by Serena Smith

(Click the photos for a larger image)

When you have the right tools to complete a project, it goes so much smoother and easier. The same is very true with machine quilting. If you have the tools to make it simpler and easier, your quilting will be much easier and more enjoyable. I've listed several items below that I cannot quilt without. Each one helps me through the quilting process from start to finish.

Extension table - There is no way I can quilt, especially a large quilt, without my clear, acrylic extension table that attaches to my machine. Because my sewing machine sits on a 6' table, the extension table gives me extra space to move the quilt around. If you have a sewing cabinet where your machine will set down inside so the bed of the machine is level with the table, that is the ideal solution! But right now, my machine is not sitting in a cabinet, so my extension table is a must have!

Extra tables - Allow for plenty of space behind and to the left of your sewing machine. This will eliminate the quilt falling off the table and dragging as you are stitching. When the quilt drags, it is much harder to move the fabric through the machine, plus you are more likely to get uneven stitches because you are working against the falling quilt. I set my machine toward the middle to right end of the 6' table. Then I add a table behind the 6' table and a table in front and to the left of my sewing machine. I can easily hold the quilt in front of me, supporting it on the table to my left. As the quilt passes through the machine, the table in back catches it so it doesn't fall of hang off. The two extra tables are portable and I can move them around if needed. When I am not quilting I can put them away to create more room in my sewing room.

Quilting gloves - Quilting gloves do two things. Their tight grip supports my hands and wrists as I am constantly moving the quilt layers. Plus the fingers are coated so that I am able to grip the fabric easier, making it easier to move back and forth. This pair of gloves fits snugly on my hand so they are not cumbersome or interfere with my quilting.

Freehand foot & walking foot - A freehand foot is absolutely necessary if you are planning any freehand stitching or stippling. I use both my Bernina stitch regulator (BSR), an open toe freehand foot and a closed circle freehand foot, depending on the kind of stitching I am doing. For stitching in the ditch, I use the walking foot so the layers will glide evenly through the machine.

Knee lever - The knee lever attached to my sewing machine works as a third hand, raising and lowering the presser foot with movement of my knee. This way I can keep both hands on my quilt to maneuver it and use my knee to lift and lower the presser foot. My hands don't ever have to leave the quilt.

Pillow - Because my table is higher than a sewing cabinet, my sewing machine sits higher. I use the pillow to sit on so I am at the right height for quilting. I want to be comfortably looking down at my stitches instead of straining to look up and see where I am going. Sitting at a comfortable height reduces the stress on your shoulders, back and arms. I always have an additional cushion attached to my sewing room chair, but when quilting I often will add a pillow or layer several pillows to get the height I need.