Everyone that has a sewing machine has that small box. The one with the small metal bits that clink and look like they could take off the tip of your finger if you didn’t know what you were doing. But you know, you just know they do the neatest things- if you had a project that needed them. As a collector of Singer Featherweights, I have a collection of amazing little silver gadgets – but most modern machines have either a foot or the functionality to recreate all of these effects.

That’s how this quilt was conceived. I wanted to play with those feet; to use those attachments. To make something beautiful and fun, and teach myself to be a better creator by using thetools just sitting in a box. So I give you:

The 10 Foot Quilt. It uses, from center to border:
Standard Foot
Bias Binding Foot
Zipper Foot
Button Hole Attachment
Edge Joining Foot
Narrow (Rolled) Hemmer
Gathering Foot
Adjustable Hemmer
Ruffler
Pin Tuck Foot

So began the journey of how to balance radical texture elements with color and design. Some decisions came quite quickly – color had to be a limited palette. Piecing and traditional blocks would just not do. Layout would have to be kept simple, focusing on longer elements that flowed one to another. This was going to be a quilt made in tiers.

Over all, I am very pleased with the final result. It measures 56″ x 56″, a comfy lap quilt. It was pieced on a 1935 Singer 221 Featherweight, and quilted on a hand guided Gammill Premier Plus. I even used my featherweight to sew the actual buttons on, because one thing I don’t have is the patience for hand sewing.

I’ll be releasing a full pattern soon, with exact fabric requirements, cutting, and block techniques. In the mean time if you want to have a go at this quilt, I highly suggest pulling out your fabric scraps and playing with the feet listed above. It took me a full week to perfect the ribbon tier alone – so make friends with your feet now and save some headache later.

Supplies list for this quilt:

Robert Kaufman Kona Solids:
1 1/2 yards Black
3/4 yard Grey 5 (darkest grey)
3/4 yard Grey 4
3/4 yard Grey 3
1 fat quarter Grey 2
1 fat eighth Grey 1 (lightest grey)
1 yard White
1 yard accent color
1/4 yard binding (If done using bias binder, 1/2 yard otherwise)
1 yard size 3.5 zipper and 8 pulls
24 buttons of your choice
3 yards Ribbon or flat lace between 1″ and 1.5″ wide
3 3/4 yard backing fabric or 2 yards wide back

Recommended:
Plenty of scrap fabric for testing feet
Water soluble stick on stabilizer