Quilt Qua
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Why do I need a walking foot for sewing machine?
Sat 07 Jan 2012
A walking foot is helpful for machine quilting because it allows all of the layers of your quilt to feed through the machine at the same time. The regular presser foot that comes on your sewing machine works with the feed dogs (the little teeth that are on the machine under the fabric. The feed dogs grab the fabric next to them and pull it through the machine as it is sewing. That works fine when you are sewing only two layers of fabric, but when you are sewing a quilt with batting between the layers, the fabric on the bottom is being pulled by the ... Read More...
Tips for Machine Quilting from Ricky Tims
Sat 07 Jan 2012
Creative quilter and musician Ricky Tims shares tips for machine quilting. Last year, Ricky Tims was a guest for our Eavesdrop on a Telephone Conversation. Ricky specializes in art quilts, and his work is fascinating and fun to make. Because he does everything on the machine, he had some great tips for machine quilting. Here are ... Read More...
What options do I have for quilting my quilt? What do I need to know if I want to take it to a longarm machine quilter?
Sat 07 Jan 2012
Many quilters - me included - have quilt tops that have been waiting for some time to be finished. Sometimes you just tired of working on a particular quilt. Someday all of those quilts will get finished. And this might be the year, since you might be able to finish the quilts without having to buy any fabric! Maybe some quilts are waiting for layering and quilting. You have the backing, but not the inspiration for hand quilting, or the confidence to do the machine quilting yourself. Whether you hand quilt or machine quilt is mostly personal preference and how the ... Read More...
How do I turn corners when machine quilting?
Sat 07 Jan 2012
Now you can learn how to choose an excellent professional longarm machine quilter - or set up your own longarm quilter to complete your quilting projects - Easy! Expert longarm machine quilter, Paula Rostkowski talked to us during a recent Eavesdrop on a Telephone Conversation and let us in on the secrets of professional machine quilters. You'll discover how to choose a professional quilter who will finish your quilt beautifully within a budget. And, if you have your own longarm quilting machine, you'll learn secrets for making your quilting easier and more beautiful Tell me more - - - ... Read More...
What kind of gloves can help me with my machine quilting?
Sat 07 Jan 2012
There are all kinds of tools made especially for machine quilting, and every machine quilter talks about some kind of covering for their hands or fingers. Some quilters like the rubber gloves that are used to wash dishes. Atlas® lightweight gloves are great for machine quilting. Available in garden stores and marine stores. Some quilters cut the tips off of those rubber gloves and put them on the tips of their fingers. There are canvas gloves with rubber dots on them. And there are knit gloves, some of them come in a beautiful orange - what could be better? ... Read More...
Longarm Quilting Machines
Sat 07 Jan 2012
With so many choices in longarm quilting machines, how do you know which one to buy? The best way to make a good purchase is to make an informed one. Gather all the information you can about the various longarm machines on the market. Compare what each has to offer, then you can make a well informed decision. If you think you might like to turn your quilting hobby into a business, look for a machine that is good for both professional and non-professional application.KenQuilt’s Princess Quilting Machine is one such longarm. There are 22 inches between the needle and ... Read More...
Can I quilt with an embroidery machine?
Sat 07 Jan 2012
Sewing machines have come a long way from the old, single stitch Singer Featherweights. Many quilters love that the new machines come with the ability to sew many fancy embroidery stitches. These machines can produce fun quilt blocks, and can also be used for quilting. Create Embroidered Blocks Q: I have embroidered some blocks for my grandson, and would like to make a quilt with them. I will be using a 6 1/2" x 10 1/2" block. The batting is 96" x 108." Is that the size I make the quilt?? How many blocks plus sashing around each block in fabric do I need? I ... Read More...
What is stitch-in-the-ditch quilting?
Sat 07 Jan 2012
Q: I don't know what stitching in the ditch is :o( A: "Stitch in the ditch" is when you quilt (either hand quilt or machine quilt) right next to the seam allowances. Most quilters stitch on the side of the seam without the seam allowance folded under. In other words, they are quilting through one layer of fabric on the quilt top, the batting, and then the backing. When you look closely at a quilt block, the side that has the seam allowance under it is a little bit higher than the other side. That is because there are 3 layers of fabric ... Read More...
Please explain the various quilting techniques.
Sat 07 Jan 2012
Some quilters have a particular style they stick with throughout their craft. Others like to experiment with different patterns, stitches, fabrics, etc. There are basic quilting techniques every quilter should know about, whether they opt to use them or not. Technique #1: Quilting in the ditch When quilters refer to quilting in the ditch, they actually mean they are quilting along the seam lines in their quilt top. The seams of the pieced blocks actually are the guide for the quilter who quilts in the ditch. When you flip the finished quilt over, you will see an outline of the pieced ... Read More...
Short-Arm Quilting Machines
Fri 06 Jan 2012
If you have been using your regular sewing machine for your quilting projects and now find yourself considering a dedicated quilting machine, here are a few things you should consider. First, are you going short-arm or long-arm? You may be wondering what the difference is. Other than money, the big difference is the size of the arm of the machine. A short-arm machine looks more like your typical home sewing machine. The long-arm machine stretches out to allow for more of the quilt to be stitched without having to roll quite as much. If the price is a big consideration, you will probably choose the short-arm version. Lots ... Read More...
Home Machine Quilting Systems
Fri 20 Nov 2009
If you are trying to research home machine quilting systems, the alternative to an expensive long arm machine that allows you to use a home sewing machine and a carriage-rail system, here are several resources to help you. This information is based on personal research, and reflects my own knowledge and opinions based on that research. I would like to add my appreciation to Laura Starr of the UFO-Orphanage for compiling much of this information. If you would like to add a comment to this page, please E-mail me. MACHINE OPTIONS: Your standard home sewing machine with drop feed ... Read More...
Adjust the Tension in Your Machine for Successful Machine Quilting
Wed 01 Oct 2008
Proper tension in your sewing machine is the one thing that can set your quilt apart - making it look like a professional did it versus an amateur did it. It's all about the tension; and you know that little dial on your machine - if the tension is not right, it's either too tight or too loose. The goal is to have your threads meet in the middle inside the batting. If your bobbin thread is showing on the top of your quilt, you need to loosen your tension which means a lower number. And if ... Read More...
Husqvarna Mega Quilter Gives Machine Quilters Many Options
Tue 30 Sep 2008
The Husqvarna Mega Quilter offers a 9x6 sewing area and 1600 stitches per minute. Many quilters enjoy piecing and finishing their quilts by hand. Some machine quilters are content with the results their regular sewing machine provides. Quilters who want speed and consistency, though, can benefit from the Husqvarna Mega Quilter. The machine promises perfect stitches on all types of fabric with features such as the automatic stitch control, thread pre-tension adjustment and adjustable presser foot pressure Stitch speed and length are adjustable. If 1600 stitches sounds too fast, you can decrease it to your liking. Stitch length can be ... Read More...
Machine Quilting Designs
Tue 30 Sep 2008
Quilting, like painting is a wonderful art. It is similar to painting in the sense that paints and brushes are replaced by threads and needles. Paper is replaced by fabrics. Quilts were traditionally made by hand, but not with the advent of sewing quilting machines, many prefer to use machines. This is because, machines make quilting work easier, faster and not to mention a lot neater. You have the option of using an ordinary sewing machine which has quilting capabilities or you can use a machine that is specifically designed for quilting. Small patches of different fabrics are used to ... Read More...
Machine Quilting: Hit the Accelerator
Mon 29 Sep 2008
Machine quilting is becoming more and more popular by the day. Long gone are the days when you would sit down with a quilting frame and manually hand sew it until you are satisfied that it is well designed and will stand the test of time. If you still do use that method then you should really try machine quilting for size. If you do not like it then it is your choice, but you owe it to yourself to try out the technology that may just save you a lot of time and make it more enjoyable as a ... Read More...
The Mythical Singer Featherweight Sewing Machine
Fri 26 Sep 2008
Quilters just love their Singer Featherweight sewing machines. Even people who don’t sew love Featherweights. There are even people who collect Featherweights. Some have as many as forty of them. As a quilter I find that sacrilegious. Featherweights need to belong to quilters so they can go to class and retreats and make beautiful quilts. I can see someone owning one or two Featherweights, but forty? Please. Let’s put those machines back into circulation so that they can be used by deserving quilters who promise to make patches, go to retreats and classes, and pursue other quilterly pursuits such as ... Read More...
Tips for Machine Quilting from an Expert
Mon 22 Sep 2008
Preparing Your Machine Lower your feed dogs, even if your machine allows you to machine quilt with the feed dogs raised. You will have more control of your quilting with them lowered. Needle for Machine Quilting Choose either a maching quilting needle or an embroidery needle. The best choice is the smallest size possible that will not cause the thread to shred and break. If you have problems, increase the size of your needle. Tension Practice on a quilt sandwich and adjust the tension on your machine, if that is necessary. Do this before you start on your quilt! Presser ... Read More...
Choose the Right Sewing Machine for Machine Quilting
Mon 22 Sep 2008
Penny: Are some machines better than others for machine quilting? Do you have an opinion about what makes the difference? Which ones might have a larger opening so you can stuff the quilt through? Monika: I do machine quilting—the most popular machine I sell for that is the Janome 6600 because it has the largest open-arm space so it allows you to get a lot of your larger quilts in there. So you have to decide if you’re looking for a machine just for quilting, if you want a variety of stitches- do you want, for instance, ... Read More...
Buying a Sewing Machine
Mon 22 Sep 2008
With the variety of sewing machines available, making a decision of which sewing machine to purchase is much more complex than it was way back when….. Today’s quilters are presented with some interesting and fun options that can make their quilting more interesting and relaxing. Many of the more popular brands, including Singer, Simplicity, Janome, Brother, White and Necci sewing machines feature an LCD display, dial-a-stitch selector, automatic needle threader, convertible free arm, extension table, electronic speed control, drop in bobbin, and computerized stitch selection, to name just a few. These machines sew not only straight stitches, but zig zag, ... Read More...
A Great Sewing Machine or a Mediocre Sewing Machine - Can You Tell the Difference?
Mon 22 Sep 2008
Q: What’s the difference between a great machine and a mediocre machine? A: In a lot of cases, number one it will be the brand. Number two it will be the number of stitches and functions, the reliability of the machine, how well it will handle your different types of fabrics and the techniques that you can do on it. Q: Are there any machines now that still have all metal parts? A: Every machine will still have metal parts, it’s the type of quality that the metal is. In the industry there is a type of metal we call ... Read More...