Begin your Longarm Quilting Journey with Confidence

Join Angela Huffman for the Beginning Longarm Class

quilted joy quilted joy

Congratulations! You’re the proud owner of a longarm quilting machine! Now that you have it all set up, it’s time to learn how to use your machine.

The APQS Beginning Longarm Class is a comprehensive class for brand new quilting machine owners. During class you’ll learn:

  • Multiple ways to load a quilt on a frame
  • How to set tension
  • Everything about needles, thread, and batting
  • How us use pantographs and realign them for each row
  • Basic machine maintenance (APQS specific)
  • How to troubleshoot the most common problems
  • Starting a longarm quilting business
  • And so much more!

We have so much to share with you during this 6 hour class! This class is all lecture/demonstration. We encourage you to ask lots of questions during class and hope you have a list of questions ready before class starts. We will take a lunch break during class (usually around noon). 

Don’t forget, this class is FREE if you purchased a new or factory certified used APQS machine in the past year. If you recently purchased an APQS machine, please send us an email and one of our quilt fairies will help you register for class.

Don’t own an APQS machine? Not a problem! The APQS Beginning Longarm class is open to owners of any brand quilting machine! Most of our class topics will be the same across all brands of longarm machines. Ready to sign up for class? Choose a date from the class list below to register!

This class was designed for those who’ve recently purchased a machine. If you’re interested in renting time on the longarm machines in our Louisville, KY showroom, please click here for more information on rentals and the rental certification class.

*Please note that the APQS Beginning Longarm class is offered both online and in our Louisville, KY shop! Please read the class descriptions below carefully to make sure you schedule for your preferred format.

Frequently Asked Questions About the APQS Beginning Longarm Class

  • Is this class in person or online?

    Quilted Joy teaches this class both in person and online! Our in person classes are taught in the Quilted Joy shop in Louisville, KY. Our virtual, online classes are taught in a live Zoom video conference. Registrants will be given a link to watch and participate. You will be able to ask questions in this format too!

    Using the form above, you’ll see in the class description if the class is virtual or in person. If you have any questions about where a class is held, please give us a call at 502-718-7148 or send us an email and one of our quilt fairies will be happy to help!

  • I’m a new APQS owner, how do I take this class for free?

    Congratulations on your new APQS machine! If you recently purchased an APQS machine, please send us an email and one of our quilt fairies will help you register for class.

    As part of your APQS machine purchase, APQS pays the student fees for this class for all new owners who take the class within one year of delivery of machine. You are only able to take the class for free once and by taking this course with Angela you will not be able to take the class with another APQS rep.

    If you bought a used APQS machine from a private individual, unfortunately APQS will not pay for your class fees. We know you’ll learn a lot from this class and hope you’ll join us! You can register for your desired date by filling out the form above.

  • Will the virtual class be recorded?

    Yes! We record our online Zoom class and post it so you can rewatch later.

  • I don’t have an APQS longarm, can I still take this class?

    Absolutely! We’ve had many different brand owners join us for class over the years. While some of the class is APQS specific (like the maintenance, thread path, and a few other things), the majority of topics we’ll discuss in class will apply to any brand of machine.

  • Is this class hands on?

    No, this class is all lecture/demonstration. There is a lot of information Angela wants to share with you, and she only has 6 hours to do it! We’ve learned that lecture, demonstration, and lots of time to answer your questions is the best way to ensure we can cover everything we need to during class. You are encouraged to have a notepad and pen so you can take lots of notes during class!

  • What will we learn during class?

    We are going to cover lots of information during class! Topics we’ll cover during class include:

    • How to use your longarm machine, from adding a needle, threading the machine, and starting and stopping.
    • The best needles, thread, and batting for longarm quilting.
    • Multiple ways to load a quilt on a frame.
    • How to use paper pantographs on a longarm machine.
    • Basic machine maintenance (APQS specific).
    • How to set tension for a longarm machine.
    • How to troubleshoot common issues
    • Tips for starting your own longarm quilting business

    That’s a long list, and it’s only a portion of what we’ll cover! Be sure to bring your questions, because we want to make sure you leave class confident and ready to start quilting on your machine.