Are you struggling with feathers on your longarm machine? If so try leaf shapes and fern shapes instead. God made leaves in all different shapes and sizes so they're very forgiving! In this video tutorial I demonstrate the fern twist, an easy border and corner design.

How to Quilt the Fern Twist

Doesn't the fern twist look fabulous for a border or sashing design? This free motion quilting design only relies on a few simple shapes. To keep your design even and consistent, you might want to grab a chalk pencil to mark even spacings along your border. To quilt the fern twist you'll start at the bottom of your border. Quilt a rainbow along the length you'd like the design to reach. Now, travel back to your starting position by quilting three spiky leaves for the fern below your rainbow shaped spine. Backtrack over your rainbow to begin your next fern. Vary your design by quilting your next fern facing the opposite direction with the leaves pointing towards the top of your border. If you're having trouble remembering the direction of your spine, try thinking about frowns and smiles instead!

Turning the Fern Twist Around the Corner

The fern twist is relatively easy to turn around your corner! Just have the spine curve around the miter of your border's corner. Depending on how you choose to space your ferns, you might have a deeper or shallower curve at the corner than I did when we filmed this video. I always recommend practicing a new design on paper before taking it to your quilt. Experiment with different fern twists around your corner until you're happy with the look!

Now It’s Your Turn!

Now that you know how to quilt the fern twist, it’s your turn to give it a try! I would love to see your version of this design. You can share pictures of your quilts with me at the Quilted Joy Facebook page, tag me on Instagram, or join the community in the Quilted Joy Clubhouse!

If you would like to explore more tips and tricks for longarm quilting, don’t miss the Quilted Joy Learning Center!