Quilt Qua
Helping to Expand Your Creative Expression
Machine Quilting Basics
By: Kris Driessen
Machine quilting your top is a time honored tradition that goes back to the days of the treadle. Sewing machines were expensive - if you had one, you made sure to show it off. You might hand piece the quilt top, since the stitches didn't show, but machine quilt the top where the stitches DID show.
Today we are more likely to machine quilt a top to both save time and allow for creative expression. Machine quilting is not difficult but it does take some practice. You don't need to buy a fancy machine to machine quilt. All machines will work, although some are easier to use than others. The larger the opening between the needle and the side of the machine, the easier it will be to machine quilt large quilts. This is a good thing, actually. It gives the machine motor time to cool while you are adjusting the quilt.
There are two types of machine quilting:
- Machine guided (using the feeddogs) Machine guided quilting is used for straight and slightly curved lines. Use a walking foot and stitch approximately 12 stitches to the inch.
- Free motion (feeddogs dropped or covered). Free motion quilting generally doesn't follow straight lines. Hand guided, it might be used for stippling or patterns such as feathered wreaths. Use a darner foot and a straight stitch needle plate on the machine (an index card will work in a pinch) to prevent the quilt from being pulled into the throat plate slot and puckering. Click here for a slideshow of free motion quilting (click on the play button to start it.) Practice by following a line both up and down and sideways. Remember, you don't rotate the quilt or pivot in any way. Your hands move the part of the quilt sandwich you are quilting to the needle.
Watch the video on machine quilting
Helpful hints:
- Basting your three layers together securely will help you avoid puckers on the back. Do this using spray basting, pins, tack guns or simply by hand basting using large stitches radiating from the center. Fusible thread is a nice thing to have but water soluble thread might be more practical for basting. After you have finished quilting, just wash and your basting stitches dissolve away. Don't skimp on this step.
- To mark your quilting design, you can use a stencil and a air or water soluble pen or chalk marking pencil or Miracle Chalk, which you "pounce" on the stencil. Or you can mark your design on paper or Press'n Seal and sew right through it. Click here for Judy Sues method of marking designs with Press'n Seal.
- It's important that your quilt be supported as you work on it. To keep the weight of the quilt from pulling your stitches out of whack, use a bed extension or a table next to your sewing machine. Plan your stitching so that the majority of the quilt is always on that support.
- Keep in mind that you are controlling the quilting. Keep your hands firmly on both sides of the quilt as you guide it through the needle. If you are free motion quilting, remember you can quilt sideways and backwards if you need to. Watch the fabric as you are stitching, not the needle.
- Keep your speed slow and even. It helps to keep your bed slippery with wax or the Free Motion slider. This is a teflon sheet which you tape to the bed of your sewing machine to make drag disappear. Click here to order this Teflon product for $27.95.
- Start each project with a new needle and be prepared to replace it. We carry four types of Sewing Machine needles: Embroidery; Metallic; Quilting and Universal. Click here for more information on those needles. Keep in mind the size of the needle often depends on the size of the bat. 90/14 might be good for heavier bats, where 75/11 is good for lighter bats. This is a matter of personal preference. Experiment a little to see what works best for you. If you are using specialty threads, use needles designed for those threads and be prepared to adjust your tension. Click here for more information.
- We recommend that you a high quality 100% long-staple cotton thread in both the top and a 60 wt bobbin thread for quilt that will see daily use. Save the specialty threads for wallhangings and never use invisible thread (monofilament nylon) on quilts meant for use by babies as it can present a choking hazard. If you are having problems, experiment with the top tension. It may need to be loosened a bit, especially if you are using invisible thread.
- Click here to read 10 Tips to improve your machine quilting from McCall Quilting
- This page has a History of Machine Quilting
Books
 Machine Quilting Made Easy This is an excellent beginner book. It explains all the terms and includes charts for selecting needles, thread and batting. An excellent resource book. Through 16 homework assignments you will learn to machine quilt using different methods. Click on the title to order. |
 Easy Machine Quilting This book is a series of 12 lessons, each written by a different author based on her specialty. Clear illustrations, plenty of inspirational quilts. Lots of quick tips. Click on the title to order. |
 Block by Block New Techniques for Machine Quilting and Assembly This book explores the "quilt as you go" option explaining how to machine quilt each block separately and combine them later on. Step by step instructions and several samples to work on are included. Choose from 25 blocks, five corner designs, and three sashing designs. Also includes more than two dozen reference charts for batting, borders, sashing, blocks, and yardage. Click on the title to order. |
 Divide and Conquer: Quilt it your way Break it down, make it smaller, stitch it up, quilt it your way! Assembling and quilting your project in two or more pieces gives you lighter sections which fits better through the opening of your sewing machine and are easily maneuverable for decorative quilting. Click on the title to order. |
| Learn to Machine Quilt with Pat Sloan Pat Sloan introduces her favorite tools and supplies for machine quilting, explains how to prepare a top for quilting, and instructs you in her signature style of free-motion machine quilting. The approach is easy, fast-paced, and will have you quilting free-motion swirls, curves, and other shapes in no time! After working on practice pieces and a project or two, you will soon find yourself free-motion machine quilting with confidence! Book features basic machine quilting instructions plus 6 projects: Sew Simple table runner (using fabric swatches), The Joy of Sewing wall hanging, Sunflowers Forever wall hanging, Chantilly Beach Roses throw, and Butterfly Garden quilt and pillow shams. Be sure to watch the video below. Click on the title to order
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