FMQ December Bonus Challenge

For the final Free Motion Quilting Challenge from SewCalGal, Teri Lucas gave us a bonus tutorial on using Kaleidoscope Kreator software to create beautiful patterns on inkjet printed fabric.  I decided not to invest in the software at this time, though some of the patterns that people created were quite gorgeous.  Instead, I used that sample pattern that was given to us for this tutorial.

(the fabric copy is on the left, and a paper copy is on the right)  
After printing my fabric, I stitched it up and did a row of echo quilting.

The white (and blue) lines are for placing a background pattern - which was next.  I sketched several ideas on a tracing of the star, and chose my favorite.

At this point, I decided to go a little wild and try a novelty thread (Glitter Hologram by Superior).  A few notes for you if you want to use this thread:
1.  Set up so the thread will pull off the side of the spool (instead of off the top)
2.  When threading your machine, skip that last little guide hook right next to the needle

OK, it's probably hard to see that I skipped that last hook, but trust me on this - if you don't, then thread breakage is in your future.

Thanks to Cindy Needham for the hints on using this thread - I took her "Open Thread Bar" class at MQX back in October - fun class, lovely teacher, great handouts, lots of info on threads (OK, the focus is on Superior Threads, but a lot of the info is applicable to other brands), and plenty of time to try out lots of different threads and use some really sweet machines (Janome) in the lab.

(this is my class sample - I tried to make some patterns really small like Cindy does)

Back to the tutorial - once I made those thread set-up adjustments, it sewed up easily.

(this is before I washed out the guide lines)
It doesn't show in the photo, but this thread sparkles like tinsel and changes color with a different viewing angle.  It's very flash and fun!

Stitching Tech:
I used Dritz Sew-On Printed Treasures for this - a washable (washed twice in cold water with no bleeding and no change in quality), Inkjet printable, 200 thread count Pima Cotton.  The pattern printed excellently, and was fine to sew on, but the fabric does have a bit of a stiff "hand".  I think it's worth trying out some other brands for comparison before I use inkjet fabric in a project.

90/14 topstitch needle
Feathered Star outlined with Superior Magnifico, 40 wt. 4-ply high sheen trilobal poly, color 2096 "Zesty Lime"
Background feathers are Superior Glitter Hologram, metallized poly, color 108 "Atlantis"

Bobbin thread is Superior The Bottom Line 60wt. poly, color 650 "Champagne"

What a great year of FMQ this has been!  And I've still got 1 lesson and 2 bonus lessons to try out!