Learning fill stitches to use in your quilting is fun!

Today we are looking at different techniques that can be used to "fill " areas in a quilt. Edge to edge quilting or an all over design involves quilting the entire quilt with the same design in a evenly sized and spaced design. Some times we may want to feature particular areas in a quilt and this can be done by quilting differently in or around this area. Art quilts often feature different fill techniques which compliment and accentuate the picture that has been created by the quilter.

Here are three commonly used fill stitches to give a go.

STIPPLING 

One of the most commonly used fill techniques is stippling, which can be done loosely in a meander style , often used to quilt the entire quilt, resulting is a fairly soft effect on the quilt. If you stipple more closely together you can feature an embroidery or block or appliqué.

Here is an example of a medium size stipple stitch used to highlight an embroidery .

Stipping around a machine embroidered design.  This quilt is on display in the shop.

Very small close together stippling is called micro stippling and will highlight an area also, here is a sample of different sizes of stippling

Examples of different sized Stippling

One thing to keep in mind when stippling closely together is the effect on the feel or drapability of your quilt. It is much stiffer the more densely it is quilted. Also beware when using fillers that are closely quilted, not to leave other areas  un quilted or sparsely quilted as this can create a quilt that may show distortion in these areas, particularly if it to be well used. This is less likely to be a problem if it for display only.  These factors apply to all sorts of quilting that is close together not just stippling.

There are no rules about stippling, it is a free motion technique that involves quilting in a wavy curvy design. It is one that takes some practice but is very rewarding to master and very useful in quilting, it often lends a sort of traditional look to quilts. A tip I learnt when starting is not to be scared to go fast, you will achieve rounder curves this way, and by practice you will find that your spacing becomes more uniform and even. Don't be put off if you don't get it the way you like the first time.

 I also used to sit with a pen and scrap paper and practice drawing stippling, it helps train your brain as to when you need to curve and to avoid doing a row of curves, you are aiming for a random effect. I have been asked what I picture in my mind when I start to stipple, I have to say if anything, I picture the edges of jigsaw pieces, the "holes" and "knobs" remind me of the shapes I want and they face every direction which helps with randomness. Above all don't give up too soon, keep practicing!!

PEBBLING 

Pebbling is another great filler which is fun and quite easy to do. 

Here the area is filled with circles or "pebbles" that nest against each other and fill the area. As the sample shows the pebbles can be different sizes or the same as you prefer. The trick to get them sitting against each other without any lines of stitching joining them , is that once you complete your circle, you retrace it until you find the right place to start your next one. This also requires some practice but don't be too worried if they are a bit messy to start with , they still look very effective anyway and again you will improve with practice!

This illustration gives you a better idea of the actual stitching lines of Pebbling some times you may only go a bit of the way around again, other times you may need to go most of the way again to find the right spot to nestle the next one in.

ECHOING 

Echo stitching is very effective as a filler and there is no limit to what you can echo or how you do it. It really involves starting with a shape and retracing it, a little larger each time until you feel it is time to start another "echo". One commonly used is a clamshell which is a nice shape to start on as it is a slightly elongated curve, fairly easy to follow as you echo it.

Using an Echo Quilting Foot can assist if you want all your lines to be equal distances apart.  

Echoing can be great for featuring a shape or design, or picture in your quilt, as seen in the quilting below.

This quilting is photographed from a quilt in our shop, where the quilting echoes around appliquè giving great texture to the quilt as the background is echoed and the appliqè really stands out.

It is important to note that all of these techniques and many more can be achieve equally well on a long arm machine on a frame, a sit-down long or mid arm machine or your domestic sewing machine. The key to success is to keep practicing. Keep your first practice pieces, as you get better they are good to monitor your progress.  

Have fun!

Pam