Have you witnessed sewers turning into quilters? Well, that’s because this kind of multitasking is possible with the help of a single machine. This must not amaze you because the industry has outgrown itself by producing combo machines like sewing & quilting combo machines. Those of you who are curious to know about whether a sewing machine can be used for quilting purposes, so the answer is absolutely yes. The quilting machine is also a sewing machine itself. What sets them apart are the several add-ons and varying capabilities. If you are new to this industry then let me brief you about sewing machines vs. quilting machines for all good reasons.
Add-on Accessories along Quilting Machines!
There are a few accessories that when added to a sewing machine turn it into a quilting one.
1. Extension Table
Quilting projects need extra working space. Bulky quilts can only be handled under high throats and wider work space. The more spacious the machines the more ease it brings to the project. Making a queen size quilt or binding projects require extra space and a larger throat that is allocated to quilting machines only.
Most of the brands like Singer, Brother and Janome and many others that sell quality and have advanced quilting machines always include an extension table as a bonus accessory.
2. Number of Stitches
Sewing machines that have plenty of stitch applications enhance the probability of adding more beauty to your quilts. These sewing machines offer variations in speed ranges that can be minimum to maximum. Combo machines like quilting and sewing machines together allow adjustments in widths and length of stitches as well as in stitch designs.
Decorative stitches add more details to bulky projects. Each advanced quilting machine from renowned brands provide upto 200 stitching designs.
3. Sewing Speed
Quilters are speedy workers when it comes to their huge projects. And quilting machines also make it alot more favorable for them. As these quilting machines are capable of producing up to 1600 stitches per minute, which is pretty quick. So the quilters can customize their stitching speed according to personal preference.
Besides sewing speed, extensive work space and powerful motor combine together to make quilting experience more better.
4. Walking Foot
The first thing I would recommend to look for in your next quilting machine will be this add on feature called walking foot. It gives your projects a strong boost by giving extra height and grip for a variety of stuff. For instance, your slippery fabrics for quilts can be conveniently sewn under a walking foot. Walking foot makes straight line quilting more fun.
Basically a walking foot is just a feed dog to second your machine’s original ones. It can work over multiple layers while quilting. If your quilting machine has not come with these pairs of walking feet, then you can purchase it separately.
5. Free Motion Foot
Free motion quilting is one of the best options if you are trying to work smoothly, possibly as a beginner. It relieves you from skipped stitches or any jamming or thread breakage during any on going project. It involves a wide range of possibilities under a single needle yet a different foot.
This foot allows easy motion of fabric under the needle. And it will keep your fingers safe by letting the fabric move freely. To improve the experience with free motion foot, you must set the needle to the left and doing this will help you obtain clearly visible stitches.
Moreover, just to add topping to free motion design, try stippling or meandering stitch over your quilt. It will hold the layers of the quilt pretty neatly and the details of the stitch will be impressive too.
6. Acrylic template stitch
A powerful hack for a long run in the field of quilting is template stitching. Displaying a whole lot of stitch patterns on a bulky as well as long quilt is not a piece of cake. Therefore many longarm quilters generate their designs with the help of these amazing acrylic template stitches.
These templates help you in gaining ideas about customizing a design. Although it takes time and practice to master working with templates. But once you prove it, making a floral quilt in a single go will not be a dream for you.
Sewing Machine vs Quilting Machine; Which one suits you?
Any sewing machine with these allotments that are mentioned above can work impressively as a quilting machine. Most brands provide all these basic essential accessories along each of their sewing machines so their hobbyist customers can easily flip their interests whenever they want. Sewing can be done without replacing the presser feet while quilting needs a higher throat, a wider work space and a long arm. These all three requirements are possible with an extension table, an FMQ and a spacious quilting machine. Now you have to decide whether you need a sewing machine or a proper quilting machine or a combo machine. The combinations are always extra beneficial!