The Fish Sampler QAL Part One

Today’s Topic:  The Fish Sampler QAL Part One

Welcome to Week Sixteen of The Better Machine Quilt-a-long based on my book 25 Days to Better Machine Quilting.

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Good Morning, Quilters!

One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish…

Let’s get started with our Fish Sampler! (Or choose your favorite shape!)

One elephant, two elephant, red elephant….doesn’t have the same ring–but would be cute, cute, cute as a quilt center!

Mark the Square

Prepare a fat quarter (approximately 22 x 18) quick quilt sandwich.

Mark a 12 or 12-1/2 inch square in the center of the quilt. (Use whatever size square ruler you have.)

Add a 2 inch wide border around the center square.

Divide the larger square (the square that includes to the border) into eight segments–using the basic divide and conquer method.

Mark the Piano Key Border

Mark the border with one inch divisions.

The corners will be stitch along the diagonal line.

I recommend starting in the middle of each border segment. Draw the one inch lines, but adjust the size of the one inch segments as needed so the last line ends on the corner square. Usually the small size change is not apparent.

Stitch the Inner Square

Set up for free motion quilting with heavy weight, contrasting thread in the top, and 50 wt cotton or polyester in the bobbin.

Free motion quilt the square.  Because long, straight lines are impossible to free motion quilt perfectly, stitch a slightly wavy line.  Closely echo stitch the line and knot off with a curlicue knot.

Stitch the Piano Key Border

Begin on the outer border line.  Stitch a curlicue knot.  stitch along the border line, then stitch along the first perpendicular line.  Stitch over one or two stitches, then closely echo stitch the line back to the outer border. Continue along, stitching the corners at an angle.  Once all of the short lines are stitched, closely echo stitch around the entire border and knot off.

Fish Sampler Steps, Part One

Create a fat quarter quick quilt sandwich with solid fabric on top and any batting–(try a batting you’ve  not tried before?)

Use chalk or your favorite marking tool to mark a 12 inch square.  Add a 2 inch border.  Divide the square into eighths.

Mark a one inch piano key border.

Set up for free motion quilting with a heavy weight contrasting thread on top and 50 wt cotton or polyester thread in the bobbin.

Stitch the center square and echo stitch the center square.  Use a curlicue knot if desired.

Stitch the piano key border.

Stitch around the border to create a double line on the outer edge of the quilt.

For tomorrow, choose your central motif.  You can stitch a fish or any other shape.  A circle or an oval will work well too!

Happy Fishing!

Lori Limpet

PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy Quilts and are intended for personal use only.  Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to LKQ.  For all other purposes, please contact me at Lori@LoriKennedyQuilts.com.  Thank you!

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