FREE-MOTION QUILTING
New quilters often start by quilting in straight lines,
but there’s really no need to tow the (straight) line.
In fact the line can be wavy, crazy, wacky or weird- and take you in a thousand different directions.
Free-motion quilting is a technique that involves you,
your sewing machine, and a bit of confidence to quilt
outside the box.
The more you practise of course, the easier it gets.
Free-motion quilting uses quite a bit of thread, so
speed things up and wind a few bobbins in your
chosen thread colour before you begin. You can see
free-motion quilting in action, right, in Jeni Baker’s
Limelight Quilt – as featured in issue 2 of Love
Patchwork & Quilting magazine.
Building blocks
Now you’ve completed our basic block-
making course you’re all set to experiment
with more complex block designs and
settings. Set your blocks at a 45º angle for
‘on point’ designs, or dive in further and try
medallion settings.
There are hundreds of blocks out there
to play with, many of them with names that
will make you smile. Dutchman’s Puzzle,
anyone? One of our favourite blocks for more
experienced quilters is the Dresden Fan,
which looks like (you guessed it) a fan. With
the block-making techniques from this guide
under your belt, you should be well equipped
to take on the more complex, and amusingly
named, varieties.FOUNDATION
PAPER PIECING
It’s time to introduce you to the big sister of paper
piecing – foundation paper piecing. It’s great for
using even the smallest of fabric scraps and helps
you create intricate patchwork blocks and shapes.
The basic idea involves drawing a template onto
paper with numbered sections as a guide for the
order in which you’ll add small fabric shapes. You
then add one piece of fabric at a time, stitching
the pieces to the paper and each other as you
go. To finish, rip the paper away and ta da! See
your finished design spring to life.
Beginner’s Guide to Quilting 159Next Steps
© Love Patchwork & QuiltingGoosing Around cushion by Kelly Liddle,
from Love Patchwork & Quilting, issue 6Dresden Fan quilt © Cindy Lammon,
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