2 great template sets you need for impressive free motion quilting

All week I’ve discussed free motion designs that quilters need to draw out, and yesterday, we learned how to plan out and free motion quilt 3 nature-inspired designs. The good news with today’s post, is we can use templates and freezer paper to assist with the drawing process using the Sew Easy Jelly Monster Template and the Sew Easy 9pc Circle Template Set, along with Sew Easy Freezer Paper. These tools will make your sewing quilting projects so much easier.

I’ll start with the circle templates. I used the 2½” circle from the 9 templates (a great value) to design the ‘Orange Peel’ quilting pattern. I drew a 2” grid within a 10” square as shown. I then made sure the edge of the template met the intersections of the grid and used the template to mark my orange peel sections. These templates are great because they’re made in such a bright color that is easy to see, they’re see-through and have vertical, horizontal, and 45-degree lines marked on them making them great for centering. The number of sizes available also makes them great for applique.

These circle templates ranging in size from 1” to 5” are also useful for drawing out appliques and background quilting designs…the possibilities are endless.

The Sew Easy Jelly Monster Template is useful to draw out shapes and cut from strips of fabric folded in half, or 2½” jelly roll strips sewn together. Again it’s made in the pink clear durable acrylic with clear markings for 2 sizes of circles, 2 sizes of hexagons, a diamond, a square and 2 sizes of triangles. See the package instructions below.

I used the Jelly Monster Template today to draw triangle, square and hexagon shapes. A template like this has so many uses and limitless possibilities. I drew out a square with it, as shown.

Ready for an extreme challenge? Try drawing a hexagon shape with the Jelly Monster Template to create a paradox design by marking ¼” all around the hexagon with a UNIQUE Sewing Wash-out Marker, as shown. Then sew from ¼” mark to ¼” mark with a controlled, slow and straight free motion quilting line, as shown.

Freezer paper can assist with all kinds of quilting projects including applique, for tracing designs and shapes. I use it frequently to draw out a quilting design on the matte side ahead of time, and place it directly on a quilt. I then iron it to the quilt (wax side) to the fabric for temporary adhesion, and then sew right on top of the design. It eliminates the step of transferring the design to fabric, saving time. These steps are shown below.

How to make potholders from free motion quilting practice samples

1. Square your practice sample down to 10” x 10”.
2. Fold the pre-cut 10” x 10” fabric in half, wrong sides together.
3. Place a piece of Velcro hook towards the folded side centered by measuring 4½” up from the raw left side and bottom, as shown. Pin the Velcro in place and sew.

4. Measure up the same way on the backside of the quilted sample, and place the loop of the Velcro. Pin and sew, as shown.

5. Matching Velcro and raw edges, sew the pocket piece to the back of the quilted practice sample with a ⅛” seam allowance along the sides and bottom.

6. Bind as desired. For help with binding, check out this free quilt binding tutorial.

7. To add a hanging tab, cut a 2” x 6” piece of corresponding fabric and fold it in half lengthwise wrong sides together. Sew along the length, turn it to the right side, then press and sew it to the left corner backside of the potholder.

8. Add a recipe or candy to the back pocket (optional).

I hope you enjoyed this week’s tutorial on free motion quilting and that you learned and can use these tips and ideas as a pathway to successful free motion quilting! Have a wonderful weekend, Happy Holidays.

This is part 5 of 5 in this series

Go back to part 4: Boost your free motion quilting skills with these 3 nature-inspired designs