Have you ever heard of a quilting technique called Turkey Tracks. I saw
> it done in northern maine this summer but was unable to get the
> directions.
>
They spaced the "turkey tracks" by using a long doll making needle. End result was a V which looked like a turkey track.
>
> any leads on finding the directions to do this will be appreciated.

Lois McBreairty

It's my favorite stitch! I call it "crows foot". I'll try to get a close up of my stitch and some directions.

I love doing crows foot. It 's very durable for repeated use/washings. No loose ends, like tying. I sometimes work with the pattern, and sometimes make a circle of little crowsfeet in a larger square. The best thread to use is knit crosheen, but I've used baby yarn in making baby quilts. It makes just a little straight line on the back. It makes a tufted look when the quilt is finished. sara

Thanks Sarah. That's the technique I saw in Maine. Amazing how different places give the same stitch/block a different name. Can't wait to show the quilting group.
Lois

I've been doing it all my life (53 years!) and my mother taught me. I came from pioneer stock, and I assume it was a style that they liked (invented?) I have a twin bed size quilt from my 28 year old son that has been washed a zagillion times, and not a single crows foot has come loose. I love the tufted look. Once you try it, you'll be hooked too. Sara

Sara,

When you go down each time you go thru ALL layers right?
Lois

Yes Lois, Going from point 1 to 2 is looped around like a "lazydaisy". Then going from point 2 to 3 is going down through all the layers. This makes just one straight stitch on the back. Going from one crows foot to the next crows foot is between all the layers. I don't think you'll find this one is a book. I asked my 85 year old mother where she learned it, and she replied it was from her grandma. Sara

I had never heard of this technique before, this is neat.

That is really neat! I can't wait to try it. Now what can I quilt next...... :-)

Me, too. I really like that and am very excited about giving it a try.

sounds good to me, I'll have to try it :D :thumbup:

Very neat idea. The same stitch is shown in Erica Wilson's Embroidery Book (1973) as the Fly Stitch.

I really like this idea, have never tied a quilt because I dont like leaving threads, but this gives the speed of tying with the neatness of quilting. will definately give this a try. Thankyou so much for sharing this Sara

wooohoooo!!! i'll be trying this very soon, i'll bet. :P

{{{{{{echo}}}}}} I'm not sure I understand the technique, but I will try it to see if I can reproduce the stitch. I love the tufted look.

{{{{{{{boing!}}}}}}}} A-ha ! "lightbulb" I think I've got it. The clincher for me is "like the daisy stitch." Still not sure about the thread.

I like knit crosheen the best. But I have also used baby yarn on a baby quilt. I heard of a lady that used embroidery floss, but I can imagine the tangles mess I'd end up with. Knit crosheen comes in a wide variety of colors.

If I'm not mistaken it has been on this board before. If you ask Boo, I'm sure she can tell ya where to find it in the archives, I remenber it had pictures with instructions as well.

bump for directions on turkey tracks

Is this a variation of tying? Do you travel between the layers to the next position?

I haven't heard or seen this before either! How neat are those??I am defin. game to try this too!! Now, this is not just a 'decorator' fun stitch..it is actually the way to tie a quilt by doing this-right?Love it! Skeat

Hi Sara,

I am not ignoring you! I thought it looked a lot like the Fly Stitch, but needed to confirm. Sometimes being a 'perfectionist' is a burden...

I, too, am looking forward to trying this. What type thread do you use? I could see this in a lightweight perle cotton, or is that what knit/crosheen is? I would almost prefer the stitches to be seen!

That is part of the reason I tie... I tie on the back so the tufts are there. Nothing on the front to mar the beauty of the quilt. I also bartack using clear thread-that way there is nothing showing anywhere!

Anita

Thank you for the tutorial. I must try this on a small quilt. Inspiration! :thumbup:

I used cotton perle to do the turkey tracks on MY ATTIC WINDOWS. I did it only in the windows. It worked well. Thanks for this tutorial.