Steampunk Quilting Tutorial
Good Morning, Quilters!
Today we are working on a complex-looking quilting pattern, Steampunk Quilting. Don’t be daunted! It is much easier when it is broken down into steps!
(NOTE–This is a reader-requested motif–If YOU would like to request a motif please let me know by leaving a comment!)
Today’s tutorial is a little different from the typical step-by-step tutorial for the other motifs. I guess that’s fitting since Steampunk itself is a little different.
STEAMPUNK DEFINED
First of all, what is steampunk? Steampunk is a literary genre that mixes science fantasy with a historical period–often the Victorian Era or the American Wild West. In fashion, steampunk is usually a combination of Victorian era fashion, (petticoats and bustled dresses) mixed with steam-powered technology. In design, steampunk is frequently a mix of gear like elements.
In short, steampunk is romance meets technology.
Basically, add gears to a quilt and you have steampunk! LOL (Soft quilts + gears = steampunk!?)
Read more about steampunk at Wikipedia HERE
CREATING THE DESIGN
I recommend doodling first! (Don’t I always???)
This tutorial is a combination of three doodling tutorials:
Easy Doodles for Those Who Think They Can’t Doodle
COMBINE GEARS AND FILLERS
When you combine the three in one pattern, you get this more complex background–Steampunk Quilting!
STITCHING STEAMPUNK
Stitching Steampunk is easiest when completed in three passes. Each “pass” adds more detail.
Begin by drawing a 2 inch or bigger grid on your fabric.
First Pass
Add the circle motifs first. For simplicity, you might just add Silly Spirals.
Second Pass
For the second pass, use your doodled embellishments to add interest on the outside of the circles. Echo stitch the lines to travel from one circle to the next.
Leave some of the circles plain and change direction at any time.
Third Pass
Fill in the empty spaces with a background fill like Straight Line Quilting or The Twist.
BACKGROUND FILL
Steampunk Quilting is a unique motif that will add character and interest to any quilt. It is best for areas of quilts that have a minimal pattern.
The key is drawing a grid first! And of course, to doodle!
What about YOU?
Do YOU like romance?
Are YOU drawn to technology inspired motifs?
Do YOU have a Steampunk Quilt in your future?
Do YOU have any motifs you’d like to request?
We’d LOVE to hear!
For MORE Free Motion Machine Quilting Tips, Tricks and Motifs–Order YOUR signed copy today!!
Signed,
Your Gear-head Quilter,
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!
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I love this! Steampunk is so cool and has many genres, not just Victorian. Did you know there is a Old West Steampunk, Safari Steampunk, etc. It can encompass a lot of combinations of design and literary genres with sci-fi.
No I didn’t know that! I read about Old West but not the others!
I really like it!
Wow!! Mind. Blown. DEFinitely gonna find a use for this motif!!
Lori, you’ve outdone yourself! This is amazingly creative as well as inspiring and I love it!
amazing…so, it does not matter to run the quilting over previous lines of quilting? Or were you able to not do that with each pass?
I did cross some lines.
This is really cool!
Neat. I love Steampunk stuff. Never thought to apply it to quilting.
Love, love, love, love, love!
So fun!! Must doodle more….
Totally not quilting related…Visconti Van Gogh Red Vineyard fountain pen?
LOL! Yes! How did you know?
Thanks for the name of the pen, love it!
love sci-fi, this is right up my alley!!! Love it!!
Oh my gosh, this is so incredibly beautiful and yeah, snazzy.
Now i want to try!!!!!
I will never watch Wild Wild West again without thinking steampunk.
Love the Steampunk! I am new to quilting and your blog. Your tutorials are the best …can’t wait to check out your books!!!
I love the steam punk. I’ll be trying that out soon. Thanks for the ideas.
Sorry, it is not clear to me what you are doing in step 2 as opposed to step 3? Do you have a stitched pic after step 2?
Add details to the outside of the circles.
I like this, Lori! So outside the box for me. Smart to start with a grid and work in details from there. I’m going to give this a try!
I am looking forward to trying this one, I love the variety.
Love the Steampunk, Lori!!! ????
This would be a great way to quilt something like Jen Kingwell’s Gypsy Wife quilt…or others like it. Definitely filing this one for future use!
Lori! Your new book arrived yesterday! Thanks for the autograph and the two FMQ “bookmarks” – a lovely surprise, to be cherished! I’ll be taking the book to my quilt guild’s retreat this weekend to show my friends and sing your praises (which I already do at every opportunity!). Thank you, Lori! Quilt on!
-Linda (“Lil”) Koster, Wilmington, DE (where we are also still waiting for spring to arrive – 38 chilly degrees here this morning!)
So glad you like it! And thank you for being a wonderful agent! Lol
Love this! You are so creative and generous! Thank you! 🙂
Love it!!! Thanks for sharing your insight!!!!
I love the Steampunk too, thanks Lori