Easy quilting using the MuVit Open-Toe Dual-Feed Foot

Yesterday I introduced you to some raw edge applique techniques using my Brother Innov-ís BQ3050 sewing and quilting machine.

Brother Innov-ís BQ3050 sewing and quilting machine. Brother Innov-ís BQ3050 sewing and quilting machine, Brother SA186 Metal Open-Toe Foot, Brother SA204C Dual-Feed Stitch-in-the-Ditch Foot, Brother SA195 MuVit Open-Toe Dual-Feed Foot

Brother Innov-ís BQ3050 machine

Now that I have finished two different raw-edge applique house quilts, I decided to make a larger wall quilt and combine hand and machine stitching. I still had lots of squares and half-square triangles, and I’m really trying to use up scraps and leftovers!

In my stash of beige and brown fabric scraps, I found these strips that would make a perfect background for my next quilt.

I sewed shorter strips of varying widths together to make longer strips.

Background strips ready to be sewn together

I sewed dark brown strips to the tops and bottoms of the beige strips and one dark brown strip to each side. This will be the background for my raw-edge applique shapes.

Dark brown strips are sewn to top, bottom and sides

I trimmed the top and bottom edges to square up the quilt. After it was squared up, my background measured 26″ x 28″. When I started, I didn’t know what size the background would be. I just kept making and adding strips until I arrived at a workable size.

All four sides of the quilt are trimmed and squared up. Brother Innov-ís BQ3050 sewing and quilting machine, Brother SA186 Metal Open-Toe Foot, Brother SA204C Dual-Feed Stitch-in-the-Ditch Foot, Brother SA195 MuVit Open-Toe Dual-Feed Foot

Trim the edges to square up the quilt.

Now it’s time for quilting!

If you don’t have a piece of batting large enough, you can sew smaller pieces together. I have three favorite stitches on my Brother Innov-ís BQ3050 for this process: Q17, Q18 and 2-17. They are either zigzag or serpentine stitches. Just butt the raw edges of batting together and sew with one of these stitches. Make sure to use the SA186 Open-Toe foot so you can see exactly where you’re stitching. This is another way to use up some leftovers!

Batting pieces lined up on the bed of a sewing machine. Brother Innov-ís BQ3050 sewing and quilting machine, Brother SA186 Metal Open-Toe Foot, Brother SA204C Dual-Feed Stitch-in-the-Ditch Foot, Brother SA195 MuVit Open-Toe Dual-Feed Foot

Sewing batting pieces together

Layer the backing, batting, and pieced background.
Pin or baste the layers together. I like to baste by machine, using basting stitch 1-08.

I quilted in the ditch using the MuVit digital dual feed foot. This was a good time to use the Stitch-in-the-Ditch foot that comes with the MuVit.

Quilting a quilt with the Brother Stitch-in-the-Ditch Foot on the Brother Innov-ís BQ3050. Brother Innov-ís BQ3050 sewing and quilting machine, Brother SA186 Metal Open-Toe Foot, Brother SA204C Dual-Feed Stitch-in-the-Ditch Foot, Brother SA195 MuVit Open-Toe Dual-Feed Foot

Quilting with the stitch in the ditch foot

Then I added some extra parallel quilting lines using the Open-Toe foot on the MuVit digital dual feed foot. I drew some quilting lines but also used the laser vision guide as a stitching guide. If you’re not familiar with the laser vision guide on the Brother Innov-ís BQ3050, have a look at this video.

Laser vision guide key on the Brother Innov-ís BQ3050

A laser vision guide shows on the fabric positioned under the presser foot of a sewing machine. Brother Innov-ís BQ3050 sewing and quilting machine, Brother SA186 Metal Open-Toe Foot, Brother SA204C Dual-Feed Stitch-in-the-Ditch Foot, Brother SA195 MuVit Open-Toe Dual-Feed Foot

Use the laser light to guide your stitching

Now the background is all quilted and I’m ready to add my applique shapes.

A closeup view of the quilted background on a quilt. Brother Innov-ís BQ3050 sewing and quilting machine, Brother SA186 Metal Open-Toe Foot, Brother SA204C Dual-Feed Stitch-in-the-Ditch Foot, Brother SA195 MuVit Open-Toe Dual-Feed Foot

Closeup view of quilted background

Please join me again tomorrow on QUILTsocial as I use my Brother Innov-ís BQ3050 sewing and quilting machine, and some hand–stitching techniques to complete this wall quilt.