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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