Candy Stripes – A Free Motion Quilt Tutorial
Good morning, Quilters! Here we are working away in Santa’s workshop and we’d like to pause for a little quilt tutorial. (Something you can do in less than 15 minutes!)
Today, we have the very festive Candy Stripes Tutorial–a North Pole favorite! This pattern is a variation on The Twisted Rope pattern we worked on in September. We are going to add a few squiggles between our rope layers to achieve this Christmas motif.
Begin by drawing two “rails”–drawn lines that will serve as guidelines to keep our stitching tidy. In the samples below, the lines are 1-1/4 inch apart. We will be stitching up–we will start at the bottom and stitch up to complete a full candy stripe. (You can stitch this up or down or from right to left when you are quilting–but for the purposes of today’s photos–we are stitching from the bottom toward the top.)
Begin stitching on the left rail. Sew on the rail a few stitches, then curve up and toward the right rail. Stitch on the right rail several stitches, then stop.
Stitch down and toward the left rail. Before you get to the left rail, curve down.
Next, stitch a squiggly line up and down until you are near the right rail. ( You may be able to complete three or four “squiggles” in this space-depending on the size of your “rope”.)
Now echo stitch next to your first line of stitching, and stitch up and directly on your left “rail”.
Echo stitch to the right rail. Reverse direction and echo stitch back to the left rail. (These two steps add a little extra striping between the squiggles.)
Now you are ready to begin the entire stitch again.
There is a great rhythm to this pattern once you get going. It makes a fabulous border on any Christmas quilt, and it looks “sweet” on any children’s quilt.
Doodle this for several minutes – then grab some red fabric and give it a try.
Come back tomorrow for Work in Progress Wednesday. I used the Candy Stripes in a little stocking stuffer my Mother.
Speaking of stocking stuffers…I will be posting my annual Stocking Stuffers for Quilters and Seamstresses post early next week. I have several new ideas for 2013!
May your stitches be sweet (and pepperminty),
Lori Kennedy, SEFC
(Santa’s Elf, First Class)
Love it!!!!
This looks like so much fun. I’m going to try it on a Christmas stocking for my new granddaughter…. and am looking forward to the stocking stuffers! 🙂
Can’t wait to try this!! So festive.
Love it Lori!!! Can not wait to try this one!! I am enjoying your “quilt sandwich ” idea too…(they are so fun I can hardly put them down) !! Thanks for another super cute pattern. OH!! and can hardly wait for the stocking stuffers…the suspense!!! I might be stuffing an extra stocking for me this year (heehee!)
Lori
Thanks so much. Your designs are wonderful, I just found you about a month ago and am having such fun trying out all your super motifs.
So glad you found us! Please help us spread the word–tell all your “quilty” friends about us! and don’t hesitate to ask questions…
I love this site. You are one creative lady.
Thanks for such a pretty pattern.
Beautiful candy cane stripes!
Have a great day.
Always, Queenie
Just joined your site and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE your ideas. It truly encourages me to
get out of the meandering arena. Thank you so much.
Thanks so much! If one person stops meandering because of me, I will feel I’ve done the quilt world a service…
Thanks for sharing your wonderful talent! Great tutorials and photos.
ok…you seriously make this look easier than it is… lol! I’m not past the paper doodles and it’s covered in scarey totem poles. lol! No cute candy canes here. giggling uncontrollably. 🙂
Make totem poles then! Sounds lovely!
Adorable!!! Thanks for the great tutorial!!!