Quilting frames made for sewing machines are designed to remain stationary while the machine travels back and forth along the length of the frame. The table can be built to house any size sewing machine by adjusting the cross member support size. Machine carriage and metal parts kits are purchased separately. The machine quilting frame is complex and will need an knowledgeable woodworker to craft.
Materials List
Before beginning work on this project, gather all of the materials. This will help the project stay organized while making the do-it-yourself quilting frame. Materials needed: measuring tape, pencil, pack of #8 deck screws that are 1/2-inch long, a drill, 1 1/2-inch drill bit
the machine carriage and frame track kits and a set of table legs. The lumber requirements are: 2-by-6 by 12-foot 2 boards; 1-by-4 by 12-foot 2 boards; 1-by-4-inch by 24 1/2-inch 6 boards; 1-by-8-inch by 10-inch 2 boards, 1-by-8-inch by 12-inch 2 boards; and 1-by-4-inch by 24-inch boards 2 boards.
Parts of the Machine Quilting Frame
A machine quilting frame is simply a long table frame. There is no flat surface on the top; instead the top is made up of two parallel 2- by 6- by 12-foot boards that are joined together by four 1- by 4- by 24.5-inch boards. These four boards are the cross members. If the sewing machine is longer than 20 inches from side to side, these cross members can be lengthened to accommodate the machine. If this adjustment is made, remember to cut the remaining two 24.5-inch boards to the same length as the cross members. These boards attach to each end of the table.
The table leg assembly attaches to the middle cross members. This placement allows the table to be stable without danger of tipping over.
The frame track bolts to the length of the table. There will be one frame on each board. The frame kit comes with instructions from the manufacturer. The machine carriage kit also has instructions in its package. The sewing machine sits on top of the machine carriage and moves along the length of the track while the machine is quilting.
Mount a Template Strip
The machine carriage is designed to allow the machine to move a small distance forward and backward as well as from side to side. Consider mounting a narrow shelf (approximately 4-inches wide) along the length of the frame. Place a long paper stitching template to the shelf. Mount one end of a stiff wire to the machine carriage. Bend the wire so the other end rests on the template design. As the quilt is stitched, move the machine carriage back and forth keeping the wire on the design. The sewing machine will stitch the design in the quilt.
Jennifer Terry - Jennifer Terry has worked to promote self-determination and consumer education for 10 years. She has been writing since 2004 and has been ...
