Tips For Machine Quilting Project

If you are planning to quilt using a machine, you have to make sure that your machine is prepped for the job that you are going to do. The quilting format of each machine is different. It is important that you read through the instructions carefully before trying.

Prepare any quilt that is more than 36 inches x 36 inches by using the following technique. The first step is to lay the quilt on the floor and roll both the side towards the center of the sheet. Leave a 12-inch section of the quilt unrolled. Start your quilting in this unrolled portion of the quilt.

If you are using a machine, trying straight line quilting is the best choice. It produces great results and at the same time it is quicker too. Start by inserting an even-feed by pressing the foot of your machine. In case your machine does not have an even-feed foot, you can try sewing in the center. You can also check with the manual of your sewing machine to check if there is an even-feed attachment available for your machine.

There are many advantages to using even-feed as it makes the quilting process easier and pucker-free. The quilt layers are fed into the machine in an even manner and hence it becomes very easy to continue quilting.

Free-motion machine quilting can get a little difficult sometimes. It requires some amount of practice to get used to free-motion quilting. There are many books that talk about free-motion quilting alone. You could take help from those to understand how to master it. Once you learn it, you can experiment trying out fancy quilting patterns, many options to decorate which is very interesting.

Follow these tips and have fun enjoying your quilting experience by doing various patterns and designs.

Read More »

Machine Quilting Made Easy With These Time-Saving Tips

Quills have now become a means to express your creativity and a little bit of yourself. It is now an art in fabric. Quilt-making has become a hobby for many men and women as well. Rather than using hand woven techniques, machine techniques have become more common. They help in saving time and also many more design options for people to use. Some people use modern patterns while some of them take inspiration from old patterns. Regardless of how you quilt, here are some important time saving tips for you.

If you are using machine quilting, keeping the machine clean and well-oiled is very important. Re-stitching can be difficult as there are many complications such as needle keeps skipping and the tension of the needle might not be sufficient.

Keeping a separate workspace is also vital. Keep your machine positioned in such a way that there are few steps in between the kitchen and the sewing machine.

While quilting, choose a neutral color thread that can blend with the fabric that is being used. If you are working on small units, use your fingers to press the quilting work rather using an ironing board.

Have fun quilting and save time!

Read More »

A Comprehensive Insight Into Fundamental Quilting Supplies

So now that you are aware of fundamentals of quilting, it is time to gather few essential supplies to begin quilting. Today’s marketplace is flooded with an assortment of quilting tools. There are a few supplies that are necessary for quilting and a few others that make your work easier. Make sure to choose quality tools for quilting at the best price range. The quilting tools can be upgraded whenever possible. Pins are the basic supplies for quilting. The basic pins have a plastic head and these are available as a pack containing 500 numbers. The glass head pins are priced slightly higher.

The glass head pins are thin and do not melt. They are my personal favorites. The threads are the next important supplies. It is ideal to opt for cotton threads as other threads tend to become linty. Cotton threads keep your sewing machine clean. They can be used for piecing and quilting. The next on our list is the fabric scissors. Stock on more than a pair of fabric scissors if you do not want to invest in a rotary cutter. Choose fabric scissors that offer a perfect fit to your hands. So, these are the basic tools for quilting.

Moving on further, you have a range of accessories to support your quilting. The cutting mat guards your working table. Opt for a large cutting mat if you intend to use a rotary cutter. The rotary cutter facilitates quick, accurate and easy fabric cutting. The rotary cutters are available in different standard sizes. The 45mm rotary cutter is the standard option for beginners. The 60mm rotary cutter facilitates long cuts and 28mm are ideal for cutting curves. Make sure to choose one based on your requirements. Couple your rotary cutter with a 6×24 inch ruler. So, once you are ready with all your tools, get started with quilting.

Read More »

Must Have Tools For The Aspiring Quilter

Quilting is an art that attracts many people. It is now an expression of one’s creativity and a piece of themselves. With the holiday season coming around many of them would want to put together a small tool box to do the quilting. Here are the essential items you need if you are planning to start your quilting expedition.

Sewing Machine Equipped With A Quilting Feet
While beginning, sewing people go for a basic foot sewing machine. If you are looking to do quilting, you need a free-motion foot that can help you into making designs into a quilt. Quarter-inch foot is very helpful for sewing perfect seams and walking-foot is important for straight-line quilting.

Rotary Cutter, Mat And Ruler
More than the fabric, scissors and a rotary cutter forms an important part of the quilting kit. You can also stock up on self-healing cutting mat for cutting the quilts.

Needles
Sewing machine needles that are given along with the machine will not stay for a long time. Probably you will be able to do one project without breaking the needle. You might have to change the needles before each project. Therefore, stocking up on the sewing machine needles will be a good option.

Scissors
Cutting your fabric properly will be an important part of your quilting process. Therefore, buy a good pair of scissors.

Read More »