Angela Walters - Free-Motion Quilting with Angela Walters: Choose & Use Quilting Designs on Modern Quilts

This ones for you, Grandpa Ford.

Thank you for investing time into my life. You taught me much more than quilting. I learned that family comes first and that ice cream sandwiches are a necessity. You were my biggest supporter, and I would not have found my passion for quilting if it werent for you.

I pray that I am as patient with my grandchildren as you were with me.

I love and miss you.

Wow! Where do I start? It has been said that you know who your friends are when its time to move. But I dont agree. You know who your friends are when you are knee-deep in book writing, stressed out, and not sure how its all going to come together. More than a few people were there for me.

To my husband, Jeremy, for never letting me quit.

To C&T Publishing, Robert Kaufman Fabrics company, Quilters Dream Batting, and Superior Threads. Thanks for believing in me and my book.

To everyone who helped make this book possible, by helping piece quilts, giving me fabric, or letting me use their quilt patterns:

Alissa Haight Carlton

Mark Cesarik

Jenifer Dick

Jacquie Gering

Scott Hansen

Shea Henderson

Heidi Hendrickson

Jessica Levitt

Georgieanna Martin (my awesome mom!)

Modern Quilt Relish patterns

Tula Pink

Debi Walters (my awesome mother-in-law!)

And a special, heartfelt thank-you for a woman who took a chance on a brand-new quilter almost ten years agolove you, Kathy!

Like a lot of other younger quilters, I didnt set out to be a quilter. Instead, quilting found me. Not long after I met my soon-to-be husband, he introduced me to his family. This included his Grandpa Ford, who loved to make quilts. At the time I wasnt even sure what a quilt was. Grandpa, as he immediately insisted I call him, quickly changed that.

After a year of admiring his many quilts, I asked him to show me how to make one. He was so patient with me, instructing me to carefully cut out nine squares with scissors and templates. I then began the process of sewing them into a Nine-Patch block. Proud of my creation, I showed it to him. He agreed that it looked great, and with a mischievous gleam in his eyes, he said, Now let me show you the easy way! He produced a rotary cutter and a mat, and so began my love of quilting.

One day, he suggested I buy a quilting machine. Never having seen a quilting machine, I wholeheartedly agreed. I called the Gammill company, and they happened to have a used one for sale. As quick as a blink, it was delivered and set up.

Up to that point, my Grandpa (at this point he was my Grandpa, too) had sent our quilts to a machine quilter who could quilt three patterns. Based on that, I assumed quilting machines could quilt only three patterns, and I was pretty sure they would quilt themselves. I quickly figured out that I had been incorrect, but by that time, I was head-over-heels in love with quilting.

I learned several free-motion quilting designs and started quilting for customers. I was perfectly happy quilting traditional quilts with traditional designs, and I would have continued along had I not been introduced to the modern quilting community.

On a whim, I attended the inaugural meeting of the Kansas City Modern Quilting Guild. During the first meeting, I was in awe of the quilts I saw. Bright and bold, full of graphic designs, they were unlike anything I had ever seen. Soon, I was asked to quilt some modern quilts. I very quickly realized they couldnt be approached in the same way as traditional quilts.

Traditional quilts are fairly predictable. They usually have a regular layout, often including sashing and borders. Modern quilts, on the other hand, offer irregular shapes, random placement, and bold fabrics. As I quilted more and more modern quilts, I realized I loved quiltingmodern quilts especially. Quilting is the most fun part! I am writing this book to pass my love of quilting on to you. My hope is that you will love machine quilting as much as I do!

I often tell anyone who will listen that the quilting is the most fun part of quiltmaking. Some quilters will agree with me, nodding with enthusiasm. But more often than not, quilters will roll their eyes and walk away, muttering under their breath. For a newer quilter, it can all be so overwhelming. Dont be discouraged! The first section of the book will help get you started. You will find out what this book isand isntas well as what you need to get started. This includes not only the supplies but also the mind-set you will need to be successful.

So let go of your doubts and get ready to quiltthe modern way!

The modern quilting community is alive and thrivingthere is no denying it. If you go online and take a look at the many, many blogs featuring beautiful modern quilts, you cant help but be inspired. But over and over, I see quilters piecing such beautiful quilt tops only to resort to an allover quilting design, unsure of how to quilt it or doubtful about their quilting ability.

As a machine quilter, I see quilting as another layer of art, the very definition of form and function. The quilting should complement the quilt top and make it look the best it can be. I often say that quilting is like putting on makeup. Makeup artists dont put blush all over the face; instead they use different types of makeup in different areas of the face. In the same way, we should consider the quilt top when deciding on the quilting designs.

I will admit that some quilts need an allover design, but most quilts will benefit from custom quilting. This book will walk you through the process of learning the designs and how to use them on common modern quilts.

Also, the glossary of terms and phrases () may be useful as you go through this book on your modern machine quilting journey.

Before we start, lets discuss what this book is and isnt.

What This Book Is

This book is divided into three sections: Getting Started, The Designs, and Using the Designs in Modern Quilts. But these sections also could be described as Motivation, Instruction, and Inspiration: First, I want to motivate you to push your quilting boundaries and try new designs. Second, I will teach you several of my favorite designs. Last, I want to inspire you with pictures of common modern quilts and different ways to quilt them.

What This Book Isnt

This book isnt made up of hard-and-fast rules. What I teach are things that have worked for me. Just as in all areas of quilting, do what you like; do what you want to do.

This book isnt a longarm quilting book; it is a machine quilting book. Whether you use a longarm machine or a domestic sewing machine (DSM), these designs are for you.

What Exactly Is Modern Machine Quilting?

Quilting looks best when it complements the quilt top. So modern machine quilting could also be called quilting modern quilts . The quilting is modern because it is used on a modern quilt. This book will show several designs; some may be considered modern, and some may not. It isnt just the designs you use but also the way you use them, that makes the difference.