Free Motion Machine Quilting Tools

by Christine
(Greenville Ohio)

I tried to stipple a medium size blanket. I just couldn't get the quilt to glide over the machine bed, so the stitches were all different sizes. I know part of that is me learning but it seems the quilt was "stuck to the machine".

Is there something to make the fabric move easily?

REPLY:

There are several things that you can do to make moving the quilt sandwich easier. Some are low tech, requiring hand lotion or soap and water...others involve the purchase of special quilting tools.

Lighten Up

...the pressure of your hands that is. Sometimes when we first start quilting, we press down very hard on the quilt sandwich as we are trying to quilt. Get up on the tips of your fingers. This creates less friction than having the whole palm of your hands down.

When you are moving the quilt under the sewing machine needle, remember that the only part of the quilt that should be moving is the part between your hands. You are not moving the whole weight of the quilt as you stitch. The rest of your quilt should be supported and contained so that it doesn't suddenly move (i.e. fall off the table) and pull unexpectedly as you are quilting.

Wash the Bed of Your Sewing Machine

Dampen a cloth with warm, soapy water and wipe down the bed of your sewing machine. Sometimes we accumulate dirt and residues that make the bed "sticky".

Polish

There is a product called "Quilt Glide", a silicon based spray, that can be applied to your machine bed. Follow the instructions. Some have recommended car wax to make it more slippery.

Quilting Tools to Make the Job Easier

• Free Motion Slider (the latest version is the "Supreme Slider")
  
  This is a Teflon sheet that adheres to your sewing machine bed (just like a vinyl cling for the window). The Teflon makes the area more "slide able".
  
  It can be cut with scissors to fit your machine. The Teflon reduces friction.
  
  Expect to pay about $30 retail.




• The Quilt Halo
  
  The Quilt Halo is weighted red and slightly tacky, PVC-coated metal ring. It sits on top of your quilt sandwich. You move the quilt with the ring. Expect to pay about $25 retail. For more information, go to Quilting Tools - Quilt Halo.




• Machingers Quilting Gloves
  These gloves have a coating on their finger tips that help them grip the quilt. They are light weight, breath and are a great improvement on previous versions of quilting gloves. Expect to pay about $8.00 retail.
  
  For more information, go to Quilting Gloves.



• Neutrogena Hand Cream
  
  Yes, a hand cream. Just a little bit on your hands will help you grip the quilt without leaving a residue. Cost: $3-$4 a tube.
  
  For more information, go to Quilting Gloves - Neutrogena.

Starch Your Quilt Back

Starch your backing quilt fabric before it is sandwiched in your quilt. The starch helps the backing slide more easily.

For more information, see Starch Quilt Fabric.


Try these suggestions. One of them should work for you! Machine quilting is so much fun to do! Getting over these initial hurdles is well worth the effort. Do let us know which of these suggestions works for you!

Piecefully,

Julie Baird
Editor