Quilting For Beginners with Molly Hansen
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 I stitch first? Where should I 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 of a Trace ‘n Create Carefree Curves Template set from Clover is Judy.
Her comment was, “I would use nautical prints of red, white, and blue.”
Bye for now,
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Julie Kill
Thanks again, Nancy! I’ve been waiting for a program just like this!
I have lots of finished tops for runners, etc, but haven’t had the courage to quilt them. This program and the book will really help me to get things done!
Dorothy Martin
This looks like a great way to relax and enjoy free motion quilting. I’m there, Nancy!
Florence Dupuis
I keep trying stippling and just can’t get the hang of it. I’m going to watch this video and see if it helps.
Clovis
I’ve tried to do free motion, but haven’t got the hang of it.
Starla
I love the look of free-motion designs — just can’t quite figure out the technique yet. Thanks for the tips!
Jodie S
Yes, you can do free-motion quilting. But, here’s what you need to know:
1. When you first start, expect to do poorly. Just accept this as fact and don’t stress over it. This takes daily practice, for about 30 mins a day, for at least a week before you start to get the hang of it. Don’t expect too much of yourself. Accept your faults and just have fun with it. I promise that with practice, you WILL be able to do it. One day the lightbulb will suddenly go on and you will find yourself free-motion quilting with ease.
2. My first mistake was trying to sew as fast as the professionals. We’ve all seen long-arm quilters speed along, and subconsciously we think we should be working at that same speed. Not so! Slow down and find a pace that is comfortable for YOU. Slow and steady wins the race when you’re just learning.
3. Never turn or spin your work as you’re sewing. Let the needle do the work. Your hands should always be in the same orientation, on either side of your work. Both hands are always in sync, making the exact same motion. If the left hand goes up, the right hand goes up. If the left hand goes right, the right hand goes right, etc.
4. If you have trouble maintaining your stitch length, consider investing in a stitch regulator for your machine. With a stitch regulator, the machine will automatically adjust the speed of the needle for you. This can take a bit of getting used to, as the foot pedal is not controlling the speed — your hands are. If you move your hands quickly, the needle goes up and down quickly. If your hands slow down, so does the speed of the needle.
Donna Fecteau
awesome tips. Thank you!
Debbie Dorombozi
I tried free motion quilting a few times and was pleasantly surprised how it turned out. I learned to not be so serious and to enjoy the journey… Once you Wash the quilt those little mistakes disappear.
Linda
I am a hand quilter. I am going have to try machine quilting or I won’t leave any quilts for family. Just tops.
Lynn Again
Get some large print florals and stitch on and around them to practice your stitching.
When you free motion quilt keep your eye on the area in front of the needle. Don’t watch the stitching. Take lots of breaks to check your progress.
It’s a lot of fun.
Carol
I think this approach will be very relaxing. Maybe I could learn how to pat my head and rub my tummy at the same time.
Linda
I have been experimenting with free motion quilting on my BabyLock Unity and recently got a BabyLock Coronet longarm. I’m ready to load it up and start practicing with that. Free motion quilting is great fun!
Donna Ohl
Machine quilting is the last item on my quilting bucket list. Since retiring, i find i have less time for quilting so i have decided to start quilting on my machine.
Barb T
Thanks for this tutorial, Nancy and Molly, and thank you, Jodie S, for the comforting and encouraging extra hints! Much appreciated! My first attempt did not go well!
Karen Brennan
I am a wimp when it comes to trying free motion quilting. I have taken a couple of classes and still have no nerve. Maybe this program will do it.
Anita Phelps
I can get a stitch regulator for my machine? I’m feeling a surge of confidence!
Carol Netzler
Thank you for sharing tips. I have begun to practice on small projects, but still am jerky!
Midge
Love the tips you give. Takes some of the scariness out of free motion quilting.
Margaret C.
FMQ is on my bucket list year after year. I need to tackle it seriously. Thx
Cecilia Huether
Have tried to FMQ, love the creativity it gives me. Still not confident, but this book would really help me. Thanks for this information, to help me get more confident. I have not had much time to sew, as have been a caregiver to my loving husband, who just passed July 1, from liver cancer. Thank you Cecilia
Barb
Wow! Such great a video!! Really explains it. Thank you!