Quilting Fast and Loose
Today’s Topic: Quilting Fast and Loose on a Grid Composition
Welcome to Week 2 of our 2021 Quilt-a-Long, Even Better Machine Quilting
This FREE multi-week tutorial is based on my books available in my Etsy shop: LoriKennedyShop
Sign up for emails of the class HERE.
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Find the 2021 QAL links HERE
Find the 2020 (25 Week) QAL links HERE
Good Morning, Quilters!
As you may recall, last month I had a big vision scare...
Good news! I just go back from an eye exam ( will be wearing sunglasses all day)–and my eye is almost completely healed–my corrected vision is back to 20/20! I have a small floater in my eye, but it is likely that will eventually go away too. I’m so grateful to have received such excellent medical care and I will never take my vision for granted again. I hope you will all learn from me–if you suddenly see flashing lights and new floaters, don’t wait! Call your ophthalmologist immediately!
Fast and Loose Quilting
We are not fast and loose, just our quilting…
Today’s project is designed to get you quilting without thinking too much.
We are going to fill a grid composition with wavy lines, changing direction in every square.
Mark the Quilt
Begin with a quick, quilt sandwich.
Use your favorite marking tool to draw a two inch grid. (My favorite marking tool is white chalk or a sliver of soap–more on marking tools in an upcoming lesson.)
Leave a margin on all sides of the quilt so you have room for your hands.
Mark the top line and one side line.
Then add as many vertical lines as possible, leaving a margin on the right side.
Next, add the horizontal lines.
Work quickly. Precision is not important for this quilt.
Machine Set up
Set up your sewing machine for free motion quilting.
I recommend using contrasting color thread–40 or 28wt if you have it. (More on thread weight soon.)
Check your tension in the margin of your quilt before you start.
Quilt the Grid
Start in one corner and quilt the grid. Stitch wavy lines and change direction in each square.
Fill the entire quilt with wavy lines to create a beautiful basket weave background fill.
(Notice the four squares in the corner–wouldn’t that be a pretty way to fill a square quilt block?)
Add Other Motifs
Add other motifs like messy spirals or change the density of the wavy lines to create different effects.
Make More than One
If you’re having fun, why stop?!
Try a grid filled with messy spirals.
Sign, Date and Bind
Be sure to add your signature and date to your quilts.
And binding makes every quilt look better!
Are we having fun yet?
Happy Stitching!
Lori
PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy Quilts and are intended for personal use only. Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to LKQ. For all other purposes, please contact me at Lori@LoriKennedyQuilts.com. Thank you!
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HI Lori, I am so happy to hear your visioin has returned Praise God!!! To let you know after you let us know about your terrifiing vision story, I started having dark spots of vision in my right eye and then Iafter going to sleep I turned over and had green lights that looked like long dowels that flashed and spun for ust a few seconds. I called my eye Dr. and was seen right away. It turns out I had what is called an “eye stroke.” Thank God it is not serieous but they are having me come back for more testing. Thank you for sharing your scary vision story – it prompted me to call my Dr. immediately as I usually put health things off hoping they will improve. My problem so far is not that bad but it does need to be addressed medically. Thank you again, Sandra Taylor, Huntsville, AL
Glad to hear your vision has improved. We take these things for granted until we have a problem. Fortunately you responded quickly.
Hi Lori,
Thanks so much for the reminders to not take our eye health for granted.
Am so happy to hear you are on the improve!
Like Sandra, I too, had a stroke in my eye a couple of years ago, which thankfully has resolved. I guess the important thing that I was told, was that this type of eye issue, often results from undiagnosed high blood pressure. So yes, I too am on the seek urgent attention bandwagon!
Thanks for your wonderful blog!
Cherie in Oz
Lori I’m so glad to hear about the great result you are having with your eye. Such good news! I am still dealing with recovery from the major surgery I had to reattach my retina. Vision in that eye is not good yet, and may never be. I was not able to sew until my husband suggested looking at my Bernina dealer’s shop to see if there was anything available for magnification for my 770. They helped me so much. We purchased the magnification attachment and now I’m able to sew again. This is really helping as I wait patiently for better sight to hopefully return.
Lori,
I am so enjoying your free class. You are so generous with your time and advice. And I am so glad to learn that your vision is restored! What a relief!
I have several quilting questions:
How do you feel about stitching in the ditch? Do you use it to stabilize blocks or the quilt? Do you stitch in the ditch if the seams are pressed open? What type of thread do you use for this?
I am finishing a one block wonder quilt and am struggling with how to quilt it. I don’t want to take away from the pattern of the fabric and have been considering stitching in the ditch, but with seams all pressed open, I am concerned that the batting may show through or that I may weaken the stitches.
Thanks for you advice! And thanks for this fun and informative course!
I do like stitch in the ditch quilting. Perhaps stitch slightly off the ditch when the seams are open? I love the look overall!
You look like a movie star….Glad to; hear your procedures were successful….I am really trying to keep up with the Second tour of the 25 daze of FMQ