Simple Machine Quilting

Quilting is an interesting art, which involves a lot of needlework skills. In order to make a quilt successfully, there are a few steps that you need to follow. Basically small pieces of similar or different materials are sewn together to form a quilt. A thread and needle are used to join these materials together. Quilting can be done both, by hand, that is manually or you can also use a quilting sewing machine. These machines use attachments to sew the different layers of fabric. Majority of the manufacturers, who are involved in producing sewing machines, produce machines which have quilting capabilities.

Quilting is done with three or more layers. The first is the top fabric, then there is the backing material and below that the batting or what is also known as insulating material. The needle is passed back up by either the sewing machine or using hand. This process is repeated on the material wherever quilting is necessary. Various types of stitches are use, though mainly the running stitch or the straight process is used. These stitches are most often done to increase the aesthetic value of the quilt, making it look attractive. Quilting is done on various things such as bed and cushion covers, bed spreads, quilt wall hangings for art purposes etc.

The two main types of quilting that are done these days is hand quilting and sewing machine quilting. Hand quilting is the process where a thread and needle is used to sew a running stitch or trimming across the material of fabric. With this process, two or more layers are joined together. Often a frame or a quilting hoop is used to hold the piece of cloth, while performing the quilting.

There are various types of stitches. The stab stitch is where, one running stitch is done at a time. Another one is the rocking stitch, where the quilter places their hand below the material to push the needle and wears a thimble on the other hand, which is on top of the quilt. Another process of stitching is loading the needle and involved around three or four stitches, before pulling the needle through the material. Hand quilting is still performed in many parts of the world.

When a machine or a long arm machine is used to sew fabrics or materials together – this is known as machine quilting. You can use home sewing machines to sew the fabrics together befor quilting. This includes, batting, tacking the fabric together and other such procedures. Machine quilting is quite popular these days.

In long arm quilting, fabric layers which are to be quilted are placed on a unique frame. These frames have bars on the layers that are being rolled, by keeping them together without pinning or basting. The frames are used with specialized machines, and are mounted on a stage, and this stage travels along the tracks as the machine has to move over the fabric layers on those frames. With a long arm machine, the machine is actually moved over the fabric. It's quite an interesting process.

By: ERLincoln

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Take a look at Criss Cross Crafts for more crafting ideas and more information on quilting subjects such as simple machine quilting.