The Easiest Motif Every Quilter Should Learn
Why Flower Power is the Easiest Motif
Some people think stippling/ meandering is the easiest motif, but I disagree.
I would classify Stippling as an advanced motif and Flower Power as the Easiest Motif.
What Makes a Motif “Easy”
Easy motifs have the following characteristics:
- Pointed stopping points.
- Repeated elements.
- A clear path to travel between motifs.
- Easy to follow instructions.
Pointed Stopping Points
While quilting, we stop frequently to adjust our hands and to move the quilt. Sometimes we stop to think and plan. (We may even stop to take a sip or change the laundry.) Every time we stop and start, the stitching line is disrupted and there is usually a visible change in the stitches. When this occurs on a smooth segment of the motif the awkward stitches may be noticeable. However, the transition stitches can be disguised when tucked into a point.
Flower Power offers many points to disguise our stopping points.
Repeated Elements
Motifs that consist of a single, repeated element are simple to learn and to motor plan.
Flower Power starts with a central curl and is a series of simple scallops.
Clear Path to Travel Between Motifs
When quilting a background motif, it is important to be able to quilt into the corners without getting stuck. We’ve all quilted ourselves into a corner where we’ve had to knot off to move to the next section!
Flower Power is a great motif because you can keep scalloping around and begin a new motif anywhere along the path. For example, you can stitch two revolutions around the center or you can stitch five. If it’s more convenient, you can stitch three and 1/2 revolutions and begin the next motif. Partial motifs of Flower Power look great, too! (This is not true for all quilting motifs. A half Retro car would not look right.)
Clear Instructions
Instructions like “create a worm-like line and turn every 1/4 inch and never cross another line of stitching” are not clear to people like me. All I can remember while I’m stitching is “don’t cross!” . That’s why I could never learn to stipple!
Clear step-by-step instructions are the hallmark and why I wrote my first two books:
(Flower Power is the only motif that is in both books–because I love it so much!)
Free Motion Machine Quilting 1-2-3
and More Free Motion Machine Quilting 1-2-3
Flower Power-My Favorite Motif
I use Flower Power to fill a block and to fill a background. It can be used in a border or as an allover pattern.
Give it a try TODAY!
What about YOU?
Are YOU frustrated with stippling?
Have YOU tried Flower Power?
How will YOU use Flower Power today?
