Good Morning, Quilters!
In honor of the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, today we are stitching the beautiful Forget-Me-Not motif. Before we get started, a little housekeeping…
The Double Email Dilemma
I know that many of you are receiving two email notifications of our blog posts. The problem began around the time we moved the website from The Inbox Jaunt to Lori Kennedy Quilts. At that time, we were experiencing a number of bugs and most of them have been worked out. Unfortunately, we are still struggling with the double email issue. The odd thing is it happens intermittently. We will continue to work with our email service to fix this problem. In the meantime, I would appreciate it if you just do a quick “delete” of the extra notification. I am sorry about the inconvenience and appreciate your patience. (File this under…I’d rather be quilting than anything techy!)
The Legend of the Forget-Me-Not
There are several legends associated with the naming of this pretty little flower. Here’s one:
A long time ago, in a place far, far away…a handsome young knight was walking along a riverbank with his lady. He bent over to pick a small blue flower for her but the weight of his armor pulled him over and he began to sink into the water. Before he was lost forever he tossed her the bouquet and said “forget-me-not”.
Perhaps there’s another flower somewhere called “Damsel-in-Distress”!
The Forget-me-Not Machine Quilting Motif
Begin by stitch a short stem and a small curl. Over stitch the curl.
Continue to the next motif by adding another stem and curl.
Be sure to closely space the motifs to create a tight cluster of Forget-Me-Not flowers.
Overstitching for Emphasis
You may notice that in most of the motifs found on my tutorial page, I avoid overstitching. In general, stitching over a previous line of stitching creates a focal point. The double thread layer (especially when using heavy weight thread) is very visible and can be distracting. However, in the Forget-Me-Not motif, the double stitched line creates a pleasing emphasis to the center of the flower and is used to created a desired focal point.
Meaning of the Forget-Me-Not
Take time to remember those who are important to you, even those that are still with you. Respect the dead and tell their stories so they are not forgotten. (Adapted from Flower Meaning.com)
Sounds like good advice!
And a great motif and message to add to our future heirloom quilts!
Materials
For this tutorial, I used
Sulky 40 wt Rayon thread on top and
50 wt Aurifil cotton in the bobbin.
Hope YOUR day is filled with flowers, quilting and happy memories!
Lori
Be sure to check out my creative machine quilting books, available on Etsy!
And my videos available on Bluprint!
PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy Quilts 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!
PPS…This post contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase (at no additional cost to you) I may receive a little “pin-money”. Thank you for supporting LKQ in this way!
14 comments
Sue Williamson
So enjoy your blog and tutorials! Just a note about forget me nots, I have to pass on. While waiting in the Fairbanks Alaska airport, I was browsing the gift shop and discovered a display of tiny blue flowered earrings. It said they were the Alaska state flower. I have regretted to this day I didn’t buy them. I know if I get back there they will be my first purchase.
Lori Kennedy Quilts
I didn’t realize they are the state flower! Maybe you can find online?
Kerry Davidson
This has to be my favourite motif so far. Just love it, and it looks easy – bonus!! Thank you for all your wonderful info, I don’t say that often enough.
Lori Kennedy Quilts
I’m thrilled you like the little posy! and you are most welcome!
Suzanne
Sorry you’re having the double-email issue. I worked in the technology arena for almost 25 years; to us the word ‘intermittent’ was the equivalent of a 4-letter word and we hated it. Intermittent faults are often the hardest to find and correct. The upside is that for us at least it’s really no big deal to delete an extra message – I know I don’t mind. Please don’t upset yourself too much about it. There are always problems when a new application is put up. I’m sure that’s not news to you. We used to call them computer f*rts ; -} (My apologies if this offends anyone)
The Forget-me-not legend is adorable and sweet. Thanks for sharing it. Your Forget-me-not motif is lovely too. I’m going to use it for my next baby girl quilt which will go to a family when their little girl is baptized in our church.
As always, thank you Lori, you are generous and inspiring.
Lori Kennedy Quilts
Suzanne thank you for your message! I really appreciate your insight and your patience. It is frustrating, because I am not tech savvy so it takes me a very long time and mostly I have to rely on outside help….In the time I have spent on fixing the email–with no success–I could have completed a beautiful quilt top! Sounds like you have experienced that time sink-hole!
Deb
I would like to purchase one of your books (one for now). Do you have a recommendation as to which one to purchase first?
Lori Kennedy Quilts
Hooray!! Both are great (if I do say so myself 😉 ) Both books have beginner through more advanced motifs and both have lots of information about machine set up and other tips and tricks. The only big difference is that the second book features more seasonal motifs (Pumpkins, Spiders, Christmas trees, etc). You really can’t go wrong, but you might as well start with the first – Free Motion Machine Quilting 1-2-3!
Anne Godwin
If….I would stitch out the examples you provide, I would have a nice collection of quilting motifs. Thanks for the inspiration and detailed instructions.
Kathy Stockbridge
I’ve always loved forget-me-nots, and 44 years ago, I embroidered these in the sleeve cuffs and bodice of the wedding dress I made.
Sandra Taylor
I enjoyed your story. Thanks for sharing it. The over stitching on the curly-q does add dimension and definition to the clusters. Your FMQ designs are amazing. I have used so many of them. However mine need a lot of practice 🙂
Paula Y
I always have loved Forget-me-nots. When I was 3 or 4 I had been at my Grandma’s and spent time with her in her flower garden. She taught me the names of some of the flowers. I picked a small handful of the pretty blue flowers and presented these “Don’t Forget Your Grandma” flowers to my Mom. Forget-me-nots are called by that in our family.
Annye
Thank you for your sharing with us. I do all my own quilting and you give me great ideas.
Maggie Drafts
Good morning Lori. Interesting story of the forget-me-not! I know that it is the state flower of AK, and that is the first thought that came to mind. (My husband passed on almost 37 years ago, as a very young, vibrant man and Forget-Him-Not? I never shall!!!)
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