| Sewing machines have been transformed in | | | | traditional hand-quilting techniques. |
| recent years. Manufacturers now offer | | | | Manual Tension Control |
| electronic and computerized machines | | | | Some quilting machines are equipped with |
| that are virtually trouble-free and much | | | | a manual tension control. This control |
| more reliable than previous versions. | | | | offers the quilter the ability to |
| With the addition of specialized | | | | regulate the top thread tension quickly |
| features and functions, users are now | | | | and accurately. This offers an advantage |
| offered a selection of machines suited | | | | over machines with automatic tension |
| to their sewing style. | | | | control. As quilters often use different |
| Quilting machines, in particular, are | | | | weights of thread in the top and bobbin, |
| specifically designed to make the | | | | proper tension control becomes critical. |
| quilting experience easy and | | | | With a manual control a quilter can |
| trouble-free, and also provide the | | | | easily and incrementally fine tune their |
| quilter with a machine that can give a | | | | top tension as they are stitching. With |
| professional finish to any project. | | | | an automatic control it is necessary to |
| A quilting machine has special features | | | | access the settings within the control |
| which include: | | | | panel of the machine which takes longer |
| Extended Bed Space | | | | and can be less accurate. |
| The bedspace is the working area located | | | | Manual Stitch Length/Width Control |
| between the needle and the inside of the | | | | As with the manual tension control, a |
| machine. An extended bed space offers an | | | | manual stitch length/width control is |
| area of approximately 8-9" wide by 5-6" | | | | also located on the front of the machine |
| high, which is larger than a standard | | | | and similar benefits apply. |
| sewing machine and provides more than | | | | Needle Up/Down |
| ample space for a quilter to maneuver | | | | A needle up/down setting allows the user |
| bulky quilts or large pieces of fabric | | | | to stop sewing with the needle in the |
| High Speed | | | | down position. This is an advantage when |
| Most top-of-the-line quilting machines | | | | working with heavy quilts or when doing |
| offer high speed stitching which is | | | | free motion quilting. When stopping with |
| usually around 1000 stitches per minute. | | | | the needle down, there is less chance of |
| The high speed rating is normally | | | | the quilt slipping providing a |
| applied to the straight stitch only, | | | | continuous stitch line. |
| with slightly reduced speed for | | | | Auto thread cutter |
| decorative stitches. This feature offers | | | | An automatic thread cutter is a very |
| the quilter the ability to quickly piece | | | | useful feature on a quilting machine. |
| and quilt their project. | | | | Cutting both the top thread and the |
| Stitch Regulator | | | | bobbin thread in one simple action, it |
| Some manufacturers offer an optional | | | | reduces both thread wastage and the time |
| attachment for their machines called a | | | | taken to manually trim thread tails. |
| stitch regulator. The purpose of the | | | | Feed Dogs Control |
| stitch regulator is to provide a | | | | Dropping the feed dogs allows your quilt |
| consistent stitch length when doing free | | | | to move easily when doing free motion |
| motion quilting, regardless of how slow | | | | quilting. |
| or fast the fabric is being moved. | | | | When deciding if a quilting machine is |
| Quilting Stitches | | | | right for you, shop around and visit |
| Specialty quilting stitches, such as | | | | your local sewing machine dealers. Try |
| buttonhole appliqué and faux | | | | out two or three models and then decide |
| hand-quilting stitches, offer a quick | | | | which one is for you. |
| and simple alternative to these | | | | |