Day 297 - Sharp Swirling Water

One of my most favorite designs from this project is Swirling Water, a beautiful design that combines tight spirals with McTavishing, two of my absolute favorite things!

But just because it's my favorite doesn't stop me from trying to improve on it even more. Here's a new variation stitched this time with straight lines and sharp angles:

Because the lines are all straight, try to keep the spirals smaller so they're easier to control. Any place you can't fit a full spiral, just stitch straight lines instead to keep the design flowing consistently.

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This design is sponsored by From Daisy to Paisley, a book of 50 Beginner Level Free Motion Quilting Designs.

Difficulty level - Intermediate. While this looks complicated, it's really just big spirals that are built up with echoes! Try stitching Square Spiral and Swirling Water first for some practice on stitching spirals and a basic branching design before tackling this sharp angled version.

Filler Design Type - Branching. All of these designs are inspired by McTavishing, one of the very first designs I learned to quilt. They all require some travel stitching, which can be challenging when you're just getting started.

Make sure to check out tomorrow's post on Tips on Traveling so you can get the hang of this important free motion quilting technique.

Directional Texture - All Directions. The texture created by this sharp version when compared with the curving version is really amazing. Maybe I should create another category for sharp, multi-directional designs? They just read a little differently and it would be nice to be able to sort through them all on one page...

Suggestions for Use - Blue quilts, no matter what the piecing or applique design, always make me think of water. Maybe try Swirling Water over half of the background, and Sharp Swirling Water over the second half. It would definitely be a change from the ordinary!

Back of Sharp Swirling Water

Feel Free to use this free motion filler design in your quilts,

and make sure to tell your friends where you learned it!

Let's go Quilt!

Leah Day

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