Perfect Quilting on a Small Sewing Machine

Published: Wed, 04/22/26

Updated: Sat, 04/25/26

Hi ,

Perfect free motion quilting on a small sewing machine - how do we do this?

One way is through practice - learning how to balance the speed the machine is running with the movement of your hands. It may take awhile and you'll need to be willing to ignore the ugly stitches because this is how it looks in the beginning:

Click Here to browse all 365 Free Motion Quilting Designs. If you click on the images on this page, it will take you to YouTube to watch the videos and learn how to quilt each design.

But what if you don't want to practice? What if wobbles and inconsistent stitches give you hives?

There are many ways you can make perfect stitches immediately and I have a short video to share with you today using a Singer Heavy Duty 6800c quilting in a new way:

Perfect Computerized Quilting with a Singer Heavy Duty 6800c and QMX!

This is the QuiltMotion X Foundations system which drives your machine over the quilt, guiding it to quilt perfect pantographs, block designs and straight lines.

Yes, this is compatible with all sewing machines, however, I think it works best if your machine has these three features:

Start / stop button - this allows you to hit "Start" in time with QMX and run the machine without a foot pedal or stitch regulator.
Needle up / down button - this allows you to easily pull up your thread tails and to baste stitch your zone before quilting the area.
Speed Selector - this allows you to select the speed to run the machine. Faster speed makes smaller stitches, a slower speed makes bigger stitches.

When running your machine this way, you are in "manual mode" which is a method of quilting where you run your machine at a steady set speed. QMX moves the sewing machine on the carriage at a steady speed, so your stitches will be consistent throughout:

QMX Combo Prices

What exactly do you need to give this a try? I've set up 3 QMX - Foundations combos to make it easy to get everything you need all at once:

QMX - Foundations - $1499.95 - This is just the QMX system, so purchase this option if you already have a compatible sewing machine and a Cutie Breeze quilting frame (not the original Cutie)

QMX + Cutie Breeze - $1999.95 - This combo includes the QMX system and a Cutie Breeze frame for a great price! This is perfect for quilters who have a compatible machine, but need the right frame and the QMX system.

QMX + Cutie Breeze + Little Rebel - $4402.06 - This is an extra special sale price since the Little Rebel is 11% off until April 30th!

This combo includes EVERYTHING - a high speed, 13-inch throat sewing machine with the features needed to run QMX, the QMX system and the Cutie Breeze frame. This is everything you need to dive into computerized quilting at a fraction of the cost of an embroidery machine and a much easier quilting experience.

Curious to learn more? Dive into the details and see all that you can do with QMX Foundations. Click Here to learn more about QMX Foundations.

QMX with Cutie Breeze and Little Rebel Sewing Machine

New 19SD Sit Down Quilting Machine Preorder

If frame quilting just isn't your style, is there a way to achieve perfect stitches with sit down, push quilting? Now there is with the new Grace 19SD sit down longarm.

I am so delighted with this new machine 😍 Check out all of the details in this new quilting video:

My awesome Shop Gals, Lacy and Sara, helped me make this video Thursday after we finished setting up the machine. Lacy was brave enough to be on camera and free motion quilt for the first time:

Lacy has never touched a longarm machine in her life - but look at her stitches! The stitch regulator on the Grace 19SD is incredible. I've never before been willing to unplug my foot pedal... until now. ⭐

I think the difference is the powerful optical encoders and the new highly sensitive setting. You can switch between normal and high (I had mine set to high) and the machine is able to read your quilt's movement, even with dark, solid fabric on the back.

This means consistent stitches. Yes, you may wobble a bit as you get the hang of these quilting designs, but the stitches themselves will be the same size every time.

Click Here to Preorder Your Grace 19SD Longarm

Machine orders will begin shipping in May, in the order they are received. I am including an exclusive accessory kit, filled with fun gear that will make quilting on this sit down machine even easier.

Here's what's included in this accessory kit:

3 Piece Hopping Foot Set which includes a Ruler Foot, Open Toe Foot and Micro Quilting Foot
Basic Ruler Kit including the Slice, Super Slide, and Mini Slide Quilting Rulers
Free Motion Glider
Machingers Quilting Gloves
1 Spool of Isacord Thread
2 Piece Quilt Suspension System
10 Pack of Bobbins
Size 16 and18 Needles
Plus exclusive quilting videos teaching you how to use the Grace 19SD

Over $220 in sit down quilting accessories, plus a quilting class to guide you through all the basics. You don't want to miss this preorder exclusive!

Reply to this email before placing your order and I will include 2 additional quilting accessories you'll love using with your new Grace 19SD 🔆

But Will This Machine Fit In Your Space?

I love so many things about the Grace 19SD, but one of my favorite features is the quilting table - the sides collapse so you can fit this longarm machine into a 3 1/2 foot space:

Expand one leaf for 18.5 more inches of space to one side, or expand both leaves to create a 78 inch long quilting table.

That's it for this week, my quilting friend. There are so many ways to achieve perfect quilting stitches - whether it's through practice and quilting your own quilts, letting a computer drive the machine, or allowing a stitch regulator to do the job - the point is to just start quilting!

I hope you'll dive into the 365 free motion quilting collection this week and send reply to this email with a picture of your quilting adventures. I can't wait to see which designs you stitch next 😁

Let’s go quilt,

Leah Day

P.O Box 386
Earl NC 28038
USA

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