Welcome to QuilTips! In honor and memory of my wife, Shirley, who bought The Quilt Works Inc. in 1985, and from whom I learned so much, there will be a QuilTip for every letter of the alphabet. This week’s letter is B for “befriend your sewing machine.”
When using a sewing machine with quilting fabric in Albuquerque, NM, you need to learn to befriend it as best as possible. Understanding all of its functions and features can go a long way in helping you perfect your quilting technique. When you have a good grasp on the behavior of your sewing machine, you can work with it with the ease and care that are necessary to make a quilt of superior quality.
How does a sewing machine behave?
When befriending your sewing machine, you must understand that its basic function is to feed quilting fabric in Albuquerque, NM. As the feed dogs reach out, fabric is pulled by the presser foot. The presser foot controls the fabric feed and allows two fabrics to feed together when you are quilting. As the presser foot stretches the fabric, the feed dogs shorten it to allow your material to feed in a natural way without becoming bunched. This makes quilting two fabrics together easier, as it allows them to align and stay within relation to each other.
Using pins in your quilting technique
Pins are essential in sewing seams and using them helps align the quilting fabric in Albuquerque, NM where you need it. If you are sewing seams, it is important to remember not to feed it directly under the presser foot. You should be sure to raise the presser foot to give you accurate positioning of the needle on the first down stroke. You can then lower the presser foot and start the sewing process. You will have the seam edge you are looking for without misalignment.
It is also imperative to keep pins in place until the very last moment when the needle will actually hit the pin on the next stroke. This allows your quilting fabric in Albuquerque, NM to stay together in place and prevents it from sliding around during the sewing process. You will also want to think about avoiding crowbar pins, as they can easily be struck by a sewing machine needle, causing breakage and damage to your machine.
Some things to keep in mind when you are befriending your sewing machine is the use of a knee lift and a walking foot. A knee lift allows you to nudge fabric slowly, and a walking foot allows the bottom layer of your quilting fabric in Albuquerque, NM to slide through easier while the essentially hopping along the top of the first layer of fabric. Both are handy tools when quilting and working with a sewing machine.
Be sure to befriend your sewing machine and understand its basic functions when you are working with quilting fabric in Albuquerque, NM. This will make quilting a lot easier and more fun. The Quilt Works Inc. has been offering quilting supplies and instruction for over 40 years. Come see us for more tips or to stock up on essential quilting supplies!