How to Use Your Embroidery Machine as a Quilting Tool
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Can an Embroidery Machine Do Quilting?
Short on time? If you only take one thing from this guide: Brother SE700 — the machine we point most beginners to — touchscreen, wireless transfer, and it sews as well as embroiders.
Yes, and many embroidery machine owners discover that their machine is also a capable quilting tool long after they purchase it. Embroidery machines are fundamentally stitch-delivery systems, and their precision, stitch quality, and built-in design libraries make them well-suited for quilting applications beyond standard garment embroidery. This guide covers the main ways to use an embroidery machine specifically for quilting purposes.
Embroidered Quilt Blocks
The most direct application is embroidering quilt block designs as part of a quilt project. Many design shops sell collections of embroidery designs specifically scaled and formatted as quilt blocks — often in 5 x 5, 6 x 6, or 8 x 8 inch squares. These are embroidered onto fabric squares, which are then assembled into a quilt top using standard quilting construction. The embroidery replaces or supplements the hand or machine piecing that traditional quilt block construction requires.
For embroidered quilt blocks, use a medium-weight tearaway stabilizer under the quilt fabric — the fabric will be enclosed in the quilt sandwich and permanent stabilizer is not needed. Accurate, consistent hooping across all blocks in the quilt is essential for the finished blocks to align properly when assembled.
Machine Embroidery Stippling Designs
Stippling — the closely spaced meandering stitch pattern used to quilt the layers of a quilt sandwich together — can be applied using embroidery designs rather than free-motion quilting. Pre-digitized stippling designs are available for most common hoop sizes and stitch the characteristic continuous stipple pattern within the hoop area automatically. This approach produces extremely consistent results compared to manual free-motion stippling and requires no free-motion quilting skill.
Free-Motion Quilting with Your Embroidery Machine
If your embroidery machine can lower or cover the feed dogs and accept a darning or free-motion foot, you can do genuine free-motion quilting on the quilt sandwich. Move the quilt freely under the needle while the machine runs at low speed to create custom meandering patterns. The consistency of stitch length varies more with free-motion quilting than with digitized stippling designs, but the creative flexibility is much greater.
In-the-Hoop Quilting Projects
ITH quilt block designs, placemats, table runners, and even small wall hangings can be created entirely within the embroidery hoop. These projects typically combine embroidery with the construction of the quilt item simultaneously. Small ITH quilted items like mug rugs and coasters are excellent entry points for combining embroidery and quilting techniques.
