A Quick Finish–And A Quick Machine Quilting Tip

March 8, 2017
Leaf Tablerunner, FMQ

Leaf Tablerunner, FMQ

Good Morning, Quilters!

Sometimes it feels good to make something small and finish it–wouldn’t YOU agree?

I started this little table runner as a sample when I was filming Sewing with Nancy a few weeks ago.  (Read more HERE)  (The episodes will air in September, 2017)

Leaf Tablerunner, FMQ

The colors were speaking to me–as Minnesota has been a bit dreary lately…

Leaf Tablerunner, FMQ

SIMPLE QUILTING ON PRINTS

This little quilt demonstrates that machine quilting shows up best on solid or near solid fabric.

Keep your quilting simple everywhere else–then add a zinger of a motif in the solid fabric.

THE OLD CORNER TRICK

Also…instead of figuring out a complicated way to turn the corners–do something different in the corners–no one will know that you didn’t know how to quilt a vine in the corner–it will look like YOU planned it that way all along!

Leaf Tablerunner, FMQ

What about YOU?

Do YOU have any quilting tricks up your sleeve?

Do YOU need a break from a big project?

We’d LOVE to hear!

Lori

PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy at The Inbox Jaunt and are intended for personal use only.  Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to The Inbox Jaunt.  For all other purposes, please contact me at lckennedy@hotmail.com.  Thanks!

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25 comments

  • Catherine Dove

    I have just ordered your book, so excited, can’t wait. Thank you

  • Christine Mulvihill

    Hi Lori, love the table runner but absolutely love your new book. It is a must for beginner free motion quilting. Your step by step approach is amazing and so easy to follow. I have a quick question. In your book you mentioned spray starching the backing to make it move easily- does Mary Ellen’s Best Press work or Magic sizing or does it have to be starch that would have to be washed out afterwards. Thanks for all your inspirations.

    • WordPress.com Support

      You have the book already!? Where did you find it!!!
      As for starching the back–I think all of them will help but I have mist experience with Magic Sizing.

      • Christine Mulvihill

        In regards to the book. Every one is carrying it, Etsy, Amazon, Indigo, but Martingale Books not only will send you the hard copy but you get the on line version when you order the book, so that is a bonus until the hard copy arrives. Thanks for your input.

        • WordPress.com Support

          I just saw it on Target online! Woo hoo! Nice tip about Martingale.

    • WordPress.com Support

      I think all

  • Lorraine Doyno Evans

    I love it! I get really hung up on what I FMQ in the borders…as if it needs to be a major piece of artwork. It seems like a lot of FMQ pins out on Pininterest are heavy and dense. Sometimes I just was simple,light and easy.

    • Lorraine Doyno Evans

      Above should say “want simple, light…”. I think I am going to use your idea of the widely spaced piano keys on my border on a quilt I have been stalling on finishing because I have been stumped as what to do.
      Thank you for the inspiration.

  • Awesome and inspiring ! Great admiration !

  • Linda Clark

    I am learning. This is better tan a class (too much at one time). I have started on the doodling – not nutty – educational. I had notebook paper and graph paper here (to keep my sizes even). Later I was in $tree and found a primary tablet. The ” artiste” in me is emerging like spring flowers in the woods! I saw one place where she talked about making a sample book. Plan on doing that too. Again , thank you.

  • Marsha Jean

    LOVE the corner trick! You just made me super happy with that one.

  • Marilyn Heffelfinger

    Hi Lori, Hope you are enjoying your new sewing studio!
    I love the table runner! After finishing a queen size quilt I took a break and worked on my stash of calendar wall hangings .
    Thank you for all that you have taught so far.
    Marilyn

  • Ramona

    Love it!

  • Lori, your table runner is so pretty in its simplicity! I love that! And tips? I am the one wanting to learn them! Thank you for your blog and the instruction/tips you share.

  • Wow! I hadn’t thought of doing the corners this way. This and the other tips are great!

  • Moving from the corners to the center(s) of the borders, when placing a design element in the corners, is far less noticeable when space adjustments are necessary. Our eyes have a tendency to focus, and “measure”, at the corners rather than elsewhere in those border strips. This has worked quite well for me. Great post!

  • DebbieW

    Timely advice..last night I was struggling with a table runner that has a lot of prints and solids. Thanks!

  • Bambi Mayer

    Love that corner trick–I often struggle with how to make the motif look good going around the corners! Thanks.

  • and anyhow….what’s a vine without a flower?

  • Lori you always make me feel I can do it! Maybe a new table runner is in the making for me…..

  • Martha

    LOVE this little piece! I’ll have to remember it for the next day I feel the need to make something quick!

  • Very creative! I do like to do something different in the corners too when free motion quilting. Small projects are great for that feeling of accomplishment.

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