Last Updated on May 10, 2021

Quilting in a hoop with your embroidery machine is like an experiment that you can make to explore what else your embroidery machine can do except embroidering. Like the long arm quilting machine, your embroidery machine will also allow you an easy quilting experience with lovely embroidery designs on it.

 

 

How to Quilt in a Hoop with Your Embroidery Machine

How to Quilt in a Hoop with Your Embroidery Machine

Different Methods of Quilting with an Embroidery Machine

You can quilt with your embroidery machine in certain ways: you can quilt each block and then assemble the quilt. The blocks are simply joined together. When all the blocks and rows are joined, the quilting is also done along with that.

Again you can stitch the embroidery design on the top fabric and the quilt batting and backing are added after that and then the quilting stitches are completed.

Another way is to complete embroidery and quilting stitches on the quilt sandwich at the same time. It is embroidered as a long strip.

Again you can take already pieced or embroidered quilting blocks or small quilts for a larger quilt project. Beautifully printed fabrics will require using only quilting stitches. Pre-cut applique shapes can be combined with quilting in the hoop along with the plain fabric blocks.

Here we will discuss how you can complete a quilting project with your embroidery machine by preparing a quilt top at first and then quilting the fabric sandwich.

 

What You Will Need to Quilt with an Embroidery Machine

To quilt in a hoop with your embroidery machine you will need- the hoop came with your machine, coordinating embroidery machine thread, coordinating bobbin thread, small scissors or snips, temporary adhesive spray, water-soluble marker, needles, stabilizer ( if the fabric is too thick but normally you do not need to use stabilizer when you are quilting with an embroidery machine).

Size of Hoop

You will need different hoops according to the size of your blocks. 8” block design requires an 8”×8” or larger hoop, 6” block design requires 6”×10” hoop or larger, 5” block design requires 5”×7” or larger hoop. Hooping station in an embroidery machine is for quick and accurate placement of your fabric.

 

How to Make a Quilt Sandwich and Quilt It with an Embroidery Machine

Load Your Bobbin and Adjust the Tension

Check your bobbin if it is fully loaded. You will not like to run out of thread in the middle of your quilting project. Thread the machine. You should also adjust the tension of your machine.

 

Cut Your Fabrics

At first select fabrics and cut 9 equal blocks of two or three colors.

 

Place Your Blocks in the Hoop

Lay your blocks over the bottom frame of the hoop, place the top frame over that. Push to lock the frame. Tighten the screws of the hoop and place them on the table that comes with the embroidery machine. You can stitch straight-line to make a border in the blocks.

 

Select a Design and Position It in the Frame

Select an embroidery design. You can use the designs come with your embroidery machine or import design from the internet with a USB drive. You can adjust the size of the design according to your blocks. Your machine will also allow you to position the design within the frame. Touch anywhere on the screen you want and the machine will move to that exact needle position.

 

Start Embroidering

Then select where the end of your design will be and start embroidering.

If your design requires more than one thread color, lift the pressure foot and change the thread color when one thread color is complete, and hit start again. You can also use an epic multicolor polyester thread for an attractive design. In this way complete the other blocks and keep ¼” seam allowance in each block.

 

Attach All the Blocks Together

Now attach all the blocks into rows or quadrants and finally attach all the segments with your machine to complete the quilt top. When the quilt top is done, press it.

 

Prepare the Batting and Backing for Your Quilt Sandwich

Now you have to add the batting and quilt backing to complete your quilt. You can use batting of cotton, wool, or bamboo fibers. For the backing, you can use inexpensive fabric if you think it will be unnoticed.

 

Baste All the Layers to Avoid Frizzing and Bunching Up

Baste all three layers. Spray basting will be handier for this purpose.

At first, keep the quilt backing on a flat surface like a table or floor. Then spray temporary adhesive spray on it and lay the batting on it. Smooth the batting with your hand and then lay the quilt top on it and again smooth it to avoid any wrinkles when quilting.

Always use 3” wider batting and  4” wider quilt backing than the quilt top to bind it easily.

 

Quilt the Layers of Your Quilt Sandwich

When basting is done, your fabric sandwich is ready for quilting. You can try a free-motion quilt on your fabric sandwich. Another popular method of quilting is stitching in straight lines.

 

Bind Your Quilt to Secure the Edges

Finally, bind the edges of your quilt to give it a smoother finishing touch. Now use the excess of batting and backing in binding. Before that trim the excess to 1” from the quilt top on all sides. And then fold twice the 1” margin of the batting and backing towards the quilt top and pin well to stitch the binding easily with your embroidery machine.

Thus your small quilting project is done!

Jennifer Salvo

Hello, I’m Jennifer Salvo, mother of two children. I’m passionate about sewing, crafting, and giveaways. I want to help you learn more about sewing through my blog. I hope to inspire you with amazing craft ideas and help you with your sewing equipment purchases.

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