In addition to the beautiful So Fine threads I bought this week, I bought fabric. I decided that I didn’t have a suitable backing fabric for the the lighter version of the two 9P & stripes I’m making. I will be able to find a suitable fabric for the darker one in my stash, but with all this feather practice I’m doing, I wanted something really good for the lighter one. I hope it turns out really nice. I bought 14 yds of this beautiful Benartex Giverny fabric for $4.05 a yd. from www.thousandsofbolts.com. I really only needed 10 yds, but they only had 14 listed in stock, so I figured the other four may as well come along for the ride 
And while I was at it, I went ahead and ordered 5 yds. of this beautiful golden fabric, to use for the back of my Storm at Sea top, that has been finished for quite awhile.
And, I didn’t stop there. I bought these stencils. Ronda always inpires me with the beautiful quilting she does, and she recommends using stencils. With all the feather backtracking practice I’ve been doing, I might be getting up enough nerve to try some pretty stencils.
I’m still working on feathering that vintage top to death. I’m actually feeling feather frazzled…I’m ready to get it off my machine. One last edge to do…but man does that precision work make my shoulder scream. I’ve been getting a little more careless with my backtracking, and some of the CC’s, trying to hurry it up a bit. It’s just for me, anyway, and I’ve gotten some great experience working on it. However, I now have three paying jobs coming in soon, so I need to get done so I’ll be ready for them.
I did sew up my Wild Onion jacket, and I’m pleased with the quilting. However, I think I used the wrong batting. It’s too stiff, and it puffs out weird at the back of the shoulders. I used Quilter’s Dream request loft poly. So if I make another, what batting would you suggest? A light weight cotton, maybe? Also, I think I’ll make the shorter version.
Sunday weigh in: starting weight this week was 147. Today my weight was 145, for a loss this week of 2 lbs! Total weight loss is now at 9 lbs. I’m not sure I’ll do so well this next week. DH was gone from Sunday to Thursday this week, so it was really a lot easier for me to eat less calories.
So, that’s my report. I wasn’t really good, but I don’t feel a bit bad!
Feb 10, 2008 @ 20:32:34
The feathers look great Randi, and I love the pearls…they add such an elegant touch. good fabric choices too. And you can never have too many stencils!
Feb 10, 2008 @ 20:44:28
Your feathers are wonderful Randi. I love the quilt. Your fabrics sure are purty. Congratulations on your weight lose.
Feb 10, 2008 @ 20:57:27
The feathers are looking good! and don’t worry about your fabric buys…it will soon be used up in your quilts. Your Wild Onion jacket is fantastic! What a fun way to showcase your quilting. Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Feb 10, 2008 @ 21:19:22
Randi, what a great weekend you’ve had! Love the quilt. Your quilting has added such beauty to it. You’ll hardly recognize it when you get off. The jacket is lovely. Try Thermore next time. I think a lot of people use it in garments.
Feb 10, 2008 @ 21:21:23
huh? you weren’t really good? weight loss, projects finished, learning done…..sounds like a great week to me!! kudos.
Feb 10, 2008 @ 21:45:31
Randi,
Great choice in stencils. I often use them myself sometimes they can be a great springboard. I’m often tempted by 1000′s of Bolts..so far so good.
Congratulations on the taking awesome care of yourself this week!
Wendy
Feb 10, 2008 @ 21:52:19
Great feathers!!!! And I love love love the fabric!! Why do I suddenly feel the need to shop…… Love your Sunday reports!!
Feb 10, 2008 @ 21:56:11
I think it’s a fine report. Yo bough fabric for SPECIFIC purposes, your feathers look fantastic and you makde progress on your weight goals.
Feb 10, 2008 @ 22:09:19
Randi, your feathers are fabulous and I love the fabric you purchased….now I’m tempted to take a look at the website. I’ve bought from them before and always been satisfied.
As for the jacket, I used Hobbs silk batting for my Wild Onion Jacket. It’s very soft and drapes well.
Feb 10, 2008 @ 22:20:49
WOW…your quilting is gorgeous! You did a great job!
Laurie
Feb 11, 2008 @ 01:21:43
Feathers are lovely.
On the jacket and drape. Different battings can help but mostly it’s the amount of quilting which dictates how much drape is lost. Also the type of quilting, if you have a lot of lines touching or crossing each other then more drape is lost. So it’s either less quilting or choosing a design which ‘needs’ a firmer fabric. Again much finer threads help too.
Feb 11, 2008 @ 02:33:05
Hiya Randi,
Wowee. I love, love, love that quilt you have here. You have quilted it so nicely. The quilting really suits the quilt, too. It has been grea
Feb 11, 2008 @ 05:52:39
Such beautiful feather quilting! Wish I could do that!
Feb 11, 2008 @ 08:44:48
That vintage top is FABULOUS! I love the CCs with the feathers. I just love it!
BTW THANKS SO MUCH(read with sarcasm!) for the link to Thousands of Bolts. Like I have ANY will power!!
TerriW
Feb 11, 2008 @ 10:07:52
I so enjoy watching artistry in action….aka beautiful feathers. I love the jacket too. I have the pattern but haven’t gotten further than getting it out of the package.
I too spent too much money on stencils last night but I keep thinking maybe some of these “tools” will get me closer to some of the quilting I see all of you doing.
And, Congratulations on the weight loss!!
Judy in MO
Feb 11, 2008 @ 17:05:29
Beautiful Randi, thank you for sharing… The pearled feathers are of course some of my favorites, and the stencils you chose are wonderful, a great start…. As for the jacket it fits kinda bulky so i do not think it the batting.. I have a different pattern i intend to play with someday…… Great job on the weight loss, according to the news diet soda is suppose to make us fat so I guess i will need to rid myself of that vise….. Happy quilting
Feb 11, 2008 @ 18:41:13
I’m in absolute AWE of your work! Your jacket is beautiful and the feathers on that top are just out of this world. You are way too hard on yourself – pat yourself on the back for some work well done!
Feb 11, 2008 @ 20:03:15
Ooh la la ! What a great week you had! Many congrats on your weight loss.
You feathers are absolutely terrific ….. and I too love your choice of fabrics. Giverny is one of my fav lines. Your jacket is lovely. WTG Randi! Do it again!
Feb 11, 2008 @ 21:51:33
Randi, what a fabulous post. So many positives, so much beauty that you’ve made and shared.
Congratulations on the weight loss and thank you for sharing your lovely quilting.
Feb 12, 2008 @ 23:25:34
Congrats on your weight loss!! I started last month and I’m down 8 lbs today. I’m doing ww.
Beautiful quilting on the jacket!!
Feb 13, 2008 @ 23:16:21
hey girl, great job on keeping up with the weight loss. Have you washed and dried the jacket yet? Mine seemed to get softer after I washed it. I used hobbs 80/20 in mine. I have some wool and fabric to make another. But have to catch up on the customer stuff first.
Are you counting the hours until boogity boogity boogity time, I know I am!
Feb 24, 2008 @ 10:30:48
Beautiful job on your feathers! As for the stiffness in the jacket, I have found that poly batting is very stiff. I’d suggest cotton or wool, or the yummy silk. As Ronda noted, the jacket is not fitted, but rather has been graded to be a comfy loose fit. I love to wear my jackets– folks always stop me to chat!