Free Motion Quilting Basics Class

Free-Motion Quilting Foundations with Tom

Who better to teach you how to make your machine truly work for you than Tom?

Most quilting instructors focus on teaching you what to do when free-motion quilting—move slower, move faster, control your fabric, and follow specific shapes or design paths. In this class, Tom takes a very different approach. Instead of asking you to constantly adjust your hands or change how you quilt, he shows you how to set up and fine-tune your machine so it works with you naturally.

This class is focused specifically on stippling as the foundational free-motion quilting technique. Rather than jumping into complex shapes or decorative designs, you’ll build confidence by mastering smooth, controlled stippling and learning how your machine responds as you quilt.

You’ll learn how to properly set up your sewing machine for free-motion quilting, including tension adjustments, troubleshooting, and how to solve common issues like “eyelashes,” uneven stitches, and thread build-up. Tom shares technician-level insights that help you understand what is happening under the needle—and how to correct it without disrupting your rhythm or forcing your movement to change.

The real value of this class is in the approach: instead of adapting your quilting style to the machine, you’ll learn how to adjust the machine so stippling becomes smoother, easier, and more consistent from the start.

If you want to expand beyond stippling into decorative shapes and panel work, that’s exactly what Part 2 with Rita is for: “Free Motion Quilting: Enhancing Your Panel.”

Bring your machine, your curiosity, and get ready to quilt with more control and less frustration.

One of the most common things we hear within minutes of class starting is: “This class was worth it.”

Date: Surrey: Sep 26   10:00am – 1:00pm or Oct 9  10am - 1pm

Chilliwack: Sep 2910am - 1pm

Fee: $30
Teacher: Tom Sketchley
Skill Level: Beginner