Tips

Big Quilt, Little Machine: 7 Tips for Machine Quilting at Home

by Nicole

This one is for all the folks who have thought of quilting a big quilt on their home machine, but never tried. Or for the folks that tried once and vowed, “Never again!”

I’m proof that it can be done. I quilted this queen-size quilt on my home machine.

Me and my quilt

I don’t have one of those machines with an enormous harp and still I was able to get the job done. Along the way, I learned a few things.

1. Get support.

Big quilts are heavy. Take the strain off your back, arms, and wrists by setting up enough support for the quilt. This support needs to be to the left of your machine.

I don’t have a big sewing cabinet, just a regular desk that I call a sewing table. So, to get the support I needed for the quilt, I improvised. I placed a card table to my left and pushed it up against my sewing table so that I had a surface for the bulk of the quilt to rest on while I quilted. I also placed a long folding table behind my sewing machine to support the quilt as it came through the machine. 

2. Position yourself and your machine.
Getting your machine and your body in the right position is key to reducing fatigue and preventing aches and pains.  Check out this video for things to consider about your setup.

I ended up needing to put a couple of pillows on my chair to raise my body to the right height. I was amazed at the difference it made in my comfort level.

3. Roll and clip it.
Before inserting the quilt in the machine, roll the section that needs to go through the harp. And then clip it at the fullest areas. I use these clips.

I find that clipping takes the pressure off my hands and wrists and helps the quilt more easily glide through the harp. It’s like having two extra hands to hold the quilt!
Check out this photo of the quilt with the clips attached. Notice the amount of space in the harp.

4. If stuck, guide from the back of the machine.
There were times I was working on the center of the quilt and found that the roll under the harp was like a big, fat sausage stuck in my machine. My instinct was to try to push it through as I sewed. I discovered that trying to push the quilt through the harp takes a lot of effort and didn’t get me very far. But when I tried guiding the quilt from the back of the machine, it moved through the harp with more ease.
If your quilt gets stuck, take hold of it from the back of the machine and gently guide it through as you sew.
5. Work from the center out.
Start quilting from the center and move toward the right. You’ll work first with most of the quilt rolled up at the right. As you quilt and work toward the right, there will be less of the quilt under the harp, which will make the quilting much easier.
6. Work those straight lines.
I personally think that working with big quilts on the home machine is more manageable when quilting straight lines. Check out my tutorial on straight line quilting. For info specific to free motion quilting big quilts on home machines, check out Oh Fransson’s tips.
7. Take lots of breaks.
At times I have to remind myself that quilting is not a marathon that must be completed in one sitting. Big quilts take time – lots of it. So give yourself a break every 30 minutes or so. Get up. Stretch. Walk around. Get something to drink or eat and then get back at it.
I hope these tips inspire you try quilting a big quilt on your home machine. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments section. Feel free to share any of your own tips in the comments section as well.
Happy quilting!

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36 comments

B Greene April 24, 2012 - 1:29 pm

Just what I needed! I have a quilt sandwich languishing in the basement because I am a little scared to tackle it, but you have given me some hope!!

Debbie April 24, 2012 - 2:09 pm

Thanks for sharing, Nicole – good advice!

MB in MI April 24, 2012 - 3:08 pm

Yep–Great advice, Nicole. And fresh inspiration to all of us who have another BIG quilt to finish
🙂

Marjorie's Busy Corner April 24, 2012 - 3:47 pm

You did a fabulous job Nicole!! The quilt is quite stunning; with that dark binding…love it! Good advice.

Sunni @ Love Affair with my Brother April 24, 2012 - 3:49 pm

Great advice. I have never seen those clips, but now I want some!

Shankevia April 24, 2012 - 5:25 pm

I am ordering those clips today. This post is right on time. Thanks

Marianne April 24, 2012 - 5:27 pm

Great advice about straight lines for quilting a large quilt. I've done a twin with meandering and wouldn't go larger than that for that design. I think I've read somewhere to just concentrate on making the 6 inches under your throat space that you are working on the best you can. Was it hard doing straight diagonal lines as the fabric grain is on the bias?

http://disfordovey.blogspot.com

Katy Cameron April 24, 2012 - 6:40 pm

Great advice, those clips look really interesting

Cherie April 24, 2012 - 8:29 pm

Thanks for the tips! I'll have some larger quilts to do in future. Right now I have to stick with hand quilting =D

Megan April 24, 2012 - 10:03 pm

Great tips Nicole. I wonder if those clips are available anywhere in NZ.

tubilinha tiacarminha April 24, 2012 - 11:23 pm

Obrigada por compartilhar,você é mesmo maravilhosa.Vou sair a cata dessas arpas,que além de úteis são lindas,adorei!Eu também uso mesa de apoio,só que a minha era uma mesa velha redonda,troquei o tampo e aproveitei o pé que é pesado,tive a ideia de fazer igual essas modernas que roda só o meio,só que rodando inteira e mais larga.É só na hora da volta ficar em pé e ajeitar a peça que vai muito bem.Tem só uma semana que estou usando e estou rendendo bem.Um grande beijo e fique com DEUS Sra.TALENTO.

Margaret April 25, 2012 - 2:17 am

Thanks so much for the tips. I am trying to learn to quilt on my home machine and really struggling. I keep getting bird nests on my bobbin side when I try to do the stippling. I do ok with the straight lines.

Paige April 25, 2012 - 2:49 am

Helpful tips! I will definitely be coming back here if I ever get the nerve to quilt at home again!

Kelly April 25, 2012 - 10:22 am

Great tips Nicole, thank you x

Patrice April 25, 2012 - 1:54 pm

Thanks for the tips Nicole! Especially the one about taking breaks.

Pennie April 25, 2012 - 3:38 pm

Really useful tips, thanks.

karen April 25, 2012 - 5:10 pm

Nicole, you've inspired me to dive into the quilting lines on my daughters twin size Granny Square Quilt. I've been hesitating because it's the biggest one I've ever attempted on my home machine. Thanks for the great tips!!

Lisa Lisa April 25, 2012 - 11:26 pm

Great tips, Nicole 🙂 I always roll mine up like that, but I really need to get some of those clips! What a great idea!

Foster April 27, 2012 - 2:15 am

Thanks for the good tips. I have quilt tops that I haven't quilted because I don't want to pay for a long arm quilter to do it, I haven't been so sure how to do it on my home machine. So Thanks!

beth lehman April 27, 2012 - 6:52 pm

great tips – the ergonomic post is really good.

Jenny May 18, 2012 - 6:51 pm

Thank you Nicole? I am going to look for those clips — that's a great tip!

Beth May 19, 2012 - 7:40 pm

Great tips Nicole. I need to watch that ergonomics video!

jacob December 22, 2012 - 12:21 pm

The picture of the quilt and you on the floor is breathtaking! That needs to be used for greeting cards. That is a wonderful use of positioning.

Fiona Phelan December 28, 2012 - 10:05 am

Thank you thank you thank you!! I've been struggling with a queen size quilt & my Brother ES-2000 (not a good quilting machine!) Am trying your tips out now.
Loved the video about Ergonomic quilting, had to make a few adjustments there.

Lisa Edgett March 13, 2013 - 2:16 am

Really Great tips! Can't wait to try it on my next quilt!

Unknown March 26, 2013 - 4:57 am

Thanks for your tips! I've had success quilting crib quilts at home, but I've always paid someone to quilt anything bigger. I'm definitely going to quilt my own from now on!

Nita October 28, 2013 - 4:05 pm

Found this post doing a search for reviews on the "quilting big projects on a small machine" craftsy course. Reading your post as well as others, I think maybe I don't need to spend $40 on the craftsy course after all.

Debbie Sabin April 8, 2014 - 4:07 pm

Love your quilts and your quilting.
I also. love the skirts you made…

Debbie Sabin April 8, 2014 - 4:08 pm

I just found your blog, and I am loving it.

Pierro April 24, 2014 - 9:45 pm

Rosemary B here:
Yeah, mee too 🙂
I just found your bloggie. Just love your quilts, creativity and your advice.
I will sub to you <3
I have two girls. What a joy they are – like two naughty dolls sometimes haha
Well, Mine are 27 and 25 now. It happens fast. Keep them close, it is an ugly world out there just beyond the fence…
Both of my daughters, Christina and Lizzie are married now! O_O I know, how did that happen?
Well, and it did in 18 months and two big weddings. Well. They married good Christian men, good smart guys. We are blessed.
I like your blog, I am taking care of my elderly parents so that is like having twins —
I will enjoy getting updates and encouragement from your ideas and expertise. I am a longtime sewist, just new to quilting.
Are you in Texas?

Nita October 4, 2014 - 4:55 pm

Great tip about the clips…I'll look for them! Thanks!

Lana Manis April 3, 2015 - 7:24 pm

Thanks for the encouraging post! I am making a king size quilt for my son and have a regular size domestic machine. Just reading that other quilter's have accomplished this helps! 🙂

Sarah Thomas February 18, 2016 - 6:04 am

I’ve just come across this post and it has helped so much! I am currently in the middle of making my first quilt and suddenly panicked when I saw the size of my quilt compared to my machine. I am off to buy those clips right now. There’s nothing worse than being so enthusiastic about a craft project and spending so much time on it to suddenly worry it won’t work.

Thank you again! 🙂

Nicole February 18, 2016 - 8:06 am

Yay! I’m so glad the post was helpful. Let me know if you have any questions. You can do it!

Caroline July 6, 2016 - 4:53 pm

What a revalation can’t wait to get some clips n try a quilt for our king size bed

Nicole July 18, 2016 - 9:49 pm

Go for it Caroline! I’ve found clips to be very helpful. Good luck with that king-sized quilt!

Comments are closed.