FMQ Design for French Braid Accent Squares
 

OK, so I'm not sure if this qualifies as a tutorial or not, but here goes...

I spend quite a bit of time figuring out FMQing designs/motifs to use on my quilted pieces using my domestic machine. I only started FMQing 3 years ago or so, have spent a ton of time practicing in addition to quilting assorted quilt tops, tote bags/purses, table runners, and consider myself an "intermediate" level FMQuilter at this point. I've still got a lot to learn but feel like I'm developing my own preferences style.

I want to share with you the process I went through to come up with a "new" design. Please let me know if you like to see this kind of information. If you all enjoy seeing it, I can post more as I work on projects...

This is a design I made up and it evolved into what it is after spending a couple of hours designing/practicing with a pencil and sketch pad. (I know...this design is pretty simple...why did it take so long...LOL)

Yesterday I pieced and sandwiched a french braid table runner for a wedding gift, quilted some of my favorite feathers up the "braids", and I've been working on coming up with a FMQing motif to use in the 2" accent squares. (I have it drawn up and will post a pick of it stitched out tonight or tomorrow on this same thread.)

This first picture shows the process of drawing/stitching out the design a step at a time:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]358427[/ATTACH]


And this one is a sketch of the placement on the accent squares:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]358428[/ATTACH]

Feel free to copy and use as desired!

Thank you so much for taking the time to do this little tute! Neat idea!

Thanks and I'm watching!!

Been tracimg your diagram one step at a time, now I can't wait to try it! Thanks :)

There are always many inquires about FMQ, alot of the questions are on what you use to mark your design that is safe for the fabric, how you mark the design, what direction you begin to stitch and how you proceed to the next block, when do you retrace the design to move on to the next design. If you retrace too much the thread builds up.
Thank you for showing how you complete your design, I'm sure it will be helpful to many that have questions on FMQ.

Thanks for sharing your design. I'm a beginning FMQer and I need all the practice I can get! LOL. I appreciate your taking the time to write this tutorial.

And here it is stitched out on the 2" accent squares:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]358476[/ATTACH]

Thanks for sharing. You are very talented!

Thanks for sharing. I really like this design.

would love to see more designs! Michele

Please keep them coming. I'm always looking for ideas! Thanks.

Please share more!! Dianne

WOW, your design is gorgeous stitched out. You are a talented quilter.

Thanks Phyllis! I think they always look better stitched than drawn, but the drawing is part of the process of developing and learning the design for me. When I have drawn them enough to develop some "muscle memory" of the design I do a much better job of stitching them with minimal or no marking on the quilt. :p

Thank you so much Wendy for sharing your ideas with us. Great directions and love the picture! It makes it so clear. I love this design. Please share more when you can. Personally, I could use all the help I can get when it comes to figuring out quilting inside blocks.

Thank you so much, for this lovely design I also need all the help I can get
on FMQ designs also.:thumbup:

This is beautiful. Thanks so much for documenting the technique for us.

Thanks it was just what I needed

Thanks very much for sharing your design! I would love to see more too!

That is cute, thank you for posting. I would also like to see more as I am just learning how to free motion.

Love it! Thanx

That is such a pretty design. I hope I can duplicate it. Thank you so much!

Thank you so much for this and YES Please!! More doodles please!!

Thanks for sharing your design. I appreciate all kinds of help in this area as I don't have any imagination when it comes to designing. I really like this one.

Thank you, I think it is great and any time you have other designs to share I would love to see them

Your design is very special and pretty.... I am sure that everyone would like to see any designs you develop.
Thank You - & Happy Quilting ...

Thanks, this is very useful to me.

Wow - love your design and appreciate you being so generous to share the pattern and process. Thanks.

I love your design as well and would also love to see more of your work. Very inspirational for us 'newbies' who are starting out in the quilting world. Thanks you so much for sharing

Great idea, keep em coming! I'm always looking for new patterns to try, thank you : )

I agree with all! Thank you very much for sharing with us! Your works is so great!
A hug!

Thank you. I love this and the way you show how it evolved. I need all the help I can get. I struggle with patterns as I can't seem to duplicate them as I feel is necessary.

Vary nice! Bring on the designs.

Thank you for sharing, I'm always looking for new ideas and that design you came up with is fantastic.

I am so-o-o challenged when it comes to FMQ!! Thanks so much for you help!! :-))

There is an app called doodle.ly that I love to practice fmq on......

Thank you so much!

Just what I needed to quilt my freindship braid.. Thank you !!!

Ditto. Thank you!