How to Machine Quilt

    It's easy to learn how to machine quilt with a little practice. Machine quilting is a great way to finish quilts quickly and beautifully. There are two main types of machine quilting, machine guided and free motion. There are lots of different machines you can use to quilt. You can even do it on your current sewing machine with the right feet. A frame can be used to machine quilt. There are lots of options for frames. Don't be afraid to try machine quilting today.

Types of Machine Quilting

Machine guided quilting is done by using a walking foot or even feed foot. It is called machine guided because the feed dogs and the walking foot work together to guide the quilt past the needle. Most machine guided quilting is done with straight lines, it's easiest. However, there are people who prefer to use a walking foot for all their machine quilting and with practice use it for all sorts of shapes and curves.

Free motion machine quilting is done with the feed dogs lowered. That means you are completely in control of where the quilt moves. That also means you must control the stitch length as the machine does not do it for you. Free motion is often done with a darning or embroidery foot. It seems to work best when moving the quilt in many directions. Free motion machine quilting takes practice but can produce beautiful results. It is the most versatile method of machine quilting since any shape can be made.

Machines

The first machine most people use to machine quilt with is their existing sewing machine. Some machines come with a walking foot or a darning foot. If yours didn't you can get one for it by talking to your sewing machine dealer or a quilt shop or fabric store. They are also available online but you need to make sure you get the right one for your machine.

After learning how to machine quilt many people upgrade to some form of machine quilting system. This could mean buying a frame to put your own machine on, buying a dedicated quilting machine and frame or purchasing a long arm quilting system. Each varies widely in cost and benefits. There are many frame manufacturers and several long arm companies as well.

How to do it

These instructions are for how to machine quilt on your sewing machine. If you get a frame there are a different set of instructions.

Plan your quilting. Make sure there will be a similar amount of quilting in each area of the quilt. If there's a lot in one spot and a little elsewhere the quilt can sag and become uneven. It's best to start near the middle and work out to the sides one at a time. If you are going to to intricate quilting it's best to stabilize the quilt first. For instance, I might be planning some stitch in the ditch and some fancy quilting in a few large open spaces. I would do the stitch in the ditch first so the quilt doesn't shift around while I'm doing the harder stuff.

Roll up the sides of the quilt so it will fit in the machine leaving the starting area exposed. Some people like to use quilt clips to secure the rolls while they are quilting. Slide the quilt under the foot and needle so you are ready to start sewing.

Bring the bobbin thread up through the layers of the quilt by taking one stitch and tugging up on the thread tail. This secures the stitches without backstitching which would show on the quilt.

If you are using a walking foot

Hold the two thread tails as you take the first few stitches. After that you can let them go and just focus on guiding the quilt. Don't PUSH the quilt, let the machine pull it past the needle. Just guide it so it goes where you want. If you push it your stitches will look puckered and unattractive.

Hold the two thread tails as you take the first few stitches. After that you can let them go and just focus on guiding the quilt. You must guide the quilt so that the stitches are small and even. This takes PRACTICE! If you have marked a quilting design just follow it keeping your stitches as uniform as possible. If you are doing a free hand design like stippling just go for it. Remember to breathe! Silly as that sounds, free motion quilting absorbs your attention enough you need to actively think about breathing.

Keep going till it's done!

As you complete a section move to the right slowly unrolling the part between the needle and the side of the machine. When you finish that side rotate the quilt and start at the center again. Work to the right again on the new half of the quilt.