FMQ 101 | Free Beginner Class

Yes, You Can Do Free Motion Quilting on the Machine You Already Own

Free motion quilting is how you stitch a design into your quilt sandwich, using your own home sewing machine instead of sending it out to a longarmer. This free class is where you learn to do it.

If you've got a stack of quilt tops waiting to be finished and you're not sure your machine (or you) is up to it, this is for you.

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Imagine Never Sending a Quilt to a Longarmer Ever Again!

Picture pulling that quilt top out of your stack, the one you love enough to have pieced but haven't been brave enough to finish, and quilting it yourself, start to finish, on the machine already sitting in your sewing room. Any quilter can free motion quilt any quilt on any domestic machine. I've done it on mine, and I've taught quilters with machines a lot more basic than you'd guess to do it on theirs too.

There's Just One Problem

You think I'm out of my ever-lovin' mind for saying you can do this on the machine sitting in front of you right now.

Maybe you already tried free motion quilting once, on some smaller project, and then made the mistake of scrolling through quilters online who are stitching feathers and swirls without a single wobble. That's not a fair fight. You're comparing your first attempt to someone's hundredth, and it's got you convinced the problem is you.

I Can Have You Quilting Within an Afternoon.

Here's the truth: it isn't you. I've taught free motion quilting for years, and the vast majority of my students walk in with a basic, entry-level machine, the same one you might be doubting right now.

I'll walk you through setting up your space, troubleshooting tension issues, and my proven way of practicing a new design, then hand you your very first design so you're stitching into a real quilt sandwich the same day. No fluff, no filler, just what you need to go from doubting your machine to trusting it.

“It was such a fun class and taught me so much about FMQ on my domestic machine. I was ready to advance my skills and improve my confidence, especially on bigger projects. I'm so happy that I stuck with it and finished a 60 x 60 quilt with all the motifs we learned. I got a blue ribbon at my local fair! Joni is an excellent teacher and was so willing to make sure we all 'got it.'”

Terry, FMQ student

“I highly recommend Joni's free motion quilting course. As expected, I gained confidence and proficiency in doing my own free motion quilting, using my Janome domestic sewing machine. What I did not expect was to enjoy free motion quilting so much. Now, it's great fun and adds another artistic layer to my quilting journey. Joni is a supportive, encouraging problem solver and a very knowledgeable teacher.”

Marilyn, FMQ Student

“This was the best investment I could give myself. I took the class hoping to learn meandering, and not only did I accomplish that, I've mastered many more motifs. Now I look forward to finishing a quilt top because I can't wait to try my free motion quilting. Joni teaches you all her tricks and hints for success.”

Glenda, FMQ student

Welcome to

FMQ 101

This isn't your typical free class where you watch a video and hope it sinks in. I teach with a method I call Learn Doodle Quilt, and it's exactly what it sounds like: you learn how a design works and where it belongs on a quilt, you doodle it on paper first so your hand knows the movement before your machine does, and then you quilt it for real, stitching it into a practice sandwich so nothing's on the line yet.

By the time you sit down at your machine, you've already drawn the design a dozen times. Your hand already knows where it's going.

I'll be right here with you through all three steps, not just handing you a video and disappearing.

What's Inside: Your FMQ 101 Syllabus

Three parts, seven lessons, one method: Learn Doodle Quilt

learn

Lesson 1: Setting Up Your Space

Whether you have a dedicated sewing room or the end of the dining table, you'll learn how to set up your space to take care of your quilt and your body.

Lesson 2: Thread and Tension

The secret to choosing the right thread for your quilt, and how to troubleshoot tension issues when they show up.

Lesson 3: Sewing Machine Speed

How to test your machine's settings and find the speed that's right for you, not someone else's machine.

Lesson 4: The Four-Inch Rule

My rule for keeping free motion quilting simple: the only thing that matters is the four inches between your hands.

doodle

Lesson 5: The Power of Doodling

If you can draw it, you can quilt it. This is where doodling becomes the foundation of your FMQ practice.

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Lesson 6: Practice Sandwiches

Don't let the fear of messing up a real project stop you from practicing. You'll make a few low-stakes practice sandwiches to quilt into.

Lesson 7: Master Meander

This is where it all comes together. You'll take everything you've learned and doodled, and stitch your first real FMQ design into your practice sandwich.

By this lesson, you're not imagining free motion quilting anymore. You're doing it.

Ready to join us? Just click or tap the enroll button.

FREE

No cost, no catch. Just seven lessons and a real design in your own hands by the end of it.

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Meet your teacher

Hi, I'm Joni

I've been quilting for over 25 years, and the only thing I love more than quilting is sharing what I've learned with you. Quilting is my favorite step in the whole process, and I teach the Learn Doodle Quilt method in quick, compact lessons so you can quilt your own quilts on your own machine, without ever having to guess.

But it wasn't always this way...

When I first started free motion quilting, my machine had a stitch regulator, a feature that's supposed to keep your stitches perfectly even no matter how fast or slow you move your hands. It scared the crap out of me. I turned it off after the first try and decided I'd just have to be my own stitch regulator instead. Turns out, that's exactly what happened.

If I can figure out my own machine, doubts and all, you can figure out yours.

I'd be so honored if you let me be your guide on that journey. Come join me and the other quilters already working through this class.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a special sewing machine for free motion quilting?

What if I've never tried free motion quilting before?

What supplies do I need before I start?

What if I mess up on my actual quilt?

How long will this class take me?

What's the difference between FMQ 101 and FMQ Starter Pack?

Your Machine Is Ready. Are You?

You've seen exactly what's inside this class, you've heard from quilters who've done it on the same kind of machine you have, and it's still free. The only thing left is deciding to start.