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!
76 comments
Darlene. JOYNER
Great tutorial. Was surprised with the starting at the edge of the quilt. I have always started in the center
myrayou
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
Lori Kennedy
Thank you–I agree entirely! Doodle first!
Denise Mohler
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
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Glad you’re here! Please tell all your quilty friends about us!
Helen LeBrett
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
scrappychris
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!!!
Roberta
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?
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It would have to be scaled up to do on a large quilt or a wall hanging.
Jessie
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.
Joan
Just found this site by accident and I’m relatively new atFMQuilting….. strictly self taught. How much of your information have I missed? Do you have a book? Also never heard of that thread brand. I’ll have to check it out. Thanks for all the tips, hope I can find all this again. I operate mostly from my NOOK. Thanks, Joan
Kim
Wish you would make it a digital pattern.
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Interesting idea. Any idea how that is done?
Janet Fetting
How do you get your stitches to look so big? What stitch do you use? Love all your tutorials, designs and patterns. They are great.
Lori Kennedy
Hi Janet, Because this is Free Motion Quilting, we control the size of the stitch by how fast we move the quilt and how much “gas” we give the sewing machine pedal.
Linda
love the tutorial on spirals and daisies. Would you please talk about why you use the wt of thread that you use for this tutorial, meaning the top thread and the bobbin thread. Thank you so very much.
Lori Kennedy
Hi Linda, I like 40 wt thread because it is a little heavier and shows up better. I like 50 wt in the bobbin because it is finer and lasts longer. Also because Rayon is slippery (top thread), I use cotton in the bobbin –it’s not slippery so the combination knots better.
Linda
Thanks for you tutorials. I will be looking for YouTube tutorials next. I really enjoy your work and glad I found your blog.
Grace
I wish I had found this 2 days ago … this would’ve been perfect for my flowerpot applique
CindyM in Oregon
That 4th one down gave me a new pattern–snail. LOL. Thanks.
Janet Ward
I really love your Dizzy Daisy, thanks for the help, on learning free motion quilting.
Linda
Loved this. Thanks for sharing your talent
cjg333
Lori – Thank you for the tutes (as Ness says), You are fantastic and a real inspiration. I’m actually going to give it a try again. Lots of doodle practice first though. I love these daisies but I’ll try one of your simpler ones. Don’t think I can ever make them look like yours but, wow I’d like to!
Ruth DeShazo
I absolutely love the dizzy daisy! I thought perhaps the feather with the twirls & swirls was may favorite, but this is a beautiful design that you can play with and enjoy in larger of much smaller areas and still look wonderful. Thanks for sharing your beautiful ideas.
quilty2
Lori, ever the most talented and informative. Keep it coming girl!!! How’s that book coming along? Soon to print I hope?!!!!
Dolores Good
his is what is my favorite, flowing movement with no stops or ends until you want it to.
Mary Huey
Delightful!!
Wanda
Awesome design!! Thanks for sharing it! I just found your blog and am in heaven! I teach FMQ classes at our guild and like to point the ladies to good blogs for further information and designs! The Inbox Jaunt is now on the list of blogs to follow! THANKS!
Melissa H
this is a gorgeous pattern. thank you for sharing your expertise!
pamelajeannestudio
What a great overall pattern. Love it!
Samiah Ahsan
Thanks for your generosity, I am a novice machine quilter and always on the lookout for new patterns that I may try to execute. I just love this one!
Leslie Schmidt
My first thought when I saw this is that it is kind of a modern feather design. It’s wonderful, as always!
treadlemusic
Love this one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tomorrow is crazy busy, but Thursday will be “practice ‘Dizzy Daisy Day”!!!!! Thank you!!!! Hugs…………………
Shirley Jobson
Love this!! Thanks for sharing!
Jennikfer Leean
I really, really like this one. I have just the quilt that this is going on. Thank you Lori for sharing your wonderful talent with us all.
Jane
This is my all time favorite, too!
Robynne
Stunning
lmenslow
Wow! It amazes me to see how such intricate looking designs can be made simple with your step by step tutorials. I have tried my hand at free motion embroidery but not quilting. I’m not ready yet but when I am I will be pulling out one of your tutorials that I have saved. Thank you.
Tea
I think it’s lovely. Thanks for the tutorial.
Janet
This is a happy pattern–love it. Is your bobbin thread the same blue as the fabric? Is it showing on top like couching? Nice! The batt looks rich in the photos. Thank you for the amazing photos!
Lori Kennedy
Hi Janet, The bobbin thread is also white. I think the blue you see is actually a photographic artifact–the blue is almost reflecting on the white thread…
Janet
Thank you Lois. I’m happy to learn a little about photography as we go along. Photographing quilts is an art.
caitriona
Love this one laurie
Teresa
Thank you! Can’t wait to try it!
kaholly
I practiced this today and it came out beautiful – not quite like yours, but for a beginner, I am pleased. Will try again! I’m not ready to explore the different threads yet, but am paying close attention! Thanks for all you do!
rosemarazzle
Rosemary B here:
This is the cutest thing ever. I am going to try it.
I love every single one of your free motion motifs. Every single one, Lori!!!
Thank you for sharing on your blog. You are an inspiration to all of us!
Rachell R
Yummy Purty! Perfect for my current quilt—the person I’m making it for, loves daisies!
Susan
Beautiful and fun. Could you say why you are using the 28/2 thread on top. I love Aurifil 50, but have not thought of using such heavy thread for top. I was able to draw it out, now to get my desktop domestic to dance with the fabric crunched in the neck.
Lori Kennedy
I like the fuller look of the Aurifil 28/2. It shows up a little more, but it is not over-powering. I like Aurifil 50 on top, but I think the 28/2 is a bit better for some projects. Every project is different–but I have been trying to explore more threads.
Susan
Thanks for your quick response Lori, I just may have to try some.
Ruthie
This is a cutie! I love your tutorials. I am learning to FMQ, and your work is very helpful to me. Keep those ideas flowing, please.
Mary Posuniak
Amazing as always! Going to try your Pinecones on a Christmas wall hanging now, wish me luck!
Alice
Wonderful, thanks for your fantastic ideas. I print them out and share them with my quilting friends who have long arm machines, yes I said long arm. We love what you do on a domestic and put the ideas to good use on our machines. THANKS
Patty Hecke
I really enjoy all your posts. Your step step designs are very helpful to a “newbie” FMQer! Thanks Lori!
Laurie
Love it – time to finish another top so that I can use this one! Thanks for the great inspiration!
quilty2
Lori, beautiful! How is your book coming along? When can I preorder? I am ready.
sillyandrea
This is a variation of one of my favorite designs to do! My mom is still raving about her scrappy trip around the world quilt I did this on.
I like how you added more spirals – it adds more interest.
For anyone who is not a fan of the spirals, you could just do less of them.
Darlene
I can see why it may become a new fav. Right now I am doing square flowers on an ugly quilt. They are making it less than ugly. Thank you for your tutorials.
Gloria McNamara
Your work is so fabulous, but I sure would like to “watch” your tutorials on video. Any chance of that happening?
Lori Kennedy
Hi Gloria,
I hope to do a few mini-movies this fall…developing
Carolyn Fraser
That would be good.
Lil Koster
Oh, goody! I know it would help me immensely to see the actual stitching as it happens. I struggle with finding the right speed to run my machine to make smooth designs with a consistent stitch length. I would be happy to be able to purchase a DVD showing all of the designs in your Tuesday tutorials being stitched. Thank you, Lori!
Barb M
I really like this design! It really sings.
Ness
Good grief! that is so dang cute!!! I love this!
Dizzy….I’m so dizzy my head is spinning…Sorry… for those that know this your will have it stuck in your head all day trying to remember the words…LOL!
Bought a treadle in Stillwater!! Will be there Thurs. to pick it up. What was the name of the quilt shop you like to go to? I’m excited! If you have time for a coffee let me know!
Thanks for another great tute! 🙂
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