Just finished my second butterfly quilt (Stacy, you're brilliant--love this pattern!). Are you getting sick of it yet? Cause I'm not. After the last one, I had a ton of people ask me how I quilted it. They couldn't believe I did it on my little Kenmore machine, and that I didn't use a pattern. I often "stipple" my quilts because it's fast, it looks great on almost every quilt, and it's hard to notice the mistakes. And it's way easier than it looks.
Side note--don't you love the backing on this one? This print is from the original line and I just adore it.
Okay, here's my little stippling video to give you an idea of how to do this. Hopefully you've already learned how to make the quilt sandwich and pin your layers together. I didn't go over that in the video.
Here's a close up of my stippling pattern. I used a pretty large pattern on this one, but I've done tiny versions, too. Both look great, but I've learned the the bigger pattern creates a softer, less stiff quilt.
This is a hand-drawn version of what I'm doing, since my stitches are the same color as my quilt top. I did this really fast, and I actually think my drawing on the quilt is better than the hand drawing! It feels really organic to me--almost like you're drawing tiny lifeforms, like amoebas.
My best advice is to 1. practice first, and 2. floor it! When you move your needle fast, everything about stippling becomes easier. Oh, and I have to say that I am a huge believer in using Kona Cotton when you're using a solid color, like I did here. They cost a little more than the broadcloth options at the fabric store, but they crinkle so much better, and have such a rich feel after they're washed! Good luck with your stippling!
Side note--don't you love the backing on this one? This print is from the original line and I just adore it.
Okay, here's my little stippling video to give you an idea of how to do this. Hopefully you've already learned how to make the quilt sandwich and pin your layers together. I didn't go over that in the video.
Here's a close up of my stippling pattern. I used a pretty large pattern on this one, but I've done tiny versions, too. Both look great, but I've learned the the bigger pattern creates a softer, less stiff quilt.
This is a hand-drawn version of what I'm doing, since my stitches are the same color as my quilt top. I did this really fast, and I actually think my drawing on the quilt is better than the hand drawing! It feels really organic to me--almost like you're drawing tiny lifeforms, like amoebas.
My best advice is to 1. practice first, and 2. floor it! When you move your needle fast, everything about stippling becomes easier. Oh, and I have to say that I am a huge believer in using Kona Cotton when you're using a solid color, like I did here. They cost a little more than the broadcloth options at the fabric store, but they crinkle so much better, and have such a rich feel after they're washed! Good luck with your stippling!