A beginner's guide to long arm quilting: tips, advice and more!
Until recently, a long-arm quilting machine was out of reach to most quilters or at least only applicable if you wanted to start a business quilting for others. However, these days some models start at around the same price as a top-end domestic machine.
I took advantage of this change a few years ago and have never looked back. Quilting has become easy, creatively stimulating and downright fun!
Handi Quilter launched their Moxie Longarm Quilting Machine in 2020. Designed specifically for the home quilter who doesn’t necessarily want to start a quilting business but just wants to quilt at home with ease and get more quilts finished. The release coincided with a freeing up of room space in my home and I jumped at the chance to own one of the first Moxies in the UK!
In this article, I want to share some of the main pros (and the odd con!) along with advice for anyone starting their own long-arm quilting journey.
Why would you want a long arm quilting machine?
Basting
This is one of the main reasons stated for wanting a long-arm – no more basting! It certainly does mean no more crawling around on the floor to baste your quilt, but there’s a little more to it than that which I will detail below.
Easier and more natural to draw
After many years of practice, I was already an experienced free-motion quilter using my domestic machine before I started using a long-arm.
I absolutely believe that you do not need to own a long-arm to produce amazing free-motion quilting (FMQ). In fact, my main reason for getting one was to improve my straight-line quilting rather than FMQ!
Quilting on a domestic machine means you have a fixed ‘pencil’, and you move the ‘paper’ underneath this to draw. It takes a bit of practice but soon your brain adapts to this system.
However, with a long-arm quilting machine, you can draw in a natural way with the ‘pencil’ moving on top of the ‘paper’. This really aids your drawing ability.
Regulated stitches
Having taught FMQ for many years, I know that one of the key problems my students encounter is getting their stitches to be the same length. On a domestic machine, this is all about controlling how quickly you move your hands and how fast you push the pedal with your feet. It takes practice to get these in sync and requires a lot of concentration.
I was especially delighted to find that long-arm machines have a stitch regulator: no matter how fast or slow you sew or how tight or wide your curves are, your stitches will all be exactly the same size. It’s something you will never have to think about again and your quilting stitches will look impeccable!
Better for shoulders and hands
If you quilt on a domestic machine, you will appreciate how physically demanding it can be, especially on your shoulders. This can be alleviated somewhat by setting your machine low and your chair high. But this isn’t always easy to achieve.
I was very much looking forward to being able to stand and take the pressure off my shoulders. What I hadn’t anticipated was how much my hands would appreciate this change!
I hadn’t realised how hard my hands work pushing quilts around under my domestic, even with the aid of gloves. The long-arm requires nothing more than a gentle movement to glide the machine around. My hands are grateful!
Quilts finish flatter
Being stretched on a frame during the quilting process is so beneficial for achieving a flat quilt. According to Judi Kirk, one of our top quilt judges, quilts lay much flatter if they have been finished on a frame. So, if you are planning on entering your quilt to a competition, it will already have an advantage!
World of fun
Quilting on a long-arm is ridiculously fun! Another thing I didn’t really expect. Like most new things, there is a bit of a learning curve. Once I got into the groove, you couldn’t get me away from my Moxie! I had several quilt tops ready to go and worked my way through these. I experimented with new patterns and enjoyed each more than the last.
However, I then hit a bit of a creative slump. I just wasn’t inspired to start a new quilt. It soon dawned on me that it was the piecing I was unenthusiastic about. I now loved the quilting part so much that I didn’t want to do the patchwork bit!
Don’t worry, I managed to get my sew-jo back. It was quite a revelation to see how this new way of quilting was providing all the endorphins that I had previously got from piecing.
Space
Now for the downside: I would say the main barrier to owning a long-arm is the amount of space you need for the frame. Luckily, I started with a large room and enough space for a 10ft frame. Now I've moved my Moxie to a slightly smaller room and reduced the frame size to 8ft.
I really don’t think I will ever need to quilt on a bigger frame than this. On the 10ft frame, I produced one giant quilt. This is frankly too big to be of any use, and I have managed at least one 80in wide quilt on the 8ft frame. I feel is big enough for all my future needs.
It’s worth pointing out that even an 8ft frame still needs a good-sized room. My suggestion is to repurpose those spare bedrooms that are just sitting there waiting for visitors. You will be so busy quilting you won’t need visitors! Or perhaps persuade a family member to move out?
Long arm quilting: Getting started
Though the basting happens on the frame, it’s not a magic process. It still takes time and involves more care to square your backing and top than with a domestic machine. The process involves pinning both ends of your backing and the bottom edge of your top onto rollers.
The wadding/batting simply floats between the layers before being secured with stitches along with the top edge of your top. It’s an easy and relatively pleasurable process. Though those lethal long-arm pins do seem to require a sacrifice of blood for each quilt I finish!
Thread and needles
A long-arm is basically an industrial machine without its own bobbin winder. A separate, stand-alone winder will come with your machine. It requires special needles and usually a different thread.
Polyester thread is recommended as it’s stronger than cotton. Having said that, I use Aurifil Forty3 cotton thread for most of my quilting. It has the same appearance as 28wt and a lovely matte finish.
I have had no issues with thread breaks using cotton, but you will get more lint buildup. This will need to be brushed away. Maintenance isn’t difficult, but a drop of oil in the bobbin area is non-negotiable. Moxie recommends a new needle for every new project.
Find the best pins for your long arm quilting
Explore our best quilting pins to stock up your stash.
How should I quilt it?
Straight lines
As I mentioned, my main reason for wanting a long-arm was to achieve straight-line quilting. I especially wanted to try matchstick quilting for a more modern finish. I’d always been disappointed by the way walking foot quilting made the stitches pull on a large quilt. I’m also hopeless at following marked lines or using a gauge.
My Moxie has the most wonderful little tool that makes all these problems go away. It’s called a channel lock, and it’s a simple piece of plastic that attaches and locks one of the wheels. This means your machine can only run in one direction.
Finally, I could achieve the matchstick quilting I had dreamed of, and I got all my ‘steps’ in at the same time! Yes, there is a fair amount of walking side to side and around the back to alter the lock.
I find this process very relaxing and meditative. If you have a slightly better machine, you can alter your channel lock position with a simple click of a button and avoid all the walking.
For best results, and to stop your quilt having a ‘baggy middle’, I would advise starting in the middle of the quilt. This will involve you running basting stitches across your quilt from the top to the halfway point. You can then begin your tight matchstick lines and work to the bottom of the quilt.
At this point, your remaining backing fabric can be detached. The quilt will be on just two rollers and can easily be rolled back to the middle. You can then work up to the top taking out your basting stitches as you go.
My other favourite way to use straight-line quilting is what I call ‘Random Plaid’. This is a grid made much easier by using randomly placed lines. No measuring and marking needed and no way you can go wrong!
To achieve this, you will need to quilt vertical lines first. As the lines will not be as tight as matchstick, you can get away with starting at the top and working your way downwards. Remove the quilt, trim the sides and pin back onto just two rollers to quilt lines in the other direction. This sort of quilting is perfect for busy designs as it adds a neutral yet interesting texture.
Free-motion quilting
I have always embraced the ‘free’ part of FMQ. I just love to doodle and draw across the quilt without any markings to follow. However, I am aware that others feel differently and really like following lines to achieve symmetry and balance.
A long-arm quilting machine offers a number of ways to do this, most notably by quilting from the back. This uses separate hand controls and a small laser light, which appears as a red dot. A roll of marked-out pattern called a ‘pantograph’ can be unfurled onto the table at the back of the machine. You simply trace around the design with your red laser light. As if by magic, the design is stitched onto your quilt!
I have to say, I have not got on well with this. It would be easier for me to ‘draw’ the design by eye from the front of the quilt than try and trace the pattern with the laser. But that is due to my inability to follow lines rather than the process! It’s a wonderful option for those who are less confident in their drawing abilities.
Make sure you read Gathered's complete guide to free motion quilting, which covers techniques, advice and tutorials.
Discover free motion quilting patterns
Use your long arm quilting machine to stitch our collection of free motion quilting patterns.
Rulers
Rulers are another great tool to give you more control with FMQ. There is a huge range of quilting rulers available, both for domestic quilting machines as well as long-arms. They help quilters replicate intricate designs. I tend to use a small ruler to create lines and grids to fill spaces.
I also use a ruler that hooks around the foot and helps give more stability with your movement. This is particularly helpful if you are trying to outline a curved motif on your quilt or replicate a shape exactly.
These days, I tend to use my Modern Improv Doodle-style of FMQ for everything. I started developing this a couple of years ago. I had been using matchstick quilting and random plaid to finish my modern quilts, but I was keen to get back to some more creatively fulfilling FMQ.
However, I still wanted to achieve the same modern quilting aesthetic. So, I started to stitch very simple motifs and drift between them like doodling. These began as interlocking box shapes, square spirals and lined curve sections.
I kept developing these motifs, trying new ones out and replicating the improv piecing shapes from the quilt top. I never get tired of this style of quilting as the potential is endless! The benefit of this sort of multi-motif FMQ is that you can try something new. If it’s not working well or isn’t fun, then you can abandon it and move onto a different motif.
Shop quilting rulers with Gathered
Discover the best quilting rulers on the market with our round-up.
Thread colours
I tend to prefer very neutral thread shades for quilting, mainly off-white or shades of grey. My quilts are already full of colour, so I prefer to emphasise the quilting texture instead. But sometimes I like to experiment with variegated threads, especially if I have plenty of negative space.
I used an Aurifil turquoise variegated cotton thread for my 'Eye Catcher' quilt, which includes a lot of grey background. It transformed the fabric, adding a whole new dimension and an almost woven texture. Most people are shocked to find the background is actually a solid fabric.
Decision time
If you're curious about a long-arm machine, then I'd suggest giving one a try. Most quilt shows will have at least one stand selling long-arms with demonstration models ready for you to use.
Don’t be too shy to have a go! No one will expect you to do anything more impressive than a few squiggles, but it will give you an idea of the potential involved.
Choosing a long arm quilting machine
Now it's time to pick up your very first machine! Head over to our collection of the best long arm quilting machines to browse the best options on the market.
Looking for more advice on long arm quilting?
Watch a handy long arm quilting demonstration video below! Get more information on the Handi Quilter Moxie Longarm Quilting Machine at the UK distributor, Pinhole Quilting’s website.
