Quilting Vinyl on a Longarm Machine
I’m quilting on vinyl fabric today! This wonderful adventure started with a podcast with Katie Baker where we chatted about quilting on weird fabrics like vinyl and leather. Then we decided to do a collaboration and Katie sent me some pieces of black vinyl to play with. See how it went in this new tutorial:
Click Here to watch / listen to Katie’s podcast episode. Click to time: 15:26 to hear just the interview about quilting on vinyl and leather.
I quilted on vinyl again with a very different design! Click Here to check out that tutorial.
Click Here to check out the Grace longarm system I’m using in this video. I’m a dealer for Grace Company and you can get a special discount on your frame if you use the coupon code: hellomyquiltingfriends at checkout!
Quilting on Vinyl Fabric
I didn’t realize it, but I actually had some vinyl fabric on hand for a costume I made for Josh. I always called it pleather so I didn’t realize it was the same stuff. When I received Katie’s package, I instantly recognized the similar material and decided to get some practice in on my scraps first before quilting on Katies pieces. I didn’t want to mess up her pretty black fabric!
Quilting on vinyl fabric was much easier than I expected!
I first tested my stitch length. My normal 16 stitches per inch looked okay, but it was a bit too dense to really see the stitching over the vinyl. I lowered the length to 12 and the stitches were much longer and I though they looked better. In the video I lowered again to 10 stitches per inch just to see what would happen and that’s when they started to look too chunky to me.
So 12 stitches per inch is my favorite setting for quilting on vinyl fabric! On a longarm like this Grace 15R / 14+, the stitch length is set by the stitch regulator. No matter how fast I push the machine around (so long as I don’t go TOO fast) the stitches will remain the same size and shape.
I was surprised I didn’t have to change my needle, thread, or tension when quilting on this fabric!
Quilting Undulation a Second Time
Last week I shared a tutorial quilting Undulation on minky fabric. This has instantly become my favorite design because it’s fast, easy, and looks amazing!
This Undulation design looks great on minky and vinyl.
I love the stitch definition the vinyl gives to this design. Stitch definition is the little puff of the fabric between the rows of quilting. It makes the stitches stand out, but it also gives the vinyl fabric a soft, cushy feel.
To load my longarm, I first pinned red 100% cotton batik fabric. The batting behind the vinyl is Annie’s Soft and Stable (yep, that’s an affiliate link). This is a foam batting that provides great body to the vinyl fabric so it can stand up on it’s own.
I can’t get enough of this Undulation design. This has instantly become my go-to design for everything!
All around, I think quilting on vinyl is an awesome way to create beautiful fabric for bags or upholstery for cushions or chairs. I have two foam footstools that are needing covers so this might just be the ticket for finally making that project.
Don’t forget to check out Katie’s podcast to hear how she will take this quilted vinyl and turn it into a handmade bag. I can’t wait to see what Katie makes with this piece quilted with Undulation.
I quilted on vinyl again with a very different design! Click Here to check out that tutorial.
Click Here to check out my longarm! I love being able to quilt easier and finish my quilts faster on my Grace Qnique Longarm.
Let’s go quilt,
Leah Day
That’s very cool! I would not have thought to try quilting vinyl or pleather etc…I like your suggestion about using it for an upholstery project.
I’m really excited about playing with this more! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!
Cool but what can you do with it?
Cut it up and make it into bags, seat covers or cushions. Basically think of anything that uses a thicker, heavier material and this will work great!
I think a large floor pillow or tote would look great with this product. Your stitch length looks perfect!
Thank you Marcia! I think quilting with thicker thread would also be interesting with this material. Now I need to work up the gumption to try real leather too!
I’ll bet it would make a fabulous vest, jacket, or purse using a lighter weight batting.
Ooo! A quilted vest would be so nice from this! Just imagine the costume pieces we could make!