Good Morning, Quilters!
Today we are going to learn how to machine quilt Ferns and Fiddleheads! This is a great background fill or border motif. Try this motif in place of traditional feathers for a modern, whimsical leaf pattern!
Before we get to work….
Teaching at Wisconsin Quilt Expo
I will be teaching Easy Machine Quilting at Wisconsin Quilt Expo this week! If YOU live in the area, I would LOVE for YOU to join me Thursday or Friday at 1:00 for a one hour lecture and demonstration. Please come say “Hi”!
I’d love to meet YOU in person!
How to Machine Quilt Ferns and Fiddleheads
Begin by stitching a short, wavy line.
Add scallops along the wavy line.
Complete the scallops on one side of the centerline, then add scallops to the opposite side.
Create a loop at the top of the Fern
Next, add a spiral Fiddlehead and overstitch the spiral to create a heavier line.
Stitch another wavy line. This line can travel in any direction.
Add scallops on both sides of the wavy line. Stretch the scallops to fill in the space fully.
When there is a large gap between the ferns, fill it with a spiral, fiddlehead.
Odd shaped scallops give the pattern more personality–so don’t worry about perfection!
Ferns and Fiddleheads as a Border
Stitch a line of Ferns and Fiddleheads to create a fun border pattern!
Fast, Fun and Fabulous, Ferns and Fiddleheads!
Say that free fimes fast!
Fappy Fuilting,
Lori
PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy Quilts and are intended for personal use. Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to Lori Kennedy Quilts. For all other purposes, please contact me at Lori@LoriKennedyQuilts.com. Thanks!
(For more about copyright and use of LKQ photos and information, read HERE) .
You might also like the tutorials in my books available in my books:
MORE Free Motion Machine Quilting 1-2-3!
20 comments
Marta
Love the F & F in a border !! can be elegant or country, depending on fabrics..Thanks.. marta
Jeanne Massingill
I’ll be at the Madison Expo on Thursday. Hope to see you!
Lori Kennedy Quilts
I would love to meet up–perhaps late afternoon on Thursday?
Jeanne
I’m coming from Illinois with a friend. Not sure of our agenda but I’ll try to catch you.
Pamela Boatright
I really like the idea of putting this in a narrow border. You come up with the best ideas for quilting designs, I always look forward to learning something new to add to my quilts. Thanks for the great instructions!
Lori Kennedy Quilts
Thank you! I can’t wait to see what you create with the F & F motif!
Cari
Attending Madison but on Saturday..sorry to miss you, your lessons are motivating.
Louise Teaman
I always enjoy your designs in American Quilter. Thanks for another one!
Suzanne
I wish I lived close to Madison!
Your work is so engaging and clever. As someone else said, feathers can be intimidating. I remember when I saw some for the first time and thought I’d NEVER be able to do that. I’ve been trying with moderate success only, so I’m going to practice with this darling ferns and fiddlesticks pattern. Hopefully that will give me some confidence and help me “feel” feathers. I’ll keep trying.
You are such a WONDERFUL inspiration. Thank you so much!!!!!
Lori Kennedy Quilts
You are so welcome! I say fiddlesticks to feathers! Quilting should be fun!
Jennifer Strauser
Very interesting design. I tried mine as an all-over first, but I don’t like it. I added them to a main stem, more like the way it grows on the plant, and I really liked it. This is why I like your site – you show me how to draw, and I can turn it into something that works for me.
lswanekamp
Just love this design. I love leaves and this one is adaptable and lovely.
Arvilla Trag
Feathers – I don’t think I have ever practiced anything as much in my life as feathers. Sometimes I have a “good feather day”, sometimes I am plucked.
Re the ferns, I love ferns – at our last house I had a separate fern garden. I think I might add a little more taper to the scallops either side of the center line to see how that looks.
Lori – see you in Madison!
Arvilla
Marta
You are so cool. Arvilla !! LOL… wish I could see yall in Madison. Miss Wisconsin so much!.Will be there in spirit ! ……….hmmm will it be live…maybe facebook?
Lori Kennedy Quilts
I can’t wait to meet you, Arvilla! What day will you be there?
Arvilla Trag
We will get to Madison mid-Wednesday afternoon, and we leave when the spirit (or the hotel management) moves us on Sunday. I’ll be easy to spot – I’m the old broad with purple hair. I am in an all day class on Saturday and a half-day class (9 – 12) on Friday, but the rest of the time I will be wandering the vendors, trying desperately to exercise some self-restraint. Will you have a booth, too? What #?
Suzanne
I LOVE your sense of humor Arvilla! “Sometimes I am plucked”
(I’m still laughing)
Arvilla Trag
Thanks, Suzanne! It makes nicer wrinkles to laugh than it does to cry. And I try not to take life to seriously – it’s not permanent. 😁
Micol Konvicka
Beautiful design, I am just getting into free motion machine quilting. Love your site and instructions. Easy to follow.
lilmama1001
Good Design Morning! Feathers are quite intimidating to me, so this modern interpretation is not only fun but easier to master. Thanks so much for this, and the step-by-step pictures which make it so doable!
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