September Challenge

This is month 9 of the Free Motion Quilt Challenge organized and presented by SewCalGal.  Quilter Paula Reid shared her 'stuff and fluff' method of working a large quilt through the small throat of a home sewing machine.  Her video was helpful!  

This month's quilting project was copying a design shared by The Stencil Company.  Of course, I used the 'light-box' method to transfer the design--I taped the paper to the window on the back door and taped the fabric block over that, then traced it with my hot-pink ceramic marking pen.  
 Here is the design:

 Stitching (or rather, quilting) would involve a certain amount of back-tracking as well as some stopping and restarting as one moved from one part of the motif to another.  Unless, that is, one was determined to stitch this as a continuous-line pattern.  I used the approach taught by Diane Gaudynski in an earlier tutorial, and here is my piece.

The pink chalky line really shows up, but it will wash out.

The back of the work looks handsomer.

 I notice MUCH more ease in following a marked design, thanks to much practice over the past year or two.  

 Perhaps you can see how I altered the design; instead of feather 'petals' abutting one another, each stands alone although very close to the previous one.  I think it looks more graceful and delicate.  I'm pleased with my ability to alter this without having to redraw lines, and I am happy with my results.

On to the next tutorial!