Suggested Supplies for Free Motion Quilting and Other Insights

I want to start off sharing that "suggestions" are just that - suggestions.  In the case of suggested supplies, it doesn't mean you need to run out and buy every item on the list.   And, you may have your own opinion and prefer to not use these suggestions.  But, as many participants in the 2012 Free Motion Quilting Challenge have asked for a supply list, the focus of this post is to provide insight on suggested supplies for free motion quilting.

I also want to clarify that the 2012 FMQ Challenge is not an online class, but a challenge where 12 FMQ Experts will provide a tutorial to help you learn a design(s).  They may also share insights on their favorite supplies and various tips.  While I do encourage you to try a variety of supplies and form your own opinions, it is up to you to decide if you want to use any of these suggested supplies or not.  But, to clarify, most will see a difference in doing FMQ when using quality supplies (e.g. thread, batting, needles, etc).  So, if you truly want to improve your FMQ skills in 2012, commit yourself to not just stitching out new designs, but also trying a variety of supplies.

If you haven't already, I also recommend you start a notebook for "Free Motion Quilting".  Fill your notebook with notes from these tutorials, as well as your notes on supplies you like, or may not like.  Take photos of your work, or even consider quilting pieces that can be cut and saved in your notebook.  You may also want to include photos of inspirational FMQ designs and quilts, that can help you later plan how you want to quilt your projects, as well as  more designs that you may want to learn.  I refer to my FMQ notebook, with every project that I quilt!

Before this challenge begins, be sure you are familiar with the machine you will be using.  Most quilters do not want to switch machines while doing FMQ on a project.  For the machine(s) that you want to use for this challenge be sure you know how to:


Here are some suggested supplies and items you may want to prepare for use in this challenge:

· How to sew using your machine

· How to lower your feed dogs

· Adjust your thread tension

· Adjust your stitch length and width controls

· Knowledge of how to adjust your bobbintension

· Knowledge of how to create a quilt sandwich, baste

· Knowledge of how to use your walking foot

· Knowledge of how to do FMQ of a straight line, a square and a circle

If you are not familiar with any of the above, you may want to pull out your manual and/or talk to an expert at your local sewing center or quilt shop.

SUGGESTED SUPPLIES FOR FREE MOTION QUILTING:

A home sewing machine:

·         Darning foot (#24 on a Bernina)

·         Ability to drop your feed dogs

·         Walking foot

·         Extra bobbins

Recommended Supplies:

•   Quilter’s Gloves         
• Small scissors, thread snips
• Fabric marking pencils 
• Sew slip, supreme slider
• High quality Threads
•    40-50 wt thread 100% cotton high quality thread
•   Monofilament thread
• High Quality  Batting
•    100% cotton, wool or silk
•   Sewing machine needles
•   Topstitch needles 80/12, 90/14.  100/16 topstitch needles for heavy decorative thread and 70/10 for thinner threads, such as silks.

Recommended Resources for those learning FMQ:

Books:

·            “Bluhming Background Designs 2 “, by Irena Bluhm

·            “Bluhming Bugs”, by Irena Bluhm

·            “Coloring with Thread”, by Ann Fahl

·            “Dancing with Thread”, by Ann Fahl

·            “Feather Adventures”, by Patsy Thompson

·            “free motion quilting”, by Don Linn

·            “From Daisy to Paisley: 50 Beginner free motion quilt designs”, by Leah Day

·            “From Feathers to Flames: 60 Intermediate free motion quilt designs”, by Leah Day

·            “Guide to Machine Quilting”, by Diane Gaudynski

·            “Hyperquiting”, by Patsy Thompson

·            “Mastering Metallics”, by Ann Fahl

·            “Quilts of a Different Color”, by Irena Bluhm

·            “Quilt Savvy: Gaudynski’s Machine Quilting Guidebook”, by Diane Gaudynski

·            “Sophisticated Stitches:66 new motifs from Mr. Quilt”, by Don Linn

·            “Start with a Blank Slate”, by Irena Bluhm

·            “To Piece or Not to Piece”, by Irena Bluhm

·            “Whimsical and Funky Feathers”, by Irena Bluhm

For information on more books on free motion quilting, click here.   

DVDs

·         Ann Fahl Teaches you Coloring with Thread, by Ann Fahl

·         Dynamic Quilt Design:  Paint Meets Stitch, by Susan Brubaker Knapp

·         Fast & Free, Volume 0.5, by Patsy Thompson

·         Fast & Free, Volume 2, by Patsy Thompson

·         Fast & Free, Volume 3,  “     “        “ 

·         Free Motion Fun..with Feathers, Volume 1,    by     Patsy Thompson

·         “       “              “      “        “                “            2,           “        “          “

·         “          “          “          “          “          “          3,       “           “

·         “          “          “          “          “          “          4,      “            “

·         “          “          “          “          Vines & Leaves, Volume 1

·         “          “          “          “          “          “          “              2

·         Master Machine Stitching, by Susan Brubaker Knapp,  by     Patsy Thompson

·         Master Machine Quilting, by Susan Brubaker Knapp,   “        “             “

Blogs

·            Ann Fahl’s Color and Quilts:  http://annfahl.blogspot.com/

·            Blue Moon River http://wwwbluemoonriver.blogspot.com/

·            Cindy’s blog:  http://blog.cindyneedham.com/

·            Diane Gaudynski “A New Tradition In Quilting”::  http://dianegaudynski.blogspot.com/ 

·            Frantastic -Stitch Witchery: http://frantastic-stitchwitchery.blogspot.com/

·            The free Motion Quilting Project  http://www.freemotionquilting.blogspot.com/

·            Irena Bluhm Designs http://irenabluhmdesigns.blogspot.com/

·            Ivory Spring:  http://ivoryspring.wordpress.com

·            Patsys’ Blog:  http://www.patsythompsondesigns.com/blog/

·            Paula Reid Machine Quilter:  http://battsintheattic.blogspot.com/ 

·            Sarah Vedeler Designs:  http://sarahvedelerdesigns.com/

·            SewCalGal:  http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com

Other Links:

SewCalGal’s page on the 2012 FMQ Challenge:  http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com/p/free-motion-quilt-challenge.html 

Facebook: 2012 FMQ Challenge group:  https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/148471145258369/

Lastly, this particular post may be updated throughout the year.  I'll reflect when it has been updated on the main page for the 2012 FMQ Challenge.  This week, I'll also share insights on sample quilt sandwiches, as well as,  an optional pattern for those that want to create a sample quilt using all 12 FMQ tutorials to be released in this challenge.