Day 340 – Wiggly Tentacles

Recently I was looking back through all the designs we’ve learned so far to see if there are any easy variations that could turn a simple design into something more complex. Here’s a variation of Flowing Glass (changed by adding points) that also experiments with filling the spaces with curvy lines to create Wiggly Tentacles:

This kind of looks like the stalagmites or stalactites you can find in caves. I like the texture because it’s kind of creepy. Maybe it’s something about the tentacle texture, but it makes me think of sea monsters and octopi!

Difficulty Level – Advanced. The first step of this design isn’t very difficult – just stitch a wiggly flame type shape into the center of your quilting space, come to a point, then stitch back to the starting line.

If you like, you can just leave the design open as wiggly flames reaching into the center. If you’re up for more challenge, just travel stitch inside and bounce from side to side with simple curves until the entire flame shape is filled.

Design Family – Edge to Center. This design fills from the edge of your quilting space into the center, making it the perfect design type for quilt sashing or borders.

Directional Texture – 2 Directions. You can’t miss the horizontal or vertical texture of this design! However, if you really wiggly your starting flame shapes, chances are it will produce a much more free form texture on the surface of your quilts.

Suggestions for Use – Looking for an awesome design to stitch around a water themed quilt? I think Wiggly Tentacles would make the perfect frame for any quilt so definitely try this one in the borders.

LeahDay

Leah Day has been teaching online since 2009. She's the creator of the Free Motion Quilting Project, a blog filled with thousands of quilting tutorial videos. Leah has written several books including 365 Free Motion Quilting Designs, Explore Walking Foot Quilting with Leah Day, and Mally the Maker and the Queen in the Quilt.

2 Responses

  1. Brenda says:

    It sure gives the quit movement doesn't it!!! it looks like it is moving when you look at it!!! I like it!!!

  2. Gail says:

    Just home from International Quilt Festival. Gorgeous quilts and fabulous quilting. Wish you could have seen them, Leah. Think about entering one or more of your quilts next year. http://www.quilts.com

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