Sister's Choice Quilts

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Machine Quilting for Dummies

001

Well, I quilted my Roundabout Schnibble myself.  I did stitch in the ditch for the main body of the top and loop de loops for the borders.  Now that I see the photo, I think it could use some more quilting in those remaining open areas.  Let's just say the job was adequate.  The top probably won't fall apart in the wash.  I hope. 

My gosh, machine quilting is an acquired skill, isn't it?  Does anyone know of any tutorials out there that are good?  Stitch in the ditch is mind numbingly dull, but I think I could get to like the free motion stuff.  But I need about a thousand hours of practice.  Make that ten thousand hours.

002

I made a start on the ten thousand hours today, and plan to keep at it. 

72 responses to “Machine Quilting for Dummies”

  1. I think your quilt looks fantastic and the quilting is great! Good job!
    Ive quilted a few of my own full-size quilts in the past and the part I find hardest is wrestling the quillt through the throat of the machine. My arms and shoulders really beginto ache and because i am an overachiever and want to get everything done yesterday I end up pushing myself and the work gets sloppy.
    I picked up an interesting book on teaching yourself machine quilting a few weeks ago which i blogged about. The book was a gift, but it did have a companion fabric panel with practice designs.
    Im considering quilt-as-you-go for the quilt im working on at the moment, but haven’t quite figured out how to do it! Lol

  2. I think your quilt looks fantastic and the quilting is great! Good job!
    Ive quilted a few of my own full-size quilts in the past and the part I find hardest is wrestling the quillt through the throat of the machine. My arms and shoulders really beginto ache and because i am an overachiever and want to get everything done yesterday I end up pushing myself and the work gets sloppy.
    I picked up an interesting book on teaching yourself machine quilting a few weeks ago which i blogged about. The book was a gift, but it did have a companion fabric panel with practice designs.
    Im considering quilt-as-you-go for the quilt im working on at the moment, but haven’t quite figured out how to do it! Lol

  5. Nicole, there’s a great series of videos by Patsy Thompson, http://www.patsythompsondesigns.com. I started with her “Fun with Feathers” CD and was amazed at how pretty my first feather was!! She has 8 or 10 videos out. The Fast and Free videos give lots of different options for edge-to-edge allover patterns. An excellent book is “Machine Quilting Solutions” by Christine Maraccini. It has lots of great quilting designs – for edge-to-edge, borders, and special individual blocks. She shows how to create each shape step by step. I do all my own quilting on my domestic machine, and I have found these resources to be among the most helpful, both for ideas and technique.
    I’m looking forward to seeing the results of your September trip on all four of the blogs. It sounds like a fantastic trip with wonderful people and a great instructor!

  6. Nicole, there’s a great series of videos by Patsy Thompson, http://www.patsythompsondesigns.com. I started with her “Fun with Feathers” CD and was amazed at how pretty my first feather was!! She has 8 or 10 videos out. The Fast and Free videos give lots of different options for edge-to-edge allover patterns. An excellent book is “Machine Quilting Solutions” by Christine Maraccini. It has lots of great quilting designs – for edge-to-edge, borders, and special individual blocks. She shows how to create each shape step by step. I do all my own quilting on my domestic machine, and I have found these resources to be among the most helpful, both for ideas and technique.
    I’m looking forward to seeing the results of your September trip on all four of the blogs. It sounds like a fantastic trip with wonderful people and a great instructor!

  7. It looks great! I agree with Jaycad about getting sore neck and shoulders from manhandling the quilt through the machine. My solution to that is to sit on a stepladder that puts me higher than a regular chair. I can still reach the pedal, but I’m above the work and that seems to help. Practice is the only answer to improving your FMQ. I have only two patterns that I use – both have become so easy from practice that I am scared to branch off to learn how to do other kinds of machine quilting. I do an all-over loopy pattern, and a second one that I think of as hammer-head sharks, but a friend calls penises (she’s so rude). Go here to see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/4496067925/ Also, there is a blogger who does incredible art quilts, all machine quilted on a home machine, and she has an extensive set of online videos that show how she does her different patterns. Here’s the link: http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.com

  8. It looks great! I agree with Jaycad about getting sore neck and shoulders from manhandling the quilt through the machine. My solution to that is to sit on a stepladder that puts me higher than a regular chair. I can still reach the pedal, but I’m above the work and that seems to help. Practice is the only answer to improving your FMQ. I have only two patterns that I use – both have become so easy from practice that I am scared to branch off to learn how to do other kinds of machine quilting. I do an all-over loopy pattern, and a second one that I think of as hammer-head sharks, but a friend calls penises (she’s so rude). Go here to see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/wadewoolley/4496067925/ Also, there is a blogger who does incredible art quilts, all machine quilted on a home machine, and she has an extensive set of online videos that show how she does her different patterns. Here’s the link: http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.com

  9. I just read a couple of the comments about sore shoulders, etc. I recently took a feathers class from Sharon Schamber, and she encouraged us to use the Quilter’s Halo. I didn’t like it at first because I was so accustomed to using gloves, but after trying it for ten minutes I could really see the value. I now use two halos, stacked on top of each other. It really does allow me to quilt without getting tired or sore. I think she has a demo video of this on her website, http://www.sharonschambernetwork.com.

  10. I just read a couple of the comments about sore shoulders, etc. I recently took a feathers class from Sharon Schamber, and she encouraged us to use the Quilter’s Halo. I didn’t like it at first because I was so accustomed to using gloves, but after trying it for ten minutes I could really see the value. I now use two halos, stacked on top of each other. It really does allow me to quilt without getting tired or sore. I think she has a demo video of this on her website, http://www.sharonschambernetwork.com.

  17. Did you know there is material with free motion patterns printed on them to get you started? My problem is the tension on My bobbin that makes me go crazy.

  18. Did you know there is material with free motion patterns printed on them to get you started? My problem is the tension on My bobbin that makes me go crazy.

  19. Regarding machine quilting on a DSM, I really have learned from PatsyTHompsonDesigns.com, and The Pajama Quilter, and Nan Moore (book name?) and Sally Terry (author, book name?) who has a different but clever method for feathers. These are all about the PATTERN LINES, not the details of your machine. I quilted for about 1 year, before my friends started thinking I had a long-arm. But I keep learning and most important, KEEP PRACTICING! And to tell you the truth, I believe a person can do MORE on a DSM, than a LONG ARM, just not as quickly.

  20. Regarding machine quilting on a DSM, I really have learned from PatsyTHompsonDesigns.com, and The Pajama Quilter, and Nan Moore (book name?) and Sally Terry (author, book name?) who has a different but clever method for feathers. These are all about the PATTERN LINES, not the details of your machine. I quilted for about 1 year, before my friends started thinking I had a long-arm. But I keep learning and most important, KEEP PRACTICING! And to tell you the truth, I believe a person can do MORE on a DSM, than a LONG ARM, just not as quickly.

  21. It takes lots of practice. I was so keen on doing it that I did it for my parent’s king size quilt – the second full bed size that I have made.

  22. It takes lots of practice. I was so keen on doing it that I did it for my parent’s king size quilt – the second full bed size that I have made.

  23. I have taken classes from Sarah Vedeler here in Phoenix, and I think that the best advice is that practice will make your quilting improve. Personally, I hate practice sandwiches, so I try to practice on smaller projects whenever I have them.
    The only suggestion that I would offer is to use a lighter thread on a lighter fabric. No matter how accurate and good you are, a darker thread on a light background tends to make the quilting look like a half-attempt. Good luck!

  24. I have taken classes from Sarah Vedeler here in Phoenix, and I think that the best advice is that practice will make your quilting improve. Personally, I hate practice sandwiches, so I try to practice on smaller projects whenever I have them.
    The only suggestion that I would offer is to use a lighter thread on a lighter fabric. No matter how accurate and good you are, a darker thread on a light background tends to make the quilting look like a half-attempt. Good luck!

  25. Using a domestic machine to free motion quilt is great. I found that having a Supreme Slider made a huge difference as well as using the gloves. Practice really is the only thing you need and just playing with any and all designs. Leah Day (her blog has been mentioned a few times in other comments) has over 100 free motion designs that she does a video for each one. Another great book is ‘Free Motion Quilting Made Easy’ by Eva A. Larkin. She uses 8 simple shapes to make 186 different quilting designs. Have fun and just play.

  26. Using a domestic machine to free motion quilt is great. I found that having a Supreme Slider made a huge difference as well as using the gloves. Practice really is the only thing you need and just playing with any and all designs. Leah Day (her blog has been mentioned a few times in other comments) has over 100 free motion designs that she does a video for each one. Another great book is ‘Free Motion Quilting Made Easy’ by Eva A. Larkin. She uses 8 simple shapes to make 186 different quilting designs. Have fun and just play.

  27. Hi Nicole!
    Believe it or not all of the websites mentioned I have seen. I am very biased to the one I mentioned in a previous post http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.com which another member has noted as well because all of her designs require no marking. Leah also makes suggestions for what designs to use in what areas. You have to hunt the site, but it is all there. She does have things for purchase if you want. She has posted alot on Sharon Schamber as well, earlier on.
    She recommends quilting gloves, a slider under your foot and bobbin washers. I use all 3 and found that it helped alot. One interesting thing to note is that she does not drop her feed dogs and that has been the case with her old machine as well as the new one she purchased. I have not tried that yet because dropping them works well for me.
    Practice is absolutely the only way to get better and to find what works for you too.
    Save the money on this and checkout the websites thoroughly first.
    The quilt looks great by the way. I think you worry too much! Persian rugs all have imperfections on purpose, so if you think your quilting is not perfect you are in good company.
    Happy Quilting!
    Pat

  28. Hi Nicole!
    Believe it or not all of the websites mentioned I have seen. I am very biased to the one I mentioned in a previous post http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.com which another member has noted as well because all of her designs require no marking. Leah also makes suggestions for what designs to use in what areas. You have to hunt the site, but it is all there. She does have things for purchase if you want. She has posted alot on Sharon Schamber as well, earlier on.
    She recommends quilting gloves, a slider under your foot and bobbin washers. I use all 3 and found that it helped alot. One interesting thing to note is that she does not drop her feed dogs and that has been the case with her old machine as well as the new one she purchased. I have not tried that yet because dropping them works well for me.
    Practice is absolutely the only way to get better and to find what works for you too.
    Save the money on this and checkout the websites thoroughly first.
    The quilt looks great by the way. I think you worry too much! Persian rugs all have imperfections on purpose, so if you think your quilting is not perfect you are in good company.
    Happy Quilting!
    Pat

  29. Practice does make perfect. I foolishly free-motioned a 90 X 90 quilt for my first free-motioned quilt. But, it was the best practice ever, and after that everything was easier.

  30. Practice does make perfect. I foolishly free-motioned a 90 X 90 quilt for my first free-motioned quilt. But, it was the best practice ever, and after that everything was easier.

  31. There is a really great local teacher, at least in the east bay. Her name is Jill Schumacher, she calls herself quiltmaker to the queen. I’m not sure if she teaches at any shops in your area. I can’t recommend her free motion class enough. Here website
    http://www.quiltmakertothequeen.com/

  32. There is a really great local teacher, at least in the east bay. Her name is Jill Schumacher, she calls herself quiltmaker to the queen. I’m not sure if she teaches at any shops in your area. I can’t recommend her free motion class enough. Here website
    http://www.quiltmakertothequeen.com/

  33. It looks really good to me! My advice is to practice all of the time, and you will get it down eventually to the point you like it a lot 🙂

  34. It looks really good to me! My advice is to practice all of the time, and you will get it down eventually to the point you like it a lot 🙂

  35. There’s nothing wrong with simple straight line quilting! But free motion does give you more options. Have you been to 365 Days of Free Motion Quilting Filler Designs yet? Leah Day now has dozens of free videos to watch and is coming up with more all the time. Check her out, I see other people have recommended her too! http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/

  36. There’s nothing wrong with simple straight line quilting! But free motion does give you more options. Have you been to 365 Days of Free Motion Quilting Filler Designs yet? Leah Day now has dozens of free videos to watch and is coming up with more all the time. Check her out, I see other people have recommended her too! http://freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/

  37. As an intermediate step, there are some things you can do with your walking foot that are beyond stitching in the ditch or just doing grid quilting. Take a look at Mary Mashuta’s book, Foolproof Machine Quilting, (http://www.marymashuta.com/Pages/Books-Quilts.html) which shows you how to use freezer paper templates to iron onto your fabric as guides for simple patterns. I’ve done a cable border using her technique on a smaller quilt that turned out pretty well.

  38. As an intermediate step, there are some things you can do with your walking foot that are beyond stitching in the ditch or just doing grid quilting. Take a look at Mary Mashuta’s book, Foolproof Machine Quilting, (http://www.marymashuta.com/Pages/Books-Quilts.html) which shows you how to use freezer paper templates to iron onto your fabric as guides for simple patterns. I’ve done a cable border using her technique on a smaller quilt that turned out pretty well.

  39. I’m a novice quilter who has only done tie and rag quilts so far. Because I don’t own a long arm machine (and don’t foresee being able to afford one for at least a few years), I’ve been intimated by the thought of trying machine quilting.
    So, a big thank you to everyone who’s posted those helpful tips and links.
    I plan to start a few very small quilt projects in the next couple weeks and will attempt to use some of these methods.

  40. I’m a novice quilter who has only done tie and rag quilts so far. Because I don’t own a long arm machine (and don’t foresee being able to afford one for at least a few years), I’ve been intimated by the thought of trying machine quilting.
    So, a big thank you to everyone who’s posted those helpful tips and links.
    I plan to start a few very small quilt projects in the next couple weeks and will attempt to use some of these methods.

  41. I’ve now stipple quilted two quilts – and I think I’ve got it sussed! It was a bit tricky to start with, but now it goes really well. I think it may be more a confidence thing than anything else. I just love the fact that I can get things finished so fast – compared to hand quilting – and for free – compared to sending them out. Professionally long arm quilted quilts are a dream come true though!

  42. I’ve now stipple quilted two quilts – and I think I’ve got it sussed! It was a bit tricky to start with, but now it goes really well. I think it may be more a confidence thing than anything else. I just love the fact that I can get things finished so fast – compared to hand quilting – and for free – compared to sending them out. Professionally long arm quilted quilts are a dream come true though!

  47. These suggestions are great! I, too, want to start free motion quilting on my new machine, and these links will be wonderful resources. Just in time to practice and get some Christmas gifts going.

  48. These suggestions are great! I, too, want to start free motion quilting on my new machine, and these links will be wonderful resources. Just in time to practice and get some Christmas gifts going.

  49. Well done!!!! Applause, applause!!!
    Does your sewing machine have a stitch regulator? I yearn for that but it’s not offered for my machine. Sigh!
    Hugs!

  50. Well done!!!! Applause, applause!!!
    Does your sewing machine have a stitch regulator? I yearn for that but it’s not offered for my machine. Sigh!
    Hugs!

  51. I know I have viewed a couple of tutorials on Bernina.com on machine quilting and I found them very helpful. I do most of my smaller things myself now. I am very good on loop-de-loops and fairly good on stipling. It does take some machine time to feel more comfortable doing it though.

  52. I know I have viewed a couple of tutorials on Bernina.com on machine quilting and I found them very helpful. I do most of my smaller things myself now. I am very good on loop-de-loops and fairly good on stipling. It does take some machine time to feel more comfortable doing it though.

  53. I used the refereces already mentioned — ie., OhFrasson and Crazy Mom’s and then just a lot of practice. Slowing the machine speed and increasing the upper tension one notch is when everything started to click for me.
    I improved the most when I practiced on a finished project vs. scraps. It was too easy to give up on scraps.
    Doll quilts were the perfect practice projects. Quick to piece and a perfect size to get your motion down. Then I did a couple of 33-48″ stash quilts to learn how to control more bulk yet not be overwhelmed.
    Took me about 7 projects to get to this comfort level and I think I could actually do a twin size. A year ago I would have said – no way. I do not have a BSR. I use to think I needed one, but I don’t anymore.

  54. I used the refereces already mentioned — ie., OhFrasson and Crazy Mom’s and then just a lot of practice. Slowing the machine speed and increasing the upper tension one notch is when everything started to click for me.
    I improved the most when I practiced on a finished project vs. scraps. It was too easy to give up on scraps.
    Doll quilts were the perfect practice projects. Quick to piece and a perfect size to get your motion down. Then I did a couple of 33-48″ stash quilts to learn how to control more bulk yet not be overwhelmed.
    Took me about 7 projects to get to this comfort level and I think I could actually do a twin size. A year ago I would have said – no way. I do not have a BSR. I use to think I needed one, but I don’t anymore.

  59. I have been quilting most of my own quilts except the very large. I recently purchased a Supreme Slider which is helpful in moving the quilt around during free motion. I have found that the smaller meandering that I do is prettier than the large. Also matching the thread as carefully as possible helps conceal areas that aren’t perfect. Charcoal is a great color for dark multicolor quilts, tan/green for medium, and of course creme color for light. For stitch in the ditch, a very fine aurifil thread is almost undetectable when you get out of the ditch. I haven’t found the tutorials to be very helpful. I don’t think it’s wise to drop the feed dogs in a Bernina for straight stitching- only for free motion. I think some of the machines have a different tension and it works for those machines. I also found a foot that is open- not the clear one for my Bernina that I like better because I can see what I’m doing better. All that said, it’s my least favorite thing about quilting! Oh if only we could just pick out fabric and piece! Small runners and table toppers are great pieces for learning.

  60. I have been quilting most of my own quilts except the very large. I recently purchased a Supreme Slider which is helpful in moving the quilt around during free motion. I have found that the smaller meandering that I do is prettier than the large. Also matching the thread as carefully as possible helps conceal areas that aren’t perfect. Charcoal is a great color for dark multicolor quilts, tan/green for medium, and of course creme color for light. For stitch in the ditch, a very fine aurifil thread is almost undetectable when you get out of the ditch. I haven’t found the tutorials to be very helpful. I don’t think it’s wise to drop the feed dogs in a Bernina for straight stitching- only for free motion. I think some of the machines have a different tension and it works for those machines. I also found a foot that is open- not the clear one for my Bernina that I like better because I can see what I’m doing better. All that said, it’s my least favorite thing about quilting! Oh if only we could just pick out fabric and piece! Small runners and table toppers are great pieces for learning.

  61. Have a look at Don’t Look Now blog, Kellie is amazing and gives the best tips… she has done workshops too… but for ease the best thing is make sure the machine you use is able to do the quilting properly… I have 3 machines and the best one for quilting is my Brother machine PQS1600…. it is way better than the others…also quilting gloves always helps with the grip.. but paractice practice practice is the way to go… happy 1000 hours..
    hugs Dawn x x x x

  62. Have a look at Don’t Look Now blog, Kellie is amazing and gives the best tips… she has done workshops too… but for ease the best thing is make sure the machine you use is able to do the quilting properly… I have 3 machines and the best one for quilting is my Brother machine PQS1600…. it is way better than the others…also quilting gloves always helps with the grip.. but paractice practice practice is the way to go… happy 1000 hours..
    hugs Dawn x x x x

  63. Nicole,
    I’ve found that, like everything else in life, if you have the tools it is much easier. A supreme slider, gloves, the right thread and, of course, practice. Not just practice on small scraps but on actual quilts – Snibbles are really good for this. Once you’ve finished and washed the quilt, you can’t really even see where your mistakes are.

  64. Nicole,
    I’ve found that, like everything else in life, if you have the tools it is much easier. A supreme slider, gloves, the right thread and, of course, practice. Not just practice on small scraps but on actual quilts – Snibbles are really good for this. Once you’ve finished and washed the quilt, you can’t really even see where your mistakes are.

  65. You Did Great Nicole Looks good to me For A first try you will be flying through them in no time.keep going.
    Hugs Mary.

  66. You Did Great Nicole Looks good to me For A first try you will be flying through them in no time.keep going.
    Hugs Mary.

  67. oh your quilting is good… better than my first quilting! Try viewing machine quilting on you tube.. Sharon Schamber is the ultimate!

  68. oh your quilting is good… better than my first quilting! Try viewing machine quilting on you tube.. Sharon Schamber is the ultimate!

  71. I love all the suggestions. I started on a DSM and upgraded twice and now have a long arm. I still struggle every quilt on what to quilt where. My ‘ah HA’ moment came when I got ahold of a large white board. My scribbles were AWFUL at first. my two tips? dont put your elbow down (you are teaching your ARMS the movements and shapes) and low odor dry erase markers (I just about asphyxiated myself the 1st time I used up a regular one.) you got lots of great ideas and sites. I think I have been to all of them! Nice leaves…yours look MUCH better than my early leaves…I’m still not a pro at them for SURE..

  72. I love all the suggestions. I started on a DSM and upgraded twice and now have a long arm. I still struggle every quilt on what to quilt where. My ‘ah HA’ moment came when I got ahold of a large white board. My scribbles were AWFUL at first. my two tips? dont put your elbow down (you are teaching your ARMS the movements and shapes) and low odor dry erase markers (I just about asphyxiated myself the 1st time I used up a regular one.) you got lots of great ideas and sites. I think I have been to all of them! Nice leaves…yours look MUCH better than my early leaves…I’m still not a pro at them for SURE..