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
LJ
Hi. I’m sure I break rules but I just do what I want and what I’ve been taught. Love how different all you designers “I Love Home” quilt blocks look. Wonderful that you are so talented you can take the design and quilt it.
Diane Obernesser
I don’t make quilts for quilt shows so I do what ever helps me to complete the item. And finished is better than not finished.
Sharon Dey
Hi!
Deb
I do break the rules but I also like to think that there are quilt police because it makes me keep trying to improve my quilting so I won’t get ‘caught’ breaking the rules.
Angela Bowling
I don’t think I know any quilt rules. I do what I want to do and hope that the quilt turns out OK.
Kerry
I occasionally break a rule to test if I prefer that different approach…… sometimes I go back to the rule sometimes I happily continue with the easy option. Whatever I do, I am comfortable with it.
Patty
I broke a rule just this week. I quilted first then did my machine appliqué on top of it. I figure it’s my quilt, I can do what I want and what I like.
Laurie B
Hi Lori! I’m a big fan of your work and gave one of your books as a Christmas gift.
Sharon Cargill
I think of the purpose of the quilt. I made a quilt for my daughter’s graduation from college gift. I wanted her to feel loved and enjoy her quilt, so I asked her what colors she wanted and quilted a label telling her I loved her and attached it to the quilt. I free motion quilted flowers on it because she likes flowers. She loves it and feels loved, so that’s my rule 🙂 I am making another quilt for my next daughter who will graduate from college this spring as a graduation gift. I love your free motion designs, very inspirational!
On our quilt retreat our motto was: Just do it. If you make a mistake rip it out or make a new plan.
Elaine Christian
I love to make freestyle log cabin quilts, no measuring, bwahaaa!
Louise Haddon
hi!.
martinapril
Hello -just starting quilting will be doing the easy back step to tie nots! ????????????
Pat
It’s a secret. Don’t tell anyone. I have been using my quilting rulers/ templates to trace and then FMQ the lines instead of following the rulers with my ruler foot. It’s easier for me.
annieofbluegables
❤️
Nyssa Lanzafame
I dont even know the quilt rules lol!….but when i feel like something is nlt quite right i tell myself something made by hand and FINISHED is worth 10x an unfinished pile of materials 😉
Karen L.
I don’t really know all the rules so I may be breaking some/all without realizing it. However, if what I am doing works, I just go with it. Then later I think “I should have googled that to find out how it should have been done”.
Mary N.
I always press seams open: it works on clothing which is used far more vigorously than a quilt. Pressing open is much more accurate than pressing to the side for me, plus my ancient belt drive machine hates stacked seam allowances.
Bette
I’m glad my very first quilt teacher was a stickler for “the rules.” I learned how to do everything the “quilt police” way, and oddly enough, that foundation gives me the confidence to break rules now that I’m further along in my quilting journey.
Kathy Wilson
You mean there’s rules???!!!
Teri Powers
I don’t sweat it if my seams don’t line up just right! They have to be really off before I will unsew and redo.
Ellen McKinley
Gee, where do I begin? I don’t sink my threads–my knot things don’t look as nice as yours yet, but I’m working on it–I press things open, I don’t prewash all my fabric, and I’m sure some of my scraps are a mix of prewashed and not prewashed…and those are just the two biggest ones!
I sure enjoy your blog, Lori–keep up the good work, and the Craftsy classes, too!
Cathy Wilson
sometimes I leave out the pressing in certain steps, and sometimes I regret that I did.
Heather
Hi.
Kathy
Rules are meant to be broken! I refuse to bury threads. They get knotted, but then I just clip them close.
Judy
Quilt rules? Quilt rules? I don’t know any stinkin quilt rules! LOL
Denise P
I probably break all kinds of rules that I don’t know exist!
Carolina
I made a block with small pieces for the center of a quilt, using paper piecing.
There was a mistake that is obvious to me, but I couldn’t bear doing it over.
By the way, for this same quilt, I cut out some large pieces for blocks wrong. Some were 10″ square and some were to be 10 1/2, but I cut them all 10 inches; I fudged a little to make them the same size. I was at a retreat when I cut out this quilt. I do better when I’m not sewing in a group.
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.
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″!
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!
Denise Johnson
Hi. Thanks for the giveaway!
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
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.
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.
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.
Karen Flanigan
I don’t knot my threads….
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.
Priscilla Vasquez
Hi and many blessings this season!
Regina Sullivan
I break the rules only when neccessary. Lol ha ha. Just kidding. Hi quilting friends
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!
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 !????
Christi
I guess I break all of them. No rules in my house.
cheryl audunson
Hi, i love your tips and seeing your work.
Bea
I fudge sometimes
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!
Diane
I love to press my seams open rather than to one side. (Did I break a rule?)
Anne Dirks
I know it’s better to bury threads when FMQ but I get in a hurry and cut.
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
Linda Williamson
I love mixing up fabrics and messing with patterns and making things up as I go along.
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!
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!!
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
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