9 Helpful Articles to Perfect Your Straight Line Quilting

Straight line quilting is one of my favorite ways to finish a quilt. This remarkably versatile technique can meld into the background or stand out as a key design element, and it can all be accomplished on your domestic sewing machine with the help of a walking foot or dual feed function.

My obsession with straight line quilting has led me to write numerous articles on various aspects of the technique, both here and on other companies’ blogs. Until now, these articles have been scattered across years of posts on multiple sites, but this post consolidates all the key information you need into one place.

Straight Line Quilting Overview

If you only want to read one post before diving into straight line quilting, this is the post for you.

Preparing to Quilt

Before you take a stitch, ensure you are set up for success by checking out this information on basting your quilt.

Then prepare your machine to quilt.

Selecting Thread

Your thread choices go a long way to determine the effect the quilting stitches will have on the aesthetics of your finished quilt. These two articles discuss how to make an impact (or not) with the thread you use for quilting.

Actually Quilting

Once your quilt is basted, the machine is set up, and you’ve selected your thread, you are finally ready to quilt! You can start with the basics of straight line quilting, including how to achieve equal spacing of your lines, with this post:

What happens when you run out of bobbin thread or have a design that requires you to start or stop in the middle of your quilt top? Check out this article on hiding your starts and stops that fall in the middle of the quilt.

Do you want to go beyond a straight stitch? Explore these techniques to incorporate decorative machine stitching into your quilting designs.

Hand stitching can also enhance straight line or decorative machine stitching. Try some of these hand stitches to add even more texture to your quilting.

Inspiration

Now that you have the know-how to do straight-line quilting, would you like to see some quilts for inspiration? These quilts represent just a few pieces I have finished with this technique.