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FMQ-What is the Best Stitch Length?

May 4, 2021

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

Sign up for emails of the class HERE.

Join the private Quilting with LKQ Facebook Group HERE

Find the 2021 QAL links HERE

Find the 2020 (25 Week) QAL links HERE

Fairly Even Quilting–inner motif stitches smaller than outer
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.

Forget-me-Nots. Small motif requires small stitches
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.

Fish-Heavier thread, longer stitches than bubble background
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.

Variable Stitch Lengths
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

 

 

 

 

 

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Categories

2021 Quilt-a-long Quilt

Tagged

Stitch Length

15 responses to “FMQ-What is the Best Stitch Length?”

  1. Diana Lassahn says:
    May 4, 2021 at 7:40 am

    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.

  2. Mary Wolfersberger says:
    May 4, 2021 at 7:42 am

    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.

  3. Patricia Stein says:
    May 4, 2021 at 7:49 am

    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.

  4. Hermine Mann says:
    May 4, 2021 at 9:50 am

    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.

  5. Barbara Keefer says:
    May 4, 2021 at 10:05 am

    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. 🙂

  6. MARJOLEIN CLAESSEN says:
    May 4, 2021 at 10:11 am

    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

  7. Tammy Hutchinson says:
    May 4, 2021 at 11:49 am

    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!

  8. Donna Reed says:
    May 4, 2021 at 1:00 pm

    Family first! and thank you for a very informative blog post.

  9. terri414cb says:
    May 4, 2021 at 1:31 pm

    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!

  10. Mary Kay says:
    May 4, 2021 at 2:38 pm

    Appreciate the blog post and really like the Pout Pout Fish book.

  11. Pingback: Quilting Exercises for Better FMQ - Lori Kennedy Quilts
  12. Janet Stratton says:
    May 6, 2021 at 8:25 am

    I am anxious to get started on the lessons.i have been unable to start until now.

  13. Pingback: FMQ and Stitch Regulators-Yea? or Nay? - Lori Kennedy Quilts
  14. Laura Hernández says:
    May 7, 2021 at 7:54 pm

    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!!!!!

  15. Pingback: Quilt-a-long Motif Week! - Lori Kennedy Quilts
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    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.

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