Machine Quilting Straight and Curvy lines with Angela Walters and the Slim Ruler

“Stitching in the Ditch” doesn’t have to be a curse word! It’s actually a great way to maneuver your way around an area. In this video, Angela Walters show you how to stitch in the seams of your quilt. You’ll also learn her favorite Dot to Dot quilting design AND how to make an awesome curvy border design!
To Purchase the Slim Ruler, click here:bit.ly/33tK52t
To learn more, click here: bit.ly/3c6QfJU
To watch videos for other machine quilting rulers designed by Angela Walters, click here:
bit.ly/2XxoC8T
For machine quilting tips and inspiration, visit: bit.ly/3aZZTO5

[@maureengreen4008]

I asked my sister what her favourite colours were...she said orange and purple! I'm going to try your half square triangles, flying geese and what ever I can muster!

[@sweettennesseelife1665]

I am new to FMQ and ruler work and I LOVE Slim!

[@grandmalovesmebest]

Hooray! You are marvelous, darling. Just marvelous. Love your vids. Being new at quilting, you inspire me to break out and be daring. I'm not very accurate but I'm having such fun and learning so much that when things go a bit wonky I just say "It's okay. It's a (wall hanging, placemat, runner etc), it's not a wedding gown." Thanks Angela.🙋

[@lesliefirebaugh6569]

I got Slim from your store and I LOVE it. It is so easy for this beginner quilter. I have been so apprehensive about machine quilting, but your videos have built my confidence up. After struggling with a lap quilt, I took a step back and quilted placemats. Today I finished my first free motion piece, a large pillow sham. Thanks for all that you do to help us newbies out.

[@laurakilner440]

❤️. I love my full set, including slim! Very cool and fun.

[@ladyt1277]

Angela, you are just fabulous! All of your projects are so beautiful. Thank you for the awesome tutorials

[@campannette]

Thanks for the demo of this ruler. Learned some new variations to add to my quilting designs. Also love the Tula Pink fabrics.

[@rosehavenfarm2969]

I *just* purchased "slim" this week. Can't wait to use it. Thanks for the tutorial.

[@maureenhoney719]

Those fabric colors are truly gorgeous, love the smaller shapes for table runners, thank you again for another inspiring video Angela!

[@drmichaelelinski6992]

Quelle artiste douée......Magnifique...

[@terrybridgham7824]

Hi! While you were demonstrated the stitch-in-the-ditch and fill-in, I was reminded of two things-coloring as a child and doing jigsaw puzzles. In coloring I would first outline around the inside of the shape I was coloring first than color it in, so I would not go outside the lines. In doing puzzles, I always do the entire edge before doing the rest of the puzzle. So very similar processes between the three activities. Thank you for the instruction and the memories!

[@rosettagadson1762]

Thanks Angela for showing us how to use your ruler and giving us great ideas for them...

[@debbiepickthall5900]

This is going to be fun!!! I'm one of those perfectionists but I am definitely going to chill and enjoy your instructions!! Thanks for all of the info and guidance!!

[@mslj4062]

Wow - Angela you did it again. You make it look so easy. Love the ruler design. Thank you so much for the tutorial. :-)

[@laurakilner440]

Creative randomness. I was hooked on making it all the same. I love the look of your look so much more.

[@annettes7460]

Wow, Angela, what a great tutorial! Thanks so much.

[@AngelaWaltersfmq]

Thank YOU so much for watching, I can't tell you how much I appreciate the support!

[@elizabethfitzgerald2198]

Angela, you’re AWESOME! Your videos have brought me a LONG WAY with machine quilting in just a couple of years. Finally bought a Slim ruler for quilting all those little spikes in the New York Beauty Quilt I’m getting ready to quilt. Thanks for keeping it fun and dragging my OCD personality smoothly and confidently into new areas of machine quilting. 🧵💕🤗

[@debjacobson9800]

Thank you Angela 📏

[@pamhart4994]

I started with this ruler. I’m a beginner, beginner. You make it look so easy.

[@victorianelson9757]

Thank you for doing so many machine quilting demos on a domestic machine! That is so helpful. I used to own a long-arm, so I can definitely see how what you show on the domestic machine can easily be translated to a long-arm. But your demos on the domestic machine help all of us to see how it can be done. And gain confidence on the machine that we already own :-)

[@cindygehrke5249]

Love this tutorial! I need this ruler and give it a try! As always I always learn something new from you Angela! Thank you!

[@AngelaWaltersfmq]

Yay!! I am so glad that you find it helpful!

[@darlenedriedger2549]

Love your fun look at quilting, but it is your 'AWESOME' energy that I LOVE. I have been a quilter for many, many year and u r such a talented lady, it is so much fun to watch u stitch. 'Little steps' to a great project. U make it look soooooooooo easy. Thanks Angela for being such a GREAT light in the world. Darlene....

[@karenhickey3377]

You sure make me wanna try using rulers with my sewing machine! You make this look super easy (and a lot of fun!) I just ordered Shorty to start with. I can't wait to try it out AND to add more rulers to my stash 😉Thank you for these videos. You are an amazing Instructor!!

[@carmenbutler1688]

Angela thank you sooooooooooooo very much for this video. You are simply amazing and fun.

[@AngelaWaltersfmq]

Awww!! You are amazing!!!

[@khall5827]

Thanks for all your challenges! I can’t wait to get started on this one. I am off to cut out my boarders!

[@MsFentons]

Thanks Angela! I like the way you demonstrated the way you actually move..... slow, not fast. Very often when I watch the demonstrations my first recall is the “fast forward” so, when I initially started free motion quilting I thought faster movements were better. I did slow it down to a methodical pace. Your descriptions of nice and slow and the fast forwards were just right. Thanks again, you are a really good instructor ( I wanted to say communicator but I’m retired and instructor is just as powerful but nicer). Looking forward to longarm tutorials! Sally

[@heidipucci9078]

Awesome instructions! And it helps to see how you used the ruler while working the quilt.

[@selliott494]

Hi AngelaI have to say that you have inspired me to love my free motion quilting. The rulers are a great tool. I took one of quilted projects to a quilting retreat yesterday and I got somany positive comments. I told them all about you and your dot to dot quilting craftsy class and the benefits of using the rulers to make the lines straight. Thanks for the lessons and the laughs.

[@AngelaWaltersfmq]

Aww!! Thank you so much for your support! I can't tell you how much I appreciate it!

[@karoliyer4860]

Wow this gives me courage to try and quilt my own projects, I'm new to your videos and I'm hooked already, Thanks

[@kathleenkeenan4296]

Fab tutorial & you make it look so easy.

[@anniematheson2335]

Wow! I loved this video. I actually think I could do this. Thanks Angela...

[@AngelaWaltersfmq]

You definitely can do it!! It just takes a little practice!

[@nancyhiggs7171]

Love your videos and your quilt masterpieces.

[@wendyogletree6623]

I've got your new rulers at the top of my wish list! Love all your videos and relaxed attitude. It really encourages folks to get out there and play without worrying about perfection. I really appreciate the close ups of your quilting designs in this video. It would be great to see more of this approach in the future, especially for your Midnight Quilt show videos. All the best!

[@AngelaWaltersfmq]

Awww, thanks so much for you sweet compliments! I am so glad that you find them helpful!!

[@1955dmb]

I just ordered and received Slim. Thanks for the quick delivery. Just waiting for my ruler foot to arrive. I'm so anxious to try it. Not that I have any UFO's sitting around ready to quilt or anything.

[@hollyscroggin3939]

Another great video. Looking forward to your long arm videos. This one very helpful. Love the fabrics.

[@bethsprister5782]

Love this quilting with ruler thing! I better get going and order me some rulers. I would be interested in seeing a close up of how you managed the corners of the border on this quilt. Thanks for giving us such great tutorials!

[@debglastetter851]

Angela, great video.

[@lesleyfarris4025]

Inspiring. Thank you very much.

[@beatricedenevepollet4153]

I love this video ! Thank you for sharing. I am not so much afraid of using rulers now :-)

[@rebeccawolf3196]

The way you move around the quilt is so well planned - it reminds me of a dialog in Back to the Future3 about thinking fourth dimensionally.(yes, I am a movie nerd). We just all need to think in the fourth dimension to move around the quilt - add that echo later to help you move around the quilt. Brilliant!

[@AngelaWaltersfmq]

I love BTTF!! We have a movie marathon with all three movies not too long ago!

[@heidipucci9078]

Beautiful quilt and colors

[@deelankford1180]

again, Thank you sister!

[@5d41k3]

You make it look so easy

[@jw-tu9uf]

Angela, First I just want to say thank you for sharing all your wonderful quilting ideas with us. I love watching your videos. I get excited when I see that you have uploaded one. You are soooo blessed and talented (and funny). Anyways, I am a beginner quilter. I made one quilt for my mother for her birthday in 2017. It turned out somewhat ok to me, but she loves it. I guess that's all that matters. I am currently working on a second quilt, piecing it together right now. I've been practicing quilting on some scraps to try to get better at it so by the time I'm finished piecing my quilting will have improved. I feel like I struggle with gliding doing the free motion. I even bought a small supreme slider and it still seems like I'm struggling gliding as I'm trying to free motion. You make it look so easy. Even in this video I see you didn't use one or had an extension table. What am I doing wrong?

[@itsastitchup]

Angela, I just love your no nonsense, get it done approach to machine quilting. I have been held back by my pefectionism, now I am throwing caution to the wind and having fun.

[@AngelaWaltersfmq]

Let it go!! Perfectionism is great for surgery, but not so much for machine quilting!!

[@socalgingerjohnson]

Linda's Luscious Lathers I agree 100%. I quilted four twin quilts by myself after watching her. It's amazing how motivated I became after realizing I didn't have to pay someone to finish my quilts.

[@robertvillemarette1950]

Ginger Johnson 'mm. Pp

[@socalgingerjohnson]

I always feel so confident after listening to your motivational comments. Could you add links to some other videos that show how you maneuver around the quilt? This was so helpful.

[@mesewhappy]

Thanks for a great demo. I hope to pick up this ruler at a quilt show this weekend. You are Still my favorite quilter and teacher. Love Tula’s fabric also.

[@cc83jc85]

loved this thanks!

[@stephanniemetz3610]

You make it look so easy...

[@AngelaWaltersfmq]

I have had just a little practice ;)

[@GeorgiaGranJan]

I took my first free motion quilting class today and I can’t stop watching your tutorials! Love seeing how you use these rulers. Can you share what type free motion foot you are using here? Love your practical approach and genuine love for quilting. Thank you.

[@lynnettemckinley4636]

I loved the "navigation" tips" in this one.... sometimes I can't figure out the best way to do what I want to do without traveling 8 times ....

[@HRHDMKYT]

"Trust me. When you're done, nobody's going to notice [if your quilting's not perfect]". I think that is the key to all quilting. You are right Angela. People will just marvel that you made something they couldn't possibly. And that you took the time, trouble (and expense) to make it. I mean, when was the last time you stuck your nose into someone ELSE's quilt to judge their quilting skill? We need to give ourselves the same break. I agree with your advice: Be kind (especially to onesself), and please stop "should-ing" all over yourself! ~Diana from Toronto

[@AngelaWaltersfmq]

Yay!! I am cheering you on over here, keep it up!

[@jessicacarr8333]

I am so excited for when all my rulers get in. I love your tutorial videos. Do you have one on how to do circles/pebbles on a domestic?

[@wezhappy]

Angela I just love your work and your teaching style! I appreciate the fact that you laugh at yourself and just have fun doing what tou love to do!! I was wondering if your feed dogs are down? If so are you using a lot of pressure pushing down as you go around the edge of the ruler?

[@suzisaintjames]

Margaret Lewin showed your rulers on her live feed today. Many blessings from sunny Arizona.

[@AngelaWaltersfmq]

How fun is that!!!

[@suzisaintjames]

Angela Walters, I think it says how wonderful she thinks of your new rulers! You Go Girl! xoxo from sunny 🌞 Arizona.

[@brendafoley6995]

Yes. . and she was excited to hear she can use it on her longarm!!

[@Hackdaddy81]

Thanks for helping me fall in love with quilting again..

[@AngelaWaltersfmq]

Yay!! That is the ultimate compliment!

[@Hackdaddy81]

Angela Walters I started quilting again after my mom passed away I used to do it with her. After I got all her quilting notions and sewing machine I took he nursing scrubs to make a quilt. Took 2 years but it’s done now... found you and the midnight quilt show in the process... I have even started my own quilting page on Facebook called quilting on a budget. ... thanks for making this art seem so easy and fun.. it helped me with the loss of my mother.. thank you

[@wezhappy]

Drone phots and videos

[@marybarnett7277]

Love the free motivation feathers

[@paml2642]

I can't wait to try this quilting technique! Guess I need to get busy on a flying geese quilt!

[@sandygray4626]

Slim is my go to ruler now, even for SITD. LOVE how it grabs and stays put, even for my low shank machine. Thank you for coming up with these. Will there be more in the future? I have your set. You are so fun to watch and so helpful 😃.

[@AngelaWaltersfmq]

Definitely!! I plan to make so many videos about them that you all get tired of me, lol!

[@ThomasOrndorff]

Thanks!

[@foggymtn]

Ok Angela, because of you I now have a ruler foot and one little ruler with a straight edge and a curvy edge. You've inspired me. Thank you. Just one quick question here on this video. When you were working that cute border, you did not explain how you did the corners there. Can you show us that? Border corners can be tricky.

[@bgabriel]

Video helps tremendously! Being able to revisit tutorial makes a great difference in my confidence and willingness to work on my quilts. Thanks!!

[@AngelaWaltersfmq]

Thank you for watching! I can't tell you how much I appreciate the support!!

[@gailluther]

Love your videos. I wish you would come out with a low-shank version of your rulers.

[@gracielaanaya2663]

Hola, soy de la Argentina...me encanta esta tecnica,la buena honda y la explicacion que das, aunque me encantaria que tus videos estuvieran subtitulados...asi podria a llegar a entender mejor tus explicaciones...saludos¡¡¡

[@janraster200]

Your quilting is beautiful. Can you do a segment of quilting on a home machine on a big quilt? I struggle to keep the quilt top from bunching up, and I also have arthritis in my hands which adds to my difficulty. Thank you so much for posting these videos.

[@lauraunderwood3325]

Hi Angela! I have to tell you -- I tried FMQ a long time ago and it was a horrible mess. I was so discouraged, I never tried again. However, after watching your videos and your smiling, happy face, I decided to try again and voila -- it wasn't so bad! I have been practicing and practicing and just bought Slim today! I've already tried it out just a little bit and you know what? I am now confident that, with enough practice, I CAN DO FMQ! I'm so excited and pleased, and it's all thanks to you and your sunny and relaxed attitude. I can't thank you enough! Keep those wonderful videos coming, please. :)

[@AngelaWaltersfmq]

Thank YOU for watching! I really appreciate the support!!

[@juliehoppel3590]

I’m so with you Laura. I can’t believe how much fun this is. FMQ always stressed me out so I always quilt by hand. But no more!!!! And I’m having a blast.

[@huldahsmith3476]

I enjoy watching all the different videos on freestyle quilting. I have yet to try it myself. My question is how do you prepare your quilt to start the quilting?

[@cjacob9875]

Love your work! Did you notice that your machine sounds like it needs to have a turn up!

[@hazelgiles7058]

Wow thanks for this ruler it’s smashing your fantastic l think l would love to meet you in person but l live in the uk

[@AngelaWaltersfmq]

I hope to make it over there again someday!! Thanks so much for watching!!

[@kaylaing9595]

Hi Angela! I love all the designs you can make with your new rulers. I tried three times to order them, but couldn't. I'll try one more time, and if it doesn't work, I'll call your shop okay? Thanks, I love all your videos.

[@dianneroberts6123]

It will take me forever

[@sarahcampbell9109]

Hi Angela!! Love your shows and the way you teach. I found this video helpful for sure! More seen about how long it should take us. Thank you

[@pattybischoff2343]

Your new rulers look great and the tutorials are wonderful. Any chance Creative Grids is going to make a thinner set for short shank machines?

[@cinnalouwinna]

Angela, could you possibly do a video explaining the markings on the ruler and where to place them? When you’re stitching in the ditch is the ruler a quarter of an inch away from the seam?

[@jackietucker8942]

I find your videos very helpful. KEEP THEM COMING. With a 6.5" of throat space, I am rather limited for size of quilts. Thankfully I discovered QAYG by columns which has saved me a bundle of cash.

[@vernabeckford8190]

I love all your tutorials especially the straight and curvy ruler. My problem is my bobbin threat is loose. Dont know what to do to correct it.

[@Adnar818]

Could you do a video on picking fabrics for the various quilt patterns? Do you mostly use pre-cut?

[@lauriehuber5694]

ty so very much for teaching this old dogs new tips... please advise where to get supplies you use

[@dawnsnyder1535]

Going to look for ruler foot for tinlizzie machine...any suggestions....thank u for your encouragement and teaching!!!!

[@memefraser3961]

Hi Angela, love watching you quilt 😊. I was wondering the same Mary Jane about the corners. Could you post a picture please? Also, did you use double sided fusible fleece? Thank you for all that you do.

[@lathasatyan5086]

I love watching your videos. You make it look so easy and inspire me to try. So I bought a few of your quilting rulers. I have a brother SQ9185 and the low shank quilting foot I bought doesn't let me move the quilt sandwich under the foot specially on a seam and with the supreme slider. Can you suggest a remedy please.

[@lynnettemckinley4636]

+Watching your videos gets me into quilting my own quilt mode. Your ""can do " attitude is contagious. Do you have your rulers available in your store in Liberty? I'd love to do a class with you...

[@tizzytinker149]

Love the look of your rulers, sad they are not sold in the uk :(

[@juliathompson3317]

Angela, you are my "go to" for quilting confidence, motivation, and inspiration...for many years now. I just adore you. I also love that you are not a long arm snob! You understand that not all of us can afford nor have space for one and even though you are in the big leagues you have not forgotten us that still quilt on our home machines! (on Midnight Quilt Show too!!!) You are so real...just lovely Angela! Oh, my question...may I use my plastic oval shaped free motion foot with this ruler or would I need to purchase this foot you are using in the video?

[@AngelaWaltersfmq]

You can definitely use the free-motion foot that you have! If you find that you are running the ruler over the foot, you may want to consider getting a ruler foot. Hope that helps!

[@hippochic]

Have you made a video where you discuss using a domestic machine, a larger size quilt, and rulers? How do you manage all this? Also, do folks continue to pin baste when using rulers?

[@mazz5285]

I wanted to see how you did the corners too. I wish the rulers were available in the uk without having to pay more for shipping than for the rulers!

[@rongrossi4705]

This technique looks doable. As a new quilter I'm excited about that. If I were only going to get one ruler for this general purpose, which is better, shorty or slim?? Thank you so much for your fun and fabulous tutorials.

[@AngelaWaltersfmq]

It depends on the machine, if you have a larger throat, go with slim. If you don't have very much throat space, go with shorty. Thanks so much!!

[@ireneolsen8131]

would love to have seen how you did the corners of the border. maybe next time??

[@jaclynmoylan1905]

Hi Angela, I’m now trying to learn how to quilt my own quilts. I use Auriful 50wt for piecing and love it. Do you like it for quilting as well or do you use a 40wt for quilting? I suppose it would depend on the look you are going for, but I was wanting to know what you like to use mostly when quilting?

[@andreagrimes3078]

Love it. Can't quite see how the corners of the borders were done. Can you add a pic of the border corner?

[@Jerzidi9]

Would have loved to see you finish the quilt. Were you going to use the background fabric as a border? I need to know how to do that.

[@Lpsb232]

I just played with my first quilting ruler Slim and new ruler foot. Went pretty good for the most part. I made a practice quilt sandwich out of a couple fat quarters and some wool batting I had left from another quilt. I practiced the square spiral I saw on one of your other videos. I had a few issues with my top thread breaking. Does anyone have any ideas why this would happen?

[@farmgirlw837]

Angela, how did you finish the corners? I saw a brief glance and it looked like squares? Not sure though. Also, what is your second most favorite ruler to use? Thanks again for your excellent tutorials. I really enjoyed your Craftsy classes.

[@jenniferc6018]

Love your videos! What machine are you using in this demo? Thanks for all you do.

[@user-jb9bi4ov2r]

1 000 000 likes!!!

[@kathleenblakey9621]

Thank you for the ruler! What sewing machine are you sewing on? I need a new machine

[@heatherallen9881]

Hi Angela. Another great video from you. I know you said it was Aurifil thread but what colour are you using? I have a quilt that is very multi coloured and I need a quilting thread that won’t be too obvious.

[@nancylaszcz5457]

Love it! What colour thread are you using? Can hardly wait to get your rulers❣

[@franandjerome919]

Hi Angela! I LOVE your tutorials........I have learned so much from you and your best tips for me are "echo, echo, echo" and "no one will notice small mistakes/just keep quilting"!!:-) I would really like to make that quilt/table runner. Is there a pattern for it? If not, what is the size of the flying geese and I can figure it out myself:-) It is SO colorful.....I LOVE color!

[@franandjerome919]

I just noticed someone else asked the same question and that you will post the pattern and fabric when/if it is available. Thanks!

[@kimlinderman3615]

Hi Angela - do you recommend a clear or metal ruler quilting foot? I also see many different brands available; any recommendations?

[@brendafoley6995]

Ok.. This is so wonderful!!!.So I just finished a baby quilt!. . all I did was stitch in the ditch . .thinking it would be softer. . will doing the extra quilting like this example today. . make it stiff?

[@brendafoley6995]

I used 80/20. . I'm going to quilt it more like this anyway!. .💘. . Thanks! How would you laundry this?