Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Brave Machine Quilting

"Be brave. Take Risks! NOTHING CAN SUBSTITUTE EXPERIENCE."
From Motivational Reads
Are you afraid of machine quilting? 
Truly there is nothing to be afraid of!

If you are hesitant, the best thing you can do is take an "in person" class and learn some tips to make it less scary. The teacher can help you with your machine, and help to problem solve any possible technical issues.  The second best thing is to take an "on line" class, but I find that a lot of people "watch and wish", but are still hesitant to jump in and actually try it themselves. The only way to learn is to try!
And if you are ready to try, I recommend starting with a design like I'm doing on this quilt ... a wavy line stitched vertically from top to bottom.
You just need a walking foot for your machine, and off you go! No pattern or lines to follow, and no right or wrong way to go. You can stitch a really wavy line, or gentle waves, or make each one different and discover what you enjoy stitching the most.  
It really is so much fun once you get going. 
I promise... money back guarantee!
How about listening to my favorite song "Be brave" and just go for it!


18 comments:

Sew Quilt Designs said...

Funny you should say all that! I tried with the walking foot on a small quilt for the first time today...and i was always terrified at the thought. So far it's been great...maybe had something to do with iron on batting! :)

KaHolly said...

You are so full of encouragement! Think I'll give it a try.

Deanna W said...

You make it sound so easy and look so easy. With the walking foot I am okay but the drop the feed dogs and free motion....that terrifies me!!!

Scrappy quilter said...

So very true. I learnt by making potholders and quilting those. So much easier than struggling with a quilt the first time. I do use my walking foot however I graduated to a darning foot a few years back and love it. I would also suggest everyone use good batting. It makes a huge difference.

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

I stick with wavy or straight lines for my machine quilting - it really isn't hard, but I still prefer hand quilting

sophie said...

Great post! I have a stack of quilt tops that have waited for far too long because I was afraid I couldn't machine quilt well enough ... but somewhere along the way, I decided to "feel the fear and do it anyway" and I am now making progress. I have a machine with more space now, but I have machine quilted an 84-inch square quilt on my little Bernina. It can be done. I think NO part of quilting feels better than "finished."

Carla A Few Of My Favorite Things said...

Oh, I feel so bad just did a post at how I failed on my third attempt at machine quitling. I think the 72x72 was just too large for me to feel like I was having fun. The big stitching is just so much more fun! But I will try again on anything lap size or smaller.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

Great post and so true. I practiced, practiced, practiced - then thumped myself! Start quilting and stop practicing - been sailing right along on any of the machines here.

Rebecca said...

Part of the hesitation with doing machine quilting is all the work and material and time you put into a project before you even get to the point of messing it up with the quilting. What I did was pick up sheets and stuff from the thrift store and a light batting and then practiced away and then donated the practice pieces to the local animal shelter. Win win for everyone !

Jeanna said...

I have watched many videos but seem to stick to just stitching in the ditch. I really should venture out and try something else.

Janet O. said...

You and another blogger were my best cheerleaders when I was trying to gather my courage to start machine quilting. I am so grateful to you for giving me the encouragement I needed to go for it and am glad to see you are still doing the same for others!

Deb A said...

I'm planning to do some lines like that on my celtic solstice.... once I get it pinned. Thanks for the push to just 'do it'!

Lisa J. said...

Thanks for sharing this awesome video Kathy. Just what I needed to see this evening.

Lesley said...

Love that pretty quilt and your quilting is perfect for it. I have recently ventured into machine quilting and now love it! It sure is fun to take a quilt from beginning to end!

Melody A. said...

Such a cute cute quilt with all of those polka dots in different sizes! very fun and someone is really going to enjoy it!

AnnieO said...

Timely post--I just finished quilting freehand peaks and valleys on a strippy tablerunner! I love my walking foot :)

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

I stink at FM quilting. I took 3 different classes, years ago. One of these days, when I have time to practice, I'll try again. Unless I have time to practice, it won't do any good.

CathieJ said...

No matter how many times I attempt machine quilting I really do not like it. I think I am too particular. I have a walking foot, but my stitching still wanders off the line I want. I am currently halfway through with machine quilting a table runner and I just am not interested in continuing. I had wanted to use it for Easter so maybe I will get back to it.