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My Secret Weapon for Free Motion Quilting

May 17, 2013

Free Motion Quilting Tip

Like most Free Motion Quilt enthusiasts, I have tried every product that claims to aid in creating even stitching… I have used aloe on my fingers, small red hoops…and the dreaded white gloves…

Free Motion quilting tip

Why do I say dreaded?  I know a lot of you love them– But you have to admit…every time you don them—your nose begins to itch, your phone rings, or you have to go to the bathroom…

They drive me crazy!  I get claustrophobic just thinking about them!  ( I do use one white glove on my right hand for pin-basting large quilts–when my hand gets sore from pinching the pins closed.)

Free Motion quilting tip

There are only two products that I really love for free motion quilting: The Supreme Slider (read about that HERE) and Viking Husqvarna’s Free Motion Guide Grip. Viking’s Guide Grip is larger than other hoops and because it is not a full circle hoop, it is easier to move during stitching.    The curved handles are very comfortable for my hands–(allowing my hand muscles to relax)  and the two rubber strips on the bottom of the guide hold the quilt beautifully—No need for hot and sticky little white gloves!

Free Motion quilting tip

I purchased my hoop for $50 at JoAnn fabrics several years ago–and I really think my quilting is improved because of it.   (JoAnn’s sells Viking sewing machines.)

Free Motion quilting tip

Here is Viking’s Website: Husqvarna Viking

While this post may sound like a commercial–I am not affiliated with Viking in any way…just thought I’d pass along one of my favorite free motion quilting products–My Secret Weapon!

Don’t forget to visit the Tabs above, including the Quilts/Tutorials and the Bookshelf…I have been updating them…lots of news you can use!

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Categories

Machine Quilting Basics Product Reviews

Tagged

Free Motion Guide Grip free motion quilting Husqvarna Product Reviews Quilt tips Quilt tutorial Viking

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

  1. sillyandrea says:
    May 17, 2013 at 6:31 am

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

    1. theinboxjaunt says:
      May 17, 2013 at 10:54 am

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

      Sent from my iPhone

  2. Patty Happel says:
    May 17, 2013 at 7:30 am

    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. theinboxjaunt says:
      May 17, 2013 at 10:55 am

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

      Sent from my iPhone

    2. Shirley says:
      June 27, 2015 at 6:38 pm

      Does the shelf liner look like a soft mesh?

  3. mtetar says:
    May 17, 2013 at 7:37 am

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

  4. Suzanna says:
    May 17, 2013 at 7:40 am

    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. theinboxjaunt says:
      May 17, 2013 at 10:59 am

      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. Suzanna says:
        May 17, 2013 at 11:01 am

        Perfect sense. Thanks!

  5. SandyK says:
    May 17, 2013 at 10:39 am

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

    1. theinboxjaunt says:
      May 17, 2013 at 10:59 am

      You are so lucky!

      Sent from my iPhone

  6. Joy says:
    May 17, 2013 at 10:44 am

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

    1. theinboxjaunt says:
      May 17, 2013 at 11:00 am

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

      Sent from my iPhone

      1. Jacqueline Dorer-Russell says:
        January 11, 2014 at 8:27 pm

        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. Lori Kennedy says:
        January 13, 2014 at 12:27 pm

        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. Julie says:
    May 17, 2013 at 11:09 am

    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. theinboxjaunt says:
      May 17, 2013 at 11:33 am

      I’ll add a few more photos next week.

      Sent from my iPhone

  8. Joan says:
    May 17, 2013 at 3:48 pm

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

    1. theinboxjaunt says:
      May 18, 2013 at 7:08 am

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

  9. Jans Art Quilts says:
    June 3, 2013 at 7:48 pm

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

    1. theinboxjaunt says:
      June 3, 2013 at 9:13 pm

      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. Tecla Legge says:
    June 14, 2013 at 9:42 am

    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. theinboxjaunt says:
      June 14, 2013 at 10:04 am

      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.

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  13. Marilyn Skaggs Enlow says:
    January 11, 2014 at 8:18 pm

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

    1. Estelle says:
      February 7, 2015 at 8:00 am

      I was wondering about that, too

  14. Eileen says:
    February 18, 2014 at 9:08 am

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

    1. WordPress.com Support says:
      February 18, 2014 at 11:42 am

      I use a Bernina 24 foot. The offset darning fiot

      1. Eileen says:
        February 18, 2014 at 1:37 pm

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

      2. Lori Kennedy says:
        February 18, 2014 at 4:18 pm

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

  15. Gladys says:
    March 11, 2014 at 9:38 pm

    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. Donna says:
      March 17, 2014 at 8:39 pm

      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. Gladys says:
    March 11, 2014 at 9:40 pm

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

  17. dawk2012 says:
    July 17, 2015 at 9:27 am

    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. WordPress.com Support says:
      July 17, 2015 at 11:04 am

      You’re going to love it!

  18. Tammie says:
    January 12, 2016 at 5:43 pm

    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. WordPress.com Support says:
      January 12, 2016 at 8:22 pm

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

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    Lori Kennedy

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