part, though not quite in the same league as the piecing).   So anything that makes machine quilting easier is a big plus in my book.

In hopes of continuing the feeling of motion, I'm quilting horizontal organic (ie:  wobbly) lines across the piglets.  I'm thinking of it as the 'whoosh' lines that you see in cartoons, where a character is suddenly moving fast.  "Beep beep" and gone.


It's probably all in my head, but it's making me happy and it's keeping these little piggies headed for the big finish line.


Beep beep!

Linking with SoScrappy for ScrapHappy Saturday.  Come see all the RSC2016 projects coming together!





24 comments:

Mystic Quilter said...

I love my walking foot!! I like to keep my quilting simple and easy and this foot has served me well. The piglets definitely have a wonderful sense of movement.

Vic in NH said...

I love your quilting idea and it does look like motion of the piglets running along!

Libby in TN said...

I tested my walking foot on a small project and found it a bit awkward to use so I broke out the Pfaff with dual feed. So far I've done OK on my Baby Lock without the walking foot by adjusting the foot pressure. Air stitching is for the birds, not the pigs!

Chantal said...

The right tool for the right job: a WALKING foot is perfect for RUNNING stitches. hehehe. The "whooshing" lines will help the piglets back into the barn ... maybe? I am done with the stitch-in-the-ditch part of the RSC2015. Now the fun part of FMQ starts ... tomorrow! ;^)

Ariane said...

It's going to look amazing! Can't wait for the reveal!!

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

I LOVE my walking foot and have discovered all kinds of quiilting designs I can do with it. It looks like the quilting you're doing on your piggies is perfect for the way you set them! As for sewing with no bobbin thread - I can't even count how many times I have done it! Lol!

Cathy said...

Can't wait to see the piggies reach the finish line! The wavy whooshy lines are a perfect design element. I'm doing vertical waves on my November Rain quilt, but the effect is not perfect like yours. However, it helps the eye move around the angles. Happy stitching!

Deb A said...

Ok, I have a picture in my head of them running along after your description. Hope they are running somewhere fun! I love my walking foot - a great too to have to 'get them done' when needed. Hopefully mine will enjoy a workout tomorrow.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I can't believe you were quilting without a walking foot - I prize mine (have one for each machine and some spares).

Janie said...

I'm glad you remembered your walking foot!
I love the idea of whooshing piglets.

Sally Trude said...

You're making amazing progress on the piglet quilt. I did get confused by one of your photos because at first I saw an apple instead of a piglet. I think it may be using camouflage to avoid the bacon scenario.

PaulaB quilts said...

The walking foot is priceless. I often leave mine on for everything if I don't have to use the 1/4-inch foot. So glad you opened up a new world for yourself. The whoosh is great use of its curving ability. What is,the prize for the race winner?

Judy said...

Perfect quilting design for your piggies! I use my walking foot for straight lines, but need to try those wavy lines.

Angie said...

Perfect idea for machine quilting and the walking foot will really help things whoosh! My main electric machine has a built in walking foot and I'm so used to it, I don't even think about it. My mind gets befuddled when I use another machine to stitch multiple layers and it turns into a thrash - duh! no walking foot!

MissPat said...

Your quilting is perfect for the running piglets. I need to try using my walking foot for something other than stitch in the ditch. I did use it on two spiderweb quilts, but the constant need to turn the quilt around was exhausting.

Anonymous said...

we use to raise pigs. They are good at eating leftovers and just about anything. Really good recycling. Love bacon.
One day they got lose and ran through our house. That was 50 years ago on the farm. My brother has the farm now and raises sheep. I think it goes , chick , sheep, pig, and cow and all like corn.

Sue SA said...

I am not a fan of machine quilting either, but seriously without my walking foot would not consider it at all - so welcome to the world of walking foot magic! Love the idea of swoosh quilting lines across the pigs, looks great.

Quiltdivajulie said...

What a fun, fun quilt!!!!! Great choice for quilting, too.

Laundered Cotton said...

Wait, what?! People are quilting without a walking foot? I must have been in a cave all this time! Like a commenter above, I often use my walking foot for piecing; solves the lower fabric moving faster problem. I have started practicing free motion quilting with a embroidery? foot and lowered feed dogs. Wonders never cease to amaze me!

Wanderingcatstudio said...

Wavy lines are perfect! (They can also double as stink lines!)
A walking foot is part of the reason I'm waiting to quilt my baby blanket at Moms... she's has one (plus her machine is set IN a huge table so there's loads more room.

Quilter Kathy said...

Way more fun with a walking foot for sure! Enjoy!

Kate said...

Looks like great progress! Hope you are already to the binding stage.

LA Paylor said...

please tell me you're making this for me...

Briarose said...

I NEED a piggy, I NEED to make one, where can I get the pattern? Please share.