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
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.
kkfboise
I don’t sew a test seam to check my “scant” 1/4″.
Anita Jackson
Well, I am quite new and do not know the rules so I may be breaking All of them!
Faith Creech
I break so many rules but somehow it all comes together!
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
WordPress.com Support
I still have a hard time with that one!
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!!
mars1948mars
Don’t really follow any rules well. Actually, I didn’t know there are rules.
Rosanne Ziegler
I never pre-wash my fabrics ( unless it’s red) . I love the feel of brand new fabric
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.
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.
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!
WordPress.com Support
Great advice!
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
Judith Martinez
The biggest quilting rule I break is to use upcycled items for batting.
Sally Dixon
Hi!! 🙂
Cecilia
I don’t precast my fabrics!
Linda Davidson
I have to just say “hi.” I am such a rules follower!
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?
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).
Cari Janssen
Piecing seams are 1/4 inch…or is that a scant 1/4? Quilting rules are to h broken.
Vicki Formby
I sometimes just finger press instead of going to the ironing board.
Judy
If I am breaking rules I don’t know it.
Teresa Knittingdancer
I try not to break any major rules but sometimes I break a few minor rules.
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.
Linda Cordonnier
I do not always check that I have a perfect 1/4″ seam allowance.
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!
Michele
Working on a baby quilt today. not quite enough batting, I sew pieces together so I have enough. Its a patch job..but it works for me..Am I breaking the rules??
Donna Rogers
I try to follow the rules. But sometimes it is fun to run with the scissors. Just kidding, but it is fun not to follow rules.
ADKKate
Not sure that I know what the rules are 🙂 so not certain if I am breaking any or not!
sewncreations
I am new to quilting so may be breaking lots of rules as I learn.
pat
the ironing
Donna F
I break so many. As long as the top looks good on top, who knows how many rules I have broken. I like to add a bit of me to a BOM project. Plus I am left handed. Do I have to say anything more? Happy Creating
Kathy Launius
Try to follow what rules I know
Rosemarie Klein
I want to get the quilt project done so I will not iron the seams after addding a row. I just keep adding the next row.
Regina T.
“Hi”
Joyce Stratton
I don’t always wear my glove when cutting with my rotary cutter.
Bethni Lee
When I see a seam going the wrong way, and don’t feel like undoing it, I take small scissors and cut the seam up to just before the thread at the corner of the block where all the seams meet, and press the seam the correct way. That way the seam isn’t twisted, and lays flat, and I don’t have to use my seam ripper!!
Helen Dart
Quilting & sewing are my passion & the only rule I follow is to relax, enjoy & create treasures that I am happy with & love to give to Family & Friends. I do use a scant 1/4″ seam as it gives a beautiful finish to my projects.
Thank you for the chance to win.
Enjoy creating.
Edi
I don’t know the rules, therefore I’m sure I break them more often than anyone else. Your quilt is gorgeous!!!
tricia p
If you haven’t quilted anything yet, then I guess you haven’t broken any rules!
Melissa Meinhard
I try to follow all the rules, but I’m still learning and the quilt police bust me more than I’d like
Barbara Massey
Break rules who does that? LOL. Have to know them to break them?
Donna Hawley
I try to follow the sensible rules like 1/4′ seams, pressing, points etc but I’m sure there are many that I don’t even know about.
Kellie Campbell
I am sure I break some quilting rules but I’m not sure which ones because I’m a confident beginner and I’m on my own with no help except from all of these blogs and all of them have been life savers and quilt savers for me. Hi!!!! Thank y’all so much
Helen Glover
I try to follow the rules that I know because they seem to make things work out better! Those I don’t know, don’t matter! lol! Thanks for the giveaway! I am signing up for your blog now too.
Perri Ann Kaufman
I probably break the rules with thread……I use whatever I have that matches as long as it is not so old it breaks. I am a thrifty quilter and thread is expensive.
Quilting in Maine
I use more than an 18 ” thread when hand quilting. Rule that was given to me years ago–no thread longer than 18 “.
LaRue
I’m sure I’m breaking many rules since I’ve never actually read the rule book on quilting. As long as it comes out and is a finished project, I don’t get too crazy with the rules.
sewincolor
I break the rule about washing all your fabric. There are probably a few more I break!
Mary Lou Paoletti
Hi, love your quilting on this Quilt. Can’t say I’ve ever taken much stock in a belief in the Quilt police.
jeanette Tuttle-Hamer
Hi, I just started quilting so believe I need the rules until I’m more comfortable
Comments are closed.