Free-Motion Stitching - Bernina 880 PLUS Workbook

My BERNINA

FREE-MOTION STITCHING

Two 12" x 12" pieces medium weight cotton
One 12" x 12" piece low-loft cotton batting
90/14 quilting needle
40 weight quilting thread in needle
60 wt thread in bobbin
Default
Darning Foot #9 or
Freehand Embroidery Foot #24 or
Freehand Quilting Foot #29/29C
(optional accessories)
Drop-shaped Embroidery Foot #26
(optional on some machines)
Feed dog down
Free Motion Tips:
• BERNINA presser feet designed for free-motion stitching
have a patented hooper mechanism that holds the fabric
as the needle pulls away, making it easy to move the
fabric.
• The key to successful free-motion stitching is to run the
motor at a consistent speed and move the fabric at a
consistent and smooth speed.
• Set the Slide Speed Control to medium and floor the foot
control, or use the Start/Stop button on the machine.
B E R N I N A S E W I N G M A C H I N E W O R K B O O K
Free-motion stitching refers to sewing without the feeding
aid of the sewing machine. The feed dog is lowered and
the fabric stays in the same place unless you manually move
it. Free-motion stitching is used in quilting, bobbinplay, and
thread painting.
1. Make a "quilt sandwich" with the batting between
two layers of fabric and practice "drawing" a variety of
shapes (see below) on fabric as follows:
2. Using the foot control or the Stop/Start button to run
the machine, move the fabric in a forward and back
motion.
3. Move fabric from top to bottom; then side to side,
keeping the lines of stitching perpendicular to each
other. (1)
4. Move fabric to the right, down, up, to the right, down
and up. (2)
5. Move the fabric in smooth curves in an up and down
motion working from left to right. (3)
6.
Move the fabric in loops (4) or figure 8 shapes.
7. Create stippling shapes – think of interconnecting
puzzle pieces with evenly sized "bumps." Avoid
"painting yourself into a corner" and/or stitching across
a previously stitched line. (5)
Do you know how to:
• Lower the feed dog?
• Move the fabric for even and consistent
stitching?
HOW
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