Put away the thimble, pull out the sewing machine and join in on the excitement of machine quilting. Mastering the technique of machine quilting is a lot of work but not as time consuming as hand quilting. Experiment with the alternative to hand quilting--it's an opportunity to quickly finish that quilt top and move onto the next project.

You don't need to buy a fancy machine to machine quilt. With the use of a quilting foot, most machines will work, although some are easier to use than others. If you know you are interested in machine quilting, I would recommend purchasing a machine that has all of the features necessary for easy machine quilting. Any sewing machine retailer can help you determine which machines are best for your specific needs.

Machine quilting is not difficult, but it does take some practice. If there is a class offered in your area, consider taking it so you can learn the many different techniques with which you can enhance the beauty of your quilts with machine quilting. If not, experiment on your own by putting two pieces of fabric with batting in the middle together and get a feel for machine quilting before you try it on an actual quilt. This will help you get the hang of it without ruining a project you have already spent valuable time creating.

Machine quilting is a lot of fun, and is a great alternative to hand quilting while still adding beauty and interest to your finished project.