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
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.
Denise P
I probably break all kinds of rules that I don’t know exist!
Judy
Quilt rules? Quilt rules? I don’t know any stinkin quilt rules! LOL
Kathy
Rules are meant to be broken! I refuse to bury threads. They get knotted, but then I just clip them close.
Heather
Hi.
Cathy Wilson
sometimes I leave out the pressing in certain steps, and sometimes I regret that I did.
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!
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.
Kathy Wilson
You mean there’s rules???!!!
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.
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.
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”.
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 😉
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
❤️
martinapril
Hello -just starting quilting will be doing the easy back step to tie nots! ????????????
Louise Haddon
hi!.
Elaine Christian
I love to make freestyle log cabin quilts, no measuring, bwahaaa!
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.
Laurie B
Hi Lori! I’m a big fan of your work and gave one of your books as a Christmas gift.
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.
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.
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.
Sharon Dey
Hi!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Lisa Garrett
I never bury my threads. There. I’ve confessed.
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.
MoeWest
Hi Lori! I prefer to think of the ‘rules’ as good advice which I can take or leave.
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.
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!
Tonya Flores
I don’t know many quilting rules to know if I’m breaking them!
Barbara
I don’t always prewash, I’ve never prestarched fabric to cut, I start a quilt before I finish the last one(s)!
Rita Wilson
I enjoy reading the comments. Some rules are made to be broken. I say do what works best for you.
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.
Vicki H
I don’t label my quilts.
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 ????
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.
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!
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
Laura
I don’t finish piecing a quilt before I start the next 3.
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”..
Rose Landon
I do my own thing so there are no rules. One persons mistake is another’s windfall.
Donna Sofokles
Try as I might, things don’t always line up, so I use the “fudge” factor a lot.
Marie Nelson
I attach bindings by machine which means they are not the same width front and back!
Lisa
HI!!!!
Cindy Garaas
I break more rules than follow them. I guess that is why I keep reading articles and blogs, trying to get better.
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.
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!
Comments are closed.