Workshops

Workshop January 23, 2019, 9 am – 4 pm
“Shake, Rattle & Sew”

In this workshop I will share what I have learned in using the elements of design to add interest and dimension to quilt projects. We will explore the components of art (color, form, line, shape, space, texture, and value) and how to apply these to you quilt design making choices. We will use these principles and make a class project using two very tradition blocks. We will SHAKE it up, add a little pizzazz using the elements of art (RATTLE), and then SEW these creative blocks together to create one amazing wall quilt. The magic happens when you learn the elements of design and how to take an ordinary block and turn it into an extraordinary block.
Cost: $50

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Workshop January 24, 2019, 9 am – 4 pm
“Introduction to Electric Quilt 8”

Electric Quilt has released EQ8 an upgrade from EQ7. This version has an entirely new look.

This class will cover basic navigation of the software, creating a new project, using the libraries, using Quick Quilts for fast projects, adding borders, coloring tools/fabrics, creating quilt blocks and quilts, printing quilts, blocks, fabric yardage estimates, rotary cutting and foundation patterns. By the end of class you will be comfortable working with the program and be able to explore additional features on your own. Users of all levels are welcome, with special emphasis on beginners.

The EQ8 workshop requires being familiar with your computer and having EQ8 installed.

Cost: $50

Workshop February 27, 2019, 9 am – 4 pm
“Composition in Modern Quilts”

Composition is one of the most powerful tools in design. Students with or without design backgrounds are welcome in this class. We will explore elements of composition including proportion, static and dynamic forms and negative space through a series of explorations using solids. Each student will then develop one or more original “Tea House Quilts” drawing on concepts learned in class. Tea House Quilts are what we call small, (18″x24″ or so), quilts that can work as focal points in in your home, much as decorative scrolls do in Japanese tea houses and dwellings. Skill level: Adventurous beginner to advanced
Cost: $50

Workshop February 28, 2019, 9 am – 4 pm
“Working with Large Scale Prints”

Many quilters love large-scale prints but find it challenging to combine them effectively with other prints. Students will learn the design concepts behind using large-scale prints and how to show them off to their best advantage. Students will begin making our Follow the Leader quilt or a project of their choice if they already have something in mind. Our patterns and magazines all ship for free to US destinations, so please order in advance to make sure you have what you need for class. Skill level: Adventurous beginner to advanced
Cost: $50

Workshop March 27, 2019, 9 am – 4 pm
“String-Piecing”

Quilters of the feed sack era embraced string piecing as a way to use up every last fabric scrap. But it also offers countless design opportunities, which we’ll explore. Then you’ll use your own scraps to create quilt blocks on a paper foundation.  You can string-piece “free-form” or use the pattern “Signs of String” by Clark Street Quilts They use slightly different techniques and we’ll learn both.
Cost: $50 plus $10 for the “Signs of String” pattern (available for purchase on the workshop Day

Workshop March 28, 2019, 9 am – 4 pm
Goodness Grows Table Runner

This pattern includes an opportunity to make log cabin blocks and learn a clever variation on string piecing. The finished runner measures 18” x 49”. Both the runner and the larger quilt that is also included in the pattern will ensure you feel cheerful all year long!
Cost: $50, plus $10 for the “Goodness Grows” pattern (available for purchase on the workshop Day

Workshop April 24, 2019, 9 am – 4 pm
Blurred Lines

This class will get you over your fear of triangles.  Using the 8-at-a-time triangle squares method you’ll be able to piece this quilt much quicker than you ever thought you could.  The choice of fabric is what makes the lines in this quilt blur and help create movement in the design.  75″ x 87″ finished.
Cost: $50

Workshop April 25, 2019, 9 am – 4 pm
Will You Walk Into My Parlor?

Using fat quarters of red and tan (or contemporary colors), weave a spider’s web that’s not to be denied. The blocks in this quilt have many names such as “Young Gentleman’s Fancy” and “Spiders Den.” We’ve chosen Spider’s Den as our inspiration and titled this quilt “Will You Walk Into My Parlor” after the famous poem by Mary Howitt. This is an intermediate class that will delve into making strip sets and working with elongated triangles/rectangles.
A handy tool, cutting diagrams, and strip-pieced nine patches make sure you don’t get stuck.
Requires some fabric cutting prior to workshop. Instructions will be emailed to participants.
Cost: $50

Workshop May 29, 2019, 9 am – 4 pm
Moonlit/Sunlit: An Introduction to Creating a Landscape Quilt

One of the things I hear quite often is “Oh, I could never make a landscape quilt. I have no idea where to start and it would be too hard”. With that in mind I decided to create a landscape quilt pattern that would not only be easy to create but would allow for a variety of personal color choices and embellishment options. What I came up with the Moonlit/Sunlit pattern. This little quilt finishes at 20 x 16 inches and can be created out of fat quarters or smaller scraps. This simple little quilt goes together in a couple of hours, and can be finished with a variety of different embellishments – paints, beads, flower buttons, etc. the possibilities are absolutely endless. Class limited to 20 students
Cost: $50 includes cost of pattern

Workshop May 30, 2019, 9 am – 4 pm
Curvy Improv

Curvy Improv is a pattern that brings together my love of free-form curved piecing techniques and raw edge applique. My liberating approach takes all the traditional rules for perfect cutting and piecing and tosses them right out the window making this a fun and worry-free project for quilters of all levels.
Once you know the basics of how to create these blocks you will se the endless possibilities of creation! Pone of the best things about this quilt patter is I show how to make use of the last of the scraps on the back of the quilt so there is very little waste. It goes together fast and fun and can be completed in a couple of days. Class limited to 20 students
Cost: $50 includes cost of pattern

Workshop June 26, 2019, 9 am – 4 pm
Mini Moon Dance

What do you get when you combine any three colors? An explosion of color theory! Explore some of the ideas behind color theory while creating a mini version of the Moon Dance pattern from Sew Kind of Wonderful.
This class focuses on curved piecing without pins or finding the ‘center.’ Open to all skill levels.  Cost: $50

Workshop June 27, 2019, 9 am – 4 pm
Sedona

Challenge: Select two fabrics and colors you love and make your quilt timeless with a two-color layout! Choose solids to give it heirloom beauty. Sedona is a beautiful quilt that has a variety of blocks with both straight and curved piecing. The QCR Mini Ruler makes cutting and sewing curves fast, easy and fun! Choose 1, 2, 3, or all 11 blocks to create the beginnings of a quilt which will be timeless and unique. Quick cutting and piecing techniques will be taught and demonstrated to make your original design fast, fun and finished! This class explores curved piecing without pins or finding the ‘center.’ Open to all skill levels.
Cost: $50

Workshop July 24. 2019, 9 am – 4 pm
Christmas in July

Start this asymmetrical quilt in July so that you’ll have one ready to go for the holidays–or several if you become addicted to the pattern and exploring how to change it up like I did. “Bright Christmas” is a free pattern, available from Hoffman California Fabrics, that uses two sizes of equilateral triangles to create a simple yet stunning design. In the workshop, I’ll show you how I’ve adapted the sizes of the triangles to change the quilt from the original lap size  (54″ x 66″) to wall-hanging and tiny quilt sizes. In addition to size variations, you’ll discover color and triangle placement options to add depth and originality to the pattern. This is a perfect Christmas fabric stashbuster quilt. The more variety, the better.
Cost: $50

Workshop July 25, 2019, 9 am – 4 pm
Quilting, Basics and Beyond.

Brush-up on your quilting skills with a master quilter. Introduce a friend to the joys of quilting!
Learn and practice in a relaxed, congenial setting. Topics covered will include strip sets, rotary cutting, hand quilting, fundamentals of piecing, and a variety of other skills that contribute to a satisfying quilting experience.
Cost: $50

Workshop October 23, 2019, 9 am – 4 pm
“Hawaiian Applique”

The lacy elegance of paper snowflakes is translated into fabric in this applique technique indigenous to the Hawaiian Islands. Surround a 12” central motif with an elegant appliqued border. The resulting 24” piece is stunning by itself, or spectacular as the central medallion for your next quilt. Students will learn how to design a motif, apply it to the background, and applique with invisible stitchery. This is a handwork class; no sewing machine required. This class is limited to 16 students.
Proficiency: Hand applique at all levels
Cost: $50

Workshop October 24, 2019, 9 am – 4 pm
“Crossroads Scrap Quilt”

One of the things I love about doing scrap quilts is that I learn something new about fabric combinations with each quilt I do. The construction technique for this quilt contain a bit of magic! Using four patch blocks in the construction of this nine patch variation will really allow you to fine-tune your piecing and fabric selection skills. This class is limited to 16 students.
Proficiency: All levels
Cost: $50