The Dizzy Daisy-A FREE, Free Motion Quilt Tutorial
Good morning, Quilters!
It’s Tuesday…time for another FREE, free motion quilt tutorial!
From the moment this pattern appeared on my sketchbook, I knew it would be one of my favorites.
And, yes…it did appear as if by magic. Serendipity happens sometimes when one doodles aimlessly-–
Another reason for YOU to doodle frequently!
Today’s pattern would look great in the background of any quilt. It is modern, but sophisticated enough to be included in the most formal of quilts.
Begin stitching in the corner of the quilt–along a border.
Begin by stitching a spiral
Stitch around the spiral and take two straight stitches along the border.
Spiral around as many times as you would like. Make some of the spirals large and some small-this makes the pattern more interesting to “read”.
Next, begin stitching another spiral by sweeping away from the first motif.
Stitch around the new spiral…whenever you reach the first spiral, take two stitches–parallel to the first spiral and stitch back around…the outer rotations will not be full circles…
Continue adding new spirals…
An entire background could be filled with just the connected spirals. Gorgeous!
To add a little “daisy” to our “dizzy”….add the petals from The Happy Blossom Free Motion Quilt Tutorial
Then add more spirals…
In not time at all, you’ll be “Dizzy with Daisies” and your quilt will be complete!
I think this is my new favorite….
But then again, I say that every week…
I’ve stitched so many Dizzy Daisies…I feel faint…I think I’ll take a little nap…THEN I’ll go clean the house?!
Lori
PS…This tutorial was stitched on Robert Kaufman Kona cotton fabric using Aurifil 28/2 cotton thread on top and Aurifil 50 wt cotton thread in the bobbin on my Bernina 820 without a stitch regulator using a Schmetz 90 Topstitch needle. The batting is Tuscany Silk–new for me, I’m giving it a whirl and a twirl and spin….I’ll let you know what I think.
PS…All tutorials, information and images are the property of Lori Kennedy at The Inbox Jaunt and are intended for personal use only. Feel free to share with attribution to The Inbox Jaunt. For all other purposes, please contact me at lckennedy@hotmail.com. Thanks!
That is absolutely gorgeous! I love what you can do with free motion quilting. It takes a bit of practise, but is so worth it when you get the hang of it.
LOVE IT, but isn’t it too dense to consider quilting on a whole bed-size quilt? Have you used this type of pattern on large non-wall hangings? Suggestions?
It would have to be scaled up to do on a large quilt or a wall hanging.
I just looked at your Dizzy Daisy tutorial and am inspired by this pattern. I realized you have the very same Bernina as I do. it has been quite the learning curve for me (2 1/2 years) but am getting better at understanding my machine. I noticed you do NOT use the stitch regulator and wonder why. I just started finding out about Aurifil as I am completing the Craftsy class with Jinny Beyer block of the month. When I have hand stitched a block I used Aurifil. I am at the point I have decided to hand quilt and noticed that Jinny uses Aurifil (and YI) for hand quilting. In my research it appears 28 wt is used for hand quilting but I see you used it as the top thread with 50 wt in the bottom. It takes time to figure out the magical configuration of threads for the 820. I have had trouble with piecing on the machine and visited Loving Stitches in Fayetteville NC and when talking to one of the Bernina ladies she mentioned the differential (I think that is what she called it). No one ever told me about this to use whenever you have a foot with a D with the number. What a difference!!! Thank you for your blog – you inspire me and I have learned so much!!!
This is a beautiful design: thanks for sharing! I tried it last night and will need much more practice! 🙂 I’ll be visiting your blog often for more inspiration. Hugs, H in Healdsburg
Lori, I do not know how I stumbled on to your website. I am so glad I did I have reading over the tutorials and I actually tried the swirls and I am so excited to so how well this is turning out for me. Thank you so much for all the tutorials. I am looking forward to learning so much more from you.
Thanks, Denise M in FL
Glad you’re here! Please tell all your quilty friends about us!
I just found your blog, so don’t know if you have recommended that we use an artists’ tablet to draw the design first in pencil and practice before trying it on the machine. I have done this with several designs and I really have improved my design configurations. It is amazing how much your muscle memory is enhanced by this method! I love the Dizzy Daisy and will be trying it soon. I don’t currently have a quilt on the long-arm, but will soon. Thanks for your designs.
Myra in Utah
Thank you–I agree entirely! Doodle first!
Great tutorial. Was surprised with the starting at the edge of the quilt. I have always started in the center