Straight Line Triangles-A Free Motion Quilt Tutorial
Good Morning, Quilters!
Thank you again for helping us celebrate the birth of our grandson, Henry. There is nothing like being a Grandmother! (Though I’m having a hard time thinking of myself as a grandmother…)
Today I have a simple motif for you…if you keep it small (less than two inches)–it’s an EASY motif. As the motif gets larger, it adds to the challenge level as it can be difficult to stitch long straight lines on a domestic sewing machine. I recommend keeping this motif less than five inches wide.
Begin by drawing two parallel lines. In the sample below, the lines are 1-1/2 inch apart.
In this sample, the lines are four inches apart.
Next, use a ruler and chalk to mark angled lines.
It is not necessary to make true triangles or to keep all of the angles the same. It is more interesting if the “triangles” aren’t really triangles.
Begin stitching on one of the parallel lines. Stitch parallel lines back and forth to fill the space.
Then turn the corner and stitch parallel to the first drawn line.
Using the darning foot as your guide. Try to keep it the same distance away from each line.
At each corner, stitch over a few stitches and begin the next “triangle”–always stitching parallel to your drawn lines.
This is a great pattern to help you develop your eye for spacing. Keep your eye on the distance between the presser foot and the previous line of stitching–the lines don’t need to be perfect–we want a hand made (not computer stitched) quilt!
If your border is wider than you can handle comfortably…stitch multiple rows of the pattern and add a little something between the rows rather than enlarging beyond five or six inches. (Any curvy motif like spirals or leaves or flowers would look nice here--See all the motifs HERE).
REMEMBER–Whenever you encounter a motif that is difficult to stitch on your domestic sewing machine, try a “work around”.
Often the new pattern is even better than the planned motif and no one will be the wiser that you really wanted to stitch an eight inch border with this motif!
As Tim Gunn would say “Make it Work, People!”
Make sure to drop by tomorrow to see this motif “in action”.–It might surprise you!
Happy Stitches!
Lori
NOTE-This tutorial was stitched on my BERNINA 770QE with it’s bright light and huge bobbin…using Aurifil cotton thread in the bobbin and Sulky 40wt Rayon on top–love that sheen–and the two threads lockstitch beautifully!
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!
I’ve been making it work so much, I’ve now defaulted to just saying “I’m gonna Tim Gunn it!”
“Making it work” leads to great creativity!
Oh the possibilities! Thanks so much…I find border and sashing ideas to be the ones I most need. This is just wonderful.
Lori, question regarding the chalk you are using in the demo. Does it wash out? Or just rub off? Does it come in a darker color for lighter fabrics? You probably answer that in your Craftsy class – which I bought, but have not had time to watch yet. Thanks!
It usually rubs out very easily. You can also use a microfiber cloth to wipe off the remaining chalk or launder the quilt. The Dritz chalk marker shown in the photo comes with a wide assortment of colors. I have only used the white–so test carefully!
I have found that the yellow does not wash out.
Thanks for the tip, Pat!
Another winner! Love it with the row of spirals between.
Love it! What kind of chalk do you use to mark your quilts?
Thanks for the easy to follow tutorial. Can’t wait to try it out!
Do you drop your feed dogs for this design?
Yes! I can’t bear to do quilting any other way! Give it a try!
Great tips here, thanks. Quilting the border is always a challenge for me, but now you’ve just given me hope!
Absolutely love this one!!!!!! Congrats again on your “status” change (grandma)!!!!!
I LOVE this!!! And regarding marking a quilt, I save the slivers of bar soap from our showers…and use it to mark my quilts. It washes out or wipes off easily. I agree, the yellow chalk does not come out. It ruined a quilt of mine. LOVE this border design, can’t wait to see tomorrow’s post. Lori, you are aMAZing!
May I quote you?!
Absolutely.
I love this one!!!! How great for a border – reminds me of the new quilt rulers everyone is talking about for use with a special foot.
Same look–so much easier!
Yay! I can do this one, since I’ve practiced straight lines a lot. Looks fabulous! Thanks!
You can do straight lines and add a few spirals too!
Lori, I just finished watching your whole class. All I can say is WOW !! It will become a classic! I have followed your blog for over a year and you have given me so much confidence in all my free motion. Your class is so excellent and thorough! I am so excited to be able to watch it again and again! To see you in action is priceless! Especially to see how you think through your compositions. It is amazing! You are a pioneer in the relaxed approach to free motion. It is so much fun with beautiful results! Anyone who follows this blog MUST get your class. They will LOVE it !!
Thank YOU!! I’m thrilled to hear you liked it so much! Please consider adding your review to the Craftsy class reviews.
Hi Laurie, I’ve been watching for a while and really enjoying your posts. Wanting to do the ruler class in craftsie. But where do I buy a foot for my berninia? Thanks for any info.
Cathy
Cathy, I also took the Craftsy ruler class. Amy Johnson’s blog has lots of info on feet for different machines. I purchased a high shank foot from Westalee. It really is much easier to NOT use the ruler foot but to draw your lines and free motion or straight stitch them. It was more limiting to me than using Lori’s techniques. The class does teach you how to use the ruler but it does not offer the creativity and ideas that Lori’s class does.