Good Morning, Quilters!
Have YOU been working on the I Love Home Block of the Month with us?
The project is adorable and the instructions are fabulous!
Jacquelynne Steves Art of Home blog is full of great ideas-be sure to check it out. This week Jacquelynne has a round up of Snowman projects -and I will add my Snowman Machine Quilting Tutorial HERE)
BORDER AND FINISHING INSTRUCTIONS
This month we add the borders and finish our quilts. Find the detailed instructions at The Art of Home HERE
MACHINE QUILTING TIPS
Quilt Density–Remember that the density of the quilting should be even across the quilt, but some areas of the quilt may be more densely quilted than others.
For example, I used a very large version of the Sweetheart Border (Tutorial HERE) around the edges to create contrast.
Repeat and Vary-Choose a few motifs and quilt them in different areas of the quilt to unify the quilting design. You only have to learn a few motifs and you will create a more cohesive looking quilt. For example, I repeated spirals, twist and hearts frequently within the quilt.
Choose a Theme-If you have a theme, like Hearts and Homes, use it to choose your motifs.
Add phrases or lettering-I love to add phrases to quilts. It helps to reinforce your theme and keeps the viewer looking.
Be willing to modify your plan -Even when you plan well and create samples, sometimes things don’t work out. In this quilt, I started with light blue thread to stitch the center blocks. After one block, I could see that there wasn’t enough contrast. I changed thread for the other three and will have to tear out the first one (something I rarely do!) It’s better to fix one block than forge ahead with a mistake and hate your quilt forever!
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!
THERMOWEB GIVEAWAY
This month’s lucky winner will receive a $25 gift certificate from Thermoweb!
Here at The Inbox Jaunt, we’ve been talking about the “Quilt Police” and breaking quilt rules, for instance, I wrote about the easy machine quilting knot I use.
To ENTER the contest, please leave a comment. Tell us about a quilt “rule” YOU break or one you would like to break! If you don’t break any rules–just say “Hi”
The contest closes on December 9th and please watch your email and check back here to see if you have won!
MORE THIS WEEK:
We have a busy week here at The Inbox Jaunt…invisible thread, quilt backings, holiday motifs, tree doodles and more!!!!
I can’t wait to see what YOU create!
Your Happy Housekeeper,
Lori
PS…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!
PS. MORE CHANCES TO WIN
- The Crafty Quilter
- The Inbox Jaunt
- Designs by Sarah J
- Farmhouse Quilts
- Penguin and Fish
- Podunk Pretties
- The Quilting Nook
- The Sewing Loft
POST YOUR PHOTOS ON FACEBOOK
We would love to see your quilts! Join Jacquelynne’s Facebook group HERE
289 comments
Esther G
I don’t always label my quilts! If I make something as a gift for someone then I do, but if I’m just making it for the fun of making it, I don’t even keep a record of the pattern name or when I made it.
Shar
I can see by many entries that many of you break rules that save you time. Maybe we can say change rules. Honestly, the only quilt rule in my estimation is there must be 3 layers. Otherwise, it’s quilt art. If you like how it turns out by not following standard practice, keep on doing it. If you plan to enter shows and contests, it’s probably best to follow those rules. That’s my soapbox speech.
Donna W
When I first started FMQ I tried to follow the rules. But, have found the way that I like to FMQ, and I know it breaks some of the rules.
Connie
I have never buried my threads. I just stitch in place or backstich and get to it. Having ripped some quilting stitches out , I realized that these stitches are not going anywhere, especially after the quilt has been washed! So I do not worry about the stitches not holding…and burying knots sounds like lots of work!
Kristine T
I was told to not cross over any other quilt stitching when quilting. That rule gets broken all the time!
spierssusan
If the quilt calls for it, instead of adding a binding, I will sew a sandwich – right side together – leave an opening to turn inside out! Thank you, Susan
Terry
I must break all the rules, because I don’t know what they are. Sometimes my points aren’t as pointy as they should be or my different fabrics float and don’t touch exactly, but since they now have rulers you can buy to make your blocks wonkey and crooked so it looks like you can’t sew a straight line — I think the quilt police have lost their authority. At least they have at my house.
Marsha
Lovely finish, Lori! I must admit mine isn’t started yet. Too many projects too finish for Christmas, so it will be a January project. I agree with Kristine T a pot costing over quilting lines. My quilts aren’t entered into contests and my family members don’t know the rule!
ll13077
Hi!
The Quilt Police live in my head {along with my mother & others 😉 } so I couldn’t live with the guilt if I broke one of the rules!
Jean Kahr
I’ve been quilting for about 18 months. I can’t think of any rules I break, but I try the multiple ways almost anything in quilting can be done “right” and figure out what works best for me.
Rebecca Kettler
I sometimes mark fabric for cutting with a regular pencil and sometimes even a ball point pen! I’m not sure just how egregious that is, since I figure you won’t see those raw edges anyway…and I have yet to have it bleed onto the fabric that you can see.
LINDA
HI, I seldom mark 1/4″ seaming+still have very accurate piecing (probably done it so so much!) Thanks for Your Blog+this neat giveaway!
Melody Cerra
I have never been able to do true meandering so a quilting friend show me how to loop d loop which solved my problem but is against the rules.
WordPress.com Support
No!! That’s not against the rules!! And I can’t meander either!!
quiltedpixel
Thw quilt police could never find me in my sewinf room. They would be buried under an avalanche of wip’s, scraps, patterns, etc.
Darrell
Hello, two rules that I try not to break (but am not always successful) is cutting off star points because my slant 1/4 inch seem is not perfect and not labeling my quilts right away. But I am working on this.
dquilterguy48329 (at) prodigy (dot) net
Mary Kay
I am still learning the rules so I know what to break.
Terry
Love your finish Lori – of course, your quilting is amazing! Thank you for inspiring me… I’m generally a rule follower so try to make my quilts according to directions but, as they’re usually family gifts (and no-one else in my family sews) then it doesn’t matter if I break some rules along the way….
Julie E. Lyon
I’m just starting my quilting adventure and I honestly don’t know what the rules are! But I am learning a lot and wish I could go back and redo the first quilts I made, but I won’t I will just move forward!
Judy Buzby
Hi Lori… I break them all with glee!
Sue LD
I am new to quilting so I don’t think I have broken any rules yet.
Pat Knight
I break rules all the time! I figure this is my quilt and I am not making it to be judged. So I cross lines, do loops, etc. This is supposed to be fun, right?
Becci lund
I hardly ever label my quilts. Only. When I enter into a show!
Linda Hulen
I do not always think to label my quilts. I am sure I break other rules, but I don’t have the Official Rule Book For Quilters, so I am not sure what the rules are!
Sara Beth
I have only completed one quilt (a newbie!) and just put the recipient’s name on it. I’m working on a Christmas panel right now for my apartment building door. Since it’ll be hanging inside my building, I’m thinking of putting my initials and my husband’s initials on one of the present’s tags just as a fun, personal touch. 🙂
Susan L.
I don’t like to break any quilting rules. :-/
Karla
I don’t know enough rules to know if I’m breaking any, lol!! I learn SEW much reading your posts and studying your tutorials. Thank you SEW very much for everything you do for us!
Betsy Schneekloth
I never bury my threads. Too much time. Probably break a lot of rules the I am not even aware of. Thanks for a great blog! I am finishing up a Christmas quilt using your tree tutorial. I will send you a picture when it’s done. Love how it is turning out and NEVER could have done it without you help.
Cindy Garaas
I break more rules than follow them. I guess that is why I keep reading articles and blogs, trying to get better.
Lisa
HI!!!!
Marie Nelson
I attach bindings by machine which means they are not the same width front and back!
Donna Sofokles
Try as I might, things don’t always line up, so I use the “fudge” factor a lot.
Rose Landon
I do my own thing so there are no rules. One persons mistake is another’s windfall.
Kay Emmett
I don’t label my quilts and don’t bury my threads.I have been thinking about putting a small tag on a side of the quilted totes and zippered pouches I make with my initials but haven’t done it yet. I know….lazy of me. Lori’s method of “burying” threads at the start and finish of FMQ is easier than tedious “burials”..
Laura
I don’t finish piecing a quilt before I start the next 3.
mrssnatch
I think each sewer has their own rules, there is really no right or wrong when it comes to sewing/quilting. My worst habit is starting another project before I am finished with one. mrs_cesmith@yahoo.com
Susan Mincks
I don’t do continuous “quilting”…i stop and start frequently and I know that’s a no-no. I also sometimes cross o er my stitching…oh well…im just starting g out and will get better!
susanstitch
Rules? uh, there are rules? I don’t prewash, I don’t pin, I don’t bury my free motion threads, I don’t change my needle after every 8 hours of quilting, I don’t follow the pattern. There are probably more rules I break regularly, too! But I have fun and I make quilts that keep people warm and make them smile.
Karen
I don’t really know what the rules are, so i’m Not sure if I break them or not! Maybe I’m glad I am in the dark ????
Vicki H
I don’t label my quilts.
Sandy K
I probably break a lot of rules, but rules are made to be broken. I don’t change needles or rotary blades as often as I should.
Rita Wilson
I enjoy reading the comments. Some rules are made to be broken. I say do what works best for you.
Barbara
I don’t always prewash, I’ve never prestarched fabric to cut, I start a quilt before I finish the last one(s)!
Tonya Flores
I don’t know many quilting rules to know if I’m breaking them!
Liz Horgan
I read all the rules and then decide which if any I want to follow, and when! I have some friends who are new to quilting and they ask if they can do something–I tell them, it’s your quilt–you can do whatever you want!
Vonnie
I don’t always put binding on my quilts. If the backing fabric is thick, like fleece or minky, I just trim the backing fabric to 2 inches and then fold and pull over to the top and hem it down.
MoeWest
Hi Lori! I prefer to think of the ‘rules’ as good advice which I can take or leave.
Garilyn
Hi! I’d say I don’t label like I should. I also don’t spend as much time quilting as I’d like.
Lisa Garrett
I never bury my threads. There. I’ve confessed.
Joy
When I’m hand stitching my binding to the back of the quilt, I don’t stitch the corners closed. I see no reason to do it – so I don’t.
Holly Waddell
Well, as some others have commented, I sometimes use the “pillowcase finish” rather than binding. If I do use binding, I use Sharon Schamber’s method using Elmer’s School Glue. I like Vonnie’s tip of leaving the back larger to fold over for a self binding. I used that method to salvage an old quilt top by replacing just the backing. It was a tied quilt, so wasn’t hard to take apart.
Comments are closed.