Wednesday, October 6, 2010

how to free motion quilt - stipple pattern video

Just finished my second butterfly quilt (Stacy, you're brilliant--love this pattern!). Are you getting sick of it yet? Cause I'm not. After the last one, I had a ton of people ask me how I quilted it. They couldn't believe I did it on my little Kenmore machine, and that I didn't use a pattern. I often "stipple" my quilts because it's fast, it looks great on almost every quilt, and it's hard to notice the mistakes. And it's way easier than it looks.


Side note--don't you love the backing on this one? This print is from the original line and I just adore it.


Okay, here's my little stippling video to give you an idea of how to do this. Hopefully you've already learned how to make the quilt sandwich and pin your layers together. I didn't go over that in the video.



Here's a close up of my stippling pattern. I used a pretty large pattern on this one, but I've done tiny versions, too. Both look great, but I've learned the the bigger pattern creates a softer, less stiff quilt.



This is a hand-drawn version of what I'm doing, since my stitches are the same color as my quilt top. I did this really fast, and I actually think my drawing on the quilt is better than the hand drawing! It feels really organic to me--almost like you're drawing tiny lifeforms, like amoebas.

My best advice is to 1. practice first, and 2. floor it! When you move your needle fast, everything about stippling becomes easier. Oh, and I have to say that I am a huge believer in using Kona Cotton when you're using a solid color, like I did here. They cost a little more than the broadcloth options at the fabric store, but they crinkle so much better, and have such a rich feel after they're washed! Good luck with your stippling!

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39 Comments

39 Responses to “how to free motion quilt - stipple pattern video”

Lisa said...

Thank you so much. I've put off quilting because when I was doing research the cost of sending it off to be finished became prohibitive. I'll certainly give this a try! (After testing, obviously!)

Honestly, thank you.
Lisa

Beth- the mama bee said...

I'm so glad you posted this. I started one last spring and then got onto other projects. I couldn't remember where I saw it originally to give you a shout out. It's back on the docket for January. It can take me right into spring!

stashavalanche said...

Thanks - that's a handy little video.

Miss Jean said...

I love this quilt. I agree that stippling or meandering (I think that is BIG stippling) is fun and fairly easy. I use a baby lock quilters choice with pretty good results. How do you have yours set up on the table? I've been moving n
My machine to my cutting table when I quilt.

Amanda said...

Mandy it's 5:45 am and I'm watching your video. It was a great demo. I get it:) I love the quilt!

Marie @ Chocolate-Covered Chaos said...

Thank you so much for posting this! I've been planning to make a butterfly quilt for my daughter ever since you first shared yours. And I've always loved the look of stipple, but I haven't tried free motion quilting yet. It's kind of intimidating! I usually hand quilt...which is nice, but it takes forever. It's so nice to actually see this being done. Great video!

Katielin317 said...

Thank you so much for posting this!! I have wanted to try this for SO long, but alas, I have been a wuss. Now I feel motivated to FINALLY finished my sons quilt. Thanks again!

Beth said...

Thanks so much for this tutorial!! I've wanted to do stippling for a while now, but I've been to intimidated try it. You make it look like it's something I CAN do. I've been a subscriber to your blog for a while now and I love it! Thanks!

shana said...

my 2-year-old (who took a tumble over the summer and got quite a few stitches in her head) was around when I was watching your video (beautiful quilt, by the way!!) and she must have really been paying attention because she said to me. "Oh no, stitches. Dat's not good." Hope that brought a smile to you like it did to me. Have a great day!
Blessings,
Shana

rebecca said...

Hands down one of the best quilting tutorials I've seen. Thank you!

miz-bag said...

beautiful!

Deborah Raymond said...

This is wonderful! thank you. I would love to see your complete preparation in putting the quilt layers together as smooth as you have yours. Also, do you need to change the tension on your machine to do this?

kati said...

OH YEAH Thank you so much for posting the video. I have been wanting to try this but all the videos I have a for long arms and well I have a regular sewing machine. THANK YOU.... and what a beautiful quilt!

Bethany Crowell said...

Darling quilt, again! :) It really is a great pattern!! I love how you did the large stippling with the butterflies...it looks like they've been fluttering all over the sweet quilt. You're so talented, my friend!

Angie Kerr said...

Thank you so much for sharing. I have wanted to start quilting for awhile and this is just the sort of tutorial that I need!

Christine said...

Such a beautiful quilt and technique. This has given me courage to start my first quilt. I'll be showing this to my mother as well. She has a few quilts that she pieced but doesn't have the strength in her fingers to hand quilt anymore.

Great tutorial!!!

Yours Truly said...

This is so fun! I had never heard of it before, however am now excited to try it!

Trudy

TheAccidentalCrafter said...

Wow, you make it look so easy, I think I'm going to get myself a darning foot. Thanks for the video.

Becky Whitney said...

This is a great tutorial thank you. Can you show me a better picture of the foot. I am trying to figure out what it looks like thanks

Shell said...

I really love this quilt! I am a bit of a white fan anyways, but the white really allows the butterflies to take the stage. Gorgeous!

Sherry said...

Thanks for the great tutorial video. I found it interesting and educational. I love the effect your stitching gives to your quilt.

Andrea @ Mouse in My Pocket said...

I love this quilt. I've never made a quilt before, but this makes me want to try it... maybe not with butterflies, but something like leaves for fall or snowflakes for winter. :)

Tasha said...

I ADORE this quilt and I've wanted to make one for each of my girls since I saw your first post, but I didn't want to deal with paying someone to quilt it! So glad you posted this video! I'm off to buy a new foot for my machine :)

Natalie said...

Hehe... I told my husbadn you are the reason I spent $500 dollars last night! :) I have been lusting over a new sewing machine for months now and after months of research narrowed it down to the perfect little one... so I had a garage sale to raise money just for my new sewing machine and turns out I made just the right amount! BUT then my frugal self decided it's best if it went into savings... blah, blah, blah. Well after reading your post of free-motion sewing I just knew it was time to give my old, cranky sewing machine to my sister and upgrade with the money I made sitting in 105 degree heat for hours upon hours with a one year old... So I did- and to top it off I ordered that foot for my machine so I could practice the stipple pattern! Thanks for unknowingly taking the blame!! :) And sharing your knowledge!

Amy at Ameroonie Designs said...

I have to say Amen! to Kona Cotton. Thanks for putting out so much terrific information. I love your site!

Unknown said...

I'm about to jump into free motion quilting but I have a conern. My machine is about the same size as the one in the video but my quicly is large (maybe queen sized). Any tips of fitting the excess quilt in the are to the right of the needle...I feel like it'll be awefully cramped in there with such a large quilt?

Elaine said...

Thanks! This looks like a fun quilt design!

maggielucia said...

thankyou so much...just at that stage in my first ever real quilt and wondering how to do other than straight lines around the design. I am still learning about the different foot attachments on my new (used) machine, so your video was super helpful and inspirational. BTW I am soon to be 66 years old so take it from me ...you are never too old to learn a new craft...Yours Lucia

Summer said...

Beautiful quilt! I love your whole site.

Can you please tell me the name of the designer of the alphabet fabric you used for the backing. I want some!!

Thanks!

summer said...

Beautiful quilt! I love your whole site.

Can you please tell me the name of the designer of the alphabet fabric you used for the backing. I want some!!

Thanks!

Little Birdie Secrets said...

The fabric is from Cosmo Cricket's Girl Friday line by Andover Fabrics. Love it!

KimberlyRae said...

Love Your Site and All the Great Inspiring Ideas!! Thank you for this video as well. I would like to ask you where to get a 'stippling' foot? is that the real name for the foot? I have an old kenmore 1982 actually...lol and a new Singer fancy computerized machine. Thanks!
Blessings,
KimberlyRae

Little Birdie Secrets said...

KimberlyRae: The stippling foot might also be called an embroidery foot. I have a Kenmore as well, and I was able to get this foot from Sears! Good luck!

rainey_87 said...

I got a darning foot to try this technique but can't seem to get it to work. My machine just keeps skipping stitches or I get a lot of thread on the bobbin side. Any tips? Thanks!

Louise said...

how wonderful this video is! i have been wondering how to quilt like this for so long! im your biggest fan, thank you!!

Karla Hartzog said...

Thank You!!!

MarmotMommy said...

Did you stipple over the butterflies too?

Anonymous said...

Im in love with this quiilt. Did you fold the fabric over on the butterflies before zig zagging?

Ngillette said...

HELP!!! I am struggling with the stippling. I think it is my machine but do you have any tips until I can get a better one? I did okay on my sample sandwich but on my quilt it keeps skipping stitches - for LONG areas. I've changed the needle, adjusted the tension, rethreaded the machine and more - NOTHING helps. Any suggestions?

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