Lifted Logic Web Design in Kansas City clock location phone play check_box_outline_blank check_box chevron-down chevron-left chevron-right chevron-up facebook instagram google plus pinterest linkedin radio_button_checked radio_button_unchecked twitter youtube arrow-up send
Connect
Lori Kennedy Quilts
  • 25 Week QAL
  • About
    • About Lori Kennedy Quilts
  • Shop
  • Motifs
    • All
    • Animals/Bugs
    • Background Fills
    • Easy/Beginner
    • Fan Favorites
    • Seasonal/Holiday
    • Patterns/Shapes
    • Illustrations
    • Flowers/Leaves
  • Machine Quilting
    • Basics
    • Quick Tips
    • Sewing Machine
    • Thread
    • Batting
    • Design
    • Ruler Work
    • Misc
  • Projects
    • Applique
    • Organization
    • Quilt
    • DIY
    • Doodles
    • Paper Piecing
    • Sewing
    • Uncategorized
  • Inspiration
    • Gallery
    • Watercolor
    • Creativity
    • All
    • Seamstresses in Fine Art

The Bumble Bee – A Free Motion Quilt Tutorial

September 23, 2014

The Bumble Bee Free Motion QuiltingGood Morning, Quilters!

As I mentioned yesterday, I have been a busy bee for the last few weeks.  I just got back from a lovely Ladies Week in Cape Cod and Martha’s Vineyard…If I haven’t answered your questions–that is why.  I will answer all the questions over  the next few days.

Also, a few of you have contacted me that mysteriously, you are no longer receiving The Inbox Jaunt in your e-mail…please contact me if this is happening to you. (lckennedy@hotmail.com)  This is a recurrent problem that I have to take up with the wizards at Word Press…last time the fix was only temporary… Thank you for being so patient!  Please continue to join us!

I am much better behind my sewing machine than under the hood of a computer!  Aarrgghhh!

THREE TUTORIALS THIS WEEK–GARDEN FAUNA

This week we are going to do three short tutorials using the circles we have been practicing.  See Dots and Dashes and The String of Pearls tutorials.

Today’s tutorial is The Bumblebee…

All of the tutorials this week will look great on any floral quilt and would be great to tuck into free motion quilted flowers.

THE BUMBLE BEE TUTORIAL

Begin by stitching a full circle.  In the sample below, the circle is a bit smaller than a dime.

Next, stitch a straight line and a very tiny circle for the antenna.

The Bumble Bee Free Motion Quilting

Stitch ON or VERY CLOSE TO the straight line and back to the circle.  Stitch over two stitches and repeat to create a second antenna.

Stitch halfway around the circle and stop at the “chin” of the bee.  (We all know that bees have knees–but did you know they also have chins?)

The Bumble Bee Free Motion Quilting

From the “chin” — Stitch two tear-drop shaped wings—then two stitches under the bee’s chin.

The Bumble Bee Free Motion Quilting

Stitch two more wings on the right side–leaving a small opening for the bee’s body…

The Bumble Bee Free Motion Quilting

Stitch back and forth to create the body of the bee.  Make the center of his body a bit wider than the upper and lower body.

The Bumble Bee Free Motion Quilting

Add a triangle on the bottom,

then stitch back over the right side of the triangle to reach the bottom…

Add a twisted line…the bee’s line of flight….

The Bumble Bee Free Motion Quilting

That’s it!      Perfect!

Bumble bee, chases me, I PICK YOU!

Lori

PS…More garden fauna free motion quilting tomorrow and Thursday.

PPS…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 and Pin with attribution to The Inbox Jaunt.  For all other purposes, please contact me at lckennedy@hotmail.com.  Thanks!

NOTE-Stitched with Aurifil 50wt in the bobbin, Sulky 40wt Rayon on top on my Bernina 150–domestic sewing machine without a stitch regulator.

Related

Share Article

Please share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

Categories

All Animals/Bugs Machine Quilting Motifs

Tagged

Animals/Bugs Bumble Bee Circles FMQ tutorial Long Arm Tutorial

32 responses to “The Bumble Bee – A Free Motion Quilt Tutorial”

  1. Jackie says:
    September 23, 2014 at 7:37 am

    I’ve just found your blog. It’s wonderful! You make FMQ look very easy:)
    Thank you.

  2. Helen says:
    September 23, 2014 at 7:44 am

    This is just too cute! You are so sweet for sharing your talents. Thank you.

  3. BARBARA says:
    September 23, 2014 at 7:51 am

    Lori,
    I wonder if your brain ever takes a rest or is it that with your home activity it is much easier to wander & cleverly create. I’m still recouping from the dreaded radiation but love reading/studying over & over your creations. I must thank you for your generous spirit.

  4. sally says:
    September 23, 2014 at 8:03 am

    Really love this one, thank you!

  5. Ellen Vandruff says:
    September 23, 2014 at 8:17 am

    Got to try this one. Maybe on my next project.

  6. Karen says:
    September 23, 2014 at 8:29 am

    Being an armature bee keeper I thank you. I love putting bugs and bees in my childrens quilt. Yours have so much whimsy. Love it.

  7. sillyandrea says:
    September 23, 2014 at 8:48 am

    For emails from you going in to people’s spam folder… there’s not much WordPress can do. It’s happening on the receiving side, so people have to train their inboxes that theme emails are not spam.

    Some email providers (like hotmail) discard automated emails like post notifications AND password resets.

    1. sillyandrea says:
      September 23, 2014 at 8:48 am

      also the bees is FREAKIN ADORABLE. I just shipped a bee themed quilt to a customer and it would have been cute to hide this somewhere in it.

  8. Lara B. says:
    September 23, 2014 at 9:01 am

    I like very idea you have Lori! This one especially makes me want to try sewing it. 🙂
    PS – I get such a kick out of seeing you in American Quilter!

  9. Ness says:
    September 23, 2014 at 9:02 am

    Super cute Lori!!! Love it!

  10. Suzanna says:
    September 23, 2014 at 9:13 am

    This, I love! The design and movement are wonderful.

  11. Queenie says:
    September 23, 2014 at 10:27 am

    This is a super cute design.
    Have a great day.
    Always, Queenie

  12. NikkiM says:
    September 23, 2014 at 11:27 am

    Very cool! Thanks!

  13. Francisca says:
    September 23, 2014 at 11:39 am

    Love it, so cute

  14. Jackie Clauson says:
    September 23, 2014 at 11:55 am

    Love this and all your free motion tutorials. You are amazing and I know I appreciate that you share your talent with us. I’m trying to print out some of my favorite tutorials (ok, they’re all my favorites) so I can practice with the instructions by my machine, and I found that when I click on the spider web it takes me to the pumpkin tutorial. Just thought you’d like to know about that little glitch. Thanks again! I really look forward to your posts.

    1. WordPress.com Support says:
      September 24, 2014 at 6:22 am

      Thanks for letting me know. I will fix this today.

  15. rosemarazzle says:
    September 23, 2014 at 12:35 pm

    Rosemary B here:
    Awwwww so cute. I love this one Lori. So adorable

  16. Carol says:
    September 23, 2014 at 12:39 pm

    This is adorable. Can’t wait to try it. You are truly amazing.

  17. Diane Bartow says:
    September 23, 2014 at 2:05 pm

    So cute! You make it so easy too. Thank you so much for sharing!

  18. pamelajeannestudio says:
    September 23, 2014 at 2:21 pm

    You break it down and really make it doable. Great pattern as always. You are my hero when it comes to machine quilting designs!

  19. Caren says:
    September 23, 2014 at 3:21 pm

    Had to try it when I went home for lunch, Sooooooooo cute and surprisingly easy. Looking forward to the next design!

  20. Leslie Schmidt says:
    September 23, 2014 at 4:17 pm

    Okay, can you get any cuter? This bee is a sweetie. I like Sillyandrea’s idea of hiding a motif like this on a child’s quilt.

  21. Heather Hedrick says:
    September 23, 2014 at 4:25 pm

    I love this!

  22. Lori in NC says:
    September 23, 2014 at 5:17 pm

    I have a quilt that has been desperately waiting for me to quilt in some dragonflies. I bet I can stretch those wings out and make this work. Thanks for another great tutorial.

  23. Christine Sherman says:
    September 23, 2014 at 8:43 pm

    Thank you, love this!!

  24. Teri says:
    September 23, 2014 at 10:38 pm

    So cute. I do not know how you come up with these designs! They always amaze me. Love your blog. Hope you are working on your book. This bee has to bee 🙂 included.

  25. Pat says:
    September 24, 2014 at 9:30 am

    I absolutely love this. I am a newbie and I have been getting my sewing space set up so I can try free motion quilting. Thank you so much for sharing all your ideas and clearly showing how to get started. It is wonderful that you are continuing the tradition of passing your skills on to others. It is wonderful to have a chance to share in your creativity. You are a blessing to others.

  26. Pingback: Crawley Bugs-A Free Motion Quilt Tutorial | The Inbox Jaunt
  27. iherba says:
    September 25, 2014 at 7:35 am

    Acabo de descubir tu blog y te doy las gracias por los tutoriales que haces del acolchado libre, a las principiantas nos viene muy bien. Un saludo.

  28. jeandmaynard says:
    September 25, 2014 at 11:57 pm

    Love he bee. I tnink K should stick with your wonderful tutorials and sell the longarm. It is driving me crazy and you provide fun things that are in my range of ability.

  29. Pingback: Open Line Friday Questions and Answers… | The Inbox Jaunt
  30. Juna Hamilton says:
    October 16, 2014 at 5:11 am

    Thank you for your tutorials. I am teaching myself and your tutorials are very good and helpful.

Comments are closed.
  • Lori Kennedy Quilts

    Lori Kennedy

    Hi! I’m Lori Kennedy, machine quilter, & author from Minnesota. Check out my monthly newsletter & my articles. Machine quilting is my passion. From doodling to quilting, I’m here in my Minnesota studio to help you get quilting.

    Get Your Signed Copy Today!

    Buy Now!

    Subscribe to Blog via Email

    Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

    Join 13,556 other subscribers

  • Related Articles
  • April 2020 •

    All and more

    How to Free Motion Quilt an Egg in a Basket

  • March 2020 •

    All and more

    How to Quilt a Spaceship Quilting Pattern

  • March 2020 •

    All and more

    How to Quilt a Quarter Moon

BERNINA Ambassador Badge round (1)
Lori Kennedy Quilts
Copyright © 2021 Lori Kennedy Quilts. All Rights Reserved.
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.