String of Pearls-A Free Motion Quilt Tutorial

Good morning, Quilters!

Now that the kiddies are back at school I hope everyone has a little more time for quilting!

Last week, we started our own lesson plan…to learn the Humble Circle.  Like most simple things, The Circle is challenging to get just right.  It takes a lot of practice.

We started with the  Dots and Dashes Free motion quilt tutorial last Tuesday (Tutesday?)

While Dots and Dashes is a fabulous pattern in its own right, it is also a SKILLBUILDER pattern.  It helps build muscle memory for other circle patterns.

Dots and Dashes teaches four things:

• Clockwise circles
• Counter-clockwise circles
• Stitching around a circle one and 1/2 times
• Stopping in the middle of the circle –to start the dash…

If you are new to circles, try Dots and Dashes first, then move on to today’s free motion quilt tutorial, The String of Pearls.

THE STRING OF PEARLS TUTORIAL

Begin by drawing two lines.  For this tutorial, the lines are 1/2 inch apart.

Begin stitching in between the two lines.  Stitch a full clockwise circle.

Stitch over the previous line of stitching around the circle to the midpoint on the right side of the circle.

(NOTE- In the sample below the stitching is offset–this is for demonstration only.)

Instead of stitching a straight line — as in Dots and Dashes–Stitch a curve toward the bottom line and begin the counter-clockwise circle.

Stitch over the previous line of stitching, back to the mid-point and begin another circle.

Continue stitching clockwise and counter-clockwise circles to create a String of Pearls.

Once you are comfortable with the String of Pearls, try varying the size of the Pearls.  (This will help when we try another circle tutorial–The Circle Filler also known as Pebbles.)

Circles look simple, but they require a slower pace and full concentration…(You may notice, that I lack focus frequently!)

The clockwise, counter-clockwise method allows the quilter to develop a regular rhythm and this will help with both consistency and speed.  Again, Circles take practice!

THIS WEEK

I have decided to delay the circle tutorial planned for tomorrow.   Practice Dots and Dashes, The String of Pearls, and changing pearls (And of course, the Race Car)

We’ll add some really fun motifs next week…then a tutorial on “Pebbles” –-the Circle fill pattern later in the month.

So many ideas, so little time…

I’m off on a JAUNT!–Can’t wait to tell you about it!

Lori

PS…The above tutorial was stitched on my Bernina 150 (A domestic sewing machine) without a stitch regulator, using Aurifil thread in the

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 (please do) Pin, re-blog and share with attribution to The Inbox Jaunt.  For all other purposes, please contact me at lckennedy@hotmail.com.  Thanks!