How to Free Motion Quilt With Dyed Fabrics

Nothing beats the speed of machine-quilting compared to quilting by hand. While some machine-quilting involves the basic stitch in the ditch and other straight patterns, free-motion quilting gives a quilter an opportunity to express herself. With free-motion quilting, the quilter is able to move the fabric to create swirling patterns, echo quilting and feathers. Even vines with tendrils are as easy as drawing on paper; there's no having to pre-plan the exact placement of the stitches.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Finished quilt top Removable fabric marker Batting Backing fabric Safety pins or thread Quilting thread Sewing machine or long-arm quilting machine with frame

1. Lay out your quilt top and pre-mark your quilting lines if desired to give a guideline for quilting. Some free-motion quilting is done without marking. If the pattern you will be using doesn't require marking, practice your pattern on another fabric beforehand to be sure of your movements.

2. Sandwich your quilt layers together by basting with thread or using safety pins. If using a frame, place your quilt on the frame following the manufacturer's directions.

3. Start your quilting by making one stitch and pulling on your top thread to pull the bobbin thread to the front of the quilt. Take a few stitches here to secure the stitch.

4. Begin quilting along your pattern. Free-motion quilting is based on working in a continuous pattern using one line to complete your pattern. Know what design you want to make before you begin.

5. When you are finished stitching an area or need to reposition the quilt, complete the stitch by taking three stitches in the same spot to secure the threads. Snip the threads as close to the fabric as possible without cutting the quilt. Adjust your quilt as you go to move the quilting along, but be sure to keep the top and back of the quilt smooth and crease-free.

6. When the quilting is complete, attach your binding to the front and then turn it to the back to complete the quilt. Finish the quilt with a signature panel stitched on the back detailing the maker, the date, the title of the quilt and why the quilt was made.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are new to machine-quilting, practice on a piece of muslin or scrap fabric made into a sandwich with smaller pieces of scrap batting. Work up to smooth lines and relaxed shoulders and arms. Don't give up on machine-quilting until you have practiced for about 20 hours. It takes time to build up confidence and smooth movements with the fabric. Take your time when considering your thread choice. A similar-colored thread can blend in and let the quilting pattern shine, but a contrasting or variegated thread can add another dimension to the quilt and create interest.
• Keep your sandwich as flat as possible while quilting. If the quilt becomes rumpled or stretched, you could end up with puckers on the top and bottom of the quilt.