Lifted Logic Web Design in Kansas City clock location phone play check_box_outline_blank check_box chevron-down chevron-left chevron-right chevron-up facebook instagram google plus pinterest linkedin radio_button_checked radio_button_unchecked twitter youtube arrow-up send
Connect
Lori Kennedy Quilts
  • QAL
    • 2021 QAL
    • 2020 QAL
  • About
    • About Lori Kennedy Quilts
  • Shop
  • Motifs
    • All
    • Animals/Bugs
    • Background Fills
    • Easy/Beginner
    • Fan Favorites
    • Seasonal/Holiday
    • Patterns/Shapes
    • Illustrations
    • Flowers/Leaves
  • Machine Quilting
    • Basics
    • Quick Tips
    • Sewing Machine
    • Thread
    • Batting
    • Design
    • Ruler Work
    • Misc
  • Projects
    • Applique
    • Organization
    • Quilt
    • DIY
    • Doodles
    • Paper Piecing
    • Sewing
    • Uncategorized
  • Inspiration
    • Gallery
    • Watercolor
    • Creativity
    • All
    • Seamstresses in Fine Art

Eight Steps to Free Motion Quilting on Applique

June 19, 2014

 

free motion quilting, appliqué

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…)

Applique, Free Motion QuiltingI 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.)

Applique, Free Motion QuiltingDECIDE 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…

Applique, Free Motion Quilting 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…

Applique, Free Motion QuiltingFMQ 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…

Applique, Free Motion QuiltingOnce 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.

Applique, Free Motion QuiltingON 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.

Applique, Free Motion Quilting

 

Applique, Free Motion Quilting

 

Applique, Free Motion Quilting

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!

Applique, Free Motion QuiltingNow 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!

Related

Share Article

Please share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

Categories

Applique Machine Quilting Basics Tutorial

Tagged

Applique Aurifil Bernina Erin Russek free motion quilting Robison-Anton Sulky

38 responses to “Eight Steps to Free Motion Quilting on Applique”

  1. Virtual Quilter says:
    June 19, 2014 at 6:10 am

    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.

  2. Judy Buzby says:
    June 19, 2014 at 6:14 am

    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!!!

  3. Ness says:
    June 19, 2014 at 6:16 am

    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!

  4. Hazel says:
    June 19, 2014 at 6:24 am

    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.

  5. Carole says:
    June 19, 2014 at 6:37 am

    Wonderful quilting design! Thanks for the tutorial!

  6. Marsha Boykin says:
    June 19, 2014 at 7:29 am

    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.

  7. Wendy says:
    June 19, 2014 at 7:30 am

    I love all the different designs . I liked the minimal quilting on the flowers and leaves….just enough to make a difference.

  8. Jan says:
    June 19, 2014 at 8:21 am

    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.

  9. Shelor Robin says:
    June 19, 2014 at 8:52 am

    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.

    1. Lori Kennedy says:
      June 19, 2014 at 8:53 am

      You can repeat yourself all you want…LOL!

  10. Barb E., Highlands Ranch, CO says:
    June 19, 2014 at 9:08 am

    Lori, you provide me with eye and brain candy! Thank SO-O-O much. 🙂

  11. labugaiski says:
    June 19, 2014 at 9:24 am

    Thanks for the post! I hope one day to do quilting that good! Love your blog!

  12. Malu says:
    June 19, 2014 at 10:00 am

    Lori, your quilting is absolutely beautiful! I can only dream of one day being able to FMQ.

  13. Mary Grass says:
    June 19, 2014 at 10:22 am

    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!

  14. Sue Cox says:
    June 19, 2014 at 10:22 am

    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

  15. Diane says:
    June 19, 2014 at 10:25 am

    This is just deeelightful! Thanks for the great ideas!

  16. chance says:
    June 19, 2014 at 10:25 am

    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.

  17. Donna says:
    June 19, 2014 at 10:49 am

    You are the highlight of my morning! Ilove how you make your instructions so clear. Thank you for sharing.

  18. lavonne says:
    June 19, 2014 at 11:00 am

    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.

  19. Jane says:
    June 19, 2014 at 11:26 am

    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!!

  20. Diane says:
    June 19, 2014 at 12:20 pm

    I love it, you are amazing!

  21. Lucie the Happy Quilter says:
    June 19, 2014 at 12:31 pm

    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.

  22. Sharon Dallman says:
    June 19, 2014 at 12:32 pm

    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!

  23. Pamela Wynfield says:
    June 19, 2014 at 1:21 pm

    Really excellent advice about how to develop a quilting design plan.

  24. Barbara Siegler says:
    June 19, 2014 at 3:30 pm

    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!

  25. Ana Perna says:
    June 19, 2014 at 4:31 pm

    I do not have enough pieces to try out all your ideas!
    Yours is a bottomless well of inspiration. Thank you.

    1. Katy Conde says:
      June 19, 2014 at 6:31 pm

      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.

    2. WordPress.com Support says:
      June 20, 2014 at 6:03 am

      I don’t have enough time to try all my I ideas either–LOL!

  26. Jane from MA says:
    June 19, 2014 at 7:12 pm

    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!!!!!

    1. Lori Kennedy says:
      June 19, 2014 at 10:34 pm

      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.

      1. Jane from MA says:
        June 20, 2014 at 4:49 am

        Thank you, Lori – I will do that!!

  27. rascassepoule says:
    June 20, 2014 at 2:12 am

    thank you Lori, I find your thought process very interesting and instructive for me

  28. Anne Marcellis says:
    June 20, 2014 at 8:44 pm

    Thanks, Lori, for sharing your process. You certainly know just the right stitches that compliment each pattern and shape. How inspiring!

  29. Mandy says:
    June 29, 2014 at 12:44 pm

    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).

  30. Pingback: Pebbles-A Free Motion Quilt Tutorial | The Inbox Jaunt
  31. Pamela says:
    January 19, 2015 at 3:25 am

    Great blog article! I will be quilting my first appliqué mini quilt and this was extremely helpful.

  32. Bernice says:
    April 8, 2016 at 6:26 pm

    Thank you–this gets the wheels turning in my mind. Now I just need to get brave and start!

  33. Pingback: A Sneak Peek at a Work in Progress | The Inbox Jaunt
Comments are closed.
  • Lori Kennedy Quilts

    Lori Kennedy

    Hi! I’m Lori Kennedy, machine quilter, & author from Minnesota. Check out my monthly newsletter & my articles. Machine quilting is my passion. From doodling to quilting, I’m here in my Minnesota studio to help you get quilting.

    Get Your Signed Copy Today!

    Buy Now!

    Subscribe to Blog via Email

    Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

    Join 14,422 other subscribers
  • Related Articles
  • November 2021 •

    Applique and more

    Easy FMQ for Veteran’s Day

  • January 2021 •

    Applique and more

    Machine Quilted Applique-Flower Wreath Project

  • January 2021 •

    Applique and more

    Simple Applique Projects for Quilting

BERNINA Ambassador Badge round (1)
Lori Kennedy Quilts
Copyright © 2023 Lori Kennedy Quilts. All Rights Reserved.
 

Loading Comments...