Free Motion Motifs or KISS = “Keep It Simply Stunning”

Keeping it simple… really!  Nature inspires! My inspiration with this quilt:  Flathead Lake. Water bubbles made me want to try and emulate them with stitching! The little “thread buttons” of silver thread meander in and out from the feather motif, into the outside border of this quilt.  You can easily just overlap them… no worries about not crossing the lines! This is creative play!

The center circle of a large flower is pictured here.  Not only is it surrounded with bobbin play in a zig zag (in the dark blue outer circle) and a straight stitch (the silver stitching just next to the dark blue). The center itself (yellow) has a fuzzy yarn free motion couched into the very center & a  bit more bobbin work surrounding it, just for added sparkle and bit of depth… take a look at the stitching of the stamens…I used a variegated polyester (YLI Variations).

This detail shot from Santa Royal   shows one of the ways I applique free motion style off the edge of fused pieces.  The purple fabric in the top half of the picture has a beautiful variegated cotton (King Tut from Superior Threads) just off the edge, in a free motion zig zag, ‘herky-jerky’ kind of style…  the country bumpkin to that very perfect programmed buttonhole/blanket stitch that most of us have as a decorative stitch in our machines. There is also a free motion zig zag on the boots (bottom half)

How simple is this?!  Picture on right: Quilt in “e’s” on the edge as seen on this wool applique flower (picture right).  How many different patterns can you think of to put on your  appliques?

Have fun creating some of your own!  Be sure to loosen your top tension, get a 90/14 metallic or microtex or topstitch needle… and go to town!

Of course, I’ve added free motion couching to the flower petal edges, with the #43 Bernina Free Motion Couching foot… it just plain makes you look GOOD!  (Yeah baby — If only facial make-up was this easy!)  You may also want to slow down a bit with the speed… smaller motifs generally require a slower speed for accuracy as you are working in a smaller space for the most part…  Take your time… and if you get stuck… stop… think… make a plan… and BREATHE!

The next picture is a detail showing what I call “Thread Buttons”… just a little free motion circle in place, using variegated thread, but not for long!  KISS… “keep it simply stunning” and… simply fun! There are also motifs of “pebbles” and then bobbin play on the far left, in gold thread, which is usually either Razzle Dazzle by Superior Threads, or YLI candlelight.  Both are wonderful!  I like to add just a bit of it – a teaser if you will, for added interest and texture.  EnJoy!

Detail from “3D Delightful” Art Quilt