Beginner's Guide To Quilting - UK (2020-04)

Adding Texture

S

ometimes quilting in the ditch
just doesn’t offer you that
extra finishing touch you’re
after. So we’ve asked fabric designer,
blogger and all-round modern
quilting star Jeni Baker to talk us
through how how to get started
with freehand stitching.

This simply means you’re no longer

working straight lines, and have more

freedom to ‘doodle’ with your machine

and work the stitch in any direction.

This is handy for working with appliqué

shapes, quilting interesting patterns

or sewing tight curves. You’ll need a

darning (or free-motion) foot for your

sewing machine. Drop your machine’s

feed dogs, to allow your fabric to move

freely and set your stitch length to zero

(check your sewing machine manual if

you’re not sure how to do these things).

Find out more about Jeni over on her

blog http://www.incolororder.com or follow

her on Twitter @jenib320.

WHO SAYS YOU ALWAYS NEED TO

SEW IN A STRAIGHT LINE?

© Jeni Baker and

Love Patchwork & Quilting

magazine

Take advantage of the needle down

function (if your machine has it) as this

keeps the quilt from shifting when you start

and stop. To start, stitch in place for a few

seconds to secure your thread.

Begin moving the quilt sandwich around,

playing with different designs. You’re

regulating your stitch length so try to keep

your movement and foot pedal speed

regular to keep your stitches even.

Make sure you have plenty of room to

spread out, so your quilt doesn’t hang

over the table edge. And have fun!

Prepare a small quilt sandwich to practise

with. Use similar fabrics, batting and thread

to the quilt you’ll be quilting. It’s always

good to test out your sewing machine

settings each time you start a new quilt.

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Freehand quilting

Beginner’s Guide to Quilting 147