How to Tear Out Machine Quilting More Quickly

Why Didn’t We Think of This!

Have you ever, heaven forbid, had to tear out machine quilting? If so, you know what a slow and grueling task it can be.

In the following video Natalia Bonner demonstrates her method, which goes surprisingly quickly. She cuts the bobbin thread instead of the top thread, pulling on the top thread as she goes.

While Natalia had to unpick quilting done by her computerized longarm quilting machine, the same method will work with quilting done on a home sewing machine.

Notice how her quilt is firmly attached to a frame, giving her something to pull against. You may need to get creative in order to secure and stabilize your quilt while unpicking. One solution could be to anchor the area directly behind where you’re working with your machine’s presser foot (like this).

Once she’s done tearing out, Natalia cleans the thread bits from the back with a sticky lint roller. She also brushes gently with a soft toothbrush and a bit of water to relax the fabric so the needle holes disappear (a small needle and fine thread also help, so the holes aren’t huge to begin with). The holes should also disappear the first time you wash the quilt.

While tearing out machine quilting is never fun, watch below and give Natalie’s method a try the next time you need to unpick. It may go a lot faster than you expected.

Click here to watch the video at YouTube if it does not play on your device.