How to Machine Quilt a Cloud Pattern

How to Quilt Clouds
Good Morning, Quilters!

Learn how to quilt a cloud today!

As YOU read this, I am in the clouds, winging my way back to Minnesota after vacationing in Italy!

I’m sure I’ll have so much to tell when I get home…

But I didn’t want YOU to miss a Tuesday Tutorial!

Marking the Fabric

Begin by drawing several parallel lines, different widths apart.  In the sample below, the lines are 2-3 inches apart. I used a ruler and one of my favorite marking tools, the Clover chalk wheel.

 

Marking a quilt for clouds
Quilt a Cloud, Step One

Begin by stitching on one of the drawn lines.  Stitch along the line, then add scallops to create a cloud.  Stitch along the line and add another scalloped cloud.  Try to keep the clouds realistic by creating different shapes and sizes.

How to quilt clouds step one
Step Two

Once you get to the end of the row, stitch from right to left and echo stitch the clouds.

Stitch down to the next row or knot off.  Stitch down, if you can hide the stitches in a seam, and knot off if you can’t.  Otherwise you will have a messy line between the rows-see photo below.

Begin to stitch the next row of clouds in the same way.

Continue stitching the clouds until all of the rows are complete.

 

Quilt a cloud

 

Stop Here?

For many quilts, this pattern is enough. You could add an airplane or a kite.

Or just leave it as is. This is a simple, but pretty way to quilt a cloud.

Fill in for “Pop”

If you would like to see the clouds really pop, add more quilting.

Start on one side of the quilt and add horizontal wavy lines.  Echo stitch the wavy lines and fill in the space around the clouds.

How to quilt clouds, step two

Add an occasional spiral.

How to quilt clouds, step two

And add circles.

How to quilt clouds, step four

Circles and spirals add more interest to the clouds and give it a turbulent look!

While I prefer a sunny day, I LOVE a cloudy quilt!

How to quilt clouds, step five

May YOUR day be filled with quilted clouds and sunny days!

Happy Stitching,

Lori

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!

14 responses to “How to Machine Quilt a Cloud Pattern”

  1. Lori to the rescue just in time! I have a large wall hanging quilted, except for a large area of sky. I’ve been waiting for days for inspiration on strike and I think I now have it. Thanks, Lori! It’s good to hear that you had a fabulous vacation. Welcome back!

  3. I needed some inspiration today and you gave it to me. Thank You. You were thinking of us even on vacation. Blessings to you!

  4. I Love the clouds and your exact instructions. I have a wall hanging and could not figure out what I wanted in the sky, now I know.
    Thank you for sharing your skills.

  5. Love your motifs. Recently tried a number of them requiring a nautical quilt my friend bought made in China. Quilting was awful and easy to remove. Yesterday I needed a lobster and scoured your books. Finally ventured out on my own. Turned out ok. Now I challenge you for a lobster! I want to see how you would do it…. much better than mine.

  8. Your designs and clear step-by-step directions are so appreciated. Thanks for taking the time to share them. Know you enjoyed your vacation!

  10. Wonderful clouds! I just finished quilting a small quilt with clouds in the sky. I wish I had seen how you did it! All in all, I think mine came out okay; I even quilted a cloud that looked like a sheep!

  11. Qué idea tan bonita, gracias por compartir tus diseños, siempre originales y llenos de naturalidad👋👋👋👋👋🌈

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