If you’ve been researching quilts and quilt making for any amount of time, chances are you’ve come across the phrase “free motion quilting” (FMQ).
So what does that mean?
FMQ works by using a sewing machine and moving the fabric “freely” under the needle to achieve different designs with your quilt stitching.
In this post, I’m going to show you six free-motion sewing machine options for you to be able to do FMQ at home.
Can Any Sewing Machine Do Free Motion Quilting?
When shopping around for a new sewing machine for free-motion quilting, it can be quite overwhelming.
There are many things to consider when you are on your search for your new machine.
- Throat/Harp Space: The space from the needle to the arm/body/motor of the machine. The more throat space, the better!
- Price: What’s your budget?
- Extra Bells and Whistles: Do you want a machine that can do more than just FMQ?
- Can the Feed Dogs be Lowered?
But before you even begin to hunt for the perfect machine for you, you may ask, “Can I do free motion quilting on a regular sewing machine?”
Well, in some cases, yes, you can. The size of the project you work on will be limited if you are working on a smaller machine.
Remember that throat space? You probably won’t be able to quilt a king-sized quilt on a regular-sized sewing machine with a throat space of around 5”.
The throat space is critical because that is the space that helps you move your quilt around and through your machine while you quilt.
If you don’t have a lot of room, it’s harder to get those beautiful smooth quilt stitches.
Another thing to consider if you use a regular sewing machine is whether you can lower the feed dogs. The feed dogs are those little metal teeth that move under your needle as they “feed” your fabric through your machine.
If you aren’t able to lower them or cover them, they’ll get in the way since you want to move the fabric in all directions, not just forward.
What’s The Best Sewing Machine for Free Motion Quilting? Consider These 6
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These are six fantastic options for FMQ, and I hope it helps you in your search for your next machine.
My top pick in this list would have to be the Janome Memory Craft Horizon 8200 QCP. This machine just has it all! The 11” throat space, built-in stitches, and lockstitch feature are only a few of the elements that make it a great machine.
The only downside that I can think of is the price, but otherwise, it’s the dream machine for many quilters.
I see a lot of quilters using Bernina’s. Is there a reason why the Bernina did not make your list?