Quilting
The Best Free-Motion Quilting Templates and Tools
Free-motion quilting is one of those skills that takes a lot of practice to master. You must synchronize the speed of your needle with the speed that you’re moving your fabric. Using the right tools, and investing in some free-motion quilting templates, will help you achieve better results and accuracy.
Most quilters are afraid to try free-motion quilting, but it can be so fun and rewarding. Good results really come down to having the right tools! Here are six must-have tools for getting started in free-motion quilting.
1. Free-Motion Foot
Free-motion quilting can be done on practically any sewing machine, but you need a free-motion foot. It allows you to move your quilting project around freely as you sew. Simply lower the feed dogs on your sewing machine to use the free-motion foot properly.
Some sewing machines come with a free-motion foot. It typically has a round base or open-toe base so that you can see what you’re doing as you quilt. Some are spring loaded for freehand movement and others have tall sides that make them easier to use with free-motion quilting templates and rulers. If you have our 42pc Presser Foot Set, your free-motion feet are numbers 7, 13, and 38.
2. Quilting Gloves
Quilting gloves have rubberized fingertips that enhance your grip for free-motion quilting. They also prevent some fatigue in your shoulders and arms because it’s easier to maneuver your quilt. If you plan to do a lot of quilting, some comfortable gloves will help you quilt for longer. Plus, they prevent the oils from your fingers from getting onto your quilt.
3. Free-Motion Fabric Glide
If you don’t like to wear quilting gloves, a Free-Motion Fabric Glide is a good alternative for maintaining control while free-motion quilting. It is a hoop with comfortable hand grips that rests on top of your fabric. There are textured grips on the bottom of the hoop that grip your fabric so you can move it around under your presser foot. It’s easy to use and reposition.
4. Free-Motion Quilting Templates and Rulers
It’s difficult to do free-motion quilting without a template or ruler. Free-motion quilting templates are like the secret ingredient that takes your quilting projects from ordinary to extraordinary. From geometric shapes to elegant curves and everything in between, they offer a myriad of design options that are easy to follow.
Simply place the template on your fabric and follow the edges with a free-motion foot. Then, reposition the templates as needed.
5. StitchVision Quilting Laser Guide
The StitchVision Quilting Laser Guide is a true innovation in the world of quilting. This cool gadget adds a laser to your long-arm machine to use as a guide with quilt motif books. You can use the laser for all sorts of other things, too, such as creating a straight line for stitching. To use the laser for free-motion quilting, you need a quilting frame or a long-arm quilting machine.
6. Heat Erasable Pens
No free-motion quilting kit would be complete without heat erasable pens. You can use them to draw designs directly on your fabric. They are also great for marking the center and other important placement marks for your designs. The greatest thing about heat erasable pens is that the marks easily come off with an iron when you are done using them—that’s so much better than chalk.
Mastering free-motion quilting opens a world of creativity for quilt designs. However, having the right tools can significantly enhance your quilting experience and the quality of your finished projects. So, equip yourself with these essential tools, practice patience, and let your creativity soar as you embark on your free-motion quilting journey.
