FMQ-What is the Best Stitch Length?

Today’s Topic: FMQ-What is the Best Stitch Length

Welcome to Lesson  7 of our 2021 Quilt-a-Long,  Even Better Machine Quilting

This FREE multi-week tutorial is based on my books available in my Etsy shop:  LoriKennedyShop

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Find the 2021 QAL links HERE

Find the 2020 (25 Week) QAL links HERE

Good Morning, Quilters!

I’d like to start by thanking you for your patience with my erratic blogging schedule.   As you know, I have a large family and they always come first.  For the last five weeks, I have been staying with my daughter, her husband and my two grandsons as my daughter recovers from a difficult orthopedic surgery.  It’s been a challenging time, but one filled with many graces.  Each night I fall into bed with the  happy memories of a full  day.  While I vow to wake up early to write a blog post, frequently I’m called away for more important tasks like toasting a bagel or reading Pout, Pout Fish  (my  new favorite book) to my grandsons.

Claire is improving each day and I will be back in my sewing  room in mid  May.   Until  then,  I hope  to wake early and start  writing…

The Best Stitch Length for Free  Motion Quilting

In my book,  the name of this chapter is The Perfect  Stitch Length.  If I could, I  would change it to  the Best stitch length, because I don’t think  Perfect  and FMQ ever go  together.

The  only standard  for judging stitch length is that they are even.

Even stitches may vary throughout  the quilt, however.  For example, a small circle will necessarily  have  smaller stitches  than a  long wavy line.   In order  to achieve the  circle, small stitches  are necessary, but  the  small stitches wouldn’t look nice on a  long  wavy line.

Develop Your Eye

Forget-me-Not Tutorial HERE

I  don’t mean  to be  confusing.   I  am  trying  to  emphasize that the best stitch length is variable and subjective.

YOU  need to look at your quilt  and  decide what looks best.   One of the keys to free motion quilting is inspecting your  work regularly to develop  your  eye for good stitch  length and tension.

Stitch Length Varies

Your Preference

YOU  get to  choose the proper stitch length–of course  you do…but even for competition  quilts.   There  is not  a  standard for stitch length  in  judging.

Style of Quilt

The  style of quilt may influence the length of  the stitch.   For example, very long stitches may emphasize the style in a homespun or art quilt, but would look out of place in a traditional quilt.

Motif

Intricate  motifs like circles or tight fills require a smaller stitch  to achieve the proper shape. Large circles or long wavy lines look great with a slightly larger stitch length.

Batting

You will likely prefer a slightly longer stitch when using a high loft batting.

THREAD

Thread weight influences stitch  length.  Very small stitches can be achieved with a fine weight thread which would look messy with a heavy weight thread.  Conversely, when stitching long stitches, try a heavy weight thread.

Goal is Even Stitches

Our goal is to create even stitches within the parameters noted above.  Generally, our goal is to learn to control the quilt to create fairly even stitches throughout the quilt.

Tomorrow:  Quilt Exercises for Controlling Stitch Length

What about YOU?

Do YOU inspect your quilting for stitch length?

Are YOUR quilt stitches even but varied?

Do YOU fall asleep at night tired but content?

Have YOU ever needed crutches?

We’d LOVE to hear!

Your Juggling Quilter, Blogger, Grandma, Mother

Lori

PPS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of LoriKennedyQuilts 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.  Thanks!You might also enjoy my motif books:   Free Motion Machine Quilting 1-2-3 and More Free Motion Machine Quilting 1-2-3