THE FMQ–FREE MOTION QUILTING–DESIGN PROCESS
Today I would like to offer a few hints for free motion quilting an appliqué block by walking you through my thought process as I worked on this little quilt.
I started with this “orphan block” made years ago. (The pattern is from Erin Russek-you can find similar ones HERE. She has many free appliqué tutorials – though I don’t use her appliqué method…more on appliqué later this summer…)
I added three borders for interest.
Layered a quilt sandwich with Warm and Natural batting.
Then the fun part…I pulled several threads choices…all Rayon: Sulky 40 wt and Robison-Anton Twister Tweed- I love the texture of this thread. (I used Aurifil 50 wt in the bobbin.)
DECIDE THE ELEMENTS THAT SHOULD “POP”
Next, I looked at the pattern and decided what I wanted to emphasize. Naturally, I wanted to emphasize the appliqué.
- The area you want to “pop” or emphasize receives only minimal free motion stitching.
- Everything around the “pop” area-is heavily free motion quilted.
FMQ THE BACKGROUND
Begin by free motion echo quilting around all of the appliqué.
In this quilt, I echo stitched three times around the appliqué pieces.
Then I was restless…
I added a few details that matched the theme of the appliqué it was surrounding…scallops on the leaves, swirls that resemble flower stamens…
Then I echo quilted around those motifs. I added a few circles for more visual interest…
FMQ THE APPLIQUE PIECES
Once the background was finished, it was time to consider the appliqué pieces.
While I wanted to minimize the quilting on the appliqué so it would “pop”…If you don’t add any FMQ to these pieces they look bare–or like you just forgot to quilt them…
I used this Dritz chalk marker to draw a few ideas…
Once I was happy with the design, I stitched it with the Robison Anton Twister Tweed.
I added a few stitching lines to the leaves as well.
ON TO THE BORDERS
On the small blue border, I opted for circles–to highlight the purple appliqué circles.
On the yellow border, I thought the quilt needed something more quiet and linear to contrast with all the circular patterns.
On the outer blue border, I kept the quilting a simple pattern. The fabric is very busy and elaborate quilting does not show on “busy” fabrics.
In summary:
STEPS TO FREE MOTION QUILTING AN APPLIQUE BLOCK
- Decide the elements that should “pop”.
- Quilt the background–the area that is not emphasized.
- Echo quilt around the appliqué pieces at least twice.
- Add other free motion quilt motifs.
- Echo quilt those elements until the background is complete.
- Add a limited amount of free motion quilting to the appliqué pieces.
- Quilt the borders–using elements from the body of the quilt and linear patterns if the body of the block is very busy.
- Finish the quilt and send a photo to lckennedy@hotmail.com or post to Flickr or add a photo to Instagram #theinboxjaunt!
Now I’m off to my garden to find some flowers that will match…
This will look great on my kitchen table with a vase of flowers…
On second thought, I have someone special I’d like to send it to…
I’m off to UPS…
Lori
NOTE: This vase quilt was stitched on a Bernina 820 without a stitch regulator. Topstitch 90 needle. Aurifil cotton 50 wt in the bobbin and Robison Anton and Sulky Rayon 50 wt on top. Warm and Natural batting. Dritz chalk marker.
PS…All images, tutorials 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, etc. with attribution to The Inbox Jaunt. For all other purposes, please contact me at lckennedy@hotmail.com. Thanks!
38 comments
Bernice
Thank you–this gets the wheels turning in my mind. Now I just need to get brave and start!
Pamela
Great blog article! I will be quilting my first appliqué mini quilt and this was extremely helpful.
Mandy
Thank you for your tips, most of all thank you for the details in your “note”. I have a Bernina 820 purchased used 2.5 years back. Using it only 6 months then enbarking on a move, then remodel (total gut). I hope to be back sitting in front of my machine soon (hoping I still remember how to use it).
Anne Marcellis
Thanks, Lori, for sharing your process. You certainly know just the right stitches that compliment each pattern and shape. How inspiring!
rascassepoule
thank you Lori, I find your thought process very interesting and instructive for me
Jane from MA
So beautiful. I am still on my training wheels (Bernina stitch regulator). Can I do
all stitching with the regulator – I am so tense without it. Some say that it hinders the quilting – but without it the whole quilting process hinders me. What is your opinion?
Thank you for giving us so much!!!!!
Lori Kennedy
Use the BSR as long as it
Is helpful! If that’s forever that’s okay. You have to find out what works for YOU! Have fun and trust yourself.
Jane from MA
Thank you, Lori – I will do that!!
Ana Perna
I do not have enough pieces to try out all your ideas!
Yours is a bottomless well of inspiration. Thank you.
WordPress.com Support
I don’t have enough time to try all my I ideas either–LOL!
Katy Conde
Thank you so much for the inspiration. I have finished an applique block that will be a wall hanging. I have been thinking about how I am going to machine quilt it. Your tutorial opened my eyes.
Barbara Siegler
I love the idea to start small and outline designs. Thank you for making it seem easier and for the encouragement we all receive from your blog. We will all get it at some point with practice but for now, thanks for sharing!
Pamela Wynfield
Really excellent advice about how to develop a quilting design plan.
Sharon Dallman
What a timely tutorial Lori! I am just learning to sew appliques using various methods and really love the work you just did. Thank you so much for such a great tutorial. I keep coming back to your pages daily to see what is new. I really enjoy your enthusiasm and your teaching style!
Lucie the Happy Quilter
Thanks for sharing Lori. I have a whole quilt worth of orphan blocks that need freemotion quilting. It’s great to see how someone else goes about the task of freemotion quilting individual blocks.
Diane
I love it, you are amazing!
Jane
This was very helpful, Lori. One never knows the thought process of another quilter when and how they decide to FMQ. Thank you.
I loved your resent addition in the magazine. Great job!
I, too, look forward to your emails full of information. You are a spark in my quilting day!!
lavonne
can’t wait for your tutorials to show up in email. Each one gives me a new idea. this is really nice. I don’t applique but might have to try after seeing this.
Donna
You are the highlight of my morning! Ilove how you make your instructions so clear. Thank you for sharing.
chance
How timely. I was just wrestling with how I was going to quilt my applique blocks. Wonderful tutorial. AND thank you for sharing all your beautiful quilting tuts. I look forward to each and every one. I hand quilt (for the most part) but am encouraged to do some machine quilting very soon. Again, thank you.
Diane
This is just deeelightful! Thanks for the great ideas!
Sue Cox
Thank you, Lori, for the step by step process. The intuitive part of the process must come from the experience of “knowing ” all the many choices for design elements. I better get started!
Do you have several different chalk markers? I need to try them, but don’t know which to start with. 🙂
You are my favorite teacher!
Sue
Mary Grass
Once again, Lori, you have thrilled me with your quilting! This little quilt is so inspirational……..I’m off to my Guild meeting now but I can’t wait to get back home to quilt!
Malu
Lori, your quilting is absolutely beautiful! I can only dream of one day being able to FMQ.
labugaiski
Thanks for the post! I hope one day to do quilting that good! Love your blog!
Barb E., Highlands Ranch, CO
Lori, you provide me with eye and brain candy! Thank SO-O-O much. 🙂
Shelor Robin
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again–I LUV your blog. Thanks so much for all the wonderful ideas that you so willingly share with us.
Lori Kennedy
You can repeat yourself all you want…LOL!
Jan
Beautiful. Thank you for breaking down the process. I want to learn but have a hard time focusing on one area at a time rather than the whole, then I feel overwhelmed at the scope of the project. You make it look so simple, one step at a time. Yours is my favorite site.
Wendy
I love all the different designs . I liked the minimal quilting on the flowers and leaves….just enough to make a difference.
Marsha Boykin
How lovely! Thanks for giving us your insight on how you decide what to quilt and why. The instructions “quilt as desired” always left me stumped.
Carole
Wonderful quilting design! Thanks for the tutorial!
Hazel
Thanks for posting this…how beautiful. I’m in the midst of doing a small piece like this and you have given me some good ideas on how to quilt it. Thanks so much. This is my “go to” site for inspiration.
Ness
That is the sweetest little quilt!! I have done quite a bit of applique so this will help me a lot. I have never filled in the background completely and I love it…will have to practice my circles. I’ve tried them…they sometimes look like a pile of eggs…LOL! Thanks for the instruction and inspiration! Make it a great day!
Judy Buzby
I smile every time you pop up in my E-mail because I know I will find something useful, beautiful, or uplifting! Thank you Lori, you make my Day!!!
Virtual Quilter
Like it very much, particularly the quilting. I would prefer to do it by hand, but you have done something very much like I would do.
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