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Feather Lessons on Carpenter’s Star

Way back about a year ago, when I thought there was a slim chance that our move to Texas was going to go smoothly; before I knew we’d be moving into a rental and then having to build the sewing room, I offered to do some feather quilting lessons.  I do believe that things in my world have calmed down enough that I can start those lessons on June 1.

The blog post talking about the lessons is here.  These are the two Carpenter’s Star quilts I made for the children of the lady who adopted our Missouri chickens.

This quilt is really easy to make and if you’re wanting to do some practice feathers, there are lots of places in here to make several different sizes/shapes of feathers.

If you want to participate and quilt along with us, get some fabric pulled and get your quilt top made!  I will be showing the quilting using a longarm so if you quilt on a domestic machine or by some other method, you’ll have to adapt what I’m showing you to the way that you quilt.  I will hopefully have some videos and some still pictures to help with the presentation.  This isn’t going to be anything fancy but hopefully it will be enough to give you some confidence with your feather quilting.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. I can’t wait Judy! I have a quilt done in the same pattern that I did from a layer cake of Moda’s ”Bliss” 🙂 Just waiting to be quilted! This will be perfect!

  2. I have my top just waiting…..feathers terrify me…….I need a big push to JUST DO IT!!!! I am committed to over come this “fear”.
    Liz N

  3. I am happily waiting for this class to begin! I sooo need someone to walk me thru how to make feathers. I’ll be ready in June.

  4. I can hardly wait. I’m like the Pat K & Liz – just waiting for the little nudge. Have a quilt top ready to go just counting the days.

  5. put me in the “waiting to feather” line too. i can see sooo many of my quilt tops that just absolutely positively need to be feathered.
    a thousand thank-you’s comming your way.

  6. My top is ready to go too! I will be doing mine on my regular sewing machine. It is layered and stabilized with some ditch stitching so that I can just put the feathers on and then bind it. This will be “sew” fun!

  7. I was just thinking about this but was also so happy with your life in TX that I didn’t want to ask. Also, I have not made my top so I am really happy it isn’t starting until June. Oh, and I was at our Tractor Suppy yesterday and they had just gotten in a shipment of chicks. Such a sweet sound and oh, so, cute. I can see why you kept coming back with more. And, no, I didn’t get any. No one around here is going to build a coop for me even though I would love to have fresh eggs every morning.

  9. Juy,
    I also have my top done and have been waiting for the green light. I’m wondering if your lessons will be something I can follow online at a later date as my spring retreat is June 1-10.
    I so enjoy following you blog.
    Kay

  11. I am so excited for this to begin. I have a long arm …had it for 4 years and still consider myself a beginner. I need to get busy and make this top…right after taxes, Easter, son’s wedding, ummmm, gotta fit it in…..quilting comes first! Lol!!! Thanks again for all you do. Lov ya, Jane from PA.

  13. yep, I thot of this project about two weeks ago but knew you’d had so much on your plate in the past year or more. glad to know it’s on the radar screen and I’ll be gearing up for “feather-fest.”

  16. I have the pfaff grand quilter…it is in my room because I filled up my quilt room….I really want to use it….I did once…long ago..now it just functions as a coat catcher…lol. Here is my plan. My stepdaughter needs money to get her suspended license back. I need to clean out the garage…I think she is going to help me have a large yard sale. I can clean out the garage and give her some money to help her ….then I can move the machine to the garage, where I will have more room, and join your class…and use that darn thing:) OK that is my plan and I thank you for giving it to me !!!! You just never know what those classes you so generously do for us will lead to 🙂 Now I just have to do it??? I think putting it out there on line helps to make me more accountable and more liable to quit procrastinating and get er done. Your class is a big incentive !! THANKS again for all you do.

  17. My top is ready and waiting. Thanks for doing this for us. I definitely need lessons on feathers – mine are absolutely horrible!

  19. I’m up for learning too! I am terrified of even trying feathers. Thanks so much for doing this.

  20. Sounds like fun! I have taken feather classes and watched feather videos and I am still lousy at feathers. (obviously I don’t practice enough) So I’ll give it a go with you Judy – if anybody can whip me into shape, it’s probably you!

  23. Yea! Count me in. I’ve wanted to make a carpenter’s star that you featured a while ago, and feathers intimidate but beckon, so it must be a sign to jump in. I just received your book on borders in the mail today and it’s great too! Can’t wait to get started a top for the feathers. Thanks.

  24. Judy, I will have a top ready to start feathering too. I am breaking my rule not to start a new quilt until more of my UFO’s are done, but I can’t pass up a chance to learn from a great teacher like you and the price is right. What more could I ask, right??? I’ll be ready. Thanks so much for helping us “feathered challenged” quilters.

  25. Oooh…that’s so great! Been waiting for that class. So glad you are taking the time to teach this. Thanks so much.

  26. Thank you Judy! I have also been waiting. I have taken some classes on feathers, but still am afraid to do them.

  27. Phew – thanks for the 2 month lead time. Things are so busy here, I’ll need that much to finish the top. I have about a fourth done. Look forward to your videos. And thanks for doing this! I’ll be doing mine on a DSM.

  29. I have been going to make the Carpenters Star quilt forever. You have just given me the incentive to get it made. Really looking forward to your lessons.

  30. I too have been too intimidated to try feathers. I’ve had my HQ Avante for over a year now but still a rank beginner. Thank you for offering to teach us. I’m off to make the Carpenter’s star. See you June 1.

  32. I am so happy I was directed to this site…..anxious to learn..

    Susie

  33. I’m looking forward to your lesson & will start piecing on Monday. I’ve had my quilting machine for several years and have not had the confidence to tackle feathers. Thanks in advance for you help!

  34. I have been waiting for this for a year. My top has been finished for about that long. But….I am going to be gone most of June to visit family. Will I be able to see or experience this? I will have my ipad with me but won’t be able to go along with you with the quilting. Please let me know how it would be best to handle this. I am a silent fan of yours. Follow you everyday. You are quite a lady……

  36. YAY… I have 2 double carpenter star quilt tops made waiting to be quilted…and a third half completed… They are my easiest to make donation quilts…. I undertook the sewcalgal feathers in her FMQ challenge in february, but am REALLY looking forward to extra teaching, and possibly different feather styles…and especially where and how to place them on a quilt top…. Thank you… eddie in Western Australia

  38. I’m in! I have 2 vintage quilt tops that could definitely benefit from feathers – just dug through my stash and found them, yeah! I’ll be ready & waiting for this one to start…especially since my current feathers stink! Thanks for sharing your feather knowlege
    ~Deb

  39. I just found your site. Can anyone join in your lesson on the feathered quilt top? Starting June 2012? Just making sure this is a current event coming up, not one that happened already.

    I am a new long arm quilter and am looking forward to seeing how its done!

    thank you!

  41. I never turn down free help/lesson’s. Looking forward to your classes. Making the quilt as described, then will make it king size. I’ve made this pattern before using 4-1/2″ squares…works up quickly.
    Marge

  42. I love your C.S!! I am going to participate in your Feather tute. But, I am going to draw and color my Star with Crayola markers and then quilt it hahahaha! Then, when my feathers look good, I’ll make a real top. Can’t wait to start!! Amie in Tn. :o)

  43. I’m very excited about this class. I have made my Carpenter’s Star quilt top with slightly smaller squares than your pattern suggested so I can manage a full square on my 9″ machine. Thanks for sharing your talents!

    Joanne in Boston

  44. I too have finished my top. I am eagerly waiting for the class to start too. I have not had much luck with feathers yet.

  45. I will be out of the country until June 10. Will I be able to catch up when I get back?

  46. I’ve got fabrics selected – now to get to work on the quilt top.

    • I have the fabric also, now need to figure out how to cut the fabric I bought….this is confusing to me..
      Susie

  47. Will I be able to go back and pick up on the lessons? I will be out of town the first part of June but sure do want to take the class!!! How long will they stay up on your site?

  48. Thanks Judy for taking the time to teach us all what we fear most – feathers! My top is done & am anxiously awaiting the class!

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