Know all about your sewing machine. It can do wonders, even if it is old and can only do a straight stitch. What accessories does it have? How old is it? When was the last time you had it serviced? Your success at machine quilting depends on how well you understand the machine you use. But - before you begin your machine quilting of your new top, you need to make some decisions.

What quilting do you want? Are you just quilting to hold the three layers together? Then follow the stitching lines and accent your basic design. Will the quilting elements be part of the overall effect?

Think about what you need: a grid of lines for a checkerboard effect, shadow quilting around the designs, a specific feather design from a stencil, or a random quilting line to fill in empty space. Don't forget the back of the quilt. Your stitches will show, so plan for a thread that blends, or a contrasting thread that will accent design elements.

Even an old machine, like a treadle, can do a good straight stitch. Not only will this suffice to get a quilt top together, but you can still do a great "stitch-in-the-ditch" and outline or accent quilting. Set up your machine correctly, making sure you clean and oil your machine. Change your needles and choose ones that will work with the thread you want to use. Check your tension and make adjustments, or have your machine serviced and the tension adjusted.

What additional feet came with your machine? A zipper foot is helpful for getting in close to a seam and accenting the stitching line. A walking foot is essential, especially with older machines, to do straight quilting. This foot helps feed the quilt sandwich evenly through the machine so you don't end up with wavy bunches and a top that no longer lays flat. With a new machine, you may have a sensor that "knows" how thick your quilt sandwich is and adjusts on its own. If so, you don't need a walking foot.

To do free motion quilting (stipling), you want a foot designed for that, usually with a wider circular opening so you can see where you are quilting. Free motion quilting can fill in empty areas, accent specific designs, or create new patterns. Part of the key to successful free motion is planning ahead where you want to quilt, moving the quilt evenly as you stitch, and keeping your speed quick and steady for even stitches. Don't forget to drop the feed dogs so the fabric moves easily for you.

Before you start your designs, create a small quilt sandwich with the same fabrics you are using so that you can practice with threads, stitches, and tension. Not only does this give you a chance to check for effects, this avoids using the seam ripper to rip out stitching that just doesn't work. Save yourself additional stress by making a small quilting sample first.

Stencils are available for quilting designs. You can trace a design and then stitch over it, or you can use "continuous line" stencils that repeat patterns. Using any kind of stencil requires planning ahead. You need to make decisions about turning corners, working across the quilt, and tying off threads.

A table extension is extremely helpful, primarily for your comfort. The extension allows you to have more of the quilt up at an even height with the arm of the sewing machine. You can keep your hands at a consistent height, and you can keep uneven pressure off the quilt top. If you are working with a large quilt, don't let the quilt hang off the table; this puts unnecessary strain on the threads and fabric.

Take breaks when you are machine quilting. Align your chair with the throat plate of the machine. This keeps your eyes even with the needle and doesn't stress your neck. Use a good chair that puts you at a height that doesn't stress your back. Stretch at regular intervals, because your shoulders will tighten, especially if you are learning to machine quilt and you have "beginner's tension".

Give yourself a break in another area. If you are new to machine quilting, don't expect to be perfect the first time. As you practice, you will get better; your stitches will be more even, and you will begin to see how quilting decisions can accent your top. You may do simple quilting initially and work into more complex designs. Just like any skill, you need to practice.

Related : More Quilting Techniques