The Paperclip-A Free Motion Quilt Tutorial
Good Morning, Quilters!
Today we have a white fabric with gold stitching for you to try…(Just kidding!…Read more HERE.)
Sorry I missed you yesterday. Monday is paperwork day so I don’t always have time to post. Yesterday, I was busy organizing my files…and then pretty soon I wasn’t organizing my files…
Today I have a very easy and very versatile motif for you to try: The Paperclip. I’m sure you will agree–it sure beats filing papers and paying bills!
The Paperclip Free Motion Quilt Tutorial
Begin by drawing two parallel lines. (Remember, if you are stitching a border with two parallel seams, you don’t need to draw any lines…)
Begin stitching on the bottom rail. Stitch up to the top rail and curve down. Stop several stitches before the bottom rail.
Curve up and stitch parallel to the previous line of stitching. Begin the downward curve.
Stitch down to the bottom line and curve up again to begin the next Paperclip.
You will quickly develop a rhythm.
Continue all the way down the border…I guarantee you won’t want to stop.
To turn the corner, stitch to the end of the border and then begin on the closest rail.
Try stitching this motif very large…
And try stitching it at an angle….
The Paperclip is very easy and would look great in any quilt, modern or traditional.
I really did not want to stop stitching it…
Perhaps I was just procrastinating…THE Paperwork Beckons…
Lori
PS…All images, information and tutorials 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!
PPS…This tutorial was stitched with Aurifil 50 wt cotton in the bobbin and Sulky 40 wt cotton on top, using Warm and Natural cotton batting on my BERNINA 820 (without a stitch regulator.)
What a great design for borders, especially skinny ones! Thanks for sharing!
Totally agree. It’s a great motif for borders. I can see myself using this one a lot.
Thank you, Lori, as this might work good in the border of a kimono quilt, that I’ll be quilting today. 🙂
Love this. It will be perfect on my skateboard quilt with multiple borders. Thanks for all your designs and encouragement.
Connie
This design reminds me of ribbon candy at Christmas. Very additive. I can see it on a Christmas item with variegated thread. Neat!
Ooooh! I LOVE that idea! I just ordered some red/white variegated thread from Sulky! Can’t wait to try it!
That made me go look, thought you had a cool ribbon candy tute…yep found it. I had to practice it a lot only because my head wouldn’t let my hands just sew….haha! Control freak! LOL!
I love it. I have been practicing the drawings all weekend. I am excited to have your FMQ tutorials as I am new to this quilting.
I am new to FMQ, so I really appreciate your ideas. This one looks like something I could do. Thank you for sharing your ideas.
I really like the way you show how a small difference – like the angled version of the paperclip – can make the design look totally different…. it encourages me to be creative as I look at the designs…or just to admire your creativity 🙂
Thank you.
LOL!!!!! And I see “black and blue”!!!! (kidding, of course!!) This is perfect for all those troublesome(?) narrow sashings/borders that set us all to thinking!
Love it!! simple and effective 🙂 You have great ideas!! Thanks for sharing. FYI we (I) appreciate all you do. THANKS.
I quite like this one. I’ll have to try it.
Hi Lori..off subject,sorry. Do you have a free motion tutorial for the sewing machine. I would like to put it on my spool quilt along quilt? Thanks
Lisa, I have been promising a tutorial for the sewing machine for some time, Let’s plan the Sewing Machine tutorial by March 24th! (Next week: The Owl!)
Thanks Lori
Hi, when I try to post a comment, I get the WordPress login so I hope this gets to you. I really appreciate your tutorials. I’m working on improving my technique and plan to use a pounce and template on my next quilts. What are your thoughts about this trick.
Hi Mary…We got your message. I haven’t done much pouncing, but I have all the supplies. I know many quilters really like this technique, so please give us a full report when you give it a try.