How to Quilt by Machine

After cutting and piecing your quilt top, it's time to layer it with the batting, backing and actually quilt it. You can save loads of time and money by machine quilting. Follow the steps here and with a little practice, you'll have a beautiful, finished quilt in no time.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Pin through all the layers in several places throughout the top layer of the quilt. Place straight pins perpendicular to the line of stitching. Stabilize the borders with safety pins.

2. Choose a quilting thread that works well with the fabric. Play with the thread colors and use a contrasting color when appropriate. Match the bobbin thread to the top thread.

3. Use the walking foot that comes with the sewing machine or purchase a universal one. Start quilting in the center of the quilt and work out to the edges to avoid any wrinkling on the backside of the quilt.

4. "Stitch in the ditch" so that the stitching disappears. Start the needle in the ditch which is the seam to the outside of the edge. This is the seam ironed towards the center of the quilt.

5. Steer the fabric and refrain from pushing it while machine quilting. Let the walking foot pull the fabric along. Stop at the corners, keep the needle down, turn the fabric and continue sewing.

6. Wear tacky gloves to handle the quilt while working on it in the machine. Buy tacky gloves at any specialty quilting shop.

7. Adjust the length of the machine stitch to get different looks. Make the stitch wider to look more like hand quilting.

Tips & Warnings

• There are a variety of machine quilted stitches to choose from when selecting a quilt design. There are geometric, continuous lines as well as horizontal and vertical machine quilting patterns, just to name a few and many more.