Happy Monday, Quilters!
Today: a machine quilting quick tip-barefoot is best!
Have you ever heard of “Shoeless” Joe Jackson? He was a famous American baseball player who doffed his cleats 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.
Why You Should QUILT Barefoot
Quilters, it’s time to start our own fad–Barefoot Quilting!
Modern sewing machine have precision foot pedal control. Our sewing machines start and stop with exacting control. (Does anyone remember the long wind up as our old machines would stammer before the needle would start?)
However, wearing a shoe while quilting reduces that precision control.
Sewing barefoot–or at least shoeless– gives you more precise control as you free motion quilt.
So the next time YOU step in to the batter’s quilter’s box, think of Shoeless Joe, and kick off those shoes.
Let’s add a little more “free” to our free motion quilting!
Books Make Great Gifts
For more machine quilting quick tips–like barefoot is best, check out the “Skill Building” chapters in my books.
(The books are personalized-so please tell me who YOUR gift is for)
And get a FREE surprise in every package!!!
Free Motion Machine Quilting 1-2-3
And More Free Motion Machine Quilting 1-2-3
More Quilts, Motifs and The Quilting Roadmap
A quick programming note-It’s been a busy year of teaching, writing and traveling this year. I realize I have been an inconsistent blogger…
Thank you for tuning in and I promise–there’s much more to come!
YOUR Shoeless Quilter,
Lori
PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy Quilts and are intended for personal use only. Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to LKQ. For all other purposes, please contact me at Lori@LoriKennedyQuilts.com. Thanks!
45 comments
Cheryl R Parker
I have a T-shirt that says ‘I treadle fast and barefoot’. I do treadle barefoot, since treadle sewing machines were made for shorter ladies than me (my knees hit the drip pan). I’ve never liked wearing shoes when I am sewing. I only do it when I’m at a sew-in somewhere.
Judy
I have been sewing for years with no shoes on and didn’t realize what a difference it made until I went to my first quilting retreat this year. I couldn’t sew with my shoe on so took off the shoe on the foot I sew with. Didn’t realize until then what a difference it made.
Debra Reber
I really can’t sew unless I’m barefoot. Which is sometimes a problem when I’m taking a sewing class!!
Raewyn
hehe I come from the land of the bare foot. Bare feet around the home (and garden) is a common mode of transport for us kiwis. When I am at work at the quiltshop and have to sew in my shoes, I do struggle!
Michele R
I’ve been sewing with socks for years now and can’t/wouldn’t do it any other way. It’s so much easier to feel the power and control. It also forces me to be neater because dropped pins hurt! LOL!
Carole @ From My Carolina Home
I’ve always sewn in just socks or barefoot, that foot pedal just is easier to control that way.
Diana Lassahn
I too sew without shoes. With my featherweight I actually only use my big toe which is needless to say BIG! LOL!
I have enjoyed reading these posts.
Heartland Honey
When it’s warm I sew/quilt barefoot. When it’s cold I wear slipper socks when I sew/quilt. I like the real thick cute ones with non-skid on the bottom.
Theresa
This made me laugh. I used to sell machines. There was a fellow that used to come in and try to get us all to take our shoes off. Told all of us his wife liked to sew in her bare feet. He was arrested for something nefarious in a shoe department soon after our encounter.
auntiepatch69
I’ve always sewed barefoot. I have more control on the footplate.
Suzanne
I’m a barefoot sewer too; it’s impossible for me to sew with a shoe or even a slipper on. But, every time someone in my family comes home from the hospital (unfortunately there’s been too much of that lately), they have those ugly “walking socks”, the one-size-fits-all (not) thingies with rubber dots on the bottom to prevent slipping on smooth floors. Well, with a little scissor action and some stitching on your machine, you can have a sewing sock that actually fits. And the little rubber dots help to grip the pedal without preventing your foot from feeling it. For me, they’re the perfect answer to wintertime sewing.
Marta
Finally, a solution for all those hospital socks piling up in linen closet.. thanks!! This is being a fun blog today !! But fun is a staple here !
Bette
I’ve quilted in my stocking feet since I first learned to sew. I slip off my shoes but leave them near the machine to put back on when I get up so I don’t step on a stray pin. My cat is in his glory when I’m sewing. He follows me into my sewing room because he just loves rolling around on my (sometimes stinky) shoes as soon as I remove them!
cyndy
Yup! barefoot or no shoes are the way to go! I wear at least socks in the winter!
Rowena Gallagher
I wear slippers around the house in the winter and bare footed in the summer. I have always kicked off just my right slipper to sew even before I started quilting and automatically rest my foot on the slipper or the feet of my chair when not sewing (avoids accidents when you have your fingers near the needle although I now use tweezers or something else since seeing the x-ray of your finger!!)
Rosemarie
Lori, I’ve always quilted and sewed without my right shoe on. Of course, here in central Wisconsin, in the winter, I always wear wool socks, and if need be, HEAVY wool socks! I also play piano without my right shoe on.
Jean E. Quick
I have ALWAYS sewn barefooted. For the nurse’s comment on pins, etc. I keep a long handled magnet nearby for oftentimes sweeps as I drop stuff often.
Karen P.
I am in the category of Shoeless Quilters. I have sewn and quilted without shoes for years. But I am too cold-natured to be barefoot! Must have socks or soft-soled slippers. The one exception is when sewing on my Featherweight. That small, hard button on the foot pedal requires shoes!
Cheri
Barefooted quilters, a lovely vision!
Pat
Sounds like you hit a nerve with the bare foot quilting tip. I, too, sew with at least one foot bare for the control. In a Quilt Fest class last year I noticed half the quilters had a shoe, or shoes, off.
Cindy
As a nurse, I would caution that all scissors, rotary cutters, pins, etc. are far removed from the area so they do not accidentally fall and cut feet. Also be sure there are no stray pins on the floor that were dropped and missed. That’s why I wear at least slippers when I am sewing.
Angie T
Lol. I’ve always been a barefoot babe (thus my gross feet). I HAVE to see barefoot, and prefer to kick my shoe off when driving as well.
Patricia Evans
Don’t like going barefoot and my feet are always cold (I even wear socks to bed), but I do wear slippers with a flexible sole when I quilt. I’ll try with just socks the next time.
gladquilts
When I was a young sewist and then quilter, my old foot pedal would heat up uncomfortably, so I would have to put my shoes on to continue my project. Yes, I think you get more control in your sensitive bare feet. Love your blog.
Susan Coolidge
The Barefoot Quilter….good name for a book!
Nan
Please revise suggestion:-) it is dark freezing cold winter. Quilting with warm wool socks on – Works best when they are dark pink.
Chrysanthemum
Sorry, 🙄 but after after having TWO bouts of planter fasciitis I keep my shoes on and my feet warm…. since I stitch/patch/quilt almost every day for hours. However, I do not wear shoes when I exercise in my 25 minute morning workout, because Miranda Edmond-White, from Classical Stretch fame, says feet need to able to move and breathe…
I enjoy reading and using your methods in my quilting… Great blog!
Suzanne
I’ve experienced plantar fasciitis myself – it’s PAINFUL and I wouldn’t wish it on anybody! I stopped wearing high-heels all of the time about 20 years ago because my doctor told me wearing them shortens the ligaments/tendons or something, and that can make a person vulnerable to plantar fasciitis. Plus a physical therapist friend once taught me how to stretch properly and I haven’t had a problem since doing the stretches. He also told me that when a foot gets cold it can cramp (ouch!) but he said that’s a muscle cramp, not PF. Either way however, it really doesn’t make a difference; pain is pain, regardless whether PF or a muscle cramp – both really HURT, so I definitely understand why you want to keep your tootsies warm! I don’t like cold feet either and as I age and my circulation isn’t quite as good as it used to be. But I have a four-legged foot warmer. My hundred-plus lb. mutt likes to lie on top of my feet and he keeps them toasty!
Chrysanthemum
Yes, a dog would be a nice addition for warm feet., but we still travel too much…
Debbie
Wow, I’ve learned so much from Lori. I NEVER quilted shoeless until I attended a class with Lori in Oct. It seemed like half the class was quilting in just their cute socks 🙂 I tried it when I got home, and I’m now a committed shoeless quilter!! In addition to the precision, I can find the foot pedal without looking 🙂
Sandra Taylor
Nine times out of ten I am shoeless too!
Lori, Thank you so much for sharing your expertise of FMQ – I have your Craftsy Classes and I have your “More Freemotion book – your first book will be “coming soon.” I thank you also for your commitment to always delve deep into FMQ by doodling. I am subscribed to your blog and soak it up everytime I read it. I love your inspiration!!!!
Arvilla Trag
When I was young and vain I lived in 3″ heels. Imelda Marcos had nothing on me. At 30 I started belly dancing classes, and that required being barefoot. I soon realized the error of my ways, and have not worn heels in 25 years.
I quilt barefoot all the time. As a matter of fact, I only wear shoes if I am going to drive somewhere. I am barefoot all year round, and have callouses that liken my feet to a goat’s (according to my husband). Even in the dead of winter I will run outside barefoot for quick errands (bird feeder filling, etc.). I admit to putting on boots if I am going to shovel snow or collect maple sap. Cold spring mud season and fall acorn season are about the only times I don’t enjoy being barefoot, but on principle I persevere.
Marta
Arvilla, I keep seeing more things we have in common..!! A pleasure !
Lisa Giesfeldt
I’m glad I’m not the only one who takes off a shoe or slipper from my sewing foot before I start. I also take off one shoe whenever I do a workshop. I get some funny looks when I walk around with one shoe on, but it’s always worked for me . You can feel the pedal, and have more control.
Thanks, Lori, for passing on the tip.
Jackson M. Watkins
Great article. I’m about to start FMQing a quilt and will be doing it barefoot. Having neurology my feet really don’t like wearing shoes anyway.
Jackson M. Watkins
I meant to say “neuropathy”.
Jackson M. Watkins
I meant “neuropathy”.
Marta
Jackson, I have neuropathy in my feet, shins. You gave me a good laugh ! Thanks…
Sandy
I always quilt barefooted for the very reasons you stated…better control of the foot pedal. Even when I go to retreats or take classes at quilt festivals…..I make sure I’ve packed a pair of socks in my supply tote.
sewonchris
I’ve always sewn barefoot unless you count the two pair of socks in mid-January! Now we’re teaching my 8 year old grand daughter to sew without shoes. She’s a natural!!
dandelionfloss
Funny reading your ‘shoeless’ suggestion. For as long as I can remember (at least 40 years) I have taken my shoe off and reversed the foot floor pedal when machine sewing. There is definitely more control from the heal than the toe.
Dandelion Floss
Heel … not heal!
Sheree
Me, too!! I always end up with shoes all over the floor in my sewing room!
digadirt
Sheree – I also end up with shoes all over under my machine… Hahahah. Sometimes one shoe ends up in the closet and another is … where???
Rose Landon
I’ve always sewn barefooted, just seemed natural!
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