Develop YOUR Quilting Rhythm with this Exercise

Today’s Topic: Develop YOUR Quilting Rhythm

Welcome to Week Seven!

of The Better Machine Quilt-a-long based on my book 25 Days to Better Machine Quilting.

Find all of the previous Lessons HERE.

Sign up for emails of the class HERE.

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Good Morning Quilters!

Today, I would like to walk you through a short exercise that will help you develop your own quilting rhythm.

Everyone has a natural quilting rhythm-a comfortable speed for moving the quilt while quilting.  Just like handwriting, some people write fast, others write slowly. Everyone varies their speed depending on what they are writing–quick notes or filling out a form.

It is the same for quilting. As you become more fluent with the overall quilting process, you will find a quilting speed that works best for you. You will notice your quilting flows freely. When YOU are in YOUR rhythm, your stitches will look their best.

The Fast/Slow Exercise

PREP

Mark a two inch grid on a sheet of paper or on your Boogie Board.

Create a quick quilt sandwich marked with a two inch grid.

Set up your sewing machine for quilting with your thread of choice.

DOODLE

Set a timer for 2 minutes:

Doodle wavy lines in each of the grid sections.  Change direction from horizontal to vertical in each square.  Your doodle should resemble a basket weave.

QUILT

(Do not use a stitch regulator for this exercise!)

Begin sewing in any square in the grid. Stitch several squares and adjust the tension.

Set a timer for 1 minute:

Stitch at your normal speed for 1 minute, filling in each of the squares with horizontal and vertical wavy lines.

Set a timer for 1 minute:

Stitch as fast as you can for 1 minute, filling in each of the squares with horizontal and vertical wavy lines.  Really push yourself to stitch FAST–beyond your comfort level.

Set a timer for 1 minute:

Stitch as slow as you can for 1 minute, filling in the squares.  Stitch really s-l-o-w!

Set a time for 1 minute:

Stitch at your comfortable speed, filling in the squares.

EVALUATE

Which was easier fast or slow?

Did you find a “new normal” for sewing speed?

Review

Most beginner quilters assume slow is better, but this exercise clearly demonstrates that slow quilting is difficult.  Extremely fast quilting isn’t easy either. So like Goldilocks, we must find the speed that is “just right”-somewhere in between fast and slow.

In general, if you are struggling, force yourself to stitch a little faster.  Usually your stitching line will be smoother. Stitching a little faster forces us to concentrate more and creates a less tortured stitching path.

Eventually you will find your own rhythm, your own natural pace. It will vary day to day depending on the quilt, the motif, your mood…

But when you are in the “flow” you will know it and your stitching line will be “sweet”!

Take a Walk

Are YOU a fast walker or do you prefer to stroll?

Do YOU talk fast or do you ramble?

What’s YOUR natural pace?

Do YOU have a natural quilting rhythm?

We’d LOVE to hear!

Your Rhythmic Quilter,

Lori La Bomba

PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy Quilts and are intended for personal use only.  Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to LKQ.  For all other purposes, please contact me at Lori@LoriKennedyQuilts.com.  Thank you!

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PPS...More Free Motion Machine Quilting 1-2-3 has a Troubleshooting Guide on page 36

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9 responses to “Develop YOUR Quilting Rhythm with this Exercise”

    2. Using the stitch regulator often forces you to quilt at a speed that is not natural to you. I find I have to move the quilter faster than I am comfortable with.

  2. I am a rambler when I talk. I fill in details, like I am now. When I was younger, I found jogging was better, my feet and legs liked that better. That was in flat Utah. Now that we are in Oregon and have to walk hills, I’m much slower, and many years older. Who knows what the deciding factor is. Flat track, boring, hurry before the sun gets too hot? Shady mountains, dawdle and enjoy the scenery? I don’t know. As for quilting, my latest quilt was the Christus surrounded by the planets. I did a “starry, starry night” type of quilting in the stars and sky surrounding Christ. I tended to hurry too much, because there was so much area to fill. My stitch regulator didn’t even keep the stitches perfect. I tried two different ones, just to see if maybe one was broken. Didn’t help. So I actually got brave and just quilted. I finally think I found my rhythm… Not beautiful like yours, by any means.
    Have you ever done a video of you quilting? I’d love to peek over your shoulder for a while and watch and listen to the hum of your machine. You are a master.

  3. I am a fast walker, partly because l was a custodian at a University. Had a lot of territory to cover and only 8 hours to get everything done. If that wasn’t enough also walked the campus at lunch time. Still walk fast most mornings and evenings. It seems most tasks that l do, l do fast. Always in a hurry to get things done! Lol!

  4. I don’t own a regulator, so that was no problem. I’m a slow walker, but a faster quilter.My FMQ is still not as smooth as I would like, but it’s getting better. Thanks for all the help in these lessons.

  5. Wow, bought b770 with regulator because I never thought I could do fmq without it. These exercises gave me confidence I can! Not perfect, but not bad. Also using another layer of fabric on top of previously used batting practice pieces to save on materials and time

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