Longarm Quilting: Ruler Work for Beginners Online Class (Part 2)

This is a modified remote learning version of my Ruler Work for Beginners Class that would normally be taught in person. I talking about the basics of how to use rulers, machine set-up, supplies, etc. Then walk you through the beginner exercises using the panel that I teach from in the class. (Panel is available for purchase - linked below - if you would like to use it while you go through the class with me on KZbin).
Rulers and Templates available here:
michaelquilts.com/product-cat...
Ruler Work for Beginners Panel available here:
michaelquilts.com/product/pan...
****NOTE: If the shop is out of stock of panels, they may also be purchased through SPOONFLOWER. www.spoonflower.com/designs/9...
Their shipping charge is a bit high and the processing takes a while. You must choose the size as "1 Yard" to receive the whole panel. The default is a fat quarter, which will not be what you want. I have no control over Spoonflower and their practices, so hopefully they treat you with kindness and quick shipping!

[@joannpenka9201]

You are an excellent teacher! Repeating isn’t babying us. It is instilling that we remember the lesson!!!!❤ I have been doing rulers for a few years. This panel is a great way to practice with intention. Your comment just made me realize that I already own your Fab5 Baptist fan rulers and I love using them!!!

[@dorisdunn9845]

I’ve quilting for a while and found your channel. I love it when you say “oops”. Most teachers are perfect, not like us humans.

[@michael.quilts]

LOL - I am definitely on the human side of things. I make plenty of mistakes, but learn as I go. Thanks for your comment - made my day! Happy Quilting! Michael

[@gill5733]

Hi Michael. Thanks for this video. I thoroughly enjoyed watching and learning. I am that person who dives in and learns on the go…so my first attempts at ruler work are being done at this moment on an actual quilt….I work on the theory that mistakes are what makes a quilt “homemade” 😂 What was worrying me more than anything was whether or not my longarm would hate me for the constant stop/starting (literally every couple of inches) but seeing you do just that has eased my conscience. You are a natural teacher and I have subscribed, so keep ‘em coming! 🙂

[@RuthiesThreadArt]

I am a new y to longarm quilting and you are an amazing instructor Michael. Thank you.

[@michael.quilts]

Oh, thanks so much, Ruth! Glad I could be of help!

[@phoozchic]

A bit late, but this is an excellent 2 part series and I appreciate you sharing your skills. Thank you.

[@michael.quilts]

Thanks so much. I guess it has been a while, but glad it is still relevant!

[@marleneverhage1048]

Bob Ross comment made me smile. I loved watching his shows. Good video. Thank you.

[@michael.quilts]

Thanks again, Marlene. I love Bob Ross!

[@jenkaiser721]

Thank you so much just got a long arm and ordered the panel! Excited to get started 😁

[@michael.quilts]

Hi Jen! Congrats on your new longarm! Have fun and happy quilting!

[@cindyroman5126]

I bought a used Pfaff plain Jane no computer long arm 3 yrs ago and I am afraid to start! Your videos are so precise and help full! I am going to dust off my machine and give it a whirl, thank you!!!

[@michael.quilts]

So glad to be of inspiration to you!!!

[@canyonquilter]

Wonderful video! Thank you.

[@michael.quilts]

Thank you, Barbara! Glad you enjoyed.

[@marieatkinson3885]

I have ordered the panel and I’m looking forward to practicing on it. This is good information. Thanks.

[@michael.quilts]

Hi Marie. Thanks so much for your comment. I hope you have fun with the panel and that Spoonflower is shipping in a timely manner. Let me know if you have any questions! -Michael

[@stephanieturner7417]

Great Video! Thanks for doing this

[@michael.quilts]

Thank you, Stephanie. I enjoyed doing it and really love sharing videos whenever I can. Hope you are healthy and staying safe.

[@dtayntor]

Thank you so much, Michael!

[@michael.quilts]

Hey there. You are so welcome! Was a pleasure.

[@denises7388]

Great videos, thank you..

[@michael.quilts]

Thank you so much!

[@kimvernon5236]

I just purchased this panel. Had to get from Spoonflower, but I got a couple of others as well. Shipping was only $7. Can't wait to get this and practice!!! Thank you. Love your teaching style!! Wish you had in person classes near me!

[@michael.quilts]

Hi Kim! So glad you got the panel. I sometimes carry them in the shop, but I don't get a real discount from Spoonflower, so it's sometimes easier to let them handle it. Glad shipping wasn't bad! Thanks so much for your comment! What part of the country are you in? I am getting out a bit more these days. Happy Quilting! Michael

[@kimvernon5236]

@@michael.quilts I'm in Northern California. I have a HQ Moxie. Just purchased about a year ago. No classes available in my area for beginner rulerwork. I work full-time. I practice when I have time. The panel will help I hope.

[@pamelagolliet5546]

Just found your site. Thanks. I need to improve my ruler work.

[@michael.quilts]

Hi Pamela! Happy New Year! I am always learning and improving. Seems like a never-ending process, but I enjoy it! Hope something I post helps! Michael

[@Westernwilson]

Gosh Michael, I had a terrible time hitting the marks in the blocks with the 1-9 marks! The end of the ruler kept moving slightly, and I found the diagonals more difficult than the up 'n down lines! More practice needed!

[@michael.quilts]

No worries - you'll get better with practice! These are the moments that I wish I could be there in person to help guide you. Are you waliing your fingers and going slowly? If you walk your fingers and go slow, you will always have a good amount of pressure on the ruler. If you are keeping your hanf stationary, we all tend to slightly get off track towards the end of lines. This may be what is happening? Also - some quilters like to put grippy dots to keep rulers from sliding. When you do that, you get better traction, but then it also doesn's allow you to freely glide the rulers. You'll get it! Keep me posted! Happy Quilting! Michael

[@Westernwilson]

@@michael.quilts I just need to practice coordinating fingers, ruler, machine. And I am really loving the Rulerwork 101 class ruler. The third star looked very nice...as you recommended, I slowed down and concentrated on hitting the mark. Thanks again for the great video and hints and tips.

[@Caddywoman]

Will you be getting more oanels in stock? I know spoonflower has the panels but I would rather support you if you will be getting those again.

[@Westernwilson]

Another very helpful and informative (and engaging!) tute! Thanks again and hope to see many more. I have orderered the panel and deciding on which whack of rulers I want! BTW Michael, if you were marking out a top, what marking tools have you found most useful?

[@michael.quilts]

My favorite short term marking tool is the purple air erasable pen. As long as I am marking for that immediate quilting session, I find it is perfect for me. I use the Blue Water Soluable pen for larger projects. Sometimes I use chalk pencils and find that a lint brush removes them quite well.

[@dianeluciano2756]

Very informative, thank you. I ordered the panel and your ditch everything ruler. Excited to get started. Do you attach the panel to the leaders or just lay it on top of the batting and backing?

[@michael.quilts]

Hi Diane. I am sorry to respond so late to your question. You treat the panel like any other quilt top, so you will be providing a backing of your choice to attach to the leaders and using any batting of your choice...then lay the panel on top like you would a quilt top. I baste the top and as much of the side edges on each side to hold it in place, but it does not have to be perfectly straight. Hope this helps (although you probably already got the panel and figured it out.) Thank You! Michael

[@3catscarefreelife]

I have a couple of free motion quilting rulers that I bought for my domestic machine and have noticed that they are no thicker than my regular acrylic rulers (used for cutting). I was disappointed to see that. Are the quilting rulers for longarms thicker than the domestic quilting rulers?

[@michael.quilts]

Hi Linda. Sorry to hear about your rulers being thin. If they are the same thickness as the rotary cutting rulers, they are probably 1/8" acrylic. Any ruler that says they are for quilting (not cutting) should be 1/4", even if for domestic machines. But I have seen some that are thinnner as well. My rulers are 1/4" acrylic and you should notice a significant difference. They are appropriate for quilting on domestic and longarm machines. www.etsy.com/shop/QuarterSquaredQuilts Hope this helps! Michael

[@tennispjb]

I’m getting my Innova next week and look forward to trying your techniques.

[@michael.quilts]

Congrats! I am always happy to welcome new Innova users as well as users of all other longarm and domestic machines. Quilters of all kinds are wonderful people!