Free motion quilting is a great way to finish your quilts without spending a fortune on longarm quilting services. I’ve been machine quilting using free motion for a few years now. I feel good about making a quilt entirely by myself, start to finish.
I’ve compiled a list of must-have tools if you are free motion quilting on your domestic machine. These are all available on Amazon. I’ve included reviews and links to all products.
Sew Steady 18in. x 24in. Extension Table
Rounded front edge for comfort. Use it as a light box and easy underneath storage. Movable extra support leg. Permanent inches and metric ruler printed on underside of table. Large table works with tiltables. 18″ X 24″ Work Area. 1 Year Warranty
Amazon Promising Review
I have been wanting a table extension but was afraid of the quality and fit. I am totally amazed at the perfect fit of this! I ordered it, was immediately contacted by the company to provide them with the make and model of my sewing machine and got the extension soon after. Excellent communication and excellent product. – Laureen D.
Westalee Sew Steady Ruler Foot Starter Package Low Shank
Westalee Sew Steady Ruler Foot Starter Package Low Shank contains everything you need to get started ruler foot sewing.This foot works with most low shank Babylock including BLSO Ellisimo and BLSY Symphony, Bernette, Berninaa (use low shank adaptor), Brother, Elna / Elnita, Kenmore, Necchi, New Home / Janome 49360, Pfaff Passport 3.0, Simplicity, Singer, Viking / Husqvarna, White.
Promising Amazon Review
The foot works great with my low shank domestic machine. I bought this ruler root with ruler because I was waiting that a thicker ruler wouldn’t go completely around. This does with no problem. It also had a little guide with measurements on it that is very handy when quilting spaces or just wanting to check yourself. – Ashely Perkins
Price: $36.75
Sew Steady Quilting Template 6 Piece Template Set (Low & Medium Shank)
Domestic Quilting Templates allow free motion quilting on any domestic sewing machine.- This sampler package provides you with templates that will allow you to learn how to use 250+ Quilting Templates Designed by Westalee.
- INCLUDES: 6″ Spiral, Spin E Fex #4, COQ Spin Wheels #36, 4 ARC, Clamshell, 2″ Simple Circle.
- Foot sold separately – We recommend using Sew Steady’s quilting templates with the Westalee Design Ruler Foot that is specifically designed to work on any domestic or long arm sewing machine. You may also try using it in conjunction with some of the other ruler feet available from select manufacturers.
- To determine your size, all you need to do is lower your foot and then measure the height of the different thickness of templates for Domestic machines based on shank height. The “½” refers to the diameter of the foot. This results in a stitch line that is always a ¼” from the needle. call 1-800-401-8151 and speak to one of our Expert Sewing Consultants to confirm.
Promising Amazon Review
Love this set. It is definetly the best value to try out ruler template quilting. It has plenty of different shapes that give a variety of designs. There included instructions and videos on youtube that show you how to use them. I have tried free motion quilting and end up getting frustrated and worn out from trying to quilt where I don’t jog off the line. The rulers help keep me on the line and make me feel more confident in my quilting. You could also use these to premark your quilt with quilt marking pencils when if you feel confident enough to quilt without the rulers. – hillystitcher
Grip & Stitch Free Motion Machine Quilting Disks Clever Craft Tools
Set of 2 Grip & Stitch Quilting Disks- Use for free motion machine quilting
- Easily hold onto your project to keep your quilting speed steady
Amazon Promising Review
These are amazing. I don’t like wearing quilters gloves. These work very well and I love using them. A great combo with the supreme slider quilting mat. My free motion quilting has improved and the strain on my hands is minimal. – Grandmasews2005
Rulerwork Quilting Idea Book: 59 Outline Designs to Fill with Free-Motion Quilting, Tips for Longarm and Domestic Machines
Quilting rulers have long been used by longarm quilters to make uniform shapes, but now, with the advent of the domestic ruler foot, domestic quilters can join in on the fun, too! Amanda starts with how to use 6 basic shapes of machine quilting ruler to lay a foundation for your quilting, then moves on to executing 59 different designs. Finish up by following Amanda’s suggestions for filling in background space with free-motion quilting.
Amazon Promising Revew
I’m a beginner at ruler work and this book has wonderful ideas and guides on how to proceed, how to plan out your quilting, and how to make your quilts “shine” with finishing touches. It is the best book I have found and I’m glad that I’ve got it to use to help me gain expertise in this type of work. – MedTech
Supreme Slider Free Motion Quilting
Free Motion Machine Quilting is EASY – Zero Friction Top and Self-Sticking Bottom sewing machine mat- Supreme Super Slider features the new and improved 11.5 Inch x 8 inch free motion quilting mat
- Machine Quilting is as easy as 1, 2, 3. Instructions, cleaning tips and ideas for success are included
- Quilting present for quilters. Give one for Birthdays, Holidays or Wednesday
- Super Slider for Quilting will make your fabric and quilts glide smoothly while you are quilting
Amazon Promising Review
This slider has made a world of difference in my machine quilting! The fabric just glides under the needle and I have experienced two important benefits:
1) I have seen a marked improvement in the look of my FMQ. Because the fabric truly does glide over the glider, it is much easier to achieve smoother curves and swirls, and change direction.
2) Since I am no longer fighting the quilt as I did when it dragged over the bed of my machine (which is flush with my sewing cabinet as my machine is recessed in my cabinet) it has drastically cut down on the stress (both physical and mental) of pushing a large quilt around under the arm of my domestic machine. This is huge because with the slider I am not only able to quilt longer, but happier as well!
I honestly had no idea how much the quilt was dragging until I got this slider. It really does make a world of difference and I highly recommend it to any quilter!! – Sue
Superior Threads King TUT Egyptian Grown 40wt 3-Ply Cotton Thread
- #40 wt. 3-ply quilting thread
- 100% Egyptian-grown extra-long staple cotton thread
- Extremely low lint
- Home sewing machine needle: #90/77
Amazon Promising Review
Love KingTut 40wt thread. I quilt and will only use quality fabrics and thread. This thread is smooth and strong; never breaks. It costs a bit more than some but is worth every penny. – Pidwell
Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Moisturizing Hand Cream
This hand cream leaves no residue on our quilt. That’s why quilters love it. It is not sticky or greasy. Handling fabric dries your hands. This cream is perfect for using when you are machine quilting.
- 2-ounce tube of fragrance-free Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream works to hydrate and moisturize hands, delivering effective relief for dry, rough skin
- This hand moisturizing cream is dermatologist-recommended and features a unique formula with concentrated levels of glycerin that leaves skin feeling softer and smoother
- Specially formulated for dry skin, the unique Norwegian formula of our rough hand cream is fragrance-free and clinically proven to relieve dry skin
- Only a small amount of this glycerin-rich, intensive hand cream is needed for immediate and lasting relief with over 200 applications contained in this 2-ounce tube
- Used daily, this concentrated hand cream helps prevent dry skin and when used overnight, it helps soothes rough skin, even under the harsh conditions
Amazon Promising Review
I have been using this for years and I am just so in love. I normally have normal skin until summer or winter. My skin gets so dry and it is not attractive. I use literally a dab of this stuff and my dry skin is no longer dry or flaky. I really just adore this product. It takes forever to go through a bottle which is awesome. I love that I don’t have to pile it on in order for it to work. The bottom of feet tend to get dry as well and I put a bit more on them and put socks on and relax, it is awesome. My husband is super picky when it comes to lotions because he thinks most are too girly. He keeps one of these in his truck and one in his work bag. So, that tells you something. He really likes this stuff because it is not girly smelling or anything. I purchased the fragrance free ones but even the original does not have a bad smell, I actually like the smell, its is subtle and pleasant. I would recommend this. -Jaylinn