Easy Machine Quilting

Easy machine quilting is a simple skill to master. All you need is easy to find equipment and a little practice.

Quilting is a series of small straight stitches which form a quilting design.

Be prepared. Hours can pass without even realizing it. You can become so engrossed in your creativity that the world could come crashing down around you and you would never know it.

The choice of an easy machine quilting design for the beginning quilter can seem overwhelming. Start with the basic quilting methods and think of this as your foundation that you can build on as your experience grows.

The amount of quilting required on different battings can vary considerably. Information about the density of the quilting that is required can be found on the packaging. Your local quilt shop staff can be very helpful about this subject also. So don’t be afraid to ask.

If your quilt blocks make a complex quilt top design, too much quilting could actually interfere with the design of the quilt blocks. Quilting in the ditch would work well in this situation if you keep in mind the batting requirements. In the ditch quilting has the advantage that it is simple and fast and will provide dimension to the quilt.

When quilting in the ditch, you stitch about 1/8” from the seam line on the side that does not have the seam allowances. If this is done correctly, these subtle stitches tend to disappear into the seam lines - into the ditch.

In the ditch quilting is also good for enhancing the main design of the quilt blocks in your quick and easy quilting pattern.

Outline quilting is stitching ¼ inch inside the seam lines of a finished quilt block. It enhances the quilt block pattern making the quilted ones stand out from the rest. You don’t have to outline every piece in the quilt block. You can choose what pattern you would like to stand out.

It is alright to combine the various types of quilting within the same quilt or even within the same quilt block.

Continuous line quilting is a version of outline quilting that is great for machine quilters who need to avoid starting and stopping often.

It is not always necessary to follow the seam lines. You can add a new dimension to a Nine patch by quilting diagonally across the quilt block pattern.

It looks good to quilt in the ditch on applique quilt blocks or to outline quilt ¼ inch away from the design to emphasize them.

The size of a design needs to directly relate to the area it covers and is very important when you are quilting in open areas such as plain quilt blocks, side and corner triangles, sashes and borders. The quilting design should look like it belongs in the block, not too big or too small for the space.

If you find a design that you like, it can be enlarged or reduced on a photocopier.

You will want to match the shape of the quilting design to the space also. For example, in a quilt like the Nine Patch that has alternating easy machine pieced blocks and plain blocks set diagonally, you could use a circular floral quilting design in the plain quilt blocks. A portion of the design could then be used in the side and corner triangles and also adding some vines or leaves to fill in the points of the triangles.

Sometimes it is better to develop a quilting design for the whole quilt instead of focusing only one the individual quilt blocks. Easy machine quilting complements all of the quilt blocks and borders and brings them all together in the overall design of the quilt pattern.

To check for balance, turn the quilt over to look at the quilt backing. Without all of the quilt block distractions, it is easier to see the complete effect of the easy machine quilting design. It is also easier to see if there are any areas you might have missed.

If you are interested in learning more about quilting design, start looking at as many quilts as you can find. When you see a quilt that you really like, study it.

See whether the stitches are made by hand quilting or by easy machine quilting. What kind of thread was used and what color was used. What is the relationship between the quilting block pattern and the quilting design pattern.

You can look for designs at your local quilt shop. Look at what designs are available in books or stencils. Keep a notebook of interesting designs.

As you graduate from a beginner quilter to a more experienced quilter, you will begin to see design ideas everywhere.

Happy quilting!

Go to Ideas-for-Quilting from Easy Machine Quilting