How to Machine-Quilt a Bedcover

Anchor the layers of your bedcover or quilt together by machine quilting the project. This will give your bedcover or quilt a more durable, more evenly spaced stitched line. Machine quilting can also be done in a fraction of the time it takes to hand-quilt.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sewing Machine
• Thimbles
• Threads
• Scissors
• Scissors
• Sewing Chalk

1. Choose a quilt design. Your design can consist of merely outlining any patchwork or appliqué work, or you can create an all-over complementary design. Quilting can also be done on a solid fabric color.

2. Look through quilting books to get ideas for suitable quilt designs. You can also find designs on Web sites devoted to quilting.

3. Use sewing chalk to transfer the chosen design to the top layer of the fabric before your project is assembled. Use one of the methods in "How to Transfer a Design to Fabric."

4. Hand-baste the layers of your quilt or other project together. Use large running stitches that start in the center of your project and radiate outward toward the edges. Baste generously.

5. Plan your pattern of stitching so that the bulk of the project always lies to the left of your sewing machine. Put a spare table or two to the left of your machine and use that extra space to support the weight of your bedcover or quilt if necessary.

6. Cover the feed mechanism located just under the needle of your machine (this attachment may come with your machine in the form of a special throat plate) or drop the feed mechanism if this is an option on your machine.

7. Choose a place to begin stitching on your pattern and guide the fabric under the needle.

8. Machine stitch your project at a steady, even pace. Since the feed mechanism is covered, it won't push the fabric through the machine. The length of your stitches will be determined by the speed at which you sew.

9. Leave the feed mechanism intact if your project is small and your design is gridlike or composed of straight lines only.

Tips & Warnings

• Do a running stitch by bringing the needle up through the fabric and then down again and then up again. Take several stitches on your needle before pulling the thread all the way through. Keep stitches evenly spaced.
• Use a sewing needle large enough to pierce through all the layers of your project.