As an affiliate, Craftsy has given me the opportunity to review a class of my choice for free. (If you're jealous, you can become a Craftsy affiliate too.) I picked Angela Walter's Machine Quilting: Small Changes, Big Variety because I've enrolled in many of Angela's other Craftsy classes, and found them really useful. Actually, I have so many of them, it would have behoved me to buy the Free-Motion Quilting with Anglea Walters class collection. I thought this class would be good to review because it is suitable for those who are new to free-motion, but also provides some extra ideas for more experienced quilters.
Like other Craftsy classes, this one included handouts (practice sketch sheets), a money-back guarantee, student and teacher feedback, the ability to make notations, and lifetime access.
Specifically, this class covered the step-by-step process for creating a wide assortment of quilting designs: pebbles, swirls, ribbon candy, feathers, squares, and clamshells. Even better, Angela detailed how to create 4-6 variations of each for those who want to take it to another level.
While watching the videos, I sketched them in my notebook. I like that I can also take my laptop or tablet into my sewing room, and use the 30 second repeat feature to show specific steps as many times as necessary, immediately prior to trying it out on the machine.
While I was familiar with most the classic designs, I found it helpful to see the process. It's much more efficient to view the sequence of steps than to see a finished free-motion design, and guess how it is composed.
I tried out a couple variations of pebbles, overlapping and changing shape, on actual quilts.
I am happy with the results, and can't wait to try out some of the other designs.
I heartily recommend this class as a great way to increase your quilting repertoire. After all, with the 31 designs explained within this course, you're bound to find something suitable for whatever quilt you're working on.
As an added benefit, it's very affordable at the moment, just $19.99 due to a 56% off discount until April 1. In fact, all Craftsy classes are $19.99 through the weekend.
Have you taken a Craftsy class? Do you have a favorite?