Free-motion machine sewing is fun, creative, and surprisingly easy to do with a little practice on a standard sewing machine. A wide variety of decorative effects are possible by applying contrasting or coordinating threads using color, texture, and shape.

An embroidery hoop with an adjustable screw is needed. A regular hand-embroidery hoop of wood or plastic is used. Usually a 6-inch (15-cm) or 8-inch (20-cm) hoop is used most often.

For inspiration in finding designs and shapes, look to children’s coloring books, whimsical prints in fabric, pictures, or look to nature for designs suggestive of flowers, trees, ferns and grasses. Use any free-form expression to create appealing shapes as you sew.

The sewing machine should be in good running order, correct thread tension tested (usually slightly looser tension is used), remove the presser foot or use a clear open-toe presser foot for your machine and lower the machine’s feed dogs so they do not grab and move the fabric. Setting a machine’s stitch length to “zero” will often work as well if the feed dogs cannot be lowered or covered. Try out different stitch lengths and widths or even the machine’s programmed decorative stitches for the most pleasing effects. At times a stitch length and width of zero may allow the most freedom of movement as the machine needle and stitches enter and move across the steadily moving hooped fabric.

To begin, separate the hoops two rings by loosening the adjustment screw, place the fabric between the two rings, and then re-tighten the adjustment screw while pulling the excess fabric around the edges until it is smooth and taut in the hoop.

Place the hooped fabric, under the machine needle and lower the presser-foot lever. The fabric will be flush against the machine bed with the right side fabric area facing up in the hoop. Insert the needle into the fabric and bring up the bobbin thread to the top; holding threads pulled straight to one side, take three or four small stitches to lock the threads in place. Holding the hoop with both hands, begin to sew slowly while moving the hoop evenly. If sewing curves, move the hoop very slowly left to right or forward or back without twisting the hoop around in a circle yet keep the machine speed even so as not to break the threads or machine needle.

A fabric stabilizer under the fabric will give some stiffening and support to the fabric. There are many kinds to choose from. Tear-away, water-soluble and heat-away kinds usually are used. Practice free motion machine stitching on scrap fabric first to achieve consistent stitch length.

A clear open-toe presser foot is helpful when doing free-motion quilting. See Husqvarna Viking for helpful information and illustrations.

To minimize the feeling of “drag” as you sew, practice keeping the slow speed of the machine in time with the free movement of the hooped fabric for best results. A purchased Teflon sheet may be used as well to minimize drag.

Sew happy, sew well.

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