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Spider webs are pretty incredible. They catch prey, provide shelter, and act as protective egg sacs. Some spiders even use a silken thread as a safety line while navigating tricky obstacles. Coolest of all? Webs can be used for flying! Certain types of spiders create web balloons that send ‘em sailing across air currents like gnarly little eight-legged surfers.   This week Rob is using a web motif to finish off my spooky Science Jars quilt. (Bonus: the thread glows in the dark!) Click HERE to watch the tutorial!

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A quilt top, no matter how intricate, doesn’t have a ton of texture. It’s just…flat. That’s where FMQ comes into play. Because with a little planning, your stitch patterns can force the batting to puff – or crush – exactly where you want it. Last week I pieced together a Mariner’s Compass, and this week I’m finishing it off with an action-packed session of free motion quilting. Click HERE to learn how to give your compass quilt tons of 3-dimensional character with a few basic FMQ motifs.

FMQ Simple Squares Motif

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I don’t want you to feel overwhelmed with this new FMQ motif, so I’ve prepared a couple of questions to help you gauge whether you are up to the challenge: 1- Can you sew a straight line? 2- How ‘bout kinda-sorta straight? If you answered yes, you’re ready to tackle Simple Squares! To create this motif, simply follow a chalk grid. No curves. No corners. Just long, straight lines. And when you’re done, you’ve got an awesome “plaid” design that can be further embellished or left alone. Click HERE to watch the tutorial!

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If you love exact measurements, rules, and instructions, it can be hard to let loose with Free Motion Quilting. How do you know if you’re doing it “right?” Where should you stitch next? How many swirls is the right number of swirls? Luckily, the Circle Grid Motif is the perfect mix of creativity and structure. You’re working on a grid, so all you have to do is swoop from point A to point B. And swoop by swoop, your FMQ confidence will grow – and your quilt will look awesome. Click HERE to watch the tutorial!

Seasonal FMQ: Holly and Pumpkins

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Rev up those sewing machines and get ready to stitch, cuz I’ve got two new FMQ motifs that are going to rock your holiday socks off! Pumpkins and vines are perfect for all kinds of festive quilt projects. So crank up your favorite Halloween/ Thanksgiving/Christmas mix tape, and have a blast whipping up these cool little designs! Click HERE to watch the tutorial! 

Practice your free motion quilting skills on a panel with Rob!

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I’m a free motion kind of guy. My quilts are like blank canvases just waiting to be filled with pure creativity. But this week, I’m actually “coloring” inside the lines. Free motion quilting on a panel is like target practice. As you stitch along the printed designs of your panel, you get a feel for the pace and movement of machine quilting. Bonus: because you’re practicing on a panel rather than scraps, you’ll end up with a totally useful quilted project. Click HERE to watch the vid!

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When I’m working on a Trapunto quilt, I layer extra pieces of batting in certain areas of the quilt to create a nice, puffy loft. Then I go to town quilting tight, intricate designs everywhere else.  The result is a high-contrast 3D texture that looks much more difficult than it really is. Click HERE to watch the vid.

FMQ Skills and Drills: Basic Twist with Rob Appell

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Come on, baby! Let’s do the twist! It’s time for another Free Motion Quilting tutorial. This week, we’re working on a Basic Twist.  It’s a simple motif that packs a punch when you need to fill large areas. In this tutorial, I’ll show you two versions of this design, so pick your favorite and start stitching! Click HERE to watch the vid. (This is the 17th video in my FMQ series. I’ve gone over techniques, troubleshooting, and tons of cool motifs. Check out the entire collection HERE!)