Quick wins for a faster PC:
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →
ThatPainter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More
Angela Walters’ books and classes can help you choose and practice free-motion quilting designs, but they serve different needs. If you are still learning basic machine control, start with instruction that teaches those fundamentals; Walters’ first free-motion book is primarily about choosing designs, while her shape-focused book is aimed at quilters who already know the basics. Her class catalog also lists online and in-person learning, including ruler-focused lessons.
Who is Angela Walters?
Angela Walters is a machine quilter, author, and teacher associated with Quilting Is My Therapy. Her official site presents quilting instruction and community-building as central to her work, with online and in-person classes. The site’s welcoming philosophy is summed up in Walters’ words: “Quilting can be enjoyed by everyone.”
Which Angela Walters book should you start with?
Choose by what you need help with: deciding what design to quilt, or finding motifs that fit particular shapes in a quilt. Neither publisher description presents these books as a fundamentals-first course in basic free-motion machine control.
| Book | Best fit | What it covers | Important scope note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free-Motion Quilting with Angela Walters | Quilters looking for design ideas, especially for modern quilts | The publisher describes 28 continuous-line designs, with guidance on choosing quilting designs, thread, and batting. | The publisher says it is not a step-by-step guide to learning basic free-motion skills. |
| Shape by Shape Free-Motion Quilting with Angela Walters | Quilters who already understand free-motion basics and want motifs for specific areas | More than 70 designs for blocks, negative space, and borders, including squares, circles, triangles, diamonds, and hexagons. | The publisher quotes a Library Journal recommendation for quilters ready for further challenges. |
Simon & Schuster lists both titles as trade paperbacks. The ISBN for Free-Motion Quilting with Angela Walters is 9781607055358; the ISBN for Shape by Shape Free-Motion Quilting with Angela Walters is 9781607057888. The publisher says the first book’s designs can be made on a standard sewing machine or a longarm machine.
#1 Best Overall
How to learn free-motion quilting with Angela Walters
Pick a learning route based on the skill you want to build and how you prefer to learn. The Quilting Is My Therapy class catalog lists online and in-person instruction for learners from first-timers to experienced quilters. Its listed resources include free-motion quilting-alongs focused on feathers, dot-to-dot designs, and arcs, curves, and points with rulers. Class access and details can change, so check the current catalog.
- Need design-selection ideas? Start with Free-Motion Quilting with Angela Walters if you already have basic free-motion control.
- Want designs for blocks, borders, or open areas? Consider Shape by Shape Free-Motion Quilting with Angela Walters once you are comfortable with free-motion quilting.
- Prefer demonstrations or a guided quilting-along? Look through the current Quilting Is My Therapy class catalog for an online or in-person option that matches your level.
- Want to learn ruler-guided motifs? Choose a lesson that covers ruler setup and technique, and use a purpose-made machine-quilting ruler compatible with your machine.
Can you use a ruler for free-motion quilting?
Yes. Ruler-guided free-motion quilting uses a purpose-made ruler as a guide while the quilter moves the fabric under the machine. The ruler can help with arcs and related shapes, but it is not interchangeable with an ordinary thin cutting ruler. Check the ruler’s thickness against your machine’s ruler foot and shank setup before using or buying one.
Rank #2
- Stash Books-Free-Motion Quilting Workbook
Creative Grids identifies its Smiley ruler, designed by Walters, as a non-slip machine-quilting tool for arcs, curved echoes, continuous curves, cables, and other designs. Missouri Star’s guide distinguishes low-shank rulers at 1/8 inch from high-shank rulers at 1/4 inch, and describes its Slim ruler as a beginner option. Those thicknesses make machine and ruler-foot compatibility an important part of choosing a tool.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
For guided instruction, Craftsy’s page for Quilting With Rulers: Free Motion Made Simple describes six lessons totaling 2 hours 11 minutes. Topics include ruler selection, machine setup and a special ruler foot, straight and curved designs, echoes, and combining designs. Check the class page for current access terms.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #3
- Shape by Shape Free Motion Quilting with Angela Walters 70 plus Designs for Blocks, Backgrounds and Borders
- User friendly and visually exciting, the contents are first divided into three sections: Blocks, Negative Space, and Borders Then, to make it even more accessible, the Blocks section is further organized by five shapes: Squares, Triangles, Circles, Diamonds, and Hexagons
- 30 Sheets
- With an illustrated index, step by step illustrations for shapes for negative space, and borders any quilting project
- Features full page quilt photos, close up details of stitched designs, and a comprehensive visual index - 128 pages, color, 8-1/2 inch x 10-1/2 inch
How to choose your next step
- If machine control is new to you, seek a class or guide that explicitly teaches basic free-motion skills. The publisher says Walters’ first book does not serve as that step-by-step fundamentals course.
- If you can already move fabric confidently, choose between design-selection guidance in Free-Motion Quilting with Angela Walters and shape-specific motif ideas in Shape by Shape.
- If you want instructor demonstrations, compare the current official class listings by format, skill level, and subject before enrolling.
- If you want to quilt with rulers, verify the ruler, ruler foot, and machine setup are compatible, then follow instruction that covers ruler handling.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
