01/07/2026
This is one of my most favourite things to do on my sewing machine. I love the creative freedom it allows.
You’ll need your sewing machine, a freemotion presser foot (sometimes known as a darning foot), some thread and fabric to practise on. On some sewing machines you can freemotion with out any presser foot on at all....BUT...you must remember to lower the presser foot lever otherwise you’ll have a lovely birds
To be able to sew freely you will need to be able to lower your feed dogs (the teeth on the flatbed that move the fabric to under the needle) or, some sewing machines have a flat plastic plate that you pop over the feed dogs to disable them.
On my sewing machine I don’t have to change the tension, but, if you experience problems try fiddling with your tension...always remembering where it was before you start moving it!
Now....pop your fabric under the needle and remember to lower your presser foot. At this stage the foot won’t sit on the fabric, it will be just above it. As you start to sew, the foot will connect with the fabric...but the fabric won’t move unless you make it!
Try just moving your work round and round in circles first. Your stitch length will depend on how fast your needle is going up and down and how fast you move your fabric. try different speeds of both and see what feels the most comfortable. It feels a bit like patting your head and rubbing your tummy at first ....but....you will get the hang of it.
Try lines, up and down, circles, write your name and then try a simple drawing.
Let me know how you get on and do pop a photo of your sewing in the comments below...I’d love to see some pics.
If, like me you like to be shown new techniques and be able to ask all the questions there and then why not treat yourself to our Creative Art and Textiles retreat in January...it’s going to be so much fun ...and you will go home with oodles of new techniques and amazing pieces of work!
