Machine quilting involves the process of stitching together layers of fabrictypically a quilt top, batting, and backingusing a sewing machine. This can range from simple straight-line stitching to intricate free-motion designs, offering a faster and often more consistent result than hand quilting. An example is stitching parallel lines across the quilt to secure the layers and add visual texture.
This method offers significant advantages for quilters. It allows for greater speed and efficiency in completing projects, particularly larger ones. The precision offered by a sewing machine can result in evenly spaced stitches and intricate patterns that might be challenging to achieve by hand. Historically, the advent of the sewing machine revolutionized quiltmaking, enabling more complex designs and increased production, making quilts more accessible to a wider population.