1023 FUNdamental Free Motion Quilting

Ready to step away from straight lines and discover the freedom of free motion quilting? Whether you’re looking to build confidence at your sewing machine or master doodle style designs, this hands-on workshop will give you the tools, techniques, and practice you need to quilt your own projects with ease!

What You’ll Learn:

• Doodling to Quilting:  If you can write - you can free motion.   Learn why practicing designs on paper first makes all the difference when you move to the machine.

• Basting your quilt ‘sandwich’:  Learn the viral internet way of keeping your quilt basting task off the floor, and easier on your back and knees. 

• Machine Setup & Care: Tips for prepping your machine, checking your bobbin area, and achieving a smooth straight stitch.

• Quilt Sandwich Practice: Practical experience stitching on layered quilt sandwiches to master tension, speed, and movement.

--An unlined 11x8.5 notebook or sketchbook to practice designs and take notes.  I am convinced that you can quilt what you can doodle or write, and that you need to practice before you sit at your machine.  You will also want to keep track of threads and battings that work well for you.  And it will be a terrific place to keep track of all of your completed projects.

--A sewing machine in good working order.  Be sure the bobbin area has been cleaned out, and test that you have a good straight stitch when it is on normal settings.

--Test your machine by stitching around the edge of 3 practice quilt sandwiches - Layer a 20 inch square of low loft batting between two 18 inch squares of fabric.  You may need to pin or spray baste the layers together to stitch them smoothly together.  If you have not done this step before, I can help you in class

 --A “free-motion” foot, or darning foot.  If you are not sure what this looks like for your machine, bring your accessory box.

--If you have an extension table be sure to bring that.  (usually a clear plastic table that surrounds and enlarges the working area of the machine.)

--At least two quality cotton thread options - a light and a dark.  We will want high contrast between the thread and the fabric.  Please have 2 bobbins wound in advance.

--At LEAST two new needles for your machine - size 12 or 14.  Ask for Quilting Needles, or Topstitch Needles.

--Scissors or snips

--Marking device for fabric   purple air erase pen, blue water erase, chalk pencil, or heat-erase pen

--Regular pen for notes and drawing in that sketchbook.

--Quilting gloves if you have them.