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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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
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
Lori, thanks for all your blogs. I have found with free motion quilting whether on a long arm or the domestic speed also plays into the final result.
Hello to an outstanding grandmother, mom, and quilting instructor! Thanks for an informative article . Blessings to Claire and kudos to you for the life choices you make.
Lori, don’t worry about us! Your heart (and self!) are in the right place with your daughter and family. This particular blog is timely for me as I finish a very big quilt for a family in France. I am trying to keep the design varied but consistent, if you know what I mean.
Thank you Lori for everything you do for the community. Take your time – we are waiting for you – nobody is running away, because we love your blogs, information and humour.
You’re the perfect mother, grandmother, friend, free-motion instructor: an all-around great person. Your priorities are definitely in the right order in my book. Thank you, Lori; we need a whole bunch of others just like you. 🙂
Thank you Lori for all your lessons. I learn a lot and with all your experience and instructions I get the feeling that I can learn it.
Don’t bother about the calender. Family comes first. Nice to hear your dauther is getting better. Enjoy your grandchildren. Hartelijke groet, from the other site of de world. ( Belgium ) Marjolein
Thank you Lori! My stitches sure vary so this makes me happy. I’m wondering, is it okay to stitch one or more of your FM motifs edge to edge, even though the quilt has sashed blocks (Xs & Os)?
Enjoy the family!
Family first! and thank you for a very informative blog post.
I just got back from visiting my 18 mo old granddaughter, plus 2 other older grandkids. Anyway, Pout Pout Fish is her second favorite book. You should see her Mom doing the faces and using the drawn out blubs! BTW, her favorite book, which her parents are going to hide for a few months so they can recuperate from reading it, is Hush Now Banshee. Maybe your grandson would like it too, especially your into shouting loudly!
Appreciate the blog post and really like the Pout Pout Fish book.
I am anxious to get started on the lessons.i have been unable to start until now.
Gracias por tu generosidad, humor y experiencia que regalas en tus post, tu elecciòn de prioridades para mí es la mejor, no somos nada sin dar y recibir amor, creo que tus aportes son siempre valiosos lleguen en el tiempo que lleguen. Gracias!!!!!