Machine Prep
Setting up your machine
Now that we got the tools we need, let’s move on to setting up your machine for free motion quilting.
I recommend cleaning the machine first. Dust off the bobbin case and the surrounding area. This may not seem important, but a clean machine is always a good start to stray away from unwanted problems.
Once you’ve cleaned the machine, change the needle. If you have the needle I have suggested, use that. Otherwise, you can use whatever you have. Now remember, don’t let the tools be the reason you’re stalling to start.
Thread your machine with the thread you are going to be quilting with. I personally love superfine thread by Superior thread (Linked HERE).
Next, we are going to put on the foot. Commonly, free motion quilting foot will have a bar at the top - this will be placed on top of the screw on your machine.
Basically, this is the bar that is going to make the foot hop and allows you to move the fabrics freely.
One last thing before we begin, make sure the feed dog is down. The feed dog is the jagged bars under the plate. The feed dog helps feeds the fabric along as we sew. When free motion quilting, we don’t want this to affect our movement as we want to be able to move freely-not forward as it usually does with the normal stitching. To do so, you’ll want to find the lever. You can refer to your sewing machine manual if you are unsure how to do so.
If it happens your machine does not allow you to lower the feed dog, I recommend putting a wash tape over it or just leave it as is.
At this stage, you can also place your Supreme Slider Teflon Mat too if you have one. If you can’t lower the feed dog, make sure the feed dog is covered with tape before placing the mat to avoid ruining the mat.
In case the video did not show up below, please watch the VIDEO HERE
TASKS TO COMPLETE FOR THIS UNIT
- Clean lint off your sewing machine
- Change the needle
- Thread/Re-thread you machine
- Install the free motion quilting foot
- Lower the feed-dog
- Make a couple of bobbin threads
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