How to: Quilt Meandering
Finishing a quilt is often the most paralyzing part; it looks very complicated and can keep someone from every making a quilt. Learning the meandering, or free-motion quilting does not have to be difficult. Take your time and you will find it is hard to mess up. Since there is no right or wrong way to quilt in a meandering fashion, it is actually quite simply to learn how to do.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Set your machine to a walking foot and drop the feed dogs under the needle. You want to be able to push the quilt around on your own, and not have it brought forward by the feed dogs.
-
2
Slide your quilt sandwich under the needle of your sewing machine. It is best to start on an edge of the quilt where you can hide your beginning.
-
-
3
Press the pedal of the machine slowly while holding on to the quilt with both hands. Maneuver the quilt around under the needle so you are creating circles, swirls and patterns. You want your stitching lines to stay at least a half inch apart, although you can certainly go further apart than that.
-
4
Continue moving the quilt around under the needle; the decision to cross stitching lines is up to you. If you get backed in to a corner and the only way out is to cross another line, go ahead and do it.
-
5
Finish your meandering lines on another edge of the quilt. At this point, you should have meandered all over the entire quilt. Trim any loose threads.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If you run out of thread in the middle of the quilt, simply rethread and start back where you just ended.
There is no pattern for meandering, but if you feel you need one, draw one on with chalk. It will come out in the wash.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
