Falling Leaves - Oct Journal Quilt

This month I felt like doing something “Fallish” for my journal quilt. I selected a batik FQ from my stash that had fall colors in it and decided to let the pattern of the fabric influence my background quilting. In the open spaces I decided to do grid quilting – and I like the effect. In the more printed spaces I doodled in variegated thread to enhance the pattern and in the more tonal printed spaces I just simply outline quilted for geometric effect – I like the outcome. Note to self – do your background quilting first – before you add anything to the piece – it will make the background quilting much easier. That being said – I added the branch – before any of the background quilting was done. – LESSON LEARNED –
I also knew I wanted to put silk leaves on the piece – it is fall you know even though it does not seem like it here in Texas… I played with many arrangements before I settled on this simple linear design. I kept hearing the voice of one of my journal class students – “that is too predictable” – Thanks Caroline for making me think outside my box. The leaves are Free Motion Embroidered into place – using the printed veins on the leaves as the guide.