Description
Learn a variety of techniques for longarm quilting including quilt evaluation, loading techniques and muscle memory techniques to develop control and freehand skills. Discover how quilting variables such as thread, batting and fabric will influence your success. Learn how to handle challenges like wavy borders, puffy blocks and other obstacles for longarm quilting. Develop pantograph skills, as well as free hand quilting skills and basic feather skills so you can custom-quilt a project. Also find out how to set up a business quilting for others and learn about pricing, business plans, business management software and more.
Who should attend?:
- Students who want to know and understand what quality standards are expected for successful longarm quilting in the industry
- Students wanting to start a longarm business quilting for others
- Quilters who would like to receive constructive comments and feedback about their current skills, as well as suggestions for how to improve
- Professional quilters looking for a way to set themselves apart from competitors by receiving certification
- Intermediate to advanced level longarm quilters
Course Outline:
Lesson 1: Introduction to Longarm Certification
- Receive lesson previews for entire class
- Review equipment/supplies needed to complete the class
- Learn the requirements needed to achieve certification
- Receive instructions on how to submit homework and assignments. Click here to download complete list of assignment deadlines.
Lesson 2: Mastering your Machine
- Learn how to conquer the tension battle
- Find the best stitch length for your project
- Discover how to make invisible starts and stops
- Assignment: Send in 3 tension samples by mail. Deadline: postmark by 8/22/2022
Lesson 3: Making Muscle Memory
- Follow practice techniques that produce quick results
- Discover five practice shapes that lead to fast success
- Assignment: Submit multiple photos of Practice via email. Deadline: 9/6/2022
Lesson 4: Understanding Quilt Variables
- Know thread options and their impact on quilting
- Review batting choices and their effect on design
- Uncover fabric type’s impact on the quilting stitch
- Assignment: Submit multiple photos of Batting Test via email. Deadline: 9/6/2022
Lesson 5: Proficiently Performing Pantographs
- Discover how to choose an appropriate design for your quilt
- Determine Proper row spacing
- Decide on proper quilting density
- Learn Pantograph Execution tips
- Assignment: Submit multiple photos of 2 quilts completed with pantographs via email. Deadline: 9/20/2022
Lesson 6: Stitching Basic Overall Freehand Designs
- Decide proper scale and spacing
- Determine proportion and design density
- Choose connecting methods, quilting direction, and smoothness
- Design execution for basic freehand shapes
- Assignment: Send in 2 quilts with freehand designs vial mail. Deadline: postmark by 10/4/2022
Lesson 7: Performing Simple Custom Quilting
- Decide the quilting order for the project
- Discover low and no-mark quilting methods
- Learn the secrets to accurately stitch in the ditch
- Learn quick continuous curve methods
- Assignment: Piece small bay quilt used in Lesson 8
Lesson 8: Handling Border Designs
- Discover “quilt as you go” advantages and disadvantages
- Learn how to turn a quilt to do side borders
- Assignment: Send in completed baby quilt by mail Deadline: postmark by 10/18/2022
Lesson 9: Quilting Basic Background Fills
- Review proper technique
- Learn stippling, echoing, and pebble quilting
- Assignment: Design simple Whole Cloth Quilt and submit via email. Deadline: 11/1/2022
Lesson 10: Stitching Basic Freehand Feathers
- Discover four principles for successful feathers
- Learn your best feather execution method
Practice three common styles—open plume, hook style, and bump-bump feathers
Lesson 11: Evaluating Quilt Tops
- Discover ways to handle troublesome quilts
- Camouflage wavy borders, puffy blocks, and poor construction with quilting
Lesson 12: Holding a Consultation
- Learn how to a customer meeting effectively
- Get tips on designing and completing a useful consultation form
- Learn tips to professionally communicate with customers
- Assignment: Complete an email consultation and submit via email. Deadline: 11/15/2022
Lesson 13: Conducting Business Professionally
- Find out how to create a solid business plan
- Learn tips for effective financial management
- Find out how to manage inventory and wholesale vs. retail accounts
- Learn how to competitively price your work
- Discover best business practices for scheduling, advertising, and professionalism
- Assignment: Submit a business plan and brochure via email. Deadline: 11/15/2022
Lesson 14: Class Review and Wrap-up
- Learn what is required to gain certification
- Review the key points from all 14 lessons
- Discover how to get help with class assignments
Supplies:
- Longarm or midarm quilting machine in good working order (Does not need to be APQS Machine)
- Muslin
- Batting
- Thread
- Scissors
- Binder
- Marking tools – chalk or marking pens
- Ruler base specific to your quilting machine
- Dry Erase Board
- Dry Erase Marker
See the detailed supply list by lesson here.
Instructors:
Dawn Cavanaugh:
Dawn’s freehand quilting has been winning awards since 1994 when she opened her business, Rockin’ Bobbin Quilting, Inc. Her quilts have received first-place wins at AQS Paducah, MQX and MQS and many more national quilt shows. Teaching others how to be successful machine quilters is her passion. Named the MQX Teacher of the Year for 2008, and was nominated again in 2009 and 2014. Dawn continues to inspire others at such venues as Houston Quilt Festival, MQS, NEQF, PNQF, Machine Quilting Today, Australian Machine Quilters Show, and many quilting and longarm guilds worldwide. Dawn shares her expertise in national publications such as Fons and Porter’s Love of Quilting and On Track magazines. As National Education Director for APQS, Dawn helps quilters all over the world develop a love for their craft, just as she has.
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