You may be wondering if many accessories or tools are needed to sew free-motion quilting at home. The truth is that you do not need much since you don’t even need a specialized sewing machine to get those beautiful patterns on your quilt. This means that you can get good results with the sewing machine you have at home.
However, you will need 3 basic tools to sew with this technique, but do not worry that they are tools that you can easily get.
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3 best free-motion quilting tools
If you want to get started with free-motion quilting, next, you will find the basic tools that you will need. Those tools are:
Free-motion quilting foot
Get the perfect foot will be a great helpful tool. This is a full-motion presser foot for your free-motion quilting that will not force your machine in one direction. This way, the movements will be smooth while you make the designs.
This type of presser foot is made of plastic, metal, open, closed, etc.
You can use the one you want the most, but it is most recommended that you use one from the brand of your sewing machine. If you do not have a generic one, you can get it in the nearest store; you will even find different prices.
When buying a generic presser foot, you should first check your machine to know the type of shank it has. That is if it has a low shank or a high shank.
To determine how far the presser foot shank is, first lower the presser foot lever and then measure from the center of the presser foot screw to the plate.
Generally, sewing machines for domestic use tend to have a low shank (3/4), but this is something that you can confirm by reading your machine’s user manual or just measuring it yourself.
Gloves for quilters
This is another tool you can find in your trusted store if you do not have it at home. If you do not find the typical gloves for quilters, do not despair because you can replace them with gardening gloves available everywhere.
These gloves have rubber fingers and are very comfortable. The goal of using these gloves is that they will allow you to grip the quilt very well.
It may happen that you do not get the gloves you need. You can start working without the gloves but maneuvering the fabrics will be a little more complicated task. On the other hand, you can make your cotton gloves.
It should be noted that working without gloves prevents the fabric from sliding with the smoothness and firmness that you need, and in turn, creates tension in your extremities.
It seems like a small thing, but the gloves will be of great help when it comes to sewing a free-motion quilt to avoid shoulder cramps due to poor grip. This will create unnecessary tension when working, and you will end up with neck pain.
Another good option is to get breathable gloves online since they are specially designed for quilters. Once you have them, wash them occasionally to remove dirt and perspiration.
Pen and paper
To be able to safely carry out free-motion quilting, you will only need to practice the movements, and for that, you will only need paper and a pen or colored markers.
This last option is better since the feeling of drawing on the paper is less smooth, similar to when you are sewing.
You may ask, but how is that possible? Yes, because the marker will play the role of the needle and the paper will represent the quilt, only when using a domestic sewing machine, the quilt will be the one that will be moving.
Still, keep in mind that your arms will perform the same movements when you are sewing, so it is a good way to practice since if you do not have experience in free-motion quilting, drawing on a new paper is easier than unstitching.