Hi friends! I’m back with another video in my How to Quilt series. Today I’ll be showing you how to free motion quilt! This has been one of my most highly requested videos, and I’m hoping that it will inspire you to give free motion quilting a try. I know it can sound a little intimidating, but I assure you that it’s a lot of fun, and I think you’ll be glad that you gave it a go!
To free motion quilt you’ll need the following supplies:
- A Free Motion Quilting foot for your machine (This link goes to FMQ foot for a Juki, you’ll want to get one that fits your specific machine.)
- Machingers quilting gloves
- A practice piece of batting & fabric (basted together and ready to go)
- Thread (I use Aurifil 50wt 100% Cotton thread)
- Needle (I use Organ 80/12 or 90/14 needles)
Watch Quilting 101: How to Free Motion Quilt
I hope you enjoyed that video and that it helps you out in your quilting journey!
If you just tuned in, here are my previous videos in my How to Quilt Series!
- Quilting Supplies: What do you need to get started?
- How to Choose a Sewing Machine
- How to Choose Fabric
- How to Cut Fabric
- How to Piece a Quilt Top
- How to Press Fabric
- How to Baste a Quilt
Here are a few more of my Quilting Tutorials online if you’re just getting started:
- Sherbet Stars Quilt Tutorial
- Pink Pig Rag Quilt Tutorial
- DIY Tic-Tac-Toe Board Game (*Great for learning beginning skills!)
- Patchwork Book Cover
- Quilt-as-you-go Book Cover
- Kids Pillow with Pocket
- How to Applique’ Basics (Don’t worry it’s super easy!)
- Thread Catcher Tutorial
To keep up with our shenanigans, feel free to follow me:
- YouTube Channel
- Instagram (LOTS of quilty goodness there!)
And don’t forget to follow Fat Quarter Shop’s social media to keep up with all of their fun projects!
Win it!
Fat Quarter Shop is giving away a free Aurifil First Blush Thread Set to one of you! Enter below!
Thank you for the great video on FMQ!!!! Do you set a stitch length when you FMQ? Or does it not matter as the feed dogs are dropped.
My husband and I are now retired. I have recently taken up quilting, and have made over thirty baby quilts and small-sized quilts to hang over the back of the couch. I keep wanting to try FMQ because in my estimation, that is what truly makes a quilt beautiful. However, I am too scared to try it. Every time I make a quilt sandwich, I end up just stitching in the ditch to quilt it….every single time. After spending all that time and work on making the top, I can’t bring myself to maybe ruin it. I don’t want to send my quilts out to be quilted on a long-arm, as then I wouldn’t feel like I am the one who made it. I don’t know if I’ll ever get over this fear.
Hope I can learn to free motion…. it looks so much fun! Thank you for your very informative videos! Blessings!
What is the name of the quilt in the background of the photo in this post? I love how this quilt looks and would like to make it.
This one is called Summerville by Thimble Blossoms, fabric is Vintage Picnic by Bonnie and Camille for Moda 🙂
I am getting started on free motion quilting and stumbled on your tutorial. You are an awesome and encouraging instructor! I am inspired to keep at it and with your encouragement, I will be content to embrace all the imperfections! I just had to search your name on the internet and am amazed at all you do! God Bless You and thank you for sharing your talents!
I enjoyed you are sight I’m making a quote for my son and I wanted to trim around the squares to give it a little more look back to it and you help me out an awful lot thank you and I will be looking at your site more I’ve been sitting here for an hour watching your your your us your program thank you
Free motion quilting can be done on a regular sewing machine. What’s important to note however is that you will need the ability to lower or disengage your feed dogs. … And yes – free motion quilting can certainly be practiced as a beginner. In fact, it can be learned and practiced at any skill level.
Hi, actually you do NOT have to be able to lower your feed dogs to FMQ 🙂 I prefer to do that, but I know other people who prefer to leave their feed dogs up as it can provide a little more stability.