Build Your Free-Motion Skills Check Out These Tips And Classes

Welcome!

How’s your summer going? Here in Wisconsin, we’ve had quite a mix of heat and rain … especially rain. That means more time indoors. Has that been the case for you too? If so, how have you been spending that time?

Me, I’ve spent my extra indoor time getting in some much-appreciated practice time. I think most longarmers appreciate any extra time they can get at their machines, especially if you happen to be a longarm quilter who is building your free-motion quilting skills!

So, let’s delve into free-motion quilting today. I’ll start with a basic look at what free-motion quilting is. Then, if you’re new to free-motion (or one of those quilters who think “I can’t do that”), we’ll look at some ways to get started and a few practical, effective tips for practicing!

What is Free-motion Quilting?

I like to think of free-motion quilting as drawing with thread! You guide your longarm freely over your quilt and create any design you want. And because your quilt is loaded on its frame, you have a large, open work area and total freedom of movement within that space.

So, what’s the attraction of free-motion quilting?

You control the machine.
You have creative freedom.
Each quilt is unique.
It’s a whole-body experience. You use your hands, arms, shoulders and feet. Your breathing may even become more relaxed, providing you with a therapeutic/meditative experience.

 

What does free-motion quilting look like? It can be:

An edge-to-edge flow of meanders, loops, swirls or whatever designs you choose.
Custom motifs specifically designed for blocks, borders or sashings.
Written names, dates or words and phrases.
Background fills chosen to accent piecing, designs, applique or embroidery.
Maybe even more importantly, what makes free-motion quilting fun?

You develop your own style! There are no quilting police. Free-motion is forgiving … turn an oops into something else … experiment, play and adapt as you go!
You’re solving a creative puzzle! Each completed quilt feels like an achievement!
How Do You Get Started with Free-Motion Quilting?

Okay, so does free-motion quilting on your longarm sounds interesting? Or have you been doubting your ability to build this skill? You can do this!

Consider these tips to start building your free-motion skills.

Start simple. Begin with one or two basic shapes. Consider loops and meanders. Or c-curves and s-curves. Maybe echo quilting in or around shapes. Once you feel confident, add another shape or two.
Draw and doodle. Keep a notebook handy to sketch in when you’re not at your longarm. You can also use a whiteboard. Try to hold the pencil or marker with your hand positioned as it would be when you’re quilting.
Make practice pieces. Whether you use muslin, cheaters cloth or orphan cuts of fabric, layer them with batting and load them on your frame. You can draw shapes to fill in or lines to guide your designs as you practice.
Find your speed. Aim for a steady, controlled pace that matches the type of free-motion quilting you’re doing. You’ll develop one pace for quilting large, open designs versus another for quilting small, tight fills.
Breath calmly and relax. Tension in your shoulders and hands is not only bad for your body; it also impacts the quality of your quilting. A relaxed posture benefits your body, helping you move more fluidly.
Use reference tools to help when needed. For example, water-erasable markers or stencils and pounce pads may help you plan, place or space designs.
Ensure your quilting area supports your free-motion efforts. Make sure you have good lighting that covers the full quilting space of your frame. Make sure the wheels, rails and tabletop of your longarm frame are clear of dust and threads so your machine’s carriage glides smoothly. And make sure you have either supportive shoes and flooring or a supportive chair for longer quilting sessions.
NOTE: if you have the need or ability to sit at your frame while quilting, The Quilting Connection can introduce you to a sewing chair that provides top quality support trailered to your individual needs!

See the Ultimate Sewing Chair page of our website and/or the Angie’s Answers YouTube video: Ultimate Sewing Chair new product at both our locations! No more back pain. Fully customizable! Just call us if you have any questions.

Practice Makes All the Difference!

Of all the methods of quilting (free-motion, pantograph or computerized), free-motion quilting is the method that relies totally on your control and creativity. Because of that, it’s also the method that benefits the most from regular practice time, especially when you’re starting out.

I know that finding time for practice isn’t easy, but it’s truly worth the effort. How about I pass along a few tips for making your practice time more workable, effective and fun?

Practice often, not long! Finding just 10-15 minutes a few times a week will be much more effective than scheduling a 2-hour session just one or two times a month. Like learning to paint or play the piano, the key to free-motion quilting is regular repetition over time!
Keep a practice journal. Note which designs you practiced, what felt easy or challenging and/or what thread you used. Snap a picture or sketch your quilting design. Add any additional thoughts that came to you while practicing. Your journal will help you track your progress!
Relax your body. Tension in your shoulders and wrists will show up in your quilting. Remember to drop your shoulders, shake out your hands and keep a light touch on your longarm’s handles. Breathe steadily … no holding your breath while you concentrate! Both your body and your quilting will benefit from it!
Add background sound. For many quilters, playing soft music or listening to an enjoyable podcast or book helps them to get into a flow state. A soothing background sound may help to keep you relaxed and to quilt more rhythmically.
Verbalize what you’re doing. As you practice designs, say what you’re doing out loud. Both verbalizing your movements and then hearing yourself say what you’re doing helps with building your muscle memory and establishing your rhythm.
Set small, doable goals. Don’t just tell yourself, “I want to get good at free-motion quilting.” That’s too broad and vague. Set one or two specific, achievable targets. For example: “I’ll practice swirls for 15 minutes,” or “I’ll fill four practice boxes using a different pattern in each.” Note your goal in your practice journal.
I hope you found a practice tip or two that will be helpful! Please share anything you do to help carve out regular practice time and make it beneficial and enjoyable!

And you know, you may find yourself with a wonderful dilemma as your free-motion practice time continues! Just what do you do with all those practice pieces you’re creating?

First, I’d suggest saving a piece every so often. You’re documenting your growth! You’re also building a sample library of ideas that you can incorporate into future projects.

But there are also ways to share what you’re doing to benefit others. You can:

Contact local pet shelters. See if they use small, quilted pieces for pet beds or kennel quilts.
Donate charity quilts. If you’ve reached the point where you’re practicing on simple quilts you’ve made from your ‘extra’ fabric, see which organizations in your area take quilts to share with those in need. (NOTE: If you find an organization you’d like to support, check with them first so you’re aware of any requirements your quilt must meet.)
Give gifts! Your practice table runners, placemats or quilts may not have reached the level of quality you’re striving for, but to others they’re absolutely wonderful. Let family and friends enjoy what you’re lovingly creating!
Okay, so practice means putting in serious time and effort. But if you truly want to build your quilting skills as a free-motion quilter, you’ll reap the benefits! These include:

Quilting smoothly and faster,
Producing more consistent work,
Developing greater confidence,
Increasing your motivation, and
Discovering your unique abilities and style!
My final thought, give yourself some slack! Your early free-motion pieces will have wobbles and wonky bits in them. That’s okay! It’s part of learning. And every great quilter started there too! Build the resilience to keep going, have fun, and discover who you are as a free-motion quilter!

The Latest from the Quilting Central Podcast!

And finally, have you had a chance to catch the latest episode of Quilting Central Podcast? (Cathy, Julie and I can provide some of that soft background sound while you practice your free-motion quilting!)

Check out Episode 7: Our First Sewing Machines that just dropped last week.

And for a listing of all our episodes posted to date, check out the Quilting Central Podcast YouTube channel! Be sure to subscribe and comment. We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Time to wrap up for this post!

Please remember, if you ever have ANY questions or want additional information about ANY of the products and services we offer, please call us at (262) 723-6775 or email us at info@QuiltingConnection.com.

You can also visit us online at QuiltingConnection.com or in person at 21 Adams Street in Elkhorn, WI (usually M-F 9-4, please call to confirm we’re open) or 1017 W. Northland in Appleton, WI (W, Th & F 10-4, S 10-3).

Finally, check out our blog at QuiltingConnection.com/blog and our Facebook posts.

And please share your thoughts and questions. I’d love to hear from you!

Angie