The Dragonfly–A Free Motion Quilt Tutorial

September 24, 2014

Free Motion Quilted Dragonfly

Good Morning, Quilters!  We’re back to work today with another circle tutorial in our progression.

While circles look easy, they are challenging to master.  In order to ensure success, we have been learning circles in a step-by-step progression.  Each motif builds on the previous technique to develop the hand-eye coordination and the motor planning necessary to advance to the next level.  (Race cars were just thrown in for fun–not really necessary for the progression.)

Today we have another fun motif for your free motion quilting net–The Dragonfly.

Free Motion Quilted DragonflyBegin by stitching a full circle.  In the sample below, the circle is the size of a pencil eraser.

Stitch an antenna with a curl on the top.

Stitch back over the antenna to the small circle, then stitch over one or two stitches to begin the second antenna.

Free Motion Quilted DragonflyStitch another antenna.  It’s fun if the second antenna is a little larger…

Stitch around the head of the dragonfly and stop at “the chin”…

Free Motion Quilted DragonflyNext, stitch another circle, slightly larger than the first circle.

Stitch a loop-de-loop set of wings…

Free Motion Quilted Dragonfly

Stitch ON the stitches of the lower part of the larger circle to get to the right side then stitch another set of loop-de-loop wings.

Stitch down to the base of the second circle.

Free Motion Quilted Dragonfly

Then stitch a String of Pearls–with each circle getting progressively smaller.

Finish off with a twirling flight line.

Free Motion Quilted DragonflyLovely!  Just the perfect touch for YOUR next quilt…

Free Motion Quilted DragonflyWe have a few more bugs to net tomorrow…

Next week we’ll work on Pebbles–the most challenging of the circle motifs–Not to worry…it will be EASY for YOU because you have done your homework!

Did you know that some cultures associate the Dragonfly with evil spirits while other cultures love the Dragonfly as a symbol of change…

To me The Dragonfly symbolizes the beginning of the beautiful days of autumn.

Happy Stitching!

Lori

PS…Don’t forget to DOODLE FIRST!

PPS…This tutorial was stitched with Aurifil 50 wt cotton in the bobbin and Sulky 40wt Rayon on top with a Schmetz 90 Topstitch needle on Kona cotton on my Bernina 150 without a stitch regulator.

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

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