Quilting tool
 

I have a new Brother XL 3750 machine. I am new at sewing, but I want to learn how to make quilts. I am planning to retire next year and I want to learn to sew. With my machine I have several attachments. One attachment that I have is a quilting foot with 1/4" guide, and a walking foot. Do I need to attach this tool for just quilting? Please I need all the help I can get from you all. How do you attached the tools? What is the best setting, what size needle? etc. Help me!

Welcome to a whole new world. The walking foot helps feed the layers of the quilt thru. You will need to turn off your feed dogs when you use it. Look in your manual on how to change it out. I have 2 Brothers and they are basicly the same on changing out feet, but some may vary just a little. You can also go to youtube for alot of tutorials. They have basic sewing and quilting ones. There are also alot of great tutorials on this site and you can probably look on the net for tutorials on your perticular machine.
Good luck and don't get discouraged.
You'll be a pro in no time. Just remember have FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!
Country1

Welcome to our world! I hope you learn to really love your sewing and quilting. Country1 gave good advice. I'll add to that - join a quilting guild and/or take some classes at a local quilt shop. You'll learn and make new friends!

Hi Brandi,

I think you'll enjoy your Brother machine. It's great for a beginner and is easy to use.

For quilting, you'll mainly use the 1/4" quilting foot. That foot will ensure that your seam allowance is the same for each seam you sew. The walking foot is useful after you've put your top together when you are ready to attach the top, the batting and the backing. I've never seen a walking foot that requires you to drop your feed dogs to use it, so you'll want to check with your sewing machine manual. Most of the feet for your machine will snap on; it's a very easy way to change feet.

I would suggest, in addition to watching videos online and any videos that may have come with the machine, that you find someone locally who will run through the basics of threading the machine, winding a bobbin and attaching the feet. It shouldn't take more than 15-30 minutes to go over that. Someone here on the board who is in your area might even volunteer.

You may want to post on the Main board so your post gets seen by more people.

Hope this helps!

Lynda

Brandi, make sure that the 1/4" foot is really sewing at 1/4". You may need to adjust your needle to the right or left. There may be a discrepancy. Do a test scrap to ensure accuracy before trusting the foot. You'd be surprised at how many people trust the foot only to find out later that it's off a smidge, which can throw off your accuracy! There are plenty of tutorials out there on how to get the perfect 1/4" seam. Just google it. You'll love the walking foot - especially for binding!

I always use my walking foot for piecing. Wouldn't be without it.

You have a great resource right next door. Go to Whittle's Fabrics and ask if they can help you. They have good fabric at great prices. They're on Chalybeate Road which is basically 31. I live in Owensboro and drive down to buy fabric often. For others, they sell online as well.

I use my walking foot for piecing but you do not have to drop your feed dogs before using it. Look on Facebook , there are hundreds of videos that will answer all your questions. Just put in 'walking foot' or 1/4 foot and you will get all the help you could ever need.

Welcome to the world of quilt fanatics!!!! You might try the LQS for classes and there are many videos online, and many tutorials here on the board. Take your time, and enjoy the journey. Be sure to post pics here on the board about your progress, you will get a lot of encouragement from the members here.

Make sure your seams are 1/4 ". Sew a line on your machine and measure to make sure it is 1/4" so that your blocks all come out the same size. And a good how to quilt book is a must. You Tube has several instructional video's.
You use the walking ft to do the quiiting when you put your quit sandwich together: block, batting, back. You can also use it to apply your binding so the bottom fabric does not wrinkle up as the binding is applied. Keep checking with You Tube on your how-tos. There may be instructions on this site too. start with small projects at first, to get used to the machine. Great to know ya nad can't wait to see what you do. Ask more questions if you get stuck. Best wishes.