The Lines and Spirals Free Motion Quilt Tutorial

Lines and Spirals Free Motion QuiltingGood Morning, Quilters!

Welcome to Tuesday…and a new Free Motion Quilt Tutorial!

FIRST….THANK YOU!

I want to thank all of YOU for nominating The Inbox Jaunt for the National Quilt Circle “Best Blog Award”!

WhOOOHOO!  We made it to the finals!!!

Now it’s a RUN OFF—and there’s some very steep competition!  (But…I know who has THE BEST, most LOYAL followers ever….So I’m confident!)

Apparently, The Inbox Jaunt defies being categorized so we made it to the finals in ALL the categories…(Strong work, folks!)

National Quilter Ci

 

VOTE HERE! VOTE NOW

We only have ONE WEEK to win this!

Again, THANK YOU for making The Inbox Jaunt a finalist!

Now, let’s WIN THIS THING!

LINES AND SPIRALS

Some motifs are really just a combination of other motifs.  That is the case with Lines and Spirals.  This simple combination of two motifs creates a very complex looking (but easy to stitch!) quilt motif.

One of the reasons this motif is easy to stitch is because it has logical places to stop.

Why stop?

  • To adjust the fabric.
  • To think about where to go next.
  • To take a drink of water…(or whatever makes YOU more creative…???)

Wherever one stops while quilting, the stitch will be just a bit uneven and those uneven stitches are more obvious on long or curvy lines.  However, if one stops at a corner or a point, it is easier to disguise slight stitch deviations.

(These are little fine points that can make a BIG difference in your quilting!)

STITCHING LINES AND SPIRALS

Lines and Spirals make a very modern, geometric pattern.  The combination looks great on any boy’s quilt or modern quilt.  I have also used this combo on a nautical quilt and a floral quilt:  Leaves on Linen–so don’t limit yourself!

To begin, stitch a few parallel lines.  (in the sample below the lines are approximately 3/4 inch long.

Lines and Spirals Free Motion QuiltingAdd a spiral:

Lines and Spirals Free Motion QuiltingStitch a straight line around the spiral:

Lines and Spirals Free Motion QuiltingThen keep building the pattern by adding straight lines and more spirals.

Lines and Spirals Free Motion QuiltingBy repeating the same series of lines and spirals, the look will be very uniform.

Lines and Spirals Free Motion QuiltingA random combination is lovely too!

Lines and Spirals Free Motion QuiltingThis is an easy motif to make large or small, so add it to any quilt…

Just remember–Don’t twist your quilt while you’re stitching…

Lot’s more quilting this week…

AND Mother’s Day is this weekend!

Happy Stitches!

Lori

PS…This tutorial was stitched with Superior’s Magnifico-trilobal polyester on top and Aurifil cotton in the bobbin on Kona cotton and Warm and Natural batting on my BERNINA 820 without a stitch regulator.

PS…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 re-blog, share or pin with attribution to The Inbox Jaunt.  For all other purposes, please contact me at lckennedy@hotmail.com.  Thanks!

50 responses to “The Lines and Spirals Free Motion Quilt Tutorial”

  3. Good luck! Lorie, I have a question. I have a small charity quilt I would like to practice FMQ. Its about 48″ square. If I want to do a meander, where do I start? In the corner or the middle? I usually start in the middle somewhere when stitching in the ditch to keep it from crawling. Just wondering. thanks.

    1. Start in the middle and smooth out toward the edges as you go.

  5. Lori, I voted too. Not only are your lessons the best; your generosity is beyond compare. Thank you!

  11. I voted. I only recently found your blog, but I joined immediately and think its wonderful!

  12. Hi Lori, I just voted. Only found your blog fairly recently but it is awesome, thank you so much.

  15. Congrats to you, I voted. Wonderful that you got in all categories.

  16. You’re the best. Just put my vote in for you. Excellent teacher and so generous with your time and talent. Thank you.

  20. I voted for you in all of the categories. You do such an awesome job. Thank you for taking the time to help us FMQ.

  21. Congratulations! I voted. I am also looking forward to adding this design to my collection. I will learn it by doodling, then by putting it on a small piece before I launch out in a larger scale design. You have taught me well. Thanks.

  25. I voted! YOU WILL WIN!!!!! I am so sure you will as you are the best of the best and you soooooo deserve it. Your style of teaching is outstanding and so easy to follow. I am thinking positive and YOU GOT THIS! Thanks again for ALL your wonderful hard work that you share with all of us. Lots hugs to you……Claudia

  27. Voted. You give me hope and confidence. My doodling is improving as is my FMQ. Thank you!

  28. Not a surprise you are on the short lists, I hope my votes elevate you to the winner’s circle. Ooh and thank-you for all your posts they are all worthy.

  29. I voted for you, of course.
    Where would we be without you?
    I need your inspiration and your enthusiasm is infectious haha
    Thank you dearly for all of that

  30. I like this design a lot. You mean it isn’t because I’m new to FMQ that I can’t start and stop without a zig! You too??

  31. I voted!! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and wisdom. It is soo appreciated and helps me stretch and grow! Hugs! 🙂

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