Success Spotlight

Jacqueline's Quilting Journey to Confidence and Creativity

One of the best parts of teaching is watching students discover what they are capable of doing.  

When Jacqueline Black joined Living Water Quilter classes, she wanted to learn how to finish her quilts herself and add her own creative touch to every project.

Through practice, learning, and persistence, she built the confidence to use free-motion quilting, and ruler quilting in her quilts.  

I recently sat down with Jacqueline to talk about her quilting journey and what she has learned along the way. 

Note: The responses below reflect Jacqueline's thoughts and experiences gathered from both her Student Spotlight questionnaire and Quilt Conversations LIVE interview. Some responses have been combined and edited for clarity and flow while remaining true to her quilting journey and perspective.

Watch Jacqueline's feature on 
Quilt Conversations LIVE!

How long have you been quilting?

I've been quilting for 11 years. What first drew me in was the creativity. My daughter-in-law brought an unfinished quilt when she came to visit, and together we figured out how to get it finished.

By the time we were done, I thought, "This is really fun. I think I could do this."  Since then, I've made quilts for family, friends, grandchildren, and mission projects.

I enjoy making something that will be useful and meaningful to someone else.

Why do you want to finish your quilt tops with free-motion quilting or ruler quilting?

For a while I mainly used a walking foot to finish quilts.

Then I had a large quilt professionally quilted and realized I couldn't afford to do that all the time. I wanted to find a way to finish my own quilts and have more choices in how they looked.

Learning free-motion quilting and ruler quilting opened up a whole new world of possibilities for me.

Jacqueline's Quilt

Why did you decide to take the classes?

I want to be good at quilting and that comes from learning. It was important to understand how my machine works for free-motion and rulers. I wanted to learn how to set it up properly.

I wanted to understand thread choices and how to create designs that worked on my quilts. The classes gave me a place to start and a path to follow. 

Which Living Water Quilter classes have you taken?

I've taken the Alphabet Design Free -motion course, Snowflake Wonderland ruler and the Free Motion Feather classes.

Each one built on the previous one. One thing built upon another and before I knew it, I was moving right along and finishing quilts with techniques and designs learned.

How did the format of the class affect your learning and your motivation?

I prefer learning in a self-paced environment. Because of this, I truly enjoyed the online video Alphabet Design Free-motion course.  

Submitting photos of practice pieces and receiving feedback, was just the right amount of encouragement and motivation. Plus, I’m neither ahead or behind in the course.

Jacqueline's Garden Variety Quilt

What are some things you learned that have been especially helpful? 

Learning machine setup was huge for me. If the machine isn't set up correctly, it's difficult to be successful.

I also learned that practice matters. You have to keep practicing in order to get the motion in your mind and the feel of it in your hands.

I use plexiglass and dry-erase markers to draw quilting designs before I ever start stitching. 

How has your perspective on quilting changed since taking the classes?

I now see it as doable where previously I had no clue how to make it happen.

Now I understand that these are skills that can be learned.  The classes helped break things down into manageable steps, and that made a huge difference.

Has your confidence in free-motion quilting increased? 

 Absolutely.  I know I can complete my projects by applying the techniques and tips I learned in the classes.

I gained confidence because each step built on the one before it. The more I practiced and completed projects, the more confident I became. 

What accomplishments are you most proud of?  

I learned how to use the tools I already had I've finished a lot of quilts, including many quilt-as-you-go projects.  

One of my favorite accomplishments was learning feathers. Since I had the foundation from the Alphabet Design Free Motion Course, it became achievable.

Jacqueline's Drunkard's Path Quilt

What changed in your quilting after taking the classes?

I now have choices.  

I stabilize my quilts.

I can choose ruler work.

I can choose free-motion quilting.

I can combine techniques. That's probably the biggest difference.

I don't feel limited anymore.

What helped you learn the most?

I love the teacher-student model where I can upload my work for comments.

Watching the videos and doing the work brought great success.  

The feedback helped me know what I was doing well and where I could improve. That encouragement helped me keep moving forward.

What is the most important lesson you've learned? 

Do not rush the process. Each quilt is an opportunity to be the best one yet. Slow down and enjoy. That's something I remind myself often. 

Did the classes help you reach your goals? 

Absolutely. One of my goals was to learn how to finish more quilts myself.

Today I've completed many quilts and continue to use the skills I learned in every new project. Each quilt is an opportunity to learn something new.

Jacqueline's Garden Variety Quilt

What's next for you?

 I still consider myself a student. I don't think I'll ever get to the point where I've learned enough.  

That's part of what I enjoy about quilting. There's always something new to learn, another technique to try, and another quilt to finish. And that's what keeps quilting exciting for me.

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