Tuesday Tutorial-The Oak Leaf

October 1, 2013
The Oak Leaf, Free Motion Quilt Tutorial

The Oak Leaf, Free Motion Quilt Tutorial

Good Morning, Quilters, Long Armers, and Doodlers!  Today is Tuesday, and while I am not fully unpacked from my quilt retreat last weekend, we are ready for another quilt tutorial!  Today’s pattern is The Oak Leaf-inspired by two white oak trees in front of my house that are over 100 years old!  (May our quilts last as long!) I know this will be a perennial favorite of your quilt patterns!

The Oak Leaf, Free Motion Quilt Tutorial

Begin by drawing three lines.  In the sample below, the  lines are 1-1/2 inches apart.  Begin stitching on the center “rail”.  Stitch a curved line to the left rail and curve back toward the middle rail.

The Oak Leaf, Free Motion Quilt TutorialNow curve back toward the left rail-this time don’t stitch all the way to the left rail- curve back toward the center rail.

The Oak Leaf, Free Motion Quilt Tutorial

Finally, stitch a slight arc and stitch to a point on the center rail.  This completes the first half of The Oak Leaf.  The second half is the mirror image.

The Oak Leaf, Free Motion Quilt Tutorial

Stitch the top of the leaf by mirroring your left.

The Oak Leaf, Free Motion Quilt Tutorial

Mirror the two curvy lines, and finish near your starting point.

The Oak Leaf, Free Motion Quilt Tutorial

Now stitch a curvy line through the center of your leaf.

The Oak Leaf, Free Motion Quilt Tutorial

 Echo all around the leaf and back to the top of the leaf.  From here you are ready to start the next Oak Leaf.

The Oak Leaf, Free Motion Quilt Tutorial

For a little extra embellishment, add a few acorns by stitching a double circle.

The Oak Leaf, Free Motion Quilt Tutorial

All of my quilts and tutorials are stitched on a Bernina 820–a domestic machine, but can be adapted easily for a long arm.  The Oak Leaf makes a great doodle, too!   I stitched with Sulky on top and Aurifil 50wt in the bobbin.

The Oak Leaf, Free Motion Quilt Tutorial

Now you are ready for any autumn quilt-from now until Thanksgiving…by then we will be stitching holly and berries, beautifully wrapped packages and so much more!

The Oak Leaf, Free Motion Quilt Tutorial

 

I hope you are enjoying the tutorials.  I am working on a downloadable version with more variations and tips—coming soon!

Don’t forget to “Like” us on Facebook and Follow us on Pinterest and Instagram—I will be adding more photos and inspiration there.

Next week’s tutorial is Halloween inspired–don’t miss it!

Lori

Please remember...all images and tutorials found here are the property of Lori Kennedy and are for personal use only.

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13 comments

  • Just found your blog, and I am quite excited! I have a bear paw quilt WIP that I think these Oak Leaves would look awesome in as the background filler. That and the Pine Boughs, I think, interspersed randomly throughout the negative space. Thank you for posting such great, free tutorials. You make beautiful motifs, and your step by step instructions with the pics are so easy to follow, that a klutz like me can feel confident about making them. You better believe I subscribed to your blog!

  • This is so lovely. My readers at FaveQuilts would love it.

  • I am really loving all of your quilting tutorials, and just your blog in general. Thank you for showing us how to do such great designs.

  • LauraBC

    Oh I love this!! I need to make something to put this onto!!

  • Lori in NC

    This is gorgeous! Love, love, love it! I have several projects this would look great on, if I could only get my act together to work on them

  • Claudia

    Love your blog so much, and especially your tutorials. You’ve really inspired me to get started on quilting my 92″x92″ quilt (what was I thinking?) with some of your designs. Wish me luck!

  • This is a wonderful design, I love the addition of acorns.
    Have a great day.
    Always, Queenie

  • Gilma Simeone

    I love this design! I can’t wait to try it!

  • wow! love this! so seasonal. Any chance you offer an instuctional PDF on this that I could download and print? I would be willing to pay!

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