Have you ever heard of “Shoeless” Joe Jackson? He was a famous American baseball player who doffed his cleats once because they gave him blisters–earning him his famous moniker.
What about the Barefoot Running craze? Though scientific research has yet to reach a consensus on the benefits of barefoot running–many runners have embraced this practice.
Quilters, it’s time to start our own fad–Barefoot Quilting! Sewing barefoot gives you more precise control as you free motion quilt. So the next time YOU step up to the plate, kick off those shoes and add a little more “free” to your free-motion quilting!
PS–One reader warns that if you are using an older model sewing machine with a metal foot pedal–this may not be advisable!
Lori
37 comments
Barb E
I sew barefoot and now can’t sew with shoes on. When I wear shoes I have no idea how to control my speed. In the cold weather I wear socks to keep my feet warm.
Terrie
I remember sewing on my grandma’s treadle machine in my bare feet. In fact, I started out with my shoes on, yet had a hard time treadling because my feet were too stiff. After taking shoes and socks off, my toes could grip the grating and my sewing went as a dream. Stop and go were quick and speed was well managed.
I sure miss her treadle machine.
Lori Kennedy
I have a friend who still sews on a treadle machine occasionally. She loves the rhythm of it–she says it’s like meditating!
stipplequilt
I don’t even know if I could quilt with shoes on, love being barefoot. I use old sewing machines and if you are quilting for a while you will feel the foot heat up. To me that is a sign to take a little break.
Ness
Going to try this to see if I “feel” the difference! haha! Live a couple frozen tundras to the West of you and my feet are always cold too so I always have on slippers or something. Hmmm…wonder what else I can ditch…the bra might be next…haha…JK!
Barb E
I have always sewn without shoes, barefooting it. Now if I have shoes on it all feels so wrong and I have trouble sewing. Glad to hear so many others are the same way.
Lori Kennedy
I can’t sew with my shoes on either! Apparently, we are in good company!
NotYourNormalSteam
I have always sewn barefoot. In fact when I bought my Bernina and took the classes that came with the machine, the instructor looked at me in HORROR when I took my right shoe off to drive. I explained that I just can’t sew with my shoe off. It was funny to because after I did that a few other ladies did as well!!
Oh and your blog followers are not the only one in love with that partridge! My 6 year old son is now DEMANDING that I sew it. He loves it too.
Lori Kennedy
I think your instructor should give it a try! I can’t sew with my shoe on!
I’m so glad to hear you like the partridge–and what a clever son you have! Very discerning…
cary
Barefoot quilting is not recommended.. I once had to get 13 stitches in my bare foot. When I dropped thee rotary cutter on my foot. I had to explain to the e.r. Dr. What. Cut me. I was his 1st quilting injury.
Lori Kennedy
Oh my gosh! My rotary cutters are the kind that close automatically–I invested in them when my kids were little. I could see how easily that could happen!
baback51
I Too am a barefoot sewer, at our charity quilt day last time the woman next to me plugged her nose when I took my shoes off. lol She was kidding, or so I hope.
Lori Kennedy
You’d better check before your next public sewing engagement!
Linda Swanekamp
I always sew with a socked foot. I sew on vintage singers with a button foot controller. The pedal gets hot, so I need a sock. I sew the best this way.
Lori Kennedy
My feet are always cold-so a hot pedal seems like a nice thing!
May Olson
My friend and I were just discussing this.We love barefoot and living in the Desert going barefoot is a given! Sewing barefoot too.
Lori Kennedy
In the frozen tundra where I live, shoes are not optional–except when stitching! I’m jealous!
Jennifer
Do it all the time…………..
Sharon12
Oops! It’s a partridge!! Even better, pls show us how, Lori.
Shelor
Must try barefoot! Maybe that’s why I find it so difficult. So glad I found your blog–it’s wonderful. Thank you for all the great information that you so willingly share.
Sharon12 Stang
Agreed! Also use socks during cold weather then find myself walking around lopsided — one shoe on, one off! Also, pls. show us how to do bluebird. It’s so cute. Hope your hand is better.
Brooke W.
I always have to remove my shoes for comfy quilting. I think I have more control that way, but I also get hot, especially with what I call quilt wrestling and having my feet on the cooler floor helps keep me a bit more comfy.
Lori Kennedy
In addition to being more comfortable, I think you get more precise control. I do know what you mean-wrestling with a quilt is like exercise sometimes–I wonder how many calories you burn???
Arla
Glad to hear I’m not the only barefoot sewer! I wouldn’t think of walking on the beach with shoes on so why would I want to quilt with shoes on. You need to experience the whole thing!
Sharon
I, too, go barefoot for FMQ, although I wear a sock in colder weather. I find that I can “commune” with the machine better when I can really feel the pedal.
Helen
Wondering why not to sew barefoot on the older machines. Is it because of a possible short in the motor and the foot pedal is metal?
Lori Kennedy
Yes, I guess if the motor shorts, it could lead to more than shocking results! I wonder if it is possible to buy more modern foot pedals to go with older machines. I think I would do that, because sewing with a shoe is impossible for me!
ipatchandquilt
Yep!
stitchinggrandma
Exactly.
Roxanna
I ALWAYS run my sewing machine bare-footed…no sox either. I am in love with this bluebird!! Will you teach us how to make it?
Lori Kennedy
I’d love to teach you how to make our little blue bird/partridge. I need to figure out how to scan his outline—
Janet O.
I always kick off my “pedal foot” shoe before sewing or quilting. Sometimes I find myself walking around the house afterward with one shoe on. : )
Lori Kennedy
Me too! It’s always great when the doorbell rings and you go running to answer it like “Diddle Diddle Dumpling–one shoe off and one shoe on!
Colleen
I have always quilted barefoot and I agree it does give you better control.
Queenie
Agreed, I always sew barefoot weather FMQ or other sewing. I have wonderful control of the gas pedal without shoes.
Have a great day.
Always, Queenie
Lori Kennedy
The only way to roll!
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