Quilt Along #25 – Cucumber Vine

It’s time to quilt along again!  For the last two weeks we’ve learned Bare Branches and Tree Roots, two Independent designs that have pushed us beyond the simple rule of Stippling (don’t cross your lines) and into a new world where travel stitching is a key component of the design.

Today we’re going to learn one more design that works very similarly.  Cucumber Vine is very similar to Tree Roots in that you’re working with a wiggly line, but this time you’ll swirl into closed spirals to create a curling, twisting, vine-like appearance:

The travel stitching on this design is quite noticeable and stands out beautifully on the surface of any quilt.  Here’s a block of Winter Wonderland filled with Cucumber Vine:

Now let’s learn how to quilt this design first starting with simple repetitive shapes, then expanding into a free-form random design:

Just in case you’re just joining the Free Motion Quilt Along, in the video you see me quilting a small fat quarter sized practice sandwich.  On the machine is a Free Motion Glider, which makes the quilt easier to move and covers the feed dogs on the machine.

On my hands are Machingers quilting gloves which allow me to grip and control the quilt as it moves under the needle and within the machine is a Little Genie Magic Bobbin Washer, which is helping the bobbin to feed more smoothly which results in fewer thread breaks and birds nests.

Find all three tools for free motion quilting in the Ultimate Quilting Kit right here.

Now let’s see what all those lines of Cucumber Vine looked like stitched over the practice quilt sandwich:

For this design, it’s a bit more difficult to create repetitive patterns of shapes.  It’s almost like the design wants to be free form and bend and twist randomly.

Still a good way to practice the simple spiral shape is to stitch rows were the spirals first curl outwards, then inwards.  See which way feels most natural for you and if you like to turn the spiral clockwise or counter clockwise.

Ultimately it’s a gorgeous design that can be used anywhere on your quilts so get on your machine and have fun with it this week!

Instructions for Linking Up Your Blog:

1. Write your blog post. Publish it on your blog.

2. Copy the link of the specific blog post. This is not just the link to your blog itself (www.freemotionquilting.blogspot.com), but the link to the specific post: https://freemotionproject.com/2012/01/quilt-along-2-quilting-in-rows.html

3. Click the blue link up button above and paste your link into the box.

Keep in mind that you’re posting your progress from LAST week on THIS week’s post. This way you have time to watch the lesson, play with the ideas, then post your progress to the next quilt along. I hope that makes sense!

Let’s go quilt!

Leah Day