How to Doodle Tapered Scallops

Better Quilting through Doodling
Good Morning, Quilters and Doodlers!

Today we are going to learn how to doodle tapered scallops.

Doodling is a great way to improve your free motion quilting skill.  In our series, Better Quilting Through Doodling, we are going to learn the basic building blocks of many quilt motifs. Doodling helps develop both muscle memory and visual memory. While doodling does not have the same muscle movements as free motion quilting, there is a direct correlation between the two.  The more you doodle, the better your free motion quilting will be!  However, doodling will only take you part of the way.  You still need to practice free motion quilting.  Am I stating the obvious?

How to Doodle Tapered Scallops

Last week we practiced scallops. (See:  How to Doodle Scallops )

Scallops are a building block of many quilting motifs. To create a tapered scallop, draw along a horizontal or vertical line, then gradually create the scallop. Complete the pattern by gradually moving back to the horizontal or vertical line.  In the photo below, compare scallops to tapered scallops.

Practice Doodling Tapered Scallops

Using lined paper, practice doodling tapered scallops.  Doodle some that are convex–the scallop is upward, and some that are concave, the scallop is downward.

Doodle several rows of separated tapered scallops, then try to create a wavy line by connecting tapered scallops. (Hint: This may be harder than it looks!)

Change the Amplitude

Amplitude?  A little trigonometry refresher–yikes!

Create tapered scallops that fill two, three or four lines.

Echo Doodle the Line

Next, doodle a tapered scallop and echo the line two or three times.

Try adding embellishments between the scallops.

Taper One Side

Change it up a little by tapering just one side of the scallop.

Don’t stop with just one row!

Doodle one sided tapered scallops
Double Tapered Scallops

What happens when you combine tapered scallops?

Play, play, play!

Design your own doodles.  Do any look like quilting motifs?

Free Motion Quilt YOUR Doodles!

YOUR Assignment:  While you are doodling, evaluate your work.  Do any of the doodles look like quilting motifs?

Spend at least twenty minutes this week quilting scallops and tapered scallops.

Do you notice anything?

Over time, stitching will improve your doodling and doodling will improve your stitching!

What about YOU?

Are YOU ready to doodle?

Do YOU have your notebook ready at all times?

Are YOU ready to quilt?

Do YOU have quilt sandwiches ready?

(Hint:  Open  Free Motion Machine Quilting 1-2-3 to page 8 and More Free Motion Machine Quilting to page 7 to find 12 Steps to Set-up for FMQ!)

Happy Doodle-Quilt-Doodle Day!

Your Maven of Quiltoodles,

Loridoesdoodleallday

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.  Thank you!

5 responses to “How to Doodle Tapered Scallops”

  1. If only I could quilt like you. I have a mid arm machine and a large quilt frame but I find most of my quilts are meandering. Some I have followed the pattern but usually not. I love what you do.

  3. Lori, I have started free motioning with patterns like scallops and feathers and swirls. However, lately I am choosing to quilt pieces within blocks so it it is much more complex whereas it was previously block by block. I continue to keep practicing and love your site. I recently used your poppy motif on a valor quilt for my son in law. He loved it

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