Sunflower Sampler-Week 4-Linear Fills

November 1, 2016
Sunflower Sampler, FMQ, Lori Kennedy

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Good Morning, Quilters!

Okay…be honest…how many of you are unwrapping a Halloween candy as you read this?

(I’ll admit, I was unconsciously twirling open candies while I wrote this…)

Just one question…Is it worth it?  (I asked myself…)

I decided ONE Tootsie Roll was worth it, but 10–(especially unconscious chewing)—- maybe not!

#noexcuses #losethosefatquarters

THE SUNFLOWER SAMPLER–WEEK FOUR

If you are stitching along with us, your quilt should look something like the photo below.

WEEK ONE-Marking

WEEK TWO-Stitch the Center

WEEK THREE Stitch the Petals

Sunflower Sampler, FMQ, Lori Kennedy

DIVIDING THE QUILT BACKGROUND FILL

In week one, we divided the quilt into eight sections.  Today we will stitch one of the upper right and one of the lower left sections.

Do not be rigid about these lines…If you fill in a little more (as I did) or a little less–that’s just fine.

CHOOSING THREAD

We have an opportunity to choose a new thread at this point in the quilt.

For my original Sunflower Sampler (photo below) I used the same thread throughout the entire project.

Same thread: Option One.

Sunflower Sampler, FMQ, Lori Kennedy

Thread Option Two

Use a different thread for the background fill.  The thread could be lighter, darker or a variegated thread.

I decided to go with a variegated thread that is mostly lighter than the fabric background.

Look at your threads and have fun with this.

You can’t go wrong–any choice will work great!

Sunflower Sampler, FMQ, Lori Kennedy

LOWER LEFT SECTION

Stitch narrowly spaced lines to fill in the lower section of the quilt.  The key here is to get as close as possible to the petals stitched last week.  Really getting in to the nooks and crannies of the flower will give the petals more definition.

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If the distance feel cumbersome–stitching lone lines can be awkward, divide the space and stitch two rows of narrowly spaced lines.

It is probably best to NOT divide the space in half…make it more angular or curved to keep the look more organic.  Add a few perpendicular lines and then continue filling in the space.

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UPPER RIGHT SECTION

Two options for this section…

Either fill it with more straight line quilting as we did in the lower left section, or fill it with The Twist
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If the Twist is difficult to  stitch in long stretches–divide the space and add rows of the motif.

It will look great!

Sunflower Sampler, FMQ, Lori Kennedy

When you are finished, the quilt should look something like the photo below.

The Sunflower is stitched and the upper and lower corners are stitched.  We still have the border and the other sections to quilt.

Gorgeous!!!

Sunflower Sampler, Week Four

Tomorrow we will see another way to use these techniques to make your next quilt border POP!!

See you then!

“I’ve got sunshine on a cloudy day…..

When it’s cold outside, I’ve got the month of May…”

May YOUR day be filled with SUNSHINE,

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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11 comments

  • Barbara

    Love this lesson. Thank you.

  • Marta

    Two of our local quilters ( south GA) are on way to Houston show.. stopped in Pensacola and went to 3 quilt shops ! I bet their car tires will be low to ground by time they get back to GA ! Mary, Enjoy the show !

  • Mary Duhon

    Love following your posts!
    I decided several years ago to stop buying candy for Halloween for 2 reasons:
    1- I work in a diabetes practice and preach about sugar every day, 2- my husband and I DO NOT need to eat the leftovers. Started buying popcorn bags and raisins. Then, started going to Houston International Quilt Show every year which is often on Haloween so that solved that! Headed for Houston tomorrow – can’t wait to see this year’s winning quilts and shop with all the vendors!

  • So exciting… My new sewing machine (either a Bernina 770 QE or a Jenome S9 – have to decide and it is a hard choice) will be ordered mid November & I should start sewing in December when it arrives… this is so inspiring – love you blog.

  • I am enjoying your blog as I take a break from unpacking sewing still a few weeks away but it brightens my day to look at the sunflower emerge

  • Marta

    Question…I am curious about twin needle sewing. Lori, Have you ever used twin needles in your FMQ?…Very foggy over the lake this morning..lovely. (Yes, i took photos, but by time I found my shoes and got out there, the sun had changed the lighting…ya know, with the sun, you have to really grab your opportunities.)

  • The new additions look great Lori! Thank you! I can’t wait to go and get started on them!! Christine x

  • I’m laughing! 10 tootsie rolls not worth it? Heck, even 1 tootsie roll isn’t worth the calories. 10 Reeces Peanut Butter cups– now we’re talkin’ ! Thanks for a great try! I’m getting back on the wagon after my post-Halloween breakfast.

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