How to Take Apart a Janome Sewing Machine

How to Use a Quilting Machine

If you're itching to learn quilting, it helps to know the specialty supplies and tools that make the craft easier. One major tool, a quilting machine, is a helpful investment if you decide to commit to the craft. Learn more about quilting machines and how to use them.

What's a Quilting Machine?

Though you can quilt by hand or use an ordinary sewing machine for quilting, a quilting machine has features you're likely to appreciate to quilt the right way. A quilting machine has the following features, according to APQS.com, a seller/servicer:

• They have a larger work area than regular sewing machines.
• Some quilting machines are stand-up to allow you to easily maneuver a quilt while working on it.
• They only offer a straight stitch, which is useful for easy machine quilting patterns.
• They're designed with powerful motors allowing you to stitch through thick layers of fabric (even leather).
• Many are designed with handles that allow you to move the machine over layers of fabric to create any design for your quilt.
• Some are designed with computers so you can input a quilting design that the machine can automatically create for your quilt.

Types of Quilting Machines

There are a few types of quilting frames and machines to be aware of whether you're a beginner or more advanced in the craft:

Hybrid sewing and quilting machines: Improved sewing machines now offer suitable features for at-home quilters, according to QuiltersReview.com. The hybrid has the ability to sew through layers of thick fabrics and includes quilt stitching guides, and some have additional quilting tables, explains the site.
• Tabletop quilting machine: For experienced quilters, a pure quilting machine is outfitted with quilting feet, a quilting table and programmable sewing features housed in a solid frame that won't tip over when working on heavy quilts, says QuiltersReview.com.
• Advanced longarm quilting machine: For serious quilters with lots of space to house this professional-style machine, the longarm machine requires loading special longarm quilting designs and templates.

What's Free Motion Quilting?

Free motion quilting is a term you'll frequently hear. It means you have a total freedom of movement to move your quilt around on your sewing machine. If you're creating a fancy, curved design on your quilt, free motion is what you'll use.

It does take practice to feel comfortable creating free motion quilting patterns. You'll let the machine feed the fabric forward on feed dogs (little teeth) which grips and smoothly moves the fabric along. This technique can be done on a regular sewing machine, as well, according to the NationalQuiltersCircle.com.

What's a Long Arm Quilting Machine?

A longarm quilting machine is a large, costly machine that needs lots of room for heavy-duty frames that run about 10- to 14-feet long. It requires standing while pushing a heavy quilting machine head and adjusting fabric rollers, according to QuiltersReview.com. You'll likely find used longarm quilting machines for sale.

Quilting Machine Tricks

Here's some advice, tips and tricks for using quilting machines:

• Use the correct thread specifically made for use on a quilting machine, according to TheSpruceCrafts.com.
• Use a pair of quilting gloves made with little rubber nubs designed to easily grip the quilt as it moves along, adds the site.
• When working on a large quilt, put a table in back of the machine to support the weight of the quilt, adds TheSpruceCrafts.com.
• Feel comfortable with the lingo before you begin quilting, according to Dummies.com. For example, backing is the bottom layer of a quilt, batting is the filling and binding hides raw edges of a quilt.

More From QuestionsAnswered.net

How to Take Apart a Janome Sewing Machine

Source: https://www.questionsanswered.net/article/how-use-quilting-machine?utm_content=params%3Ao%3D740012%26ad%3DdirN%26qo%3DserpIndex

Share this post