Smooth Quilting Checklist
Today’s Topic: Smooth Quilting Checklist
Welcome to Week 5 of our 2021 Quilt-a-Long, Even Better Machine Quilting
This FREE multi-week tutorial is based on my books available in my Etsy shop: LoriKennedyShop
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Find the 2021 QAL links HERE
Find the 2020 (25 Week) QAL links HERE
Good Morning, Quilters!
In order to create smooth quilting lines, you must have full control of the quilt as it moves under the needle.
Full control of the quilt requires three things:
- Good grip of the quilt
- Only quilting within your “control zone”
- Quilt is able to move smoothly under the needle
Hand Position and Gripping Aids
Today, I am going to refer you to a post I recently wrote for BERNINA’s WeAllSew blog. The post, Hand Position and Gripping Aides, dovetails nicely with what we are covering here in our 2021 quilt-a-long. The BERNINA article is the second installment in the Learn to Free Motion Quilt series. (See Getting Started HERE).
The post includes two short videos demonstrating the use of quilting hoops and quilting discs.
Smooth Quilting Lines Checklist
If you are struggling to create smooth quilting lines, evaluate your work style and space.
Do you have a good grip of the quilt?
Would gloves or other gripping aid help you control the quilt better?
Are you quilting within your area of control? In other words, do you try to quilt beyond the space outlined by your hand position? (See Proper Hand Position)
Do you stop quilting every time you move your hands?
Does your quilt move freely?
Have you tried a Supreme Slider?
Would starching your backing fabric help your quilt glide more readily?
Is your quilt supported enough to prevent the quilt from falling off the quilt table?
Would a larger work surface, like a Sew Steady table, help?
(See: Do the Smooth Glide Test)
Doodle First
Do you know where you are going? It’s impossible to create a smooth line if you hesitate while quilting. Doodle first so you know exactly where you are going and stop with the needle down when you pause to think.
Enjoy the Unperfect Process!
If you work through the above checklist, you will find free motion quilting more enjoyable, but you still may not have perfectly smooth lines. There is no such thing as perfection in free motion quilting! In fact, perfection is not our goal. Perfect quilting looks computerized and not personal. Our goal is a hand-drawn, unperfect style.
Embrace the personality of FMQ and enjoy quilting!
Your Perfectly Imperfect 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. Thank you!
Visit my Etsy shop: LoriKennedyShop for all of my books! They are ALL bestsellers!
When I taught FMQ, I often observed quilters making daredevil moves with their hands. Please fellow quilters: be careful where you place your hands and stop the foot pedal before repositioning. Lori is a wise teacher; don’t ignore this instruction.