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