Good Morning, Quilters!
Today we are going to learn how to quilt the Flying Bumblebee Motif.
What’s The Buzz?
But first, I want to thank all of YOU who have pre-ordered my newest book, 25 Days to Better Machine Quilting.
Your response has been tremendous! We will ship orders around June 1st-and I’m as excited as you are to see the book! (I have only seen the galley proofs.)
I would be so pleased if YOU ordered from my Etsy Shop!
(All orders from my Etsy Shop include a stitched sample as a treat and a personalized, signed copy!)
The Bumblebee
Today’s tutorial is a great addition to the Bumblebee tutorial I stitched for BERNINA’s We All Sew last week. The Bumblebee on We All Sew includes a video tutorial as well as step-by-step photos.
While I was stitching, I just couldn’t stop with one!
The Flying Bumblebee
So I created another Bumblebee–and for lack of a more creative title, it’s called The Flying Bumblebee.
(Sometimes the hardest part of writing a quilting tutorial is coming up with the motif’s name-LOL!)
They Flying Bumblebee-Step One
Stitch a small spiral, ending on the side where you want to add the wings. In this case, I ended on the right side.
Step Two
Add two loops, ending right next to the spiral.
Step Three
Stitch a curved line under the spiral. Add more curved lines, stitching back and forth and back and forth.
Step Four
Add a small triangle, then stitch to the point (the stinger) and add a flight line.
Add several Bumblebees or knot off.
Adding the Bumblebees to YOUR Quilts
The Bumblebee motifs would look great stitched near appliqued flower quilts.
Or add the design within motifs like White Clover. and other floral motifs.
Or…Stitch the Bumblebee motifs in the center of a block and knot off.
What about YOU?
How will YOU use the Bumblebee motifs in your quilts?
Have YOU ever been stung by a bumblebee?
Do YOU keep bees? (I’ve always wanted to….but now I’m “keeping” sourdough starter!)
We’d LOVE to hear!
Signed,
Your Busy Bee,
Lori-ZZZZ
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!
11 comments
Marianne
Good morning, love your designs and have used a few on my domestic machine. Am pondering ordering your new book from Etsy…I have progressed to a long arm and wonder if these lessons translate to long arming.
Lori Kennedy Quilts
Yes! 25 Days to Better Machine Quilting includes chapters on quilt design, thread, batting, marking and quilt design (and much more) that applies to all machine quilting-even long arm quilting!
Lauri
Great design. I have been doodling and stitching on a pre-printed panel quilt for my husband – used the wood grain as a fill for the big deer in the center and I was going to use white clover in one of the borders. These bees will be so great in some of the smaller blocks! You have been such an inspiration. Thank you.
Marta
Our family has begun to use bees as a motif in various ways ever since we had honey bees make a hive in the wall
of our house 2 years ago.. The beekeepers came and tore out the drywall to retrieve the bees, comb and honey. It was an area about 3 ft wide by 8 ft tall. We loved the honey too! I am excited to try this motif Lori ! Right up my alley currently. Also our first born’s name, Melissa, has the meaning of honeybee. !! She and husband and kids and spouses have just moved out of rental and into a nice purchased home. She is thrilled to have a house to decorate after apartments. I see bees motif on a host of decor items on the horizon. !!!!
Becky Shaffer
Hi Lori! We got a new great grandson in July and during our granddaughter’s pregnancy her three year-old daughter always referred to the baby as Bumblebee. No one knew why, but she insisted. Before you knew it we were all calling him Bumblebee. I now own some bumblebee earrings, bracelets, and tea towels and I added your bumblebee to a little quilt that I made him, so I’m happy to see this flying bumblebee. I still like all things bumblebee, but, thankfully, Bumblebee is now known by his real name.
I’m looking forward to seeing your new book. Stay safe!
Jo
Love the bumblebee. I always read your posts and have your new book on order through Etsy. I have not yet tried sewing your motifs but I have done some of the doodling but need to do more! …Just trying to get a few projects out-of-the-way that have been around for a long time. You do inspire me.
Jo
Sue
When we were kids and got stung my Dad would make a mud paste and apply it to the sting. Not sure if it helped but the placebo effect sure did 🙂
I got stung by a wasp last year while sweeping my garage. Ouchie! That hurt.
Bénédikte
Bonjour Chère Lori,
Ce motif est très mignon , j’adore !!
C’est toujours un plaisir de lire vos e-mails , les explications et les photos sont parfaites .
Merci beaucoup pour votre gentillesse et pour tout votre travail .
Bénédikte
Cindy
I have sourdough starter, too. I have been enjoying having the fresh goodies every 10 days. But, everything I do has so much sugar so I’m having to take a break – my starter is in the freezer.
Rhonda Pecenka
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this! I have to admit, I have been following but not practicing and I deserve 50 lashes with a wet noodle, but I do plan to get started. And I plan to order your book too!
Yes, I have been stung a couple times by bumblebees but I still love them and I have a honeysuckle TREE (75 year old plant) that fills with bumblebees each year. It’s a sight to behold and they are gentle creatures. The times I have been stung was from walking around in the yard in my barefeet when I was a kid.
I also kept honeybees for several years and I’ve been stung a few times by them too. Usually when I was in the garden not far from the hives with the wind blowing my hair. I learned to keep it in a ponytail and they were no longer feeling threatened.
Thanks for sharing your talents Lori, I look forward to each and every email I receive.
r
Laura
Ha ha … miss Rhonda, Have not heard that term “lashes with a wet noodle” since my dear mother used to say it many years ago. When I read it, I was stopped in my tracks! Lori is an old (far younger than I) friend that I knew in her Wisconsin days. A truly remarkable person!
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