Free Motion Quilt Tutorial-The Wave
THE TUESDAY TUTORIAL SERIES
Surf’s Up! It’s time to ride The Wave. Today’s free motion quilt tutorial has us swirling and twirling on the high seas…
The Wave is the mirror image twin of The Wind–a free motion quilt tutorial we worked on last year…
Though the patterns are similar, learning to free motion quilt the two patterns requires separate practice–
THE WAVE — FREE MOTION QUILT TUTORIAL
Begin by drawing three lines or “rails” equidistant apart– In the sample below, the drawn lines are 1/2 inch apart. (More on marking tools on Thursday…)
Begin stitching near the bottom “rail”. Stitch a long tail sweeping up – above the middle line and curve around TO the middle line. Stop here.
Next, echo stitch the first line, ending just above the first stitches. Stop here, then begin echo-stitching back around the curve…
Stitch right to the top line and then around to the center of the swirl. Stitch very close, but not right into the previous stitches.
Swirl down to the bottom “rail” and begin the next Wave.
For each additional Wave--tuck the “tail” of the Wave into the previous wave–without touching the curved line…see photo below.
This prevents a built up of stitches…
THE KEY to this motif is to avoid overlapping stitches–Overlapping stitches look messy–See below:
Note how the “tucked” in tails look better–no overlapped stitches.
SURF’S UP
Now it’s YOUR turn… Practice doodling this free motion quilt pattern until you are comfortable with it on paper–
Then-Ride The Wave–it’s fun!
If you are working on an Independence Day project…you might like the Swirling Stars free motion quilt pattern–one of my favorites!
Tomorrow: A quick peek at a small project featuring The Wave.
Lori
PS…This tutorial was stitched on Kona cotton fabric with Sulky Rayon on top and Aurifil Cotton 50 wt in the bobbin on a Bernina 820 without a BSR using a #90 Topstitch needle and Warm and Natural cotton batting.
PPS…All images, tutorials, and information are the property of Lori Kennedy at The Inbox Jaunt and are intended for personal use only. Feel free to re-blog, share, tweet, pin with attribution to The Inbox Jaunt. For all other purposes, please contact me a lckennedy@hotmail.com. Thank you!
Another wonderful tutorial! Thank you for sharing!
I’ll be trying this one!
Another absolutely brilliant freemotion quilting design Lori. Thank you.
Lori, You are more than generous in sharing your expertise with everyone. Thank you ever so much. My brain had a hard time with the wind tutorial climbing upward—suddenly it fell into place in spite of my injured brain. Still need practice–
Love this one! Wish you had that when I did my storm at sea! You did however still inspire me to quilt that by myself!!
Love this.
I’m on vacation at the beach this week, so this is perfect!
Hi:
This is my first visit to your site. I love this tutorial. You broke down each step and made it seem so manageable. This will be a fun one to practice with. Now I need to go look through your blog to see what other FMQ info you have. Very nice!!
Lori – thank you so much. I am going to give free motion another try. You are an inspiration and a born teacher.
Lovely, and timely. Just got back from a few wonderful days watching the waves crash into the Oregon coast. Missing the sound of the surf and the misty ocean breeze. We saw whales too 🙂 do you have a fmq design for that too? Thanks for sharing all your lovely work. I enjoy seeing each new design.
I just love your work!! You are amazing and I so appreciate your sharing them!!!!!
Are you thinking of producing a book with your lovely designs? I would love to have it as a reference! This wave one is great.
I am currently working on a book!
Only just found you! These tutorials are just what I have been needing for a while – thankyou so much, you have unlocked a door and I can’t wait to go through! Please produce a book for us.
thank you for sharing your skills and making me want to have another go