Quilt as Desired – Free Motion Quilting Feathers in Chapter 6
Feathers and Botanical Movement
Chapter 6 of Quilt as Desired focuses on free motion quilting feathers and botanical movement, with designs that build confidence through repetition, echoing, and flow.
Feathers can feel intimidating at first, but this chapter is structured to ease into them slowly. Each lesson builds on the last, giving you time to understand the movement, the spacing, and how different plume shapes change the overall look.
If you are working through Quilt as Desired, you can find Chapter 6 waiting for you inside the class.
👉 View the class here:
https://quiltclass.southerncharmquilts.com/courses/quilt-as-desired
Log In and Start Stitching
If you’re already enrolled in Quilt as Desired or you’re part of Quilty Club, you’ll find Chapter 6 waiting inside your dashboard.
What Chapter 6 Covers
Chapter 6 includes four lessons, all focused on feathers and feather-adjacent botanical designs:
- Lesson 18: Simple Basic Feather
- Lesson 19: Vines and Leaves
- Lesson 20: Heartleaf Feather
- Lesson 21: String of Pearls Feather
Each lesson is stitched on its own practice block and becomes part of the finished quilt.
Lesson 18: Simple Basic Feather
This lesson is a true introduction to feathers. The focus is on a classic feather with a central stem that is traveled up and down as the plumes are added.
The plumes in this lesson are simple teardrop shapes, which makes it easier to focus on spacing and rhythm without overthinking the shape itself. This feather is a great foundation and sets the stage for everything that follows in the chapter.
Lesson 19: Vines and Leaves
Vines and Leaves is an all-over design that feels very feather-like, but with a little more breathing room. There is still a stem that is traveled up and down, but instead of tight plumes, each leaf has its own small stem and pointed shape.
This design introduces more space between elements, which changes the look and feel of the quilting. It works beautifully as an all-over fill and helps build confidence with traveling and echoing while keeping the movement relaxed.
Lesson 20: Heartleaf Feather
The Heartleaf Feather adds personality and softness to the traditional feather shape. The plumes are heart-shaped, and the stem itself has more space than the earlier lessons.
In this lesson, the design is not limited to heartleaf plumes alone. Small swirls or bits of greenery are added here and there to give the feather more character and movement. This lesson is a good reminder that feathers do not have to be rigid or perfectly uniform to be beautiful.
Lesson 21: String of Pearls Feather
The String of Pearls Feather uses a stem made from a series of pebbles instead of a single line. From that pebble stem, any style of plume can be added. Teardrops, heartleaf shapes, swirls, or a mix of all three are welcome here.
This lesson leans heavily into echoing and spacing. It is a design that can feel a little unexpected at first, and even a bit quirky. Sometimes it reads as elegant texture, and sometimes it looks suspiciously like a snake.
This is a great lesson for experimenting and deciding how different elements work together. It is less about perfection and more about exploration.
How to Take Quilt as Desired
Quilt as Desired can be taken in two different ways.
The class is available as an individual course, which gives full access to all lessons, including the complete set of twenty five free motion quilting designs and the final rag quilt assembly.
Quilt as Desired is also included inside Quilty Club. Quilty Club members receive access to this class along with every other Quilt Class available. This option works well for quilters who enjoy working through multiple projects and techniques throughout the year.
Both options provide the same class content. The difference is simply how access is structured.
A Note on Feathers and Practice
Feathers are one of those designs that improve quietly over time. The more they are stitched, the more natural they begin to feel. Chapter 6 is not about mastering feathers in one go. It is about learning the movement, understanding the structure, and giving yourself space to practice.
If you are following along inside Quilt as Desired, Chapter 6 is ready and waiting.
If you are curious about the class, Quilt as Desired is available as an individual course or as part of Quilty Class.
👉 Learn more at:
https://QuiltyClass.com
This chapter has been a joy to stitch, and I cannot wait to see how these feathers show up in your blocks.
Happening Now
Free motion quilting, taught step-by-step
In Quilt As Desired, we’ll work through 25 FMQ designs together and create a soft rag quilt filled with your progress. You can join through QuiltyClub or purchase the class on its own.
