Free motion quilting is a type of quilting done on both domestic sewing machines as well as long arm machines. It requires some practice to get good at and looks much easier on video than it is. Let’s look at how to get ready to free motion quilt.
Get Ready for Free Motion Quilting
What is Free Motion Quilting?
Free motion quilting is a quilting technique used on domestic and long arm sewing machines. For the purposes of this article, I am talking about free motion quilting on your domestic machine.
Free motion quilting means you are quilting through 3 quilt layers (top/batting/backing) without the use of your sewing machine’s feed dogs. In free motion quilting, you are the one who is driving the machine.
How to Get Ready for Free Motion Quilting
In order to get ready to free motion quilt, you need to put down/drop the feed dogs on your sewing machine. The feed dogs are the metal parts directly under your presser foot. Their job is to move the fabric along.
On your machine you will find a lever/knob/button to drop the feed dogs. Make sure you consult your manual to learn more.
In putting down your feed dogs, the feed dogs are no longer moving the fabric, you are, and you can move the fabric in any direction you like, not just straight forward.
Tools for Free Motion Quilting
There are two tools that can make free motion quilting easier for you and they are:
- Free Motion Quilting Gloves (Machingers or other brands)
- Supreme Slider Mat
Machingers were the first quilting gloves that I ever tried. They are comfortable gloves that you wear on both hands. They have grips on the fingertips which make it easier to move your quilt top while free motion quilting. You could quilt without gloves, but you may find it harder to manipulate the quilt top.
A Supreme Slider will also make your free motion quilting experience nicer. A Supreme Slider is a teflon coated mat installed on your sewing machine bed. Your quilt slides much easier when you have one on your machine.
Why Do I Have Eyelashes on the Back of My Quilt?
Please know that this is one of the most common problems in free motion quilting. When your hands and the machine are not moving at the same speed, you will end up with eyelashes on the bottom of your quilt. It is very frustrating!
Before you start free motion quilting your quilt, please practice on samples instead. It can be frustrating to learn to keep your hands and the machine moving at the same time, but I promise, the end result is worth it.
Final Thoughts
I hope you enjoyed Get Ready for Free Motion Quilting. Free motion quilting is a great way to finish your quilts. Depending on what you choose to quilt, you can create a beautiful quilt pattern that truly enhances your finished quilt. Keep trying and you will get better, I promise.
For more helpful quilting tips and tricks, make sure you follow me on Youtube and Pinterest.