I keep coming back to my Princess Feather quilts. The first one I made was for Windham Fabrics in 2007. It is owned by them and hangs in a prominent place in their offices in New Jersey.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKwLQfvGXc2SYY8JX5nCX710i4kcw0YZ-6bZVE0KRJXcTkUYPL18hu7mIbGdpjMlzOC_RiYzmtth80ydHwahuljyQmfV2Kdbt0WKS0D7PDGqIcQWJ_PIPldoz4NXi4w8yPbAGQ5JG4HmQ/s400/Princess+Feather.jpg) |
Princess Feather with awesome longarm quilting by Leslee Evans of Atlanta |
Here is a process shot of me trying to come up with an assembly:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguFEIV-TihhgEDbV0Yraa40oFTWG7g8aTpKD2YTVKCoThxJxox1ixz-u-MZ6iGBshhOcGPHN5HACgeNgbj0e26cZK5kZANMoypu5rTlwGwBD0jfkQVc1WL670w7ipPYL0LBMLVGzm3biNo/s400/PrincessFeather.jpg) |
Trying out a different assembly |
I also made one using Kaffe Fassett fabrics and it appears in my second book, Supersize 'Em Quilts (2009). Notice the different assembly from the first one.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4KHf9Jv_v5IvcfCLhFqjuWgtBB7yjE1ueGNIATSR9dxGvlaaTnletpEoKrY3haGuKsibRyfIRxvYUuywfOpOuoOTfsrpSaWFrbSXeT_wjIAUmBCovukGM7F8R_zG1mbGeFGTsOYa8Z1KU/s400/PrincessFeather.jpg) |
Princess Feather #2 |
Then I had a bunch of leftover plumes from my playing around with this Textured Leaves collection a few years ago.
I let time get away from me (hello? how are things in YOUR sewing room?) and only cut out 10. Not to worry, the 11th one is traced. Here is what I'm up to:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpS0IjS0k6YcaIVkacae1U6hDpOiezzHM-IFAAa8JFVsCUlmW9xrQ2HxHNd-68yB54GNoBULFeWdyttW7zjHVzkK3oxm1jpAkdV6OJ8vv7GJsD0wwl-hBX7CFS5IyYmLkNIro3XRi9-A/s400/Plume+w-freezer+paper.jpg) |
Freezer paper template ironed to fusible web backed fabric |
I drew the template onto freezer paper. I cut it out. I iron it to the RIGHT side of the fabric, which has fusible webbing on the back. (Yes; I will be sharing the pattern with you.) Now I cut it out:
And the mirror image:
Why? I don't know. I always let the fabric tell me what it wants. And who has to be all matchey-matchey anyway?
Here are the random plumes (minus the 11th one) scattered on my quilted pillow sham:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdMp2TzyTdHzLRJKUeZKfsl4w2PPoqGACDvuESned1GN2jmeJZZe9N8qatehNRpOq3p0PSdlNyHfN5ZrjS9kBMcNyD1htdfPw_C5gz3dd9-NwXFUv7JYy2D9CgGL1jn6UE_hDC1GlmbXI/s400/10+Plumes.jpg) |
Oh, the possibilities! |
Some spin right:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0eQtUhHv-0AxUK9iFUeQ6qjCBmBRU0pK4WcsopsIN7dMvj2vqO6UCqJMZyCeh7zom8WsNxG2BBb9kxoLzaZc-FMFljz18pCaRcXkl8Nhi57Dun7DAuvnWHAKUhOtpCvF27ZZ1lbLJBwU/s400/6+Plumes.jpg) |
6 plumes spin right |
I changed my mind on the way to the table runner I had in mind.
I decided to work with blocks. I didn't like my first plan with the background fabrics competing with the plumes. These are too ho hum, don't you think?
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-isSiVgEFL0JNODkAn3n44vRdhv5saxg6ooHuS0gcBUozLFaEhozV7woL21FXzBNgGTVNAO0xppTEoKwMBAEP6EoXVuu9M0QcNbOEG7WcZQh8BrKFwsHcwlat1E3nUcqHzUI2l6dH1t4/s400/Leaves+Assembly1.jpg) |
First plan |
I cut 6-1/2" x 8-1/2" rectangles of each of the prints. I also cut two 1-1/2" x 8-1/2" strips of the same fabric as the plume. This way the block will become a square. This is how a block looks with a contrasting print behind it:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgglBxfmtu05QKybEOAFdHfa8JE-K9Qo_sA-0LL9zjDw8NFymwxe3UlDfXVFxpNSH28HCM7x1Rp05MfwOu8VDNuCIcYWIEsyojxIwogwNaN6jndz2c9aTuHrnCriACIedld6z1fdNcltUk/s400/Leaves+Block+1.jpg) |
First block plan |
I pulled out some light khaki solid fabric and this is what I got:
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj706x3Xw6ykozbbJMQnCRhbqqtz03vuCwxSoNI5svnw4Ygg-wnWo-y36KJryWPxxCYri2bf4Ko9mSbciSmZYK4lrBbmDV7UqxKHiKDEBh9w3Tj-0-KUnLjFhyphenhyphenW9CfvkQf7DPTGB35uEug/s400/Leaves+Block2.jpg) |
Second plan with the first block: much better! |
I used fusible webbing to adhere the plumes to the background rectangles and then used matching thread to zigzag appliqué them to the background. Quick is my method here!
And now what do I have? A quilt center that measures 24-1/2" x 32-1/2" (unfinished). I have a plan for borders, but ran out of time. What? That never happens to you?!!
But, I had abandoned this post and came back to it this morning. I had added borders to the quilt above a few months ago and here she is: 35" x 44".
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3LT07kkAuPqAdvWcoxAVX5CNYPdrrMxKZa4UimK9IfF78AhxAoabGsp5zA0-Y_trXtoOg4JLBoLN3ECnGIDftaC4bB8hvSiu2Hb5cxjdo8LlIdT5S5UWoCRQXGuFB3z-vWhLo5zAUUXtF/s400/Textured+Leaves+Pricess+Feather.jpg) |
Playful Princess Feathers |
Here is the link to the FREE
Princess Feather pattern that I made for Windham back in 2007. I used the large top half of the plume which is included full size in the pattern. Of course, you can make the entire
Princess Feather quilt if you like. And whatever you make, please do send me a picture!
That is beautiful Debby. Thank-you for the pattern
ReplyDeleteHi, Mary Ellen. So glad you like the quilts. This still is one of my favorites and I have another 2 dozen or so plumes cut out waiting for a quilt to live in. I'll keep you posted. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteThanks for sharing this pattern. I think this will be a good challenge for me to improve my applique skills.
ReplyDeleteI have always loved machine applique. The only time I tried hand applique - I ended up tossing the whole block in the trash can (I'm not kidding!). But I wish you well and am glad you like the pattern.
DeleteHi Debby! I just LOVE seeing the process you go through. Deciding on which fabrics to use, which layout, where each piece goes in relation to the others - it's all a huge process and important decisions that people who don't quilt have no idea about. Heck yes, all of that happens to me and more. I can see why your 2007 version hangs in the offices in New Jersey. It's gorgeous. ~smile~ Roseanne
ReplyDeleteHi, Roseanne. Always glad to hear from you and what you liked best about my posts. I actually remade that quilt for myself and then - sold it! But I still have the one in the golds.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
Debby
Thank you for this! Barbara Brackman recently showed a post showcasing antique quilts made with Princess Feathers and they were quite intriguing.
ReplyDeleteHi, Shasta. Yes, I’m on Barbara’s list and saw that. I wrote my post several weeks ago and just never hit “publish”. How serendipitous that Barbara was thinking Princess Feathers, too! I loved seeing all her vintage quilts. Most of my inspiration comes from the quilts that came before me. Why try to reinvent the wheel, right?
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by,
Debby
Posts where you go through all the stages are just the best. It reminds me I'm not the only one who puts projects on hold for a while. =)
ReplyDelete