Before I start free motion quilting, I always make a plan.

Rather than sitting down at the sewing machine and figuring it out as I go, I like to sketch my quilting ideas first. It gives me a chance to experiment, make changes, and see how the quilting will work with the piecing before I ever stitch a single line.

In this video, I’m taking you behind the scenes as I plan the quilting for my Swayful quilt using my iPad. We’ll talk through the overall design, where I’m placing the swirl flowers, how I’ll use matchstick quilting, and why I chose these motifs for this quilt.

Why I Like to Plan My Quilting

Every quilt tells you something different.

Some quilts need simple quilting that lets the piecing shine. Others invite more detailed quilting that becomes part of the overall design.

Sketching first helps me:

• Visualize the finished quilt.
• Balance different quilting motifs.
• Decide where dense and open quilting should go.
• Feel more confident before I start stitching.

Even a quick sketch can make the quilting process feel much less intimidating.

The Quilting Plan for Swayful

For Swayful, I’ve chosen a combination of swirl flowers and matchstick quilting.

The swirl flowers add movement and softness, while the matchstick quilting creates texture and helps the woven design stand out. Together they create a finish that’s interesting without competing with the quilt itself.

In this video, I walk through the entire plan before any quilting begins.

Resources Mentioned

• Swayful Quilt Pattern
• Swayful Quilty Class
• Shop All Quilt Patterns
• Join Quilty Club

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Ready to Quilt Along?

If you’re making the Swayful quilt, this video will give you a look at exactly how I approach planning my quilting before I begin stitching.

I hope it encourages you to spend a few minutes sketching out your own ideas before you quilt your next project. A little planning can go a long way toward making the quilting process more enjoyable.