Why You Need a Quilting Machine

If you have a quilting machine you will find quilting a great deal easier and you will be able to complete your quilting projects faster. There are various different options that you have when it comes to a quilting machine, and of course you want to make sure that you choose the right one. Quilting Machine
Whether you want a long arm quilting machine so that you can make sweaters, or a heavy duty quilting machine so you can make thick quilted blankets, you need to make sure that you put some thought into this so that you can get a machine that is going to offer you all the features you need.

Tips

There are a few tips that will help you if you are trying to buy a quilting machine, and which will be discussed here for you in more detail. First you need to know that if you are planning to buy a large arm machine, these work on the same premise as a sewing machine, only on a bigger level. Surely you have owned a sewing machine before, and this will give you at least a basic idea of what you are looking for.

These long arm machines allow you to work faster and with much greater ease, which is especially useful if you are quilting professionally for instance, where you make your living through quilting and need to complete projects rapidly as possible.

One of the first things you will need to do before you choose a machine is research all of the different manufacturers, and there are only about nine different companies that manufacture the long arm quilting machines. You will want to find out how long each company has been in business, what they specialize in, what sort of reputation they have, and so on. quilting machines

Another good idea before buying any quilting machine is to try it out first. After all, depending on whether you are left or right handed, what stance you like to have while using the machine, and so on, certain machines will be more comfortable and easy for you to use than others. If you go into any store, they should have different models out that you can actually test out so that you can get a feel for the machine before deciding which to buy.

These tips will all be very helpful in your quest of finding a machine and ensuring that you choose just the right one for you.

Batting – A Start From The Very Beginning!

younisWhen it comes to batting, all you might want to do is stand in a corner and blink! Choosing batting for your quilt involves educating yourself on batting terminologies, knowing which brand to choose, loft, fibre content etc. Feeling lost already? Yes, it is also a great idea to seek references on what works best for you!

Here are a few pointers to make your life easier.

Have You Decided On The Size Of Quilt?
Is it for a king size or queen size bed or for a crib, twin or a full size bed? If custom sized, try buying off the bolt.

What Choices Of Material Are Available For Your Fibre?
Polyester, Cotton or Cotton Blend are broadly the three types for your fibre. You also can choose from polycot ( the choice of specific ratio of cotton to polyester is also available).

Any Tips On The Kind Of Loft?
You either opt for high loft (cotton) or low loft (polyester) battings. Low loft is the right choice for machine quilting and high loft for hand quilting. Another parameter that helps you decide is whether you want a puffy or a flat finish, in other words, would you want the focus to remain with the lines (high loft) or the piecing (low loft).

What Is The Right Brand For Your Quilt?.
There is no single answer to this one! Each has its pros and cons and you need to discover what works for you. If it’s a client, there’s the budget to be considered as well. Do get an opinion of your client on her preference. Keep samples readily available if possible.

If you are a beginner, this bit information is good enough to get you started. However do note that you are under the bottom of the pile (of information!).

Read more:Simple Techniques To Get Started With Your First Quilt

The Art Of Machine Quilting

m_quiltingQuilting is a great hobby and it acts as a mean to unleash your creative side. You feel so happy after each quilt. The new machine quilting technique helps in quilting more designs with less mess. Here are some tips for a mess free and happy quilting experience.

Choose a good backing fabric that can cover the top of the quilt. Before
choosing the backing fabric, think about the color of the fabric you are using for quilting. Choose same color of thread on the quilting machine so that the pattern looks neat. Once you have chosen the backing fabric, press it to your quilting top. In case you are using cotton or wool, it might need some effort of pressing as well.

Take time to prepare your quilt. Decide how you want to make your quilts. Plan how each layer should blend. If you are using machine quilting, you can use pins for securing your quilling. There will be a requirement for lots of pins so keep them ready. Most machines do not require the quilling to be marked on top. You can easily do it using a quilting design guide.

After you have your quilting plan, think about which thread you must use. There are specific threads available in the market for machine quilling. Choose colors that can blend easily with the fabric you have chosen for you quilling project.

Adjust the stitching length so that it is slightly bigger and use the walking foot for making your quilt stitching. This attachment helps in feeding the layers into the machine easily into your sewing machine. If the quilt is large, roll them up on the edges and then secure it with clips. After you get comfortable with machine quilting, you can try hand quilting to see how it comes out.

We hope these tips help you master the art of machine quilting.