Quilting Essentials -- Thread, Needles, Batting, and Tension

Learn to master threads and tension on your home sewing machine

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"My machine doesn't like that thread!"

  • If you struggle when using different threads when free-motion quilting on your home sewing machine
  • If metallic thread makes you melancholy
  • If invisible threads make you want to disappear,

Then this is the course for you!



Debby believes in "Practicing with a Purpose," so she pairs her Thread, Needles, Batting, and Tension lessons with easy-to-make, easy-to-gift projects such as:



  • Bowl cozy
  • Reusable gift bag
  • Landscape wall-hanging
  • Notebook cover
  • Bracelet pillow
  • Lingerie Bag

Since Debby's passion is machine quilting, her Thread, Needles, Batting, and Tension lessons include tutorials about machine quilting patterns.

  • Stars and loops
  • Eight-pointed flower
  • Sky texture
  • Water texture
  • Scribble meandering
  • Swirls and loops
  • Flowers
  • Crested waves
  • Cross hatching
  • Micro-quilted switchbacks

Debby gives clear and concise instruction on the use of a variety of threads

  • 50-weight cotton thread
  • 60-80 weight polyester threads
  • 40-weight polyester and cotton threads
  • 12-weight cotton thread
  • Metallic thread
  • Flat metallic thread
  • Invisible thread
  • 12-weight rayon/metallic thread
  • 100-weight polyester and silk threads

Debby explains through text, images, and (over 2 hours of) video how and why to :

  • choose the right needle for your thread
  • adjust your tension to help you achieve the perfect stitch
  • use a different thread in the bobbin than in the needle.
  • use multiple battings in a quilt


This class contains thread and needle reference charts for you to print and use them as quick reference while threading your machine.



Take the time to work through each lesson and make each project; you will be more comfortable using various threads by the end of the lessons!



Join Debby Brown's Machine Quilting Studio on Facebook to ask questions and to share photos of your work.



I have used the tips and tricks Debby described in her class even though I have been quilting for a while now. It’s always nice to have a project completed during the class as well. -- Joyce


I just completed the Thread, Needles, Batting and Tension class and am very happy I decided to take this class. Although I have quilted for awhile, I found a lot of helpful information on pairing needles and thread and how to position my thread to sew depending on how the thread is wound on the spool. The thing I appreciate most from Debby’s class is that she provides a project for each technique she is
teaching so our practice doesn’t result in just a pile of practice pieces. I highly recommend this class
, even if you are not new to machine quilting. -- Elizabeth







Your Instructor


Debby Brown
Debby Brown

Three decades into her quilting life, Debby fell ill with a rare autoimmune disease. She learned that among all of her treatments, quilting was the best medicine as she fought to regain some control over her deteriorating body. Once again active, Debby is now passionate about helping quilters gain confidence in their machine quilting skills so they too can quilt their way through life.

Find Debby on all social media outlets as DebbyBrownQuilts and at DebbyBrownQuilts.Com



Course Curriculum


  Lesson Three: 60-80 weight thread
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  Lesson Five: 12 weight thread
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  Lesson Six: Traditional Metallic Thread
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  Lesson Nine: Using Multiple Battings, Walking Foot Cross Hatching
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  Lesson Ten: 100 weight thread, microquilting texture
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days after you enroll

Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course starts now and never ends! It is a completely self-paced online course - you decide when you start and when you finish.

Get started now!