
Free-Motion Machine Quilting with Molly Hanson
Free-motion quilting is easier than you think with expert advice from Molly Hansen and a little practice. According to Sewing With Nancy guest Molly Hanson, all you need is a bit of confidence!
Free-Motion Quilting for Beginners is this week’s online Sewing With Nancy feature. Watching Molly free-motion quilt is the best way to learn her techniques. Watch online, on Public TV, or on DVD.
Stippling
The most common free-motion quilting technique is stippling. Its versatility, light texture, and ability to blend and not compete with the piecing make it a favorite among quilters. If you’ve been hesitant to learn this technique, fear not! Learn and use Molly’s muscle memory technique to master this first of many free-motion quilting options.
Loop de Loops and Handwriting
What free-motion design should we stitch first? Where should do we start? These are questions that you might ask. Molly’s answer is, “Start by stitching your name or a favorite word!” The basic loop de loop design—just like cursive—allows you the freedom to incorporate words into free-motion quilting designs.
Pebbles and Chains
Pebbles and Chains consist of a space filled with as many touching circles as possible. Pebbles can fit just about anywhere. Even a single row of pebbles, called a chain of pearls, can be beautiful in small spaces.
10 Free-Motion Quilting Techniques, Plus 15 Projects
In Molly’s book, Free-Motion Quilting for Beginners, learn how to:
- Set up your machine for free-motion quilting; no technique is left out.
- Begin by learning how to quilt your name, because soon you’ll be signing unique works of art.
- Master all the fundamentals of free-motion quilting by working on manageable fat-quarter-sized fabric pieces.
- Confidently stitch 10 different quilting designs, including stippling variations, pebbles, square meander, swirls, and woodgrain.
- Take your skill to new heights as you quilt 15 practical projects to enhance your daily life, such as a table-top organizer, table runner, tote bag, weekender bag, and laptop sleeve.
Watch Free-Motion Quilting for Beginners (Part One and Part Two) on Sewing With Nancy online.
The randomly selected winner a copy of the new book, 101 Renegade Sewing & Quilting Tips, from Nancy’s Notions is K S Harlin.
Her comment is, “I love these tips. One I can suggest is to use a Command metal hook and adhere it to your sewing machine. Then hang a small pair of scissors on it for handy use to clip threads, etc.”
Read all the reader submitted tips in the comment section of this 101 Renegade Sewing & Quilting Tips blog post.
Happy Sewing,
Team Nancy Zieman
Nancy Zieman Productions, LLC.
Susie Furgason
I just love her feather stitching. It gives me so many ideas.
Ennis A
I so want to learn how to do this!!!!!
Margaret C.
Too many years this has been on my bucket list. Gotta spend the time now that I have a new sewing machine.
Donna Fecteau
I need to over come my fear of trying this!
Martha Morgan
I need to quit creating and start practicing~
Sandra N
I want to learn how to do this. This is a great resource!
laura
thank you, diving in now!
Dixie
I can’t wait to try this.
Joanie Wallrich
Practice and even more practice will help one to obtain decent quilting. I like the idea of writing it on paper first so your brain has something to refer to when you begin. Good solid information in the series.
Judy M
A newbie at FMQ, love watching others make it look so easy, I am sewing a tshirt quilt and at the fmq part, they present their own issue, with screen printing and all,,so I am watching all the examples I can, thanks for the help!
Peggy S
I have a quilt ready to be quilted and Molly makes it look so easy, but she had to learn at some point. Now I am ready to give it a whirl.
lworman
I have had a mind block with this, but see others manage so effortlessly. Time to take on the confidence building!
Linda
I love the look of free motion quilting and splurged on a Babylock Coronet. I’ve been doing small wall quilts and now I think I’m ready to tackle something larger! Thank you for the confidence and inspiration!
Kathy S.
I enjoyed the tutorial and found it very helpful. I have realized that the only thing stopping me from trying FMQ is me. So I am stepping out.
Mary
I like the idea of practicing on paper. i have to dive in and practice!
Cecilia
I have always wanted to learn to do machine quilting. Looks so easy , but am sure you need to practice practice and practice. I would love to win this book. Thanks for continuing Nancy’s inspiration.
Louise
I have only been quilting about 18months but one of my goals is to be able to free motion my quilts.