Tuesday Tutorial-The Picket Fence

August 13, 2013
The Picket Fence, Free Motion Quilt Tutorial

Picket Fence, Free Motion Quilt Tutorial

Hello, Quilters!  Today is Tuesday, and that means we need to get to work…doodling and quilting!  At the risk of repeating myself, drawing the motifs on paper is an excellent way to practice.  If you can’t draw a motif, you’ll never be able to quilt it smoothly.  So pull out your paper and pen, or a dry-erase board as Elizabeth (one of our readers) recommends and practice while you are at your computer.  The stitching will flow much easier when you can draw the pattern smoothly.

Today’s pattern is very very simple.  The Picket Fence can stand alone and looks adorable on any floral quilt, or child’s quilt.  If you like, you can add a “second pass” of spiral flowers.  See the Spiral  Lollipop Flower tutorialHERE and HERE.  The Tulip would also look great.  See that tutorial HERE.

The Picket Fence, Free Motion Quilt Tutorial

This pattern can be stitched in any size.  For today’s tutorial, we will stitch a 5 inch fence.  Begin by drawing a line along the length of your fabric.  This is the Baseline.  Draw the second line four inches above the baseline.  Draw a third line, one inch above your second line.  (It will be five inches from the baseline.)

The Picket Fence, Free Motion Quilt Tutorial

Then draw lines perpendicular to the baseline and 1-1/2 inch apart.  We will stitch on either side of these lines, but not on the lines. The Picket Fence, Free Motion Quilt Tutorial

Begin stitching on the baseline.  Stitch straight up to the 4 inch line and angle up to the top line.  Angle back down, then stitch right next to the drawn line and back to the baseline.

The Picket Fence, Free Motion Quilt Tutorial

Stitch over a few stitches and begin stitching the second picket.

The Picket Fence, Free Motion Quilt Tutorial

The above photo shows my Bernina with the offset quilting foot that I prefer.  I used Sulky 40 wt thread and #80 Quilting needle.

The picket fence would look lovely as a border.  In some quilts, I think it would be lovely all by itself…

The Picket Fence, Free Motion Quilt Tutorial

Of course, I would never be able to resist all that open space….

The Picket Fence, Free Motion Quilt Tutorial

I prefer a variety of flowers for more interest.  A row of grass would be cute too.  While I’m looking at this…a bird sitting on the fence would be darling…

The Picket Fence, Free Motion Quilt Tutorial

Sometimes, you just have to stop….

I hope you enjoy this easy tutorial.   Use it. Make it your own.  Share it. Pin it.  I would be delighted to see some of YOUR free motion quilting.  Send me photos or links…I’d love to share them!

Please remember…all the tutorials and photos are the property of Lori Kennedy at The Inbox Jaunt.  

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