Create a Wonderful Finish with a Super Spiral
Use a Walking Foot, or FMQ if You Prefer!
Are you looking for a new and interesting all-over quilting design? Consider quilting a big spiral. It will give movement to the quilt without taking away from the piecing and is an interesting and beautiful finish.
One large spiral is not hard to do, although getting started is a bit tricky. If you’re using a walking foot, those tight small circles require slow going but once you get further out from the center you’ll find it’s a simple process.
Some quilters start with free motion quilting in the center and then switch to the walking foot for smooth and even concentric lines. In the following video Leah Day shows you how to do the whole thing with the walking foot and includes many helpful tips.
One point she makes is to be sure to spiral in a clockwise direction. That means that as you go along you’ll have less and less of the quilt to the right of the needle, making the whole process easier as you go.
Click here to watch the video on YouTube if it doesn’t play on your device.
Amanda Jean from Crazy Mom Quilts starts her spirals with free motion quilting. Learn more about her process here in “a spiral (and oval) quilting tutorial.”
Laren Lang, from Right Sides Together, found that loosening the presser foot helped her create smoother curves. Learn about her process in the “The Secret to Perfect Curves with a Walking Foot” article.
Finally, Lorna from Sew Fresh Quilts, and creator of the beautiful WoW-E quilt in the photos above, outlines several creative ways to use a walking foot for quilting. You may be surprised by all the interesting effects you can achieve along with spirals. Plus, spirals don’t need to be circular. One of her quilts was finished with a triangular spiral. Visit her “Top 10 Tips for New Quilters – Quilting with your Walking Foot” article here.
