The Free-motion Challenge Quilting Along with Angela Walters
We all know that it takes practice to get better at free-motion quilting. But practice is so much more fun when you are doing it with friends. Now you can improve your quilting skill and cheer each other on! Join me for my first ever Machine Quilting Along!
Watch Week 1 Video:
Watch Week 2 Video:
Sign Up
The Free-motion Challenge is free! Sign up to receive Quilting Along quilting diagrams and videos directly to your email inbox by clicking here: http://eepurl.com/di9eIX
Get Ready to Practice
To practice machine quilting, you have to have something to practice on! If you want to work on the same quilt as I do, you can download the free pattern or you can get the kit which includes the fabric to make the top and binding.
Slanted Squares Free Quilt Pattern
Or you can practice along on plain fabric! Ultimately it doesn’t matter as long as you have something to practice on. Prepare your quilt sandwich using the basting method that you prefer and get ready to practice!
Join the Facebook Group
While not required, you can join the Facebook group. This is a great place to ask questions, post pictures and stay up-to-date on the quilting along! Click here to join.
Start Practicing
After the video is released, try practicing the design. Once you’re finished, post a picture of it on social media using the #fmqchallenge.
Win Prizes
Every week, I will select winners from pictures posted on social media. Consider it a bonus for practicing!
I can’t wait!!! The first video will be coming to on February 12th…..will you be quilting along with me?
F.A.Q.s
What does it cost to participate?
Nothing, Nada, Zilch. There is no fee to quilt along with me and there are no required products.
Do I have to make the quilt top to participate?
No! If you don’t have the time or inclination to make a quilt top, all you have to do is prepare a small quilt sandwich. You just need something to practice on.
Does it matter what kind of machine I use for the Quilting Along?
Definitely not! I will be filming videos on my home sewing machine, but the designs that I show can be done on any kind machine. Just use what you got and join along!
What kind of machine quilting designs will we be working on?
I have tried my best to include a range of designs and techniques. The schedule is below, it will give you an idea of what we will be practicing.
How will I get the videos?
The weekly videos will be free on my YouTube channel, subscribe so you don’t miss them! Or to get the videos and tips sent to your email inbox directly, sign up for the newsletter by clicking here. The videos, as well as tips or any other pointers, will be emailed to you as soon as they are posted.
See you soon!
I just finished Week 3 and I am so thrilled with this quilt along. I can’t believe what I was able to do. You are amazing. Thank you ?. I have posted a pic on Instagram. I hope you get a chance to look at it.
Amazing. I just finished Week 3. I cant be.ie e what I did. Thank you so much for this quiltalong. I’m so looking forward to quilting my own Quilts.
Just found out about FMQ challenge. I am beyond excited. I need lots and lots of help.
Way cool. Sorry I wasn’t paying attention and just now seeing the light. This looks like an amazing FMQ channel. I’m looking forward to it and will also happily help increase awareness of it.
QuiltShopGal
http://www.quiltshopgal2.wordpress.com
PS – I bought Squiggy at QuiltCon today. Looking forward to playing with it and hope to get your other rulers soon. They all look so creative.
I have my mom’s older Pfaff sewing machine I have been trying to quilt with. The only foot I can use is a “jumper foot”. Watching your second video I don’t think I can use a ruler since there is nothing to line it up against. Any other suggestions?
I’m Sooooo excited, I worked on the first block this morning. I have not made the quilt you are working on, I just made some batting sandwiches, I don’t have the time right now to do that, and I want to keep up with you each week. I was eventually successful but have ran into (don,don,da!) TENSION ISSUES… so, I’m determined and will certainly figure that monster out as I don’t give up easily 🙂
I look forward to Week 3 and finishing the second block using my Westerlee Ruler Foot and Westerlee rulers!
Hi, I’ve purchased the slanted squares quilt kit to use with the FMC. Rec’d it today. Was looking at templates included. The square is not 1 inch square and the triangle is not 9.5 + 1/4 inch on each side, it’s 8 7/8, including the 1/4 inch according to the info on the page. I’m confused.
Will your rulers work with the Janome Horizon (MC7700)? Are you using a Westalee ruler foot or another brand? I have read that rulers for my machine should be 4 mm instead of 6 mm (quarter inch) or it can cause damage to my machine if you quilt behind the foot or to the right of the foot. Would you please comment? I would really like to do this, but I am concerned about my Memory Craft Horizon machine.
So excited to do this, it’s like taking a class- but in my pajamas??
Angela, worked on making my quilt top today, but I have run into a problem. My blocks are all 13 inches. The centers are 9 inches? If I just make the quilt top with these blocks will it greatly effect the machine quilting practice?
Hi – If the fusible batting only has glue on one side, how to you put the backing on? So excited to quilt along with you!
Thank you.
Suzanne
I took delivery of my longarm just before Christmas, and am having a lot of fun with it. Targeted practice is just what I need, so I’m looking forward to this series. I might be doing the work on a series of charity quilts for my guild.
How exciting! I will not be free to start until May or June but hope to collect video links for a summer project. Your videos are awesome!
Thanks Angela for the possibility to learn and give ourselves a real challenge (especially for who isnot at all experts!!) … like me for example!!! LOL!
I am wondering how thick your Creative Grid machine quilting rulers are.
I too can not get my blocks to square up at 13 1/2” The best I can do is 13 1/4 x 12 1/2.
Help!!
Sounds like a lot of fun! Want to get the top ready for quilting and found a really pretty ikat to use for my background but don’t have enough to do full size pattern. I can make 12 full size blocks or 16 smaller blocks – which would be better for the quilt along?
So excited to join in ~
I downloaded the pattern and have been busily sewing to get the quilt top made this weekend.
But I’ve run into a slight issue. My blocks do not square up to 13 1/2″ as per the pattern. I’ve checked to make sure pattern template printed to the correct scale and all is well there. My sewn block’s inside “pink” square is spot on at 9″ sq, but the closest I get for block dimensions is 12 3/4″ x 13 1/4″.
I realize it’s probably me and my placement of the triangles ~ I’ve changed how the ends extend longer then square (fig A) ~ but for the life of me I can not get my block to be 13 1/2″. I’ve chosen to square up my blocks to 12 1/2″ . By any chance is there a mistake in the pattern?? Is there a more experienced piecer that can tell me what I’m doing worng?
Looking forward to Monday.
Johanna – I have been having the same problem. I was hoping someone would have an answer. I worked on this all day yesterday and never could get it right.
thanks Angela!!! I have a new sewing machine so it’s time to practice FMQ!
I can’t wait!!! Thanks for sharing your time!!! Quilting is my therapy too!!!
great idea!
Such a great idea!!! I’ve wanted to do exactly this (take a class from home and learn to machine quilt) , but never have. This is so perfect! And what a perfect teacher, too! Thank you, thank you, thank you!! Can’t wait to start!
I just purchased a long arm quilting machine and this FMQ challenge is exactly what I need to improve my skills! I can’t wait to get started. You are a wonderful teacher Angela! I watch all your YouTube videos.
I’m EXCITED to start!!
Thanks for the opportunity; I’m a bit of avquilting chicken. Do we get confirmation of some kind after signing up?
Wow did this come just at the right time! I just wrote a blog post about struggling with my quilting skills! 🙂 This is perfect. Now to decide on a top to use for practice or to make one super quick. 🙂
Can’t wait, Angela! It sounds like a lot of fun, but not sure I will be all ready by this Monday, can I join at any time since the videos are on your YouTube channel? Will this be done as a live feed?
Thank you for your generosity, Angela! I’ll be quilting along.
Besides the fabric set up, any specific tools, equipment needed for this. ? Thank you for doing this.
Thank you!
You are too good to us! I won’t have time to make a quilt top but will definitely be joining in. Thank you
I’m so excited. But I have to go away on Tuesday for two weeks. But I’ll catch up when I get back. Thank you so much.
Great idea, looking forward to it. As I need to get the fabrics, can you tell us what kind of threads we should be choosing— contrasting, or blending?
This is so fun! I’m amazed at how much better I am getting with every practice quilt! Thank you for doing this!
Super! Thank you Angela. I will follow you each week. Hourra!!!
Is your quilt along longarm friendly? It’s an awesome idea and I’d love to join, but I don’t do much FMQ on my domestic machine anymore so hopefully you’ll be giving tips for longarmers too!
Best idea being led by one of the best in the industry! Looking forward to learning from you. My fmq needs a lot of work lol
I am so looking forward to this. I love your work. I love classroom work. So I really will love this. Thank you so much for your generosity.
This is awesome! You are amazing!!!!
Sounds great! Can’t wait to join in.
This sounds like a great idea. I know I will be traveling for a bit during the winter months. What happens if we miss a week or two? Can we catch up?
This will be great!! THANK YOU!!