Basically, a quilt sewing machine is also a sewing machine, but it simply has a wider range of add-ons and capabilities than a normal sewing machine doesn't. Free-motion quilting is a technique by which quilt stitches are added by stitching in any direction on the surface of the quilt. It is possible to make quilts with most sewing machines. However, it restricts the user to only two types of quilting machines.
These are straight-line padding and free-motion padding. These are two basic quilting techniques and the easiest to achieve on a normal sewing machine is the straight line technique. But there are some heavy-duty sewing machines made for both sewing and quilting. Keep in mind that while high-end machines are fantastic, you can machine quilts with just about any sewing machine.
Generic moving feet are available for most sewing machines, as are their free-moving counterparts. They are, for the most part, the same with certain features added or eliminated, depending on which of the two disciplines they focus more on. So you can make quilts on a “normal” sewing machine and you can absolutely sew on a “sewing machine”. It'll be much easier when you have the right size, strength, and accessories for the job.
Serious quilters and those who do this for a living should definitely consider buying one, as a high-speed machine equates to a faster project completion. But in the padding, an insulating material or wadding is added to the product to provide warmth to the user. For sewing, the process usually includes alterations, cutting a pattern, cutting the fabric, etc. This is very important for quilting to help complete each project faster, especially for binding, which is a lot of straight stitching.
Decorative stitch quilting is a great way to add flavor and style to your quilt, especially when it comes to borders. Although many people tend to use them together and confuse them with each other, sewing and quilting are two very different concepts that need understanding. There are projects that should work well with a normal sewing machine, but there are also projects that are only possible to finish if you use a quilting machine. Quilting can be used to produce different effects on the material, but this depends on the preferred pattern.
Machine quilting designs can be as intricate as the designs used for hand quilting, but it takes practice to create the stitches, even when using a sewing machine that includes specialized machine quilting equipment. If free-motion quilting isn't for you yet, there are other options for quilting with a regular sewing machine. Rotary cutting techniques, an infinite selection of fabrics made with dyes that don't fade or change color, threads to suit every need, plus sewing machines loaded with capabilities that save time and improve creativity. I was interested in learning how to make free-moving quilts, but I thought it would be necessary to buy a long-arm machine first.
I have used rubber fingertips for secretaries purchased from a local stationery store to gain grip before quilter gloves became popular, but I have also done without them. The lines don't have to be uniform or even perfectly straight to add extra depth and dimension to your quilt. The quilt ends up so beautiful and my husband and I have his award-winning quilt, Butterflies, gave it to us as a wedding gift.
