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!
Now if you’d like the opportunity to learn more from an award-winning free-motion quilter, keep reading!
Free-motion Classes at the Quilting Connection!
As promised! These free-motion classes are taught by Wendy Fuller. She’s not only a local, award-winning quilter; she’s also a fantastic teacher! Just look at what’s being offered!
Advanced Free Motion with Wendy Fuller (Appleton)
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
9 AM – 4 PM (lunch Included)
If you’ve already taken Wendy’s free-motion, feathers, and grids & rulers classes … or you have experience with free motion quilting … this class is your next step!
Wendy will help you learn to use the basic skills you’ve developed to combine simple designs into beautiful custom work. She’ll also guide you through a few more advanced motifs, tackle some block ideas, and deal with custom borders. Plus, Wendy will share tips and tricks throughout the whole day!
Basic Free-motion Class with Wendy Fuller
Friday, October 17, 2025 (Appleton)
or
Saturday, October 18, 2025 (Elkhorn)
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (lunch included)
These are small group, hands-on classes. Wendy will introduce you to a variety of free-motion quilting designs and the various techniques that can be used to produce them. You’ll look at the many ways to use the designs to fill your quilt blocks and borders.
You’ll also get plenty of hands-on time at the longarm, and you’ll go home with a practice piece to refer to and build on in the future!
Feathers Flowers and Leaves Class with Wendy Fuller
Friday, November 7, 2025 (Appleton)
or
Saturday, November 8, 2025 (Elkhorn)
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (lunch included)
Want to broaden your free-motion repertoire?
Wendy will guide you in easy and popular ways to create
feathers, leaves, and flowers.
You’ll explore the many ways to use them in overall designs, blocks, and borders!
You’ll do a bit of drawing to introduce you to some designs, then you’ll get busy on the longarm practicing them. And, of course, you’ll go home with your practice piece!
Ruler and Gridwork Class with Wendy Fuller
Friday, November 21, 2025 (Appleton)
or
Saturday, November 22, 2025 (Elkhorn)
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (lunch included)
Ruler Class Description:
There are so many ways to use rulers! In this small, hands-on class, Wendy will show you tips and tricks for using rulers safely and effectively on your longarm to create straight lines, curves, circles, and arcs/swags.
She’ll teach you how to combine patterns to create complex looking designs. You'll learn how to use these designs for blocks, borders, sashings, and edge to edge options!
You’ll also get plenty of time on the longarm to stitch out some designs and try out different rulers to see which ones you may want to start adding to your quilting tool kit. And, of course, you’ll go home with your practice piece to refer to in the future!
Gridwork Class description:
What is "Grid-work"? It's when you quilt a grid-based design that can use stencils/marking or piecing lines to guide your quilting. Some common examples are "continuous curves" and "orange peel", but the possibilities are endless!
After a little instruction, you'll get to practice designs on the longarm that can be done free motion or with rulers. Wendy will show you how to scale the designs to fit your quilt.
There are so many options for blocks, borders, and background fills!
This class is for beginners through experienced skill levels. There are plenty of options to challenge us all!
AN ADDED NOTE FOR ALL OF WENDY’S CLASSES
Have a piece you’re not sure how to quilt? Feel free to bring it along, and you’ll work with Wendy to brainstorm specific ideas that fit both your quilt and your skill level. You’ll go home with a ready-to-execute plan to finish your project!
And please know that all classes are adapted to the experience level of the participants!
These classes fill quickly, so check your calendar and sign up soon!
Additional In-person Classes at The Quilting Connection!
Beginning Longarm Bootcamp (Elkhorn)
Tuesday & Wednesday, September 23 & 24, 2025
9 AM – 4 PM (Lunch Included)
or
Beginning Longarm Bootcamp (Appleton)
Friday & Saturday, September 26 & 27, 2025
9 AM – 4 PM (Lunch Included)
These 2-day bootcamp classes are designed for quilters that don’t currently own a longarm but want to learn all about our amazing Handi Quilter machines! This is also a great refresher class if you own a Handi Quilter but haven’t had the opportunity to use it for a while!
Special Bonus: If you buy a Handi Quilter machine or Pro-Stitcher at this event, we’ll apply the cost of this class towards the purchase price!
This 2-day class is divided into 4 parts:
Day 1 morning covers longarm quilting basics. Leigh will explain machine and frame elements and features, how to load a quilt, and share vital facts about thread, needles and tension.
Day 1 afternoon covers sweet and simple free motion basics. You’ll learn how drawing and muscle memory contribute to free motion quilting and how to create stunning designs.
Day 2 morning covers radical rulers! You’ll learn how to handle rulers and templates safely using the ruler base and Sure Foot. You’ll see how these tools can assist you in placing designs accurately and stitching them out precisely.
Day 2 afternoon covers Pro-Stitcher basics. Pro-Stitcher is an intuitive computer-guided quilting system designed specifically for use with Handi Quilter longarm machines. It is user-friendly and simple to operate. And you’ll find the step-by-step process for each function easy and fun.
Advanced Pro-Stitcher Class (Elkhorn)
Monday, September 22, 2025
9 AM – 4 PM (Lunch Included)
or
Advanced Pro-Stitcher Class (Appleton)
Sunday, September 28, 2025
9 AM – 4 PM (Lunch Included)
I’ll teach you how to place and stitch borders, turn a piece of edge-to-edge design into a block design, use the mark feature, stitch out triangle designs, and crop designs. We might even get a chance to learn the magic of mandalas! You’ll finish a hands-on project using Pro-Stitcher!
See the Classes page on our website for even more details regarding all the above classes.
September Events
September kicks off another fall that’s packed with great quilting events!
First up, and needing no introduction …
The Great Wisconsin Quilt Show is Wisconsin’s premier quilt show each year. Join us for one, two or three fun-filled days in Madison, WI!
This year will be a little different for The Quilting Connection. We will be displaying our APQS longarm systems and Superior Threads products.
NOTE: The Elkhorn location will be open during the Great Wisconsin Quilt Show,
but our Appleton location will be closed. Sorry for any inconvenience!
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Next, is our annual Appleton thankyou event held in partnership with our wonderful neighbor, Going to Pieces Quilt Shop!
Our customer appreciation event lasts the full day. The free BBQ lunch is served from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Please join us in Appleton! We wouldn’t be here without you!
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And wrapping up the month …
Sheboygan County Quilters Guild Annual Show
“Splashes of Color”
September 27, 2025
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sheboygan Lutheran High School
3323 University Drive
Sheboygan, WI 53081
Admission $7
Please come and join us at these events!
SALES!
Time to replace or upgrade your ironing system? Want to know all about the benefits of micro-steam technology? Then checkout Laurastar!
See the Laurastar page of our website for the sale pricing and contact us with questions!
APQS: In-person Event and Sale
Interested in a trip out to beautiful Golden, Colorado this fall? If so, that’s where and when APQS is holding their two and a half day All-Star Longarm Quilting Retreat this year!
Scheduled for September 4-7, 2025, this retreat allows you to experience a mix of hands-on and lecture-based sessions led by knowledgeable APQS educators. Options allow you to dive into Quilt Path™, sharpen your free-motion skills, or explore design and business strategies.
No matter where you’re at in your quilting journey, APQS is there to help you grow and flourish as a longarm quilter! More information is available on the APQS website – click the above link.
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APQS has again extended this wonderful sale opportunity … and we still don’t know for how long!
Please contact us for more details!
Handi Quilter: Virtual Event and Sale
Interested in attending the Handi Quilter 3-day virtual Festivus event?
You can watch live or catch the recording at your convenience!
Want to know what’s being presented at the HQ Festivus event? How about:
- Which longarm is right for me?
- Christmas Gifts on the Longarm
- Gift Wrap Bags on the Longarm
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And here are the details on Handi Quilter’s current sale promotion!
Which bundle will you choose?
Please contact us for more details!
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