Turn the Corner-The Free Motion Quilt Way

Free Motion Quilt, Step-by-Step Tutorial, Ribbon CandyLast Tuesday, we worked on the sweet little confection, Ribbon Candy Free Motion Quilt tutorial.    I hope you’ve had a chance to give it a try!

Today, we are going to look at several ways to turn the corner with this pattern.

RIBBON CANDY CORNERS

Begin by drawing the corner.  The sample is for a 1-1/2 inch border.

Corners-For Free Motion QuiltingIn the Ribbon Candy tutorial the middle line was 1/2 inch from the bottom line.

Corners-For Free Motion QuiltingStitch the first “pass” of stitching.  At the corner, stitch a very deep curve–almost a teardrop shape.  The teardrop should be almost closed toward the center and skim the 1/2 inch mark in the outer corner.

Corners-For Free Motion QuiltingFor the second pass:  Stitch into the corner with a very wide 3/4 circle to reach the perpendicular row of stitching…

Corners-For Free Motion QuiltingCORNER OPTIONS

Frequently, I use the corner as an opportunity for “Design Options”.

Add an embellishment that resembles the border in some way…(See the Squiggle Square Tutorial HERE.)

Corners-For Free Motion QuiltingOr add any other motif you like..

Corners-For Free Motion QuiltingCorners are the perfect place to stitch:

  • your name
  • the recipient’s name
  • the date…
  • a coordinating pattern
  • a single motif

While it’s always nice to continue a border pattern around the corner, sometimes it’s just too difficult.

Don’t hesitate to use the corners for other fun motifs.  It adds visual interest!

Signed,

Stitching-cuz-it’s-raining,

Lori

HELP-As you can see in some of the photos above, I need a new cutting mat for my work table.  The table is 40″ x 72″.   I would like an Olfa mat and I know they used to offer this size, but I can’t find the source anymore…Plan B–a non-Olfa mat of the same size…Can anyone offer any suggestions?  Thank you, thank you–in advance!

NOTE-This sample was stitched on Kona cotton fabric, with Warm and Natural batting, using Sulky Rayon thread on top and Aurifil cotton 50 wt in the bobbin with a Schmetz 90 Topstitch needle on my Bernina 820–without a stitch regulator while wearing Eyebob glasses!

PS…All tutorials, information and images are the property of Lori Kennedy @ The Inbox Jaunt and are intended for personal use only.  Feel free to pin, re-blog, tweet and otherwise give a shout out with attribution to The Inbox Jaunt.  For all other purposes, please contact me at lckennedy@hotmail.com.  Thanks!

 

27 responses to “Turn the Corner-The Free Motion Quilt Way”

  1. What type of marking pencil are you using? Mine have such a fine lead that the fabric continually breaks the lead. Your’s looks nice and sturdy.

    1. I would also love to know what kind of marking pencil this is. It looks like a really good one! And THANK YOU, Lori, for this beautiful border and corner motif.

  2. HI Lori, Hancocks Fabrics in Rapid City SD used to carry that mat…saw it just a couple years ago right after I had purchased a different one at a different store (grr!) and had keep the one I bought. I will check with them. They always have their Olfa mats and cutters on 40% off sale and also honor JoAnn’s coupons. Nice!
    Thanks for helping us around the corner…sometimes mine are a heart pounding experience! LOL!
    We had wild rain and hail last evening and night…at least the hail was tiny and didn’t last long. We actually needed the rain but the gully washers we had just ran like rivers down to the bottom of the draw. Well, things got a drink anyhow.
    Rainy play day here too 🙂

    1. All I found at Hancocks was a 23 x 70 Olfa self healing and I suppose you’d buy two with some sort of snap together thingamaboppers…I gave it a thumbs down but would have to see one I guess to say for sure. Expensive to buy two also. I just looked at them online.

  3. There is an olfa mat (the green one) that comes in 2 sections but is numbered up to 72. It has a connector that keeps them together. You might look online at brewer sewing or ee schenck. If one if them has it your local store could order it for you. If you have a wholesale number you could order it yourself. Hope this helps.

  5. Lori, I checked at Olfa Online and they have a cutting mat that is 35 x 70. You can purchase it at Amazon. I could not find a 40 x 70.

  6. Lori, love your blog and fun stitches. What on earth are “eyebob glasses”?
    Thanks Katharine.

    1. Eyebobs are just nice “readers” that I picked up at a boutique a few years ago and now I have a collection. I like them because they are a bit heavier and feel like real glasses.

  7. Lori, I am about to treat myself to a BIG board. Check out self sealing cutting mats. There is a place you can have them cut to size. I am on my way out the door to get my hair cut. When I get home , I will look it up and post a link.

      1. Lisa thanks for the site!! I can get a self healing mat to fit the entire piece of plywood that covers my cutting table (aka hubsters pool table heehee) That will be awesome!! I’m constantly scooting around this smaller one.

  10. Thanks for showing the turn. I like your motifs lots, but have not really tried to turn the corner with them and it seems everything I have made lately has zig zags or corners.

  11. Have not tried the turning corners yet. Will keep your post on file. ….. Thanks for the tutorials!

  12. Again so very clever, Lori, and thank you for sharing with us. Lori, what kind of marker do you use on fabric? Thank you.

    1. I think I will do another post on marking tools. I use chalk a lot. This is a Dritz chalk holder.

  13. the table sized white mats aren’t self healing…you want Olfa! I have 2 and connect them, when necessary, with duct tape!

    1. I have a white mat now and it is hard on my blades. While it is not self-healing it has held up pretty well. I like the feel better of cutting on Olfa… I’m not sure about the duct tape connection…it gives an area that is unusable for cutting right? How do you handle this?

  14. Lori, that looks like very easy and clever solution to turning the corner. Thanks for the tute. Turning corners is usually a road block for me, especially if it’s a wide border. I like your idea of just using a separate motif in the corner.

  17. Rosemary B here (finally)
    Oh gosh! this is cute! And you have such neat ideas!
    What a fun idea!
    God bless you, Lori.
    I hope you find a good mat!

  18. Thank you so much Lori – this is wonderful and I appreciate your going to so much extra trouble to make this so clear!

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