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
290 comments
Cathy Wilson
I’m a fairly new quilter so I’m probably breaking multiple rules! As long as I am happy with the results, I will keep breaking them!
Linda Cordonnier
I do not always check that I have a perfect 1/4″ seam allowance.
Terri
If a block is too small on one side, I just see a piece of the same fabric at that spot do it will fit. If I don’t have enough of the same fabric I find one that is close enough and see it into the block. I mostly use this with sold colors.
Teresa Knittingdancer
I try not to break any major rules but sometimes I break a few minor rules.
Judy
If I am breaking rules I don’t know it.
Vicki Formby
I sometimes just finger press instead of going to the ironing board.
Cari Janssen
Piecing seams are 1/4 inch…or is that a scant 1/4? Quilting rules are to h broken.
Pam P
I’d like to break “the scant 1/4””rule, but that’sone that do s need to be followed in order for the pieces to fit and form a proprietary square (or whatever).
Jennifer Strauser
Hi, Lori! I break all of the rules, after I learn them. How else are we supposed to come up with new techniques?
Linda Davidson
I have to just say “hi.” I am such a rules follower!
Cecilia
I don’t precast my fabrics!
Sally Dixon
Hi!! 🙂
Judith Martinez
The biggest quilting rule I break is to use upcycled items for batting.
Tabitha Keener
I’m fairly new to all things sewing but I’ve been tempted to not use the 1/4″ rule when quilting! I have to get better at piecing! Thanks for the inspiration and a chance to win!
tdkcarpenoctem@hotmail.com
ERIN A DENNIS
I don’t break technique rules, but I do break pattern design rules. I always put my own ideas in the quilt. I may use a pattern for inspiration, then I change the pattern. My dad taught me rules are “preconceived restraints”, LOL
Lorene
I just heard of a new quilting rule in a class I took last night at the community college. It is called the ‘galloping horseman’. If a person on horseback passing your quilt at a gallop cannot see the ‘mistakes’ then there aren’t any. Perfect!
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Great advice!
fiberbabble
I don’t always press toward the dark side. I press seams in the direction that makes sense when putting sections/blocks/rows together.
Michelle Dalton
I try so hard to be a perfectionist and I try to not break any rules. But it’s life we all make mistakes and u wouldn’t learn if u ddnt.
Rosanne Ziegler
I never pre-wash my fabrics ( unless it’s red) . I love the feel of brand new fabric
mars1948mars
Don’t really follow any rules well. Actually, I didn’t know there are rules.
Kathie L
I always follow the rule to cut away from myself with my rotary cutter, and close it when I put it down.
lilquilter
Me too – this rule is the ONLY RULE we quilters all MUST FOLLOW. Forget the Quilt Police – AVOID THE QUILT AMBULANCE!!
annieofbluegables
You give me courage to try things, and permission to break rules. Probably one of the rules I break is crossing lines. In my old-fashioned mind, I thought lines should NEVER be crossed.
Thank you for all you do!
~a
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I still have a hard time with that one!
Faith Creech
I break so many rules but somehow it all comes together!
Anita Jackson
Well, I am quite new and do not know the rules so I may be breaking All of them!
kkfboise
I don’t sew a test seam to check my “scant” 1/4″.
Lisa Marie
I follow all the rules that I think are sensible! I just want to make things that are beautiful and well made and bring me and others joy.
Phyllis O'Connor
I consider the purpose of the quilt and apply rules accordingly. Very glad to know the rules and then decide whether to do something another way.
Phyllis
Tina G
My rule breaker notion is Elmer’s Glue, liquid and stick. I’ll use this stuff for applique and blindings, especially when in a hurry. I’ve been known to forget to stitch my binding down and only glue it, that is until I wash the quilt and have to start over. 🙂
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Great tip!!
Meredy Mastrokalos
Ah, unfortunately all my life I’ve played by the rules in everything. That’s just the way I’m made! It has been just later in my life (I’m 73) that I’ve decided to throw the rules out, including my quilting. It’s so liberating to do what I please! Why didn’t I do this year’s ago! Life is much nicer when you can do what you want, not what others want you to do. Love it, Lori, that I can just quilt what I want, how I want. Thank you for the inspiration!
Linda Williamson
I love mixing up fabrics and messing with patterns and making things up as I go along.
Pamela Richards
I would love to work on my machine embroidery — but I either move too fast or something because my machine does not like anything but in the ditch or straight stitches with my walking foot —will be checking out your lessons
Anne Dirks
I know it’s better to bury threads when FMQ but I get in a hurry and cut.
Diane
I love to press my seams open rather than to one side. (Did I break a rule?)
Laurie
Hi! Love, love, love your newest Craftsy mini class, “Creating a Quilting Plan: Approaches for Any Quilt”! I have watched it twice through already and recommend it to everyone. You give such great tips. My theory on quilt police and rules is that I try to incorporate “rules” that make sense to me and that work for me. Otherwise, I break those rules or just don’t follow them exactly. Finished is way better than perfect and show quilts aren’t for me.
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So thrilled you liked it!!! And thank you for sharing!
Bea
I fudge sometimes
cheryl audunson
Hi, i love your tips and seeing your work.
Christi
I guess I break all of them. No rules in my house.
2nana50
I break rules… probably to many… I read all the instructions on a pattern, cut out my material pieces, and then make the quilt… my style… mostly by the rules, but some I just pretend didn’t exist! HeHee her! Merry Christmas !????
Vanessa
Reading some of these comments, I think I need to loosen up! I am a stickler for matched seams etc and will rip out until it is done. Still burying knots, will have to try harder!
Regina Sullivan
I break the rules only when neccessary. Lol ha ha. Just kidding. Hi quilting friends
Priscilla Vasquez
Hi and many blessings this season!
Chris K.
It’s recommended to quilt the whole quilt with approximately the same density. I had a quilt where the borders needed heavy quilting to draw them up, but I didn’t want to quilt the rest of it heavily. It came out fine.
Karen Flanigan
I don’t knot my threads….
Nancy
I don’t knot my threads when machine quilting, I just thread them in-between the quilt layers…Haven’t had any threads pop out, even with multiple machine washings on my kids bed quilts.
Bridget Roberts
As far as quilt rules go it depends on the type of quilt I am working on, for traditional precision piecing the rules help but when working on art and improv rules don’t apply.
Love your blog Lori thank you for all that you do. Would love to know more about how you do text on your quilts.
I have also recently started using a sweetsixteen it is not easy.
Paula Hedges
I guess you could say I’m somewhat lax on precision when it comes to 1/4″ seams when I am teaching. My theory is if seams are consistent, you will still end up with a quilt – it might be a bit smaller, but it will still be a quilt. Amazing how that simple concept takes the pressure off of new quilters. I know future quilts they make will eventually have seams closer to quarter inch.
caltexgal
I just recently got a sweet 16 and bought your book. I’m learning, but it isn’t as easy as I hoped, however your tip for ending, instead of tying off
is awesome! You are my new best friend (besides because of how cute your designs are)..
Caltexgal@aol.com
Denise Johnson
Hi. Thanks for the giveaway!
Ellen H
Times have changed and so have quilting, fabrics, threads, machines and tools. It seems to me that some of the old rules might not be pertinent anymore. I don’t worry much about whether my quilts will last more than a couple of generations! I’ll be long gone!
cari marshall
I live to break the rules. Quarter inch seam allowance — pstttt– I like 3/8″, 2 1/2″binding, I only need 2″!
auntiepatch69
I probably break all kinds of rules because that’s how I roll and I don’t know any better. I just got a new quilting frame and I’m itching to give it a test drive.
Comments are closed.