While you have the option to hand quilt, machine quilting is my favorite way to finish a quilt. Specifically free motion quilting. Free motion quilting, in particular, opens up a world of possibilities, enabling you to create stunning designs and textures on your quilts. 

Free-motion quilting is a technique where you manually move the fabric under the needle of your sewing machine, rather than relying on the machine’s feed dogs to move the fabric forward. This technique gives you complete control over the direction and movement of your stitches, allowing for endless design possibilities. 

You can free-motion quilt using a domestic sewing machine with the right technique and finish your quilt with various designs. It is possible to quilt even large quilts on your home machine. Finishing your own quilts on your home sewing machine is satisfying and cost-effective. 

You can watch the video tutorial below on how to get started with quilting a large quilt on a home machine, but I also break it all down in the post below:

Now, I have lots of tips on this blog all about quilting on a home machine, but I’ve never really talked about what it really takes to finish a large quilt on a domestic machine. 

And as I’m nearly finishing this quilt that I’m quilting, I thought I’ll come and address some of the common questions while sprinkling in some tips and strategies to finish a large quilt on your home machine.

Can large quilt be finished on a home machine?

Yes, certainly yes! I have done it time and time again, and I love to encourage others to have this vision too. You can totally finish large quilts on your home machine. It is easier on larger machines but any small machine can also power through a large quilt. 

Is machine quilting difficult with a home machine?

This really depends on the intricacy of your quilting designs. If you are new to quilting, maybe straight line quilting using a walking foot would be easier. But if you fancy the swirls and the free motion quilting design, it is absolutely possible too! Is it easy – maybe not at first but it can be with lots of practices and experience.

How long does it take to machine quilt on a home machine?

This also depends on your quilting design and the density of your quilting design. It will also depends on your experiences with quilting. A beginner may take longer to finish a quilt and may find more obstacle on their way. But as you progress, you will get  faster! I promise.

I love stitches that are closer together (denser quilting), so it will take some time to finish a quilt. I have been timing myself this time round, the quilt that I’m quilting right now is about 69″ x 75″ and I have been quilting in short period of time and taking lots of breaks. So far, I have been quilting for 350 minutes ~ 6 hours! I am almost done, there is one more row of houses and it will be wrap! I estimate it’ll be another 3-4 sessions of 20 minutes and I’ll be finished. 

How can I finish a large quilt on a home machine?

You can easily quilt with straight line quilting, but you can absolutely rock it with beautiful free motion quilting too using your home machine. I have lots of technical tips on how to free motion quilt a large quilt which you can visit below:

• the top best tips for free motion quilting beginner
• 12 tips for quilting a large quilt : king size quilts on a home machine – with video
• tips for practicing free motion quilting the right way
• Best sewing machines for free motion quilting

But today, in this post I want to clarify one one big things that makes it possible for you to finish a quilt with your home machine. And that is being patient and persistent.

Cultivating Patience and Persistence

Patience and persistence are key qualities when it comes to quilting, especially if you’re working on a larger or more intricate project. Here’s some additional guidance on cultivating these essential qualities:

1. Embrace the Learning Process: Understand that quilting is a skill that takes time to develop. Accept that you may encounter challenges and mistakes along the way. These are valuable learning opportunities, and they help you grow as a quilter.
2. Break it into Manageable Segments: Large quilts can be overwhelming, so break your project into smaller, more manageable sections. Focus on completing one block or a specific area at a time. This makes the task feel less daunting.
3. Set Realistic Goals: Define achievable goals for each quilting session. This could be as simple as finishing a single row or a small section. Setting attainable milestones will help you stay motivated.
4. Celebrate Small Victories: Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements as you progress. Completing a section is cause for celebration. These small victories can keep your enthusiasm alive. I’ll treat myself with coffee breaks or chocolate!
5. Stay Open to Adaptation: If you encounter challenges or find a particular approach isn’t working, be flexible in your methods. Don’t hesitate to adjust your techniques or even take a step back and revisit your quilting strategy. Sometime I had to change course of my quilting design. Read my story of quilting the double wedding ring quilt here where I had to change my audacious plan.
6. Find a Supportive Community: Connect with other quilters through local quilting clubs, online forums, or social media groups. Sharing your experiences and receiving encouragement from fellow quilters can boost your motivation.
7. Remember the Joy of Creating: Keep in mind the satisfaction and joy that comes from creating something beautiful with your own hands. The process of quilting can be as fulfilling as the finished product.
8. Persevere Through Plateaus: It’s common to encounter plateaus in your quilting journey, where you may feel like you’re not improving. This is a natural part of skill development. Continue practicing and experimenting to overcome these plateaus. I sometime get bored in the middle of quilting a large quilt. What I do is to just take breaks and do something else for a while. It is only a change of foot away. I know I am sometime so lazy to switch between the regular foot for other projects while I’m free motion quilting. It only takes a few seconds to change it, but I dread it sometimes. But I am getting better at it now. I can easily switch between free motion quilting projects and piecing. I do it to keep boredom away. 
9. Maintain a Positive Mindset: Approach quilting with a positive attitude. Cultivate an outlook that views challenges as opportunities for growth and learning. A positive mindset can help you persist through difficult moments.
10. Take Time for Self-Care: Don’t forget to take breaks, relax, and recharge. Burnout can sap your enthusiasm, so ensure you maintain a balance between quilting and self-care.
11. Document Your Progress: Keep a quilting journal or take photos of your work as it progresses. Reflecting on how far you’ve come can be a great source of motivation when patience wanes. That’s one of the reason why I love to blog my process!

Remember, every quilter, regardless of experience, has faced moments of frustration and self-doubt. What sets successful quilters apart is their ability to persist, learn from their experiences, and keep their passion alive. So, stay patient and persistent, and enjoy the rewarding journey of quilting.

I kept on saying to myself, “this will eventually be done, little by little. What I need to do is, enjoy the moment. Enjoy the sweet time I have quilting this quilt” and that saying has surely kept me going. 

Do you have a saying that you like to say to yourself as you push through to the finish line of making your quilts? Leave some below in the comment section!

Well, I am off to continue quilting, if you want details on the quilt, here are some information on the quilt that I’m currently quilting. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Amira – Quilting And Sewing (@amira_littlemushroomcap)

Sweet Home Quilt 

Pattern: Sweet Home Quilt

When the Sweet Home Quilt Along was announced a few months ago by Sharon and Maureen, I kind of wanted to jump in. 

I had previously joined their quilt along and would love to continue to support their work while making something cute. 

Previous quilt along by Sharon and Maureen that I have previously joined in:

• Community Sampler Quilt
• Sewcial Bee Sampler Quilt 
• Sewcial Bee Sampler Quilt version 2

Till next time, 

Sweet time quilting. 

Free motion quilting is a beautiful and creative way to add intricate designs and personal flair to your quilting projects. However, it can be intimidating for beginners. In this blog post, we will explore some essential free motion quilting tips to help you gain confidence and create stunning quilted masterpieces. Whether you’re a novice or looking to refine your skills, these tips will pave the way for successful free motion quilting.

There are affiliate links in this post where I may make commission at no cost to you. Read the full disclosure here. 

After my last post about basting, I am ready to get this big quilt on the machine. This is a quilt along I joined a while ago which you can read over on the previous blog here.

There are affiliate links in this post where I may make a small commission from. Read full disclosure here. 

The pattern from the quilt is Sweet Home Quilt by Sharon Holland.I decided to go wild with the bright florals print and I’m glad I did, as I love it so much. Working on this project is so much fun. 

I am ready to free motion quilt, and in my head, the plan is to quilt the low volume with echoing waves and spirals to make it look like air and wind surrounding the houses. I am going to custom quilt the houses with simple repetitive design, maybe a scallop roof and some easy lines on the houses. 

Starting from the centre allows you to work with the most amount of quilt under your machine. I highly recommend a larger throat machine (see recommendations here) as this will surely be a game-changer! I love, love, love my Janome Horizon Memory Craft QCP8200 for that very reason.