FMQ Knots – The LCK Way-The Flourish Knot

March 20, 2014
FMQ Knots the LCK Way

FMQ Knots the LCK Way

 

CORRECT KNOTS VS LCK KNOTS

As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, The Correct Way to Tie Knots for Free Motion Quilting, I rarely tie knots the “correct” way.  The correct way requires the quilter to stop, pop the bobbin thread, tie a knot, thread a hand sewing needle and bury the knot before continuing.  The “Correct Knot”  is nice because it never unravels and it hides the thread without any buildup.   The problem is-this method is slow and it makes it harder for a quilter to develop a rhythm necessary for even stitching.  That is why I’ve developed my  LCK knots.

While they are not technically correct, and I don’t know how they would be judged in a competition, these knots are quicker, they never come loose, and by making them look as if they are part of the design, they look great.  So how can anyone complain?  Judges???

THE LCK FLOURISH KNOT

FMQ Knots the LCK Way

The knot begins just like the “correct knot”:  Lower the presser foot.

FMQ Knots the LCK Way

Lower the needle by hand wheeling forward, heel-tapping the foot pedal (on Berninas) or pressing the needle down button on many Berninas.

FMQ Knots the LCK Way

Next, bring the needle to the UP position and “pop” the bobbin thread, by continuing to hand wheel forward -while holding the top thread taut.  The needle can be brought to the UP position by hand wheeling, heel-tapping the foot pedal or by pressing the needle up button on many Berninas.

FMQ Knots the LCK Way

Once the bobbin thread is “popped” to the surface, remove your foot from the foot pedal, and use a pair of tweezers to pull the thread so that it is long enough to grab hold.

FMQ Knots the LCK Way

Hold both the bobbin and top threads and stitch a small “curl” to the left.  Stitch very small stitches.

FMQ Knots the LCK Way

Next, stitch right back over the original stitches-again using a very small stitch length (as determined by the speed with which you move the quilt–as the feed dogs are disengaged for FMQ, right?)

FMQ Knots the LCK Way

Stitch a short distance away from the “tail”.  Stop and cut off the threads as close to the fabric as possible.  (Curved scissors may be helpful here.)

FMQ Knots the LCK Way

Now proceed on your merry way…The stitches will hold very well and look like a little flourish in your design.  Bonus!

FMQ Knots the LCK Way

When you come to the end of your quilting.  Do the same thing.  Stitch  a small spiral using tiny stitches.  Stitch back over the stitches with more tiny stitches.

FMQ Knots the LCK Way

Raise your presser foot.

FMQ Knots the LCK Way

Cut off the thread from the top.

FMQ Knots the LCK Way

Then flip it over and cut the bobbin thread. ( Or, you can cut all the bobbin threads at the very end of your sewing session.)  That’s it!  The Flourish Knot!

FMQ Knots the LCK WayTWO CHOICES FOR KNOTS

The “Correct Knot”

  • Slow and tedious
  • Requires hand sewing
  • Secure
  • Hidden knot, does not change the design

The LCK Flourish Knot:

  • Fast
  • No hand sewing
  • Secure
  • Lovely–looks like a design element

Your choice may depend on your mood, the quilt you on which you are working, and your “philosophy”.  (Read yesterday’s post.)

Knowing the rules and knowing when to break the rules frees one up to concentrate on other things.  I suggest you try both methods, then decide for each quilt and each design which is the best method.  Works for me!

With a flourish,

Lazy Lori

PS…All information, tutorials and images are the property of Lori Kennedy at The Inbox Jaunt and are intended for personal use only.  Please feel free to Pin and Re-blog with attribution to The Inbox Jaunt.  For all other uses, please contact me at lckennedy@hotmail.com.  Thanks!

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