Accessories for Q Series Table Machines
Whether you already own or are planning to purchase a Q Series Table Machine, there is a wide range of options and accessories available to customize the machine for a personalized experience that matches your specific wants, needs, and quilting style. Because there are so many options, grab a cup of your favorite beverage and join me on a virtual shopping excursion where we find the perfect accessories for you.
I’m assuming you have already decided regarding your sew head. You can’t go wrong with the Q 16, the Q 16 PLUS, or the Q 20 (which is my favorite). If you are still undecided, read more about the features of each HERE.
Quilting Table & Seating Options
The next decision is which table best meets your quilting needs. Is your sewing area space challenged? The foldable table, which has three height adjustments as you set it up, may be a great option for you. When you aren’t quilting, the sides fold down for convenient space-saving storage.
Are you looking for a table with a lift system that allows you to raise or lower the table with just the touch of a button? For me, the lift system is essential so I can adjust my project to the perfect height while working on it.
The Lift Table and the BERNINA Lift Table both have a variety of storage features. You can’t go wrong with either of them.
While we are talking about tables, let’s talk about chairs too. It’s hard to accomplish sit-down quilting if you aren’t sitting! Have you checked out BERNINA’s Red Chair? At one stage of my life, I thought a chair was a chair. But now I’m older and wiser, and realize how important a good, supportive chair can be for your quilting comfort. The BERNINA Red Chair is one of the best that I have ever sat on.
Two Must-Have Accessories
We are on a roll. Machine? Check. Table? Check. Chair? Check.
Next, let’s talk about two accessories that I consider essential for sit-down quilting regardless of the type or style of quilting you do. First is the Needle Point Laser. It shows the exact placement where the needle will enter the fabric. You can use it to ensure accuracy on start and stop points, or basically anywhere you want precision placement of your quilting.
The second is Gripper Rings. They keep your quilt sandwich completely flat and taut while quilting. This allows you to focus on the quilting, rather than holding the fabric. The set includes two sizes—8” and 11”—and what separates these from the competition is the opening that enables you to slide the ring past the needle bar for easy on/off placement without having to tie-off your threads.
Rulerwork Accessories
Moving along on our shopping excursion, let’s think about the type of quilting you do. Many quilters use their sit-down machines for rulerwork because the Q Series machines have a deeper throat space, are stitch regulated, and the tables have plenty of work space for quilts of any size.
Rulerwork needs specific accessories—a ruler foot and rulers, of course! With the BERNINA Q Series machines, there are three options for presser feet that are specifically designed with a thicker “fence” to keep the ruler in place.
The Adjustable Ruler Foot #72 and Adjustable Ruler Foot with Slit #72S both have a dial to adjust the height, with the only difference being a slit on the fence of the #72S foot to assist with thread management. If you currently have a BERNINA domestic sewing machine, you may already have either of these feet as they work on both domestic and Q Series machines.
The Ruler Foot #96 is the third rulerwork foot option. It features a sturdy shank and is designed for the Q Series machines only.
And we can’t do rulerwork without rulers! BERNINA has three ruler sets available: the Essential Ruler kit, the Curves & Clams Ruler kit, and the Border Rulers kit.
Each set includes an instructional workbook that shows you how to create a variety of designs using each ruler. If you are new to rulerwork, I strongly encourage you to start with the Essentials Ruler kit. Focus on becoming confident with basic straight lines and gentle curves before moving onto more advanced and intricate designs.
While we talk about rulerwork, let’s not forget the Echo Clips. These handy clips attach to either the #72 or the #96 foot and make it really easy to echo quilt around a previously stitched line or a quilt feature with precise spacing.
Artistic Quilting Accessories
Is artistic quilting more your style? Do you love to add texture and embellishment to your quilts? If so, BERNINA has you covered with accessories that make expressing your creativity easy. This fun pumpkin pillow features both twin needle stitching on the background and couched fibers for the pumpkin.
Twin needle stitching on a longarm? Yes! With just the change of a stitch plate and the insertion of a twin needle, you can be twin needle quilting in no time. The two lines of stitching have a ribbon-like effect. BERNINA Q Series machines can accommodate a flat-back twin needle size 3.0-4.0 mm. Just make sure to use a foot that can accommodate the wider needle set.
Couching is just as easy as twin needle stitching and is a great way to add dimension to projects. You can add cording, ribbon, or yarn to any project simply by using the Free-Motion Couching Foot #43. The cords are fed directly to the needle through a hole in the sole, and they can be sewn on to the quilt in any line or shape.
To accommodate varying sized cords, the Couching Inserts, paired with the Adjustable Ruler Foot #72, are the perfect combination as they come in three different sizes. Plus, you can couch and do rulerwork at the same time! Oh yes, how cool is that?
If you are like me, you can never have too much thread. BERNINA Q Series machines make it easy to quilt with thread on any style of spool. The Horizontal Spool Holder allows you to use smaller, parallel wound spools, holding them perfectly in place with white clamps. The addition of an extra Vertical Spool Holder accommodates two additional spools for easy thread changes.
Fun Foot Accessories
As we are winding down on our shopping excursion for accessories, let’s not forget the specialty presser feet that are available. You can learn more about each of them HERE, but I want to highlight a few that will really make your quilting easier.
First, there are cupped presser feet that allow you to easily quilt around or over raised and uneven seams and embellishments. The Adjustable Gliding Cup Foot #74 is designed specifically for this purpose.
Another option is the Ruler Foot #96 with a Cup Clip attachment. If you already have the #96 foot for rulerwork, here is a second use for it.
If your quilt is embroidered or embellished but you need a direct view to place the quilting close, check out the open-toe foot options. They give the visual guidance you need for precise stitch placement. The Free-Motion Embroidery #24 foot is spring loaded with an unobstructed view of the quilting area. The Adjustable Stippling Foot #73 is another option for detail quilting with an open view.
If a closed-toe foot is your preference, no worries. BERNINA has several options for you. The Darning Foot #09 comes with Q Series machine. The advantage of closed-toe feet is that they prevent flagging and hold the fabric taut while the stitch is being made. Other closed-toe options are the Embroidery Foot #15, Embroidery Foot #26L, and Quilting Foot #29.
Wow, what a shopping trip! Thank you for staying with me. As you can see from the wide range of options and accessories, BERNINA truly has the ability to put together a customized quilting experience for you. I can’t wait to see what you create!
