Why So Many of Us Can’t Stipple or Meander…

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Free motion Quilting, Stipple stitch, Meander stitchAs I have mentioned many times, I want to Ban the Stipple quilting stitch and it’s larger cousin, the Meander stitch.  Now, I know many of you like these stitches, and it’s nothing personal…it’s just that every beginner is told to “just stipple”…

I did a quick Google search of how to stipple and here are some of the descriptions and directions:

  • “Stippling is closely spaced, random quilting lines that do not cross and are gently curved.”
  • “Draw Amoebas”
  • “It should look like a jigsaw puzzle.”
  • “Stitch a wiggling, meandering line that doesn’t cross itself.”
  • “Wiggle but don’t cross’

REALLY???? No wonder so many beginners get frustrated and quit Free Motion Quilting!

Stick with me a minute…while I share a story…

When my daughters were in high school, they were all life guards at our local swimming pool. Whenever one of the little Tykes started running on the wet pavement (very dangerous)-the life guards were instructed to shout “WALK!”… They didn’t shout “DON’T RUN!”…

Here’s the reason:  Our brain works fastest when we tell it what we SHOULD DO, not when we tell it what NOT to do…

Free motion Quilting, Stipple stitch, Meander stitch

Now back to quilting…

Instructions like:  Start on the bottom line, stitch straight up.  Stitch a half circle…we can all follow these directions….(especially when there’s a photo to go with it!)

Whereas instructions like:  Stitch amoebas, don’t cross over, wiggle…are much more difficult to follow.

So if you’re one of the many people who has trouble with Stippling or Meandering…you are NORMAL!  Just move on…there are so many choices…

Just a quick reminder…

I hope you will join The Webinar on March 18, 2015 for more Free Motion Quilting tips.  Whether you are a beginner or more advanced quilter–there’s something for everyone!

For more information:

Meander No More: Learn to Free Motion Quilt With Confidence

 Happy Stitching,

Lori

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

The Mystery Quilt Epilogue AND Exciting News!

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Owl, Free Motion QuiltingGood Morning, Quilters!

As you may know, the primary goal of The Inbox Jaunt is to take the fear out of Free Motion Quilting.  I try to do this every day by offering tips, techniques and ideas for you to try.

My second goal is to Ban the Stipple!–that (nasty) wormlike quilt motif that is so hard for some of us to stitch.…I try to do this every Tuesday with new step-by-step tutorials..

With my two goals in mind, I was thrilled when Quiltmaker Magazine (FW Media) asked me to do an online Webinar on free motion quilting.  I jumped at the chance.  On Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at 12:00 CST we go live with:

Meander No More: Learn to Free Motion Quilt With Confidence

I am so excited to offer this course to talk about the essentials of free motion quilting. It’s chock full of tips and tricks, products and ideas….You know me…I could blather on for hours–Unfortunately, they’ve made me trim it back to under an hour (for now…) with time for live questions…

I really hope we’ll have a good showing from The Inbox Jaunt…so mark your calendars!

Owl, Free Motion Quilting

MYSTERY QUILT EPILOGUE

Now back at home…we’ve been finishing up our Mystery Quilt-a-long (Spool Samplers).

However, if your first grid didn’t leave enough room for YOUR thread collection…

Owl, Free Motion QuiltingJoin me in stitching another!

This time, I used a wavy line instead of the (oft-maligned) Zig-zag.

Since I’m also working on an owl tutorial for next week, I tried a sampling of different owl doodles…

Owl, Free Motion Quilting

Maybe you could do a sampler of leaf motifs…or flowers…don’t limit yourself to spools.  Just think of all the cool wall hangings you’ll have in your sewing room!

Owl, Free Motion QuiltingRemember, quilting should be FUN!…If stippling (or zig-zagging) isn’t fun…there are plenty of choices.

Also….mark your calendars!  March 18, 2015!

Meander No More: Learn to Free Motion Quilt With Confidence

WHO, WHO, WHO’s excited?

Lori!

PS…All tutorials, images and information 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!

The Paperclip-A Free Motion Quilt Tutorial

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Paperclip, Free Motion QuiltingGood 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.

Paperclip, Free Motion QuiltingCurve up and stitch parallel to the previous line of stitching.  Begin the downward curve.

Paperclip, Free Motion QuiltingStitch down to the bottom line and curve up again to begin the next Paperclip.

Paperclip, Free Motion QuiltingYou will quickly develop a rhythm.

Paperclip, Free Motion QuiltingContinue all the way down the border…I guarantee you won’t want to stop.

Paperclip, Free Motion QuiltingTo turn the corner, stitch to the end of the border and then begin on the closest rail.

Paperclip, Free Motion QuiltingTry stitching this motif very large…

Paperclip, Free Motion QuiltingAnd try stitching it at an angle….

Paperclip, Free Motion QuiltingThe 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.)

Superior Thread Winners Announced!

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Pretty Pin Cushion, Free Motion Quilting

Superior’s Magnifico trilobal polyester thread

Good Morning, Quilters!

Have you seen “The Dress Debate” that’s gone viral?  I’m in the “white and gold” category along with one of my daughters–the rest of the family:  blue and black.

What do YOU see?

Fascinating!

Another busy week at The Inbox Jaunt!

THE MYSTERY QUILT-A-LONG

We finished the Mystery Quilt on Wednesday (though there is an epilogue next Wednesday).  I found it “Very interesting, my dear Watson” that you were split down the middle- those who prefer to see a quilt before beginning a project and those who prefer the excitement of a mystery.

I agree with both sides…(how diplomatic of me, don’t you think?)  Let me explain…as a quilter, I would prefer to see the finished quilt, though because this project was small with minimal fabric and time commitment, I think I would have participated…

As the author of the project….The Mystery was much more fun!

BOOK WORMS AMONG US

I really enjoyed hearing how you all feel about electronic readers on yesterday’s post, Are You a Book Worm? I think we are all in the same boat, reluctant, but we have to admit there are advantages.

I loved Brian Dettmar’s (AKA The Book Surgeon)  comment: “Electronic readers allow books to quilt their day jobs and do more important things” (paraphrased)…

I’m just glad we can have BOTH!  I could never give up holding a book in my hands, or the joy of cracking open a quilt book…and then re-thumbing it a million times!

GIVEAWAY

I also found your Goals for 2015 interesting…Definitely a consensus—

  • Finish UFOS
  • Try new Things!

THE WINNERS

Thank you to all who entered!

The winner of a $25 Superior Threads Gift Certificate (may be used on any thread…) is…

SillyAndrea!

Congratulations, Andrea!  Please send your address to lckennedy@hotmail.com.

Remember, there will be a second winner chosen at Superior’s Facebook page….

If you didn’t win…

More giveaways in March!

Happy Stitching!

Lori

PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy at The Inbox Jaunt and are intended for personal use only.  Feel free to reblog with attribution to The Inbox Jaunt.  For all other purposes, please contact me at lckennedy@hotmail.com.  Thanks!

 

Are You a Book Worm?

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FMQ. Apple and WormAre YOU a Book Worm?

Do you think books and libraries are outdated?

Would you rather read a book or a Kindle?

Brian Dettmar, Book ArtistI think you’ll enjoy this TED talk by artist, Brian Dettmar.

Not only is his art amazing, he offers a unique perspective on the future of books.

FMQ. Apple and WormWhat do YOU think?

We’d love to hear!

BTW–Today is the last day to enter the Giveaway for thread gift certificates from Superior Thread…Read more HERE.  Winners announced tomorrow.

Happy Stitching and Happy Reading,

Lori

PS…All tutorials, images and information 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!

Mystery Quilt-a-Long: Case Review

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FMQ.LKennedy003Good Morning, Quilters!

Welcome back to The Inbox Jaunt’s first ever Mystery Quilt-a-long!  We’re wrapping up this week by binding our Thread Quilt Sampler.  Even if you haven’t finished sewing all the spools, it’s okay to add the binding at this point because the quilt is completely stabilized.  (As soon as all the zig zags are stitched, you can add the binding.)

For a very nice step-by-step tutorial on binding, Deonn from Quiltscapes has a tutorial featured on Riley Blake Design’s website HERE. (Check out Deonn’s website for many great quilting tutorials.)

FMQ.LKennedy004CASE REVIEW

Each week, we worked on several skills as we created the Thread Sampler:

  • Grid Design
  • Batting, to wash or not
  • Stabilizing a quilt
  • Quilt marking
  • Permanent markers
  • Making and Using Templates
  • Thread comparisons
  • Free Motion Quilting:  Zig Zags, Spools, Needles, Handwriting

Free Motion Quilting, Thread SamplesNext time you start a quilt, I hope you will refer to this as a tool to choose thread.

Ask yourself:  Do you want the free motion quilting:

  • To be highlighted?
  • To create texture only?
  • Do you like sheen?
  • Do you prefer matt finish?
  • Do you want to use metallic?

You’ll have the answer at your fingertips…

Free Motion Quilting, Thread Samples

You can find all of the steps to the Mystery Quilt-a-long (Thread Sampler) HERE.

TRYING TO MAKE PHOTO SHARING EASIER…

I am trying to find a way so you can add a photo when you leave a comment, but so far things are not working…ARGH!!!

Please post your finished results on Flickr or Instagram @theinboxjaunt.

I have one question…

If we do this again,  would you prefer for the end result to be a surprise or would you rather see the finished project and then walk through it? (I know I kind of tricked you into doing a sampler this time…LOL!)

I’m off…THE BOOK deadline looms!

Chained to my desk…

Lori

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

The Tomato Pin Cushion-A Free Motion Quilt Tutorial

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Tomato Pin cushion TutorialGood morning, Quilters!

Happy Tuesday!  How’s the weather where YOU live?

There’s no tomatoes in my garden right now…just ice. It’s was -17F here in Minnesota for the last few days.  (Good quilting weather!)

Do any of you have one of these tomatoes in your sewing room?

The Tomato Pin Cushion Tutorial

Begin by drawing a rectangle:  3 inches wide by 2 inches tall.

Begin stitching on the top line.  Stitch a flattened oval within the lines.

PinCushion.FMQ.LKennedy002Stitch a smaller oval within the first oval.

PinCushion.FMQ.LKennedy003Stitch several pointed leaves on top of the two ovals.

PinCushion.FMQ.LKennedy004Stitch three smaller pointed leaves on top of the oval.

PinCushion.FMQ.LKennedy005Stitch the pins by stitching a straight line, add a flat top and then stitch right back on the previous line of stitching.  Stitch over several stitches and add another pin.

PinCushion.FMQ.LKennedy006Add a Needle (Tutorial HERE)

PinCushion.FMQ.LKennedy007And a swirl of thread…

Pin Cushion Free Motion QuiltingThe perfect pin cushion!

How do you fix a broken tomato?

Tomato paste!

Hope this brings a warm smile to your face today!

Lori

PS…This tutorial was stitched on my BERNINA 820 with Sulky Rayon 40 wt on top (white) and Superior’s King Tut cotton (green) with Aurifil 50 wt cotton in the bobbin.

Don’t forget to sign up for Superior’s gift certificate Giveaway HERE

PPS…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!