How to Quilt on a Regular Sewing Machine: 6 Easy Tips

Yes, you can! You do not need a longarm machine to quilt your own quilts. Plenty of quilters finish every one of their quilts on the same sewing machine they use for piecing. It takes a little planning, but it is very doable.

Can You Quilt on a Regular Sewing Machine?

You can quilt on any home sewing machine that can sew through three layers (the quilt top, batting and backing). The main challenge is not the machine, it is managing the bulk of the quilt as it passes through the space to the right of the needle. The tips below make that much easier.

If you are shopping for a machine that handles piecing and quilting, the Bernette 77 Sewing and Quilting Machine is a great option. It has an extra-wide space to the right of the needle, so there is more room for the quilt as you work.

What Do You Need to Quilt on a Home Machine?

• A walking foot. It feeds all three layers evenly so the top does not shift or pucker. This is the single most helpful tool for straight-line quilting.
• A quilting needle or universal needle. Pick a size that suits your thread and batting. See our guide to choosing the best sewing needle for each project.
• Good thread. Quality thread breaks less and leaves less lint. Our thread guide for piecing quilts can help.
• A well-basted quilt sandwich. Pins, spray basting or basting tape keep the layers from moving. Take your time here.
• A large, flat surface. Extend your table so the weight of the quilt does not drag at the needle.
• Other small helpers. Quilting gloves, clips and a seam ripper make the work easier. Find them in sewing and quilting notions.

Batting matters too. A thin, flat cotton batting is easy to feed through a home machine. Missouri Star Nature’s Best 100% Cotton Batting comes in handy pre-cut sizes, like crib, table runner and throw, which are perfect for your first projects.

Tips for Quilting a Large Quilt on a Small Machine

1. Start in the middle. Quilt from the center out so any extra fabric is pushed toward the edges.
2. Roll the quilt. Roll the side that goes under the arm of the machine and hold it with clips or binding clips.
3. Support the weight. Let the quilt rest on your table or lap, not hang off the side.
4. Slow down. Steady stitching with even speed gives even stitches.
5. Use a longer stitch length. A slightly longer stitch than you use for piecing looks better on a quilt.
6. Break it into sections. Quilting in rows, or in blocks (quilt as you go), keeps the bulk manageable.

For pin basting, long, sharp pins hold the layers together without leaving big holes. Here are a few Missouri Star favorites!

What Quilting Designs Work Best on a Regular Machine?

Straight-line designs are the easiest. Stitching in the ditch along the seams is a classic, and you can also stitch straight lines across the quilt, or follow the patchwork at an even distance from each seam, which is called echo quilting. Gentle, wide curves also work well with a walking foot. If you want to try free-motion quilting, you will need a darning foot and to lower or cover the feed dogs. Practice on a small sandwich first.

Longarm vs. Home Machine: Which Is Right for You?

A home machine has a smaller space for the quilt to pass through, which means more handling and more rolling for large quilts. A longarm machine sits on a frame that holds the entire quilt, and the machine moves over the quilt instead. That makes it faster and better for large quilts and for decorative all-over designs. We cover that in Longarm Quilting – So Many Options.

Not sure which way to go? Here is a rough guide:

• Wall hangings, baby quilts, table runners and lap quilts are great on a home machine.
• Large bed quilts can be done at home with patience, or sent out to be longarm quilted.
• Fancy edge-to-edge designs are easiest on a longarm.

If you would like your top finished for you, Missouri Star offers a mail-in longarm quilting service.

Ready to Try It?

Start with something small, like a baby quilt or table runner. Once you see how well your machine handles it, you can work your way up to bigger projects.

Do you quilt on a regular machine? Tell us your best tip in the comments!

Be sure to check out our Nancy’s Notions Homepage, where you can find links to 65 different categories of sewing and quilting topics! That’s more than 750 articles! Click here!