Tuesday Tutorial-FMQ Spools

Good morning, Quilters!  I’d like to welcome the many new quilters who have joined our ranks from Facebook!  We are so glad you found our quilting community.  We also would like to welcome the many quilters who have joined us from Spain–Bienvenido!

Every Tuesday we get together for a little Free Motion (and Long Arm) Quilting fun!  I stitch exclusively on a domestic sewing machine (a Bernina 820), but many long arm quilters fill our ranks.

Let’s get started!  Today, we are working on a motif that would look great on a quilt, but also on a quilted sewing bag.  I think it would be perfect to hang in our studios-either by binding it or by framing it.  I’d love to hear your ideas!

This is a “one-pass” pattern–in other words, you never need to stop…one continuous line connects all of these spools and the thread.

Start by drawing (with your fabric marker) two lines or “rails”.   In the sample below, the “rails” are 2 inches apart.

Begin on the bottom “rail”  and stitch at an angle a few stitches to create the bottom-left of the spool, then stitch a line straight up.  Just before you reach the top drawn line, angle out–This creates the left side of the spool.  (Photo below.)

Now stitch straight along your top “rail” and finish the spool by creating the mirror image on the right side.  See the photo below:

You now have a closed spool.  Stitch  on top of your first few angled stitches.  You should be above the bottom of the rail.  From this point, you can stitch the “thread”…

For the basic spool, simply stitch a curved line back and forth up the spool…

When you reach the top of the spool, stitch a few “loop-de-loops” to bring you down to the bottom of the next spool.  You are now ready to begin the second spool.

For variety, use The Twist (see tutorial HERE) for your “thread”.

Or stitch messy overlapping ovals…

Scallops look rather sweet:

Another “thread” pattern I like is the diamond…

Start by stitch a “zig-zag” up the spool…

Then zig-zag back down the spool by bisecting your  first row of zigzags…

Be creative.  I’m sure you can come up with many different spools.

Add a little handwriting…

In no time you will have a mini quilt to share!  Bind this little quilt and use it! (And send me a photo!)

Here’s a little tip from my sister, Teri—prepare a pile of “quilt sandwiches” …Next time you have 15 minutes…you’ll be ready stitch a spool or two!

Check out all the tutorials in the “Quilt/Tutorials” tab above…There are more than 30 Free Motion and Long Arm motifs for you to try!