Good Morning, Quilters!
Whether you are celebrating Advent or Hanukkah, candles are central to the holiday season. Today, we will learn to machine quilt a candle. This tutorial works whether you are stitching on a domestic sewing machine–like I do, or on a long arm. Candles are great border motifs, or stitch a single candle or several candles together in the center of the block.
Christians celebrate Advent-a quiet time of preparation and waiting. We light four candles on each Sunday of Advent. The candles represent the light coming into the world as we prepare for Christ’s birth. Read more at Loyola Press.
For Jews, Hanukkah is a celebration of the victorious Maccabean Revolt and the rededication of the Temple. During the celebration, the candles are lit on eight nights to represent the miracle that one days worth of oil lasted eight days. Read more at My Jewish Learning
HOW TO MACHINE QUILT A CANDLE
Begin by drawing two parallel lines. In the sample below, the lines are 3/4″ apart.
Begin stitching on the bottom of the candle. Stitch the left side of the candle, then stitch a small eye shape. Leave a small gap on the left side.
Curl in and stop at the center. Stitch a small straight line extending above the oval.
Add a flame shape and a smaller flame inside of the first one.
Stitch down into the oval and to the left side of the candle.
Add a wavy line of dripping wax.
Stitch the right side of the candle and add a curved line from right to left. Echo stitch the line.
Add another line from right to left and echo stitch back to the right lower side of the candle. Begin the next candle in the row..
Add candles to a wreath, Menorah, a birthday cupcake!
The only trick to machine quilting a candle is to begin with a drawn line or a ruler to keep the edges straight.
I can see this on any holiday or celebration quilt.
How will YOU use the Candle FMQ Tutorial?
We’d LOVE to hear!
Lori
You might also like How to Machine Quilt a Dreidel HERE
PS…If you like these motifs and tips, be sure to check out my book, Free Motion Machine Quilting 1-2-3 or any of my Craftsy Videos!
PPS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy at The Inbox Jaunt and are intended for personal use only. Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to The Inbox Jaunt. For all other purposes, please contact me at lckennedy@hotmail.com. Thanks!
25 comments
Linda Jarvi
Love new ideas for quilting. Line art when it’s simple can be a source for patterns as well.
Leslie in MN
This is adorable! Thanks for another super tutorial.
rascassepoule
lovelies candles ! thanks
Laurie B
Lori, you never cease to amaze me with your talent.
Marty
Lovely, thank you!!
Carol Ledbetter
This is gorgeous, ESPECIALLY for this season’s holidays!
Thanks!
Kerry
I love the candle – and the drippy wax! Thank you.
ginnymayblog
Love this candle tutorial, thanks Lori!
Lynette
Lori, you have the best designs! This candle tutorial is especially nice.
Anne
Another marvel out from under your needle! I just love it. Already doodling and dreaming of adding it to fabric. Thank you Lori, Merry Christmas.
marmarlet
Although I never commented before on your designs, Lori, these candles really struck me as so intuitive and so lovely. All of your designs are actually out of this world and look forward to seeing each and everyone of them. You are a fabulous artist. If I could be only half as good as you are I’d be ecstatic. So lovely.
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Thank you! And thank you for taking the time to comment!
Kristin
Thanks, Lori for the tutorial of beautiful candles for our first night of Hanukkah! ????
Maureen B. in B.C.
They’re lovely. There must be a place I can use them. I like your choice of blue ground as well … candles against the evening sky. Was the choice instinctive or serendipitous?
Lori Hope
Ooo! I think this might be the perfect thing for the triangle corners of the Christmas quilt I am just finishing up! Thanks, Lori! 🙂
Donna Nelson
love this candle! You are so clever.
Kelly Ashton
Love the candle (and the dreidel), Lori!!! ????
Gabriella
Love it (as usual). Thanks so much for sharing your talent in such a way that I can mimic! Has your second book been published yet?
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Spring 2018!
Sally
Those are really neat!
Jennifer Strauser
I love seeing all of your doodles. Tea hasn’t kicked in – I thought you were stitching on an actual candle. I’m tempted to do a post of “how not to machine quilt a candle” as a joke.
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Lol!!!
Bette
Thank you for this motif! I live about 40 miles east of NYC in a region where there is quite a bit of religious diversity, so although I celebrate Christmas, many of my friends celebrate Hanukkah in December. At other times of year are the important holidays of Diwali and Id al Fitr for still other faith communities. Yes, these ladies of different faiths quilt, and I’m so excited to show this design to them. So thoughtful of you to post this. Holiday blessings to all!
L84quilting
Good morning, I was just thinking the same thing as you stated, in that I celebrate Id al Fitr and that this would be awesome on top of a quilted cake! My mother would love it. Thank you for recognizing the complexity of our world! Thank you Lori, for always coming up with such wonderful motifs. You are very imaginative and very, very talented.
Marie Christine
merci, c’est vraiment très beau.
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