My Secret Weapon for Free Motion Quilting

38 responses to “My Secret Weapon for Free Motion Quilting”

1. I use the Kwik Klip for the pins too. 🙂 (seen in your pic)

   1. I really like the Kwik Klip, but I’ve used a knitting needle or a spoon as well.

      Sent from my iPhone

2. I use the non slip shelf liner instead of the hoop. I cut a size a little longer than my hand and just lay my hands on top of each PCM to use perfect control and I can pace my hands anywhere

   1. I will definitely give that a try. Thanks for sharing that tip!

      Sent from my iPhone

   2. Does the shelf liner look like a soft mesh?

3. Beautiful work and colors as well. Thank you for sharing your secret tool. Be Blessed, Mtetar

4. Lori, is it only possible to use the hoop when you’re working on a central motif like an umbrella, or is there a way to adjust it when sewing lines, such as longer lines of Greek keys?

   And if you haven’t tried them, I’d highly recommend the Fons and Porter FMQ gloves. They are breathable and they don’t have to be a snug fit to work well. Not only that, they’re really inexpensive ($5).

   1. That’s a great question. You can move the hoop along as you move. (Though you do have to stop to move it). It will work for any motif smaller than the hoop. A Grecian key is a series of small motifs. After sewing a few I just stop and move the hoop along. Just like you would stop and move your hands along. Does that make sense?

      Sent from my iPhone

      1. Perfect sense. Thanks!

5. This is one of the many reasons I bought a long arm.

   1. You are so lucky!

      Sent from my iPhone

6. I’d love to see a video showing how you quilt with this product moving along the quilt surface.

   1. I am not set up to do videos at this time. But I am working on it!

      Sent from my iPhone

      1. I do videos from my iPhone…and it’s quite easy. You need a iPhone adapter & a tripod, which can be purchased at Amazon for less than $35.
         If you like you can check out videos I have made on my papercrafting site:
         http://www.sugarssmilinpapercrafts.blogspot.com
         ALL of my videos were / are made with my iPhone 4 ….it does a great job !
         Feel free to ask me any questions ( you can leave a comment on my blog etc. )

      2. Jacqueline–Love you blog and your videos! Thank you so much for the information. Do you use any software for the videos? How did you add music?
         I really appreciate that you took the time to let me know…

7. Wow! Newbie here. I am having trouble picturing where the tool is. At first I was thinking on the left side of the needle (like being your left hand), but now I’m thinking it is around the needle? Thanks so much for your site. I love it!!! I have tried lots of your free motion motifs. Still practicing. : )

   1. I’ll add a few more photos next week.

      Sent from my iPhone

8. I started using myViking hoop when I tried quilting a large flannel quilt. It made It so much easier.

   1. I don’t think many people know about this hoop, but I love it!

9. This seems like a great tool. I need all the help I can get…just ordered it. Thanks.

   1. Please let me know what you think of it. I’m curious to know if anyone else likes it as much as I do.

      Sent from my iPhone

10. I’ve been looking at the very expensive Martelli hoops. Would love to know the size of this one – as the price is much more affordable!

    1. I just looked up the Martelli hoops–I had never heard of them before. The Husqvarna hoop is 6-1/2 inches wide-smaller than the Martelli hoops. However, I have used full circle hoops before and I don’t like them nearly as well as this open hoop. I found I got “stuck” in the hoops. The open hoop (Husqvarna) is easier to move. Also the larger size can be a disadvantage when stitching a small quilt and when you are on the edges of your quilt. If the hoop hands off the quilt it sticks–in other words it is unusable…I would definitely consider the Husqvarna hoop. (PS…I am NOT affiliated with them in any manner–this is an unbiased opinion) Please let me know what you do and how it works out for you. I would be interested to pass the info onto other readers.

11. Pingback: Will Pose for Treats | The Inbox Jaunt
12. Pingback: FMQ...Souldn't be a workout

13. I like the thought of the hoop, but found it comical that it is sitting on a hand quilted quilt

    1. I was wondering about that, too

14. what kind of a foot do you use for fmq – couldnt find anything on the site -Eileen

    1. I use a Bernina 24 foot. The offset darning fiot

       1. i have the old 830 and a darning foot but i dont know if its offsetting or not

       2. The Bernina comes with a darning foot that works quite well for FMQ. I purchased the offset foot because it provides better visibility.

15. I I can’t get gloves nor and bought these rings recently:
    http://www.amazon.com/Gypsy-Quilter-Fabulous-Fabric-Guide/dp/B002QVX0T4/ref=pd_sim_sbs_hg_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1T6YE81GJGJ08SKQZ0H1
    I’m learning free motion and I were quite useful.
    Your work is amazing! Congratulations!
    And thanks for sharing your experience and knowledge!

    1. I have been researching different types of hoops for free motion quilting, I am not a fan of the gloves. I have a halo but am not convinced that there isn’t something better out there. I have seen the gypsy quilter hoops and I like that they are square but I haven’t found any one who has actually used them. I would love to hear your opinion of them.

16. Excuse my mistakes, I use a translator to read and communicate.

17. Until I read this, I didn’t even realize I had one! LOL. When I bought my new Pfaff, the machine came with a kit that included an extension table and this beauty. I guess I’ll have to figure out how to use it. I must admit I’m tired of the on and off glove-wearing.

    1. You’re going to love it!

18. Lori, I love your web page and read all I can. I just now found this about the husqavarna hoop. Do you still use it? Love all your tutorials!!!!!

    1. Yes. I really like it especially for very small work.