Free Motion Quilting–Barefoot is Best!

37 responses to “Free Motion Quilting–Barefoot is Best!”

1. 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

   1. The only way to roll!

2. I have always quilted barefoot and I agree it does give you better control.

3. 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. : )

   1. 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!

4. 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?

   1. I’d love to teach you how to make our little blue bird/partridge. I need to figure out how to scan his outline—

5. 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?

   1. Exactly.

   2. Yep!

   3. 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!

6. 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.

7. 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!

8. 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.

   1. 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???

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. Oops! It’s a partridge!! Even better, pls show us how, Lori.

12. Do it all the time…………..

13. My friend and I were just discussing this.We love barefoot and living in the Desert going barefoot is a given! Sewing barefoot too.

    1. In the frozen tundra where I live, shoes are not optional–except when stitching! I’m jealous!

14. 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.

    1. My feet are always cold-so a hot pedal seems like a nice thing!

15. 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.

    1. You’d better check before your next public sewing engagement!

16. 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.

    1. 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!

17. 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.

    1. 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…

18. 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.

    1. I can’t sew with my shoes on either! Apparently, we are in good company!

19. 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!

20. 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.

21. 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.

    1. I have a friend who still sews on a treadle machine occasionally. She loves the rhythm of it–she says it’s like meditating!

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23. 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.