June 23, 2013

Leafy Lines quilting design




Here is a new design I've stitched. People seem drawn to it. It's very simple and gives a nice organic effect. 


So you start with a slightly wavy line. When you want to add a leaf, stitch an arc for one side, then the other, coming back up to where you started. Finally, continue the wavy line, creating the center vein of the leaf as you do. 




Repeat this, staggering the placement of the leaves. Leave some space between the lines with leaves. 


Now stitch a line adjacent to one of the leafy lines. Let the line have some wiggle to it. When you come to a leaf, let the new line echo around it. Do that again and again, letting each line respond to the lines next to it. 



I have a ratio of about one leafy line to three echo lines, but you can of course play with that, or use only leafy lines and no echo lines for a different effect. 

Here is what it looked like stitched up on some linen. 


40 comments:

Kim said...

Great idea! I get stuck in a rut of straight lines or stippling.

Laura said...

Very nice!

beth said...

ooooh!!! how fabulous!

Anonymous said...

Love it! I think I'll have to try this one.

~Carla~ said...

Love this soo much! I tried free motion quilting once and was horrible at it so i've shied away.. I really need to put that foot back on and try again 'cause I love the way it looks!!

liniecat said...

A smashing design indeed! Love it : )

Rebecca said...

This design has such a nice flow to it...

Susan said...

What a clever quilting design. Thanks for sharing your expertise!

Maureen said...

Definitely one to try!

Gene Black said...

Very simple, but very nice!

Debbie said...

Oh I like this a lot! Thanks! Love it on the linen!

Brenda said...

thanks for this. I'm going to put it in my notebook for further reference.

Cal said...

Love it. Thanks for sharing.

Mama Pea said...

I sure like it! Nice! I think it looks like bark. :-)

Paulette said...

I love this!

✾Jamie Lee Cooley✾ said...

Thank you so much for sharing the process on this design. Love it!

Lisa said...

I know it has already been said, but I really do love the design and thank you so much for sharing with us!

Charlotte Scott said...

This is great. Just a bit more texture than wavy lines, but not enough to be difficult to do or distracting to your eye. Thanks for the process notes too.

loulee said...

Very effective, thanks for sharing.

Helen in the UK said...

So simple, yet so effective :)

wish2stitch said...

That quilting gives a really nice effect. Thanks for sharing.

Qltr89 said...

I like to hand quilt. Your design with slightly wavy continuous lines and leaves will be easy. I can freehand the marking on my quilt top; no need to use a stencil. Thank you for sharing.

JoyceLM said...

Thanks for sharing your great design.

Kathleen said...

Nice design, and I like how you've drawn out the steps for us. Very helpful.

jednoiglec said...

Wonderful! Thank you for sharing it:)

Suzanne said...

You break it down and make it so easy!

McIrish Annie said...

This design will go with lots of things! super simple and a nice filler. thanks for sharing!

Dawn said...

Love this! Thanks for showing us how you do it. Great design.

Helen said...

I love to quilt with wavy lines and I love leaves....perfect combo for me, thanks!!!

KatieQ said...

Thanks for sharing. This design is very versatile.

Karee said...

Have I told you I love the clarity of your FMQ tut? I will use this pattern this week! Thank you for sharing.

mammafairy said...

Looks good!

Unknown said...

Thank you for this lesson. Good luck to your book endeavor. I bet your Grandma is proud of you. Love to see your photos of what you make. Keep going.

Kay Lynne said...

This is a beautiful free motion design. Thank you so much for sharing!

Anonymous said...

I just pre-ordered your book after seeing Amy Friends quilting on her garden quilt. I love the easy lines and your stress free quilting!

cath said...

Thank uou !

Diane Warburton said...

I'm about to give it a go tonight :-) Thanks for sharing with the world

Holly May B said...

Oh, this is pretty! I found your blog through fave quilts. I think I'll keep this style in mind. It's simple and super pretty.

Jamk21 said...

The pattern that drew me to your nesting buckets! Thank you for sharing. Have received my pdf pattern - can't wait to make them :)

Karen said...

Love this design! Just found you via Jessica at QuiltyHabit!

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