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The Oyster Shell-A Free Motion Quilt Tutorial

January 20, 2015

 

Oyster Shell Free Motion QuiltingGood Morning, Quilters!

In my continued efforts to feel warmer…more seashells!  (See last week’s The Sand Dollar-Free Motion Quilt tutorial)

Today we will be working on another all over or fill pattern.  It can be used to cover large areas in your quilt.  One shell builds on the previous shell and does not have to be stitched in a line.

THE OYSTER SHELL FREE MOTION QUILT TUTORIAL

Begin by stitching a small coil.

OysterShell.LKennedy.FMQ002Reverse directions and echo stitch back to the beginning.

OysterShell.LKennedy.FMQ003Continue echo stitching back and forth around the central coil.

OysterShell.LKennedy.FMQ004Stitch three to five layers and then begin a new shell.

Oyster Shell Free Motion QuiltingThe  new shell can begin either on the right or left of the completed shell.

OysterShell.LKennedy.FMQ005

Add shells on top of one another and shells on each side.  Also, the initial coil can be stitched to the right or left…

OysterShell.LKennedy.FMQ006To add a little more design, add a row of scallops between the layers.

OysterShell.LKennedy.FMQ007Mix the “fancy shells” in with the plain oyster shells.

OysterShell.LKennedy.FMQ008Or add a few loop-de-loops between the rows.

OysterShell.LKennedy.FMQ009A little star-shaped spikes…

OysterShell.LKennedy.FMQ010To make a long shell:  Start with the Basic Oyster Shell and stitch back and forth in a taper shape.

OysterShell.LKennedy.FMQ011This adds more interest to a beach full of plain oysters.

OysterShell.LKennedy.FMQ012

OysterShell.LKennedy.FMQ013A grouping of Oyster Shells is a beautiful way to embellish any quilt.  Don’t limit this beautiful motif to beach quilts…

This design is just pretty and will make a beautiful texture on your next quilt!

OysterShell.LKennedy.FMQ015It’s easy and forgiving so give it a whorl!

From the beaches of Minnesota to you,

Happy Shelling,

Lori

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

 

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Categories

All Illustrations Motifs Seasonal/Holiday

Tagged

Domestic Sewing Machine free motion quilting oysters Seasonal/Holiday Shells Step by step Tutorial

23 responses to “The Oyster Shell-A Free Motion Quilt Tutorial”

  1. Janet says:
    January 20, 2015 at 6:27 am

    Delightful!

  2. Jane says:
    January 20, 2015 at 6:34 am

    Thanks for the seashell series! I grew up on the North Carolina coast and collected shells and whatever else washed up onto the beach throughout my childhood…you’ve given us star(fish), sand dollars, and flying gulls–could you possibly throw in a tiny crab, too?

    1. Lori Kennedy says:
      January 20, 2015 at 12:24 pm

      Wouldn’t that be cute!? I’ll give it a try, but it will take a few weeks…

  3. kattailquilts ....Kathy in WV says:
    January 20, 2015 at 6:37 am

    …..and from the mountain beaches of West Virginia…thank you! lol….honestly, though…this is a great tute….I love the star and loops in the middle…it’s like finding a pearl in the middle of the oyster! My favorite is the long shell….it’s so pretty. What a lovely way to start the day! Blessings….

  4. Lara B. says:
    January 20, 2015 at 7:24 am

    This is a wonderful pattern Lori! Perfect for filling in areas! Your Seashells really rock!

  5. Peggy says:
    January 20, 2015 at 7:57 am

    Lori, if there’s a big area to fill in, do you suggest doing columns of oysters, or arches of rainbows? Or wiggly columns? I’m stuck going from the small samples to knowing how to move across a large area.
    Thanks. Peggy

    1. Lori Kennedy says:
      January 20, 2015 at 9:47 am

      Hi Peggy, I would stitch these randomly. Wherever one shell ends, add another. When you get stuck in a corner, knot off and start somewhere new.

  6. Ness says:
    January 20, 2015 at 8:08 am

    These are really pretty Lori!!! They look like they’ve washed right up out of the ocean. 🙂

  7. Phyllis says:
    January 20, 2015 at 9:07 am

    I love your quilting tutes and this is a great example. I am making a quilt as you go and this will fit in beautifully!
    Thank you Lori for all you are doing!

  8. Carol says:
    January 20, 2015 at 9:50 am

    Lori, I love your blog and tutorials. Your motifs and stitches are so nice and even. Mine are not to say the least. Is there a way to find the first of your lessons so I can work on the basics some more?

    1. Lori Kennedy says:
      January 20, 2015 at 12:23 pm

      Carol, The lessons aren’t really in any special order–I recommend you read EVERYTHING from Day One of my blog…Just Kidding…

      Try The Easiest Flower Ever and Straight Line Designs. They are both great beginner motifs.

  9. treadlemusic says:
    January 20, 2015 at 10:47 am

    Ah, Lori, such an absolutely perfect idea that fits our current locale (Port Isabel/South Padre,TX)!!!! We’ve only been gone a week and I/we have acclimated and forgotten the “winter norm” that exists up there!!! BUT my quilty fingers are beginning to “itch”!!! Such an addiction I have!!! Off to find an Rv park with a quilt group for possible future wintering………………………………. Already have sent a message to the Rio Grande Valley Quilt Guild!!!! LOL!

    1. Lori Kennedy says:
      January 20, 2015 at 12:21 pm

      My kind of “SnowBird”!

  10. lswanekam says:
    January 20, 2015 at 11:52 am

    This is a pattern I can really use! It will be great for comfort quilts.

  11. Brenda Hulsey says:
    January 20, 2015 at 12:37 pm

    I hope to be able to put some of your wonderful designs to work soon! Longarm is set up and ready to go! Could I ask you what size stitches you normally use?

    1. Lori Kennedy says:
      January 20, 2015 at 1:55 pm

      I think it’s different on long arms…When using a domestic sewing machine to quilt, we don’t set a stitch length…the stitch length is determined by how fast the quilt is moved under the needle.

  12. kathi alderink says:
    January 20, 2015 at 1:01 pm

    Love this!!

  13. Kirsty Boyd says:
    January 20, 2015 at 2:06 pm

    Thanks Lori, I love this. I am going to use it on a baby quilt today!

  14. Rosemarazzle says:
    January 20, 2015 at 4:39 pm

    Rosemary B here:
    This is a very cute design. I can imagine this being used on a larger scale in areas too.’ I will try it!

  15. gwen says:
    January 20, 2015 at 6:23 pm

    I love all of your free motion motifs, thank you. I know little to nothing about quilting the quilt. Can any of your designs be done with a walking foot ? If so what stitch length do you recommend? I ha a Burkina Stitch Regulator and have used it but am not comfortable using it on a quilt I am giving to a charity.
    Again thank you. Gwen

  16. Linda Matthews says:
    January 20, 2015 at 6:45 pm

    One of my favorites because for some reason, I find it easy – and I love the variant that spirals and narrows….also the idea of doing it as a free standing column and using something else between!

  17. Carolyn says:
    January 21, 2015 at 3:31 am

    How Lovely and helpful! So much appreciated.

  18. Yasmin says:
    January 29, 2015 at 9:44 pm

    I like so much this desing. I use a lot.

Comments are closed.
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