presser Foot
This metal attachment sits beneath your
needle and holds your fabric in place. A
lever moves it up to position the fabric
and back down when sewing. We recommend
replacing the standard foot on your machine
with a ‘walking foot’ for quilting projectsBobbin
This small plastic or metal spool sits in a
special unit underneath the sewing area,
below the foot and needle. Check your
machine’s manual to find out how to load
your bobbin. Once it has been loaded, the
bobbin thread and the top thread feeds meet
to form each stitch. The bobbin case is
either drop-in or front-loadingNeedle
Most machines come with a needle in place.
Standard needles are UK size 75 or 80
(there’s also a US system) while quilting
needles are around size 130. The larger the
number, the larger the needle and the
thicker fabric it can sew. Use a standard
needle for piecing and a quilting needle for
quilting, and replace needles regularlyFeed dogs
Feed dogs are teeth
underneath the presser
foot that guide the
fabric through. Some
machines allow you to
drop the feed dogs,
which is needed for
freehand workThread feed
Your spool of thread sits at the top of
the machine. The thread goes through a
series of channels and loops before it
reaches the needle (your manual will
detail exactly how to thread your
machine). There will also be a
numbered dial that can be raised or
lowered to ad just the thread tension
as your fabric requiresHand quilting is a centuries-old tradition,
but the modern convenience of a sewing
machine is hard to deny. Not only will it speed
up your progress, but it will also ensure that all
your stitches are straight and even. And if you
want to try more freeform quilting, then the
substitution of a free-motion foot will transform
your sewing machine into a textile sketchpad!
Even the most basic sewing machine will be
able to handle beginner-level quilting projects,
so if you already own a machine then get
started! For the best results you’ll just need to
invest in a ‘walking foot’ to replace the
standard presser foot on your machine (some
models include one), so that you can quilt
without the fabric rucking up under the needle.
Looking to buy a sewing machine? If your
intention is to do plenty of quilting then make
sure the feet can be changed easily, and look
at whether extras such as an extension table
are available too. The more options you have,
the more creative you can be with your
patchwork and quilting!
Familiarise yourself with the basic functions of your sewing
machine with this handy at-a-glance guide.know your
sewing machine