Objective: Complete a small quilted placemat sandwich on the MC8200, applying the threading, foot, and stitch settings learned earlier to produce one finished, resale-grade sample.
A placemat is the ideal first project because it uses every core skill of quilting in miniature: piecing a top, layering a quilt sandwich, and stitching through all layers. Your quilt sandwich has three layers: the pieced top (right side up), the batting in the middle, and the backing (right side down underneath). You baste these together so they don't shift. On the MC8200, two settings matter most here. First, attach the AcuFeed Flex walking foot (the dual-feed system), which feeds top and bottom layers evenly so your three layers don't pucker or drag. Second, select a straight stitch and set the stitch length to about 2.5-3.0mm, which looks clean on quilts and is easy to pick out if you need to redo a line. Use the quarter-inch seam when piecing the top (set needle position or use the 1/4 inch foot), because consistent 1/4-inch seams are the standard that keeps block sizes accurate for resale. Lower the feed dogs only for free-motion work; for this straight-line placemat, keep feed dogs UP so the walking foot can do its job. Go slow with the foot pedal or set a moderate speed on the slider, and let the machine pull the fabric rather than pushing it.
Example: Make a 12-by-16-inch placemat. Cut two 6.5-by-12.5-inch fabric rectangles and sew them together along the 12.5-inch edge using a 1/4-inch seam (finished top is 12.5 by 12.5-plus — trim to 16 by 12). Press the seam to one side. Cut batting and backing slightly larger, about 14 by 18 inches. Stack: backing face down, batting, top face up; pin or spray-baste. Attach the AcuFeed walking foot, select straight stitch, stitch length 2.8mm, feed dogs up. Stitch straight lines 1 inch apart across the placemat, starting from the center and working outward to prevent bunching. Backstitch at the start and end of each line. Trim the excess batting and backing flush with the top. You now have a quilted top ready for binding in a later unit.
Try it: Build one small quilt sandwich (roughly 12 by 16 inches) using scrap fabric and batting. Baste the three layers, attach the walking foot, set a 2.8mm straight stitch with feed dogs up, and sew at least four parallel quilting lines 1 inch apart, backstitching at each end. Flip it over and check the back for even, non-looping stitches.