Get Started in Free Motion Quilting

Get over your fear and start your free motion quilting journey!

Learn what you need to know to get started in free motion quilting on your domestic sewing machine and quilt your first project.

You’ll start at the basics and learn everything you need to finish your first free motion quilting project. You'll learn several free motion quilting motifs, and how to make - and quilt - your first small project. I believe in "learning by doing" and by starting with a small project to avoid overwhelm and, ultimately, disappointment. There's no better way to dip your feet into free motion quilting than to learn a motif and use it on your first (small) project.

• Learn what you need to know to get started in free motion quilting on your domestic sewing machine. I have included the lessons from the Get Set Up for Free Motion Quilting course so that you will know how to get your tools and sewing machine ready even if you did not take the course.

• Learn how to get your mind and your body ready to ensure that you have a pleasant experience when you are free motion quilting. It’s not just your tools that need to be set up properly: you have to be ready as well and I have included a whole chapter on how to get yourself prepared.

• Learn a few simple (but useful) designs that will form the foundation of your free motion quilting motif repertoire.

• Make the simple Mug Rug project (pattern included) to help your apply your new motifs. Applying what you have been taught in a simple but useful project is the best way to “lock in” that knowledge.

  Remember there is no improvement without practice.

Create a simple but useful mug run using your newly acquired quilting skills!

I created Get Started with Free Motion Quilting to help quilters just like you get started with free motion quilting on your domestic sewing machine. If you’ve always thought that free motion quilting is hard and that you could never do it, you’re missing out on what I consider to be the most creative part of the quilting process. In Get Started with Free Motion Quilting , I’ll guide you through my step-by-step process to learn what you need to know to start quilting your own projects on your domestic sewing machine.

Get Started with Free Motion Quilting is composed of pre-recorded videos that you can watch on your own time and at your own pace - and can rewatch again and again. The beauty of an online course is that you can quilt along with the videos, stopping them and reviewing sections when you need to. If you have questions, I’m only an email away and will be glad to help you. You’ll also have resources that provide you with all the information you’ll need to be properly get started with free motion quilting. In the course you’ll learn several basic quilt motifs and then create and free motion quilt a simple mug rug so you’ll get a chance to practise what you’ve learned.

The Get Started with Free Motion Quilting course includes:

Introduction - In this overview, you’ll get a summary of each of the chapters in the course so you’ll know what to expect.

Chapter 1: Your Attitude - To be successful at free motion quilting  you have to have a positive attitude. Getting yourself set up mentally is just as important as the practical aspects of preparing for free motion quilting.

• Lesson 1: Your Attitude

• Lesson 2: Considerations

• Lesson 3: Tough Love

Chapter 2: Basic Tools - Learn the essential tools that you’ll need for free motion quilting. There aren’t many but without these free motion quilting is much harder.

• Lesson 1: Slippery Surfaces

• Lesson 2: Grippy Tools

Chapter 3: Sewing Machine Setup - Find out how to prepare your sewing machine for free motion quilting whether you have a brand-new top of the line model or an older vintage machine. As long as it can stitch, you’ll be able to use any domestic sewing machine for free motion quilting.

• Lesson 1: Feed Dogs

• Lesson 2: Needle Plate

• Lesson 3: Needles

• Lesson 4: Thread & Bobbins

• Lesson 5: Presser Foot

• Lesson 6: Speed Control

• Lesson 7: Needle Up/Down Position

• Lesson 8: Presser Foot Lifter

• Lesson 9: Extension Table

Chapter 4: Getting Ready - Before you start learning you need to know how to lock your threads and do a bit of fun stitching. No stress, no goals, just getting comfortable with what free motion quilting is all about.

• Lesson 1: Keep it Sew Simple (KISS)

• Lesson 2: Practise the Motion

• Lesson 3: Lock Your Stitches

• Lesson 4: Playful Stitching

Chapter 5: Quilt Motifs - Dip your toe into free motion quilting by learning easy designs first. We’ll cover four basic motifs in this chapter that are a solid foundation for getting started with quilt motifs.

• Lesson 1: Getting Prepared

• Lesson 2: Wavy Lines

• Lesson 3: Rounded Back & Forth Lines

• Lesson 4: Arcs & Bumps

Chapter 6: Mug Rug Project - Here’s your first “real” project for free motion quilting! You’ll use the motifs you learned in Chapter 5 on an easy mug rug project (pattern included).

• Lesson 1: Section 1 - Wavy Lines

• Lesson 2: Section 1 - Arcs

• Lesson 3: Section 3 - Back & Forth Lines

Resources: In this section you will find:

• Quilt motif practice sheets

• Mug Rug Project pattern

• A list (with links) of the items used in this course.

Is Get Started with Free Motion Quilting for me?

YES!

• If you’ve always been afraid to try free motion quilting because you didn’t know where to start.

• If you’ve tried free motion quilting but have been unsuccessful or unhappy with your results.

• If you want to start simple and apply what you learn to a “real project”

NO!

• If you aren’t willing to invest the time to learn and to practice what you learn.

• If you’re happy with the way you are currently quilting your projects and don’t need or want to learn free motion quilting.

• If you are already know the basics of free motion quilting skills, however you may be interested in my Build Confidence in Free Motion Quilting course where you learn more motifs and apply them to a larger project.

FAQ’s

I’m not very good with computers, will I be able to watch the videos?

Yes! We make it easy for you to access all of the content in the course and, if you ever have any problems, we’re just an email away.

I’ve never tried free motion quilting: will I be able to make this project?

If you are open to learning and not afraid to try new techniques, you’ll definitely be able to create this project. I take you step-by-step through the complete process. If you have any issues during the course, you can always contact me for help.

How long will I have access to the course?

Once you purchase course, you’ll have unlimited access to the course and lessons.

Do I have to purchase a pattern for the course?

No! The pattern and full-size template is included in your course purchase. These can be downloaded for your use.

What if I have problems during the course? Is any help available?

The video lessons in the course are very detailed but sometimes you may have questions. No worries! I’m just an email away at help@chatterboxquilts.com. I want you to be successful in this course so am always available to help if you need it.