In this video I show you how to install and use the quilt guide – a mysterious-looking tool that comes with most sewing machines. It’s really easy to use and lets you sew or quilt perfectly parallel lines.
You can do quilting that looks like this. . .
Or you can topstitch on plain fabric to give it pinstripes. I did that on this Mighty Casey baseball jersey I made for my husband.
You can click on it to get a closer look.
Here are all my posts about layering and basting your quilt, and the final round of quilting.
- How to Layer and Baste a Quilt Sandwich
- How to Machine Quilt
- My Favorite Tip for Machine Quilting without Swearing
- How to Quilt a Big Quilt on a Standard Sewing Machine
- What Does It Mean to Start Quilting in the Middle and Work Your Way Out?
- How to Quilt Perfectly Parallel Lines
- Tips for Quilting a Cuddle Fleece Back
- Quilting with Decorative Stitching
Here are all my posts about hand quilting and Big Stitch quilting. I don’t use these techniques with fusible applique or Quilt As You Go, but I LOVE using Big Stitch Quilting with my cheater fabric.
- How to Tie a Knot
- Hand Quilting Basics – traditional hand quilting
- Hand Quilting without Marking
- Big Stitch Quilting
- How to Quilt All the Way to the Edge
Finished with this topic?
Return to the Let’s Make a Quilt main Table of Contents.
Move on to the lessons about binding and finishing your quilt.
Happy stitching!
Thank you for this demo! Now I can use that mysterious sewing tool that has been in my sewing toolbox for months. 😉
I have heard the exact same thing from So Many People! It really is a mysterious-looking tool, isn’t it?
Thank you so much for this tutorial! It’s been three years since you posted this and it’s still helping quilters! Blessings!
I need to know what it is called — so that I can find one online and order it. Can you tell me, please? Thanks.
I’m sorry – I don’t know what it’s called. And my manual doesn’t say either.
It’s called a guide bar
Both Janome and Brother call it a “Quilting Guide Bar” and it comes with all standard “quilting” models of their machines, just like a buttonholer does. Combined with a walking foot, this is one of the most powerful tools in my toolbox! 🙂
Just did a quickie search of Amazon for a generic one and it’s only $3.56 wow, talk about cheapo 🙂 https://smile.amazon.com/Generic-Quilting-Guide-Bar/dp/B008MNWUJG/