Supply List

Machine Quilting

Carol Miller, Instructor

The most important thing you need is a sewing machine.  I have always found it preferable to work with the feed dogs dropped or covered.  There are wonderful quilters who work with them up.  It is very helpful if your machine has the needle down position, but not essential.

You must have a darning foot or free motion foot.  It is impossible to do free motion quilting with a regular presser foot.

Straight line or grid quilting is usually done with an even feed or walking foot.  These can be quite expensive and if you do not already own one, I would play with the other aspects of machine quilting first before making the investment.  The even feed foot does have other uses.  It is especially helpful for stitching the outer edge of your quilt before adding binding.

Other Tools

Cotton stretch gloves with sticky dots on the palms.  These come packaged for quilters at about $8 per pair.  They are often available in the Everything for $1 store or in department stores such as Target, marketed as "one size fits all."  Last time, I got two pairs for $4.  Wearing these gloves is more comfortable than latex but gives your hands the ability to grip the quilt without undue stress.  A nylon version is available in garden departments.  If you purchase brown gloves,  wash them first to make sure the brown will not rub off on your quilt.

Quilting needles:  Schmetz™ is the most widely available and they usually come in a variety pack with  sizes 11 and 14.

Topstitch needles:  These are good for thicker threads and for metallic threads.  I use size 16 most often.

Cotton thread:  Any brand will do, especially for these exercises.  I recommend against thread marked "for machine quilting."  I have had nothing but trouble with it.  I like the large spools of 100% cotton thread or the silk finish cotton by Mettler™.  In the course of the lessons, we will discuss all types of thread and their applications for quilting, but you do not need to purchase those now (or at all).  If you practice a lot or have a small spool, you may need more than one.  Using colored thread will help you to see your stitches and will photograph better when you send pictures to the class Gallery.

Note:  If you have a Viking/Husquarvna, you may want to use YLI Machine Quilting, Mettler 50/3 cotton or Sulky Premium Cotton 30 weight thread with a single hole plate for best results.  The Janome 6600 also seems  to like the single hole plate for machine quilting.

Batting:  you may use 100% cotton batting or batting which is 80% cotton with a 20% polyester scrim.  Scraps at least 12" square will work fine.

Fabric: Good quality muslin (unprinted cotton) or regular 100% cotton, either in white, neutral or any light solid color.  Leftover fabrics are fine.  You are making samples for your own use.

If you like, you may use a half yard of fabric cut into two pieces.  The two pieces will be approximately  18" X 20".  You can use this to make a table runner shape.  When you have done all your exercises, this can be bound and used.  If you are interested in doing this, be sure to prewash both your fabric and your batting.

HOW TO WASH BATTING:  Put water in tub of washer.  Add batting.  Push down with your hand until it has begun to absorb water.  Let it sit for about 10 minutes.  Manually advance your washer to the spin cycle and let the water drain and spin out.  DO NOT AGITATE. The batting will become stuffing!  When it has spun dry, throw it in your dryer for 10-30 minutes, depending on the size of the batt.

Water soluble pen or Crayola Washable Markers - these are made for children but are wonderful for quilters and much less expensive than quilting markers

OR chalk marker  - gray or blue (NO yellow – it doesn't wash out)

(We will talk about other marking devices and methods in class.  You may choose what you would like to use or buy.)

Felt tip pen or magic marker

Piece of tracing paper or freezer paper about 12" square

A long ruler would be nice, but not absolutely essential

If you own or can borrow a machine quilting stencil (continuous line), that will be fine.  Otherwise, see if you can find such a design in a book or magazine.  I will include one in the class but the size is often at the mercy of your browser or printer.

Safety pins:   These are used to baste your quilt sandwich.  You want the #2 size which has about 1" of pin.  These arenot the tiny brass ones but the next size up.  The huge ones leave a big hole.  Recently some packages of pins have been dull, so I would be a pest and open the package in the store and try to put one through a double thickness of cotton.  If it does not glide easily, tell the clerk that they are dull and should be returned to the manufacturer.  The bent pins made for quilters seem to be sharper.

OUTLINE

Lesson One

Lesson Two

Lesson Three

Lesson Four

If you have a question about items on this list, check the Class Supply Glossary in the Library for generic descriptions of products that may be sold under various names in different countries.  The Library also contains a link to online Class Supply Sources.

If you have trouble finding your supplies locally, many of our items are available online at Big Horn Quilts.  The notions are on a special page for your convenience. 

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