Discover the Open Spiral Leaf Free-Motion Quilting Design

Reading time: 2 minutes and 21 seconds

Hey there, quilty friends! 🧵

Today, I’m excited to share one of my favorite free-motion quilting designs: the open spiral leaf. I stumbled upon this gem in Lori Kennedy’s book. Lori’s an amazing quilter and she’s got some fantastic designs that really elevate your quilting game. If you’re on Instagram, give her a follow at @lorikennedyquilts.

Why I Love the Open Spiral Leaf

This design is incredibly versatile and can add a beautiful touch to any project, whether it’s a quilt for a loved one or a piece to display at your next quilt show. The open spiral leaf is perfect for filling in large spaces with a dynamic and elegant pattern. It’s also forgiving, which makes it great for quilters of all skill levels.

Look Ma! No sandwich!

When I posted this picture on social media, I got so many questions about why this particular thingy isn’t a real quilt sandwich (meaning a front, batting, and back).

That’s because this is the quilted outside for a pouch that I was making for a friend of mine. I used Heat-n-Bond fusible batting which is why it’s staying in place while I quilt … and I didn’t use a backing fabric because it would be totally wasted, covered by the lining of the pouch.

How to Get Started

Preparation: Make sure your machine is set up for free-motion quilting. I use a springy darning foot most times if I’m on my domestic machine and always make sure to lower the feed dogs.
Practice: Before starting on your project, practice on a scrap piece of fabric. This helps you get the feel of the motion.
Drawing the Design: You can either draw the design lightly on your quilt top with a washable marker or just freehand it. But either way, please buy Lori’s books because they are just brilliant for walking you through the steps.
Quilting: Begin quilting at a slow and steady pace, following the spiral and then moving out to create the leaves.

Tips for Success

Keep it smooth: Try to keep your movements fluid and consistent.
Relax: It’s easy to get tense, but staying relaxed will help your lines look more natural.
Have fun: Remember, quilting is all about expressing your creativity and enjoying the process!

Share Your Creations!

I’d love to see how your open spiral leaf designs turn out. Share your projects on Instagram and tag me @theaiquilter. Let’s inspire each other!

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Hey there, I’m Theresa, The AI Quilter. I’m here to help you connect technology and creativity in ways that feel human, creative, and completely your own.

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