Classes

Learn to Quilt Series

At the request of the venues where I am teaching classes this year, I have been asked to create some classes for those who are just learning to sew for the first time.

This series of classes is geared toward beginners who want to learn how to sew or make quilts. Each one teaches foundation skills required in sewing and quilting many different types of quilts. You can take just one or two classes or all of them in the series.

1. Patchwork Trivet – Use your stash of scraps or fat quarters to create this functional and decorative trivet. The trivet is constructed from a cover that allows for a ceramic tile to be inserted from an opening on the back. Just remove the tile for easy washing. Learn to patchwork quilt with this quick and fun project. This project measures 12 inches square and will accommodate a 12” tile.

2 3-hour sessions

2. Learn to Quilt- Patchwork Table Runner- Learn Patchwork Quilting with this quick and easy table runner. You will learn how to rotary cut squares and triangles, sew them together with matching points, assemble the blocks into one piece and sew simple borders. The block pattern allows for large colorful printed fabrics with coordinating colors and can be increased in size for a longer table runner. The project size is 32” x 20”

2 3-hour sessions or 1 day workshop

3. Learn to Applique – Applique is the name given to free-form shapes such as flowers or leaves stitched on the surface of a quilt top. Once you learn how to do this easy technique you can apply it to adding foliage, landscapes, animals or even people into finished quilts. This class is designed to teach the very basics of machine appliqué quilting. The project is a Tulip Trio Pattern by Bee Creative Studio and measures 10” x 18.”

I day workshop

4. Basic Borders for Quilts

This class is for those who want to learn how to apply different kinds of simple borders to their quilts.

Often, when making a quilt, there is very little instruction as to how to put on the borders so that the quilt lays flat and is framed to its best advantage. In this class we will be working on a small sample that will teach the following: Preparing your quilt for adding borders, straight borders, mitered borders, Bias Square borders. This project provides a good opportunity to frame a preprinted 12 inch panel or large scale floral fabric in the center. It measures 24” x 24” and can be used as a table center or the start of a larger quilt project.

2 3-hour sessions

5. Binding Your Quilt

This class is for those who have made a quilt and don’t know how to finish the edges.

No matter how you construct your quilt, what methods you use, or how well it turned out, you still have to bind and finish the edges. This class will teach you how to apply a classic French Double Fold Binding on a small sample that has been the method used to finish quilts for generations. We will also cover a quick quilt binding on machine. The project measures 12” square and can be used as a pot holder or table center.

I day workshop

6. Bias Binding Method for Scalloped or Curved – Edged Quilts

1 6 hour or 2-3 hour sessions

This class is for those have taken the first binding class and want to learn to bind curved edged quilts.

If you want to have smooth edges on a curved edge quilt you will need to learn how to use bias strips to finish your binding edges. In this class we will learn how to do classic French Double fold and Quick bias bindings for curved edge quilts.

Machine Quilting Series

1. Introduction to Machine Quilting

Are you a quilter with projects that need to be quilted but don’t have the time to quilt by hand? Do you want to finish your quilts but don’t know how? Well, bring a sample to class and learn how to put your quilt layers together and quilt it with your sewing machine in no time. The class is designed to teach you how to prepare your quilt top and machine quilt it using two different methods – straight stitch and free-motion quilting. You will need to bring your own sewing machine fitted with a walking foot and a free-motion foot for quilting. Or you can use a Bernina for the day, if you wish. You must have some quilting experience and be able to operate your own sewing machine. These classes are difficult to photograph.

2. Next Step

This is the second machine quilting class which is a further development or continuation of the first session. We will learn more ornate and delicate machine quilting patterns as well as using specialty threads, bobbin adjustments, types of sewing machine needles, etc. For those of you who would like to move beyond stippling to more interesting quilted backgrounds, this is the class for you. You must have some machine quilting experience and be ready for more interesting designs.

3. Fantastic Feathers

Try your hand at fantastic free-motion feathers – even if you have struggled with this motif before. This method will have you conquering the design and mastery of fine feather quilting on the very first day of class – really!!! We will learn the basic free-form feather and go on to embellish them. We will also discuss the perils and pitfalls of this timeless and beautiful motif. You must have some free-motion quilting experience – no drawing ability necessary.

4. Vivaceous Vines

This course presents another type of Machine Quilting expertise– leaves, vines, garlands and more. You must have taken a previous machine quilting course or be somewhat familiar with free-motion quilting. These vines will utilize and combine aspects of other Machine Quilting Courses as well as embellishment ideas for new designs. You will have an extensive repertoire of interesting leaf designs to use in your future quilts after this class. In this session, we will be stitching leaves and vines of various sizes and styles, as well as embellishing and combining patterns. The goal is to become comfortable with leaf shapes, flowing vines, and changing patterns back and forth “midstream”.

5. Fast Fabulous Fillers for Machine Quilting

There are so many new machine quilting patterns to learn and not enough time to try them. Spend a day with some new and unusual filler patterns for your quilts to make them pop! If you need more background fill pattern ideas for machine quilting your quilts besides stippling, this class is for you. These can be used anywhere an all-over pattern is desired including around Appliqué motifs or throughout borders in a quilt.

6. More Fantastic Feathers

This class is a continuation of the Fantastic Feathers class, with new ways or creating and embellishing feathers. There are so many things that can be done with the feather motif, I tried to get more into another one-day workshop, but there is still a whole lot more. Maybe there will be a Fantastic Feathers 3 soon.

7. Best of Show Bindings

No matter how you construct your quilt, what methods you use, nor how well it turned out, you still have to bind and finish the edges. This class will teach two different methods of binding a quilt. The first one is called, the “Get-Accepted-Into-National-Quilt-Shows” binding and the second is called, the “Get-This-Quilt-Finished-And-Get-On-With-Your-Life” binding. Both look very similar and provide a nice, clean edge, but one keeps the rules while the other kind of looks like it’s keeping the rules. You will be pleased with the look of either one.

8. Quilt Design Elevation

You can add interest and dimension to your finished quilts with elevated areas of machine quilting. Just like an Oreo cookie, you can “Double Stuff” certain quilting design areas and “Single Stuff” others to bring out certain areas you want to dominate or showcase. The class sample will include different machine quilting patterns with some lifting off the surface more than others. You should have some machine quilting experience to take this class.

9. Needle and Thread Guide for Machine Quilting

There are so many fabulous new threads available to the quilter, you could spend a small fortune buying them all. Maybe you have already done this and are less than pleased with how your machine accepts them. If you dare to try them they do what nothing else can do – make you look like a sewing genius! And who doesn’t need that once in awhile? These threads include all the unusual fibers and combinations - the metallics, the variegateds, the fat cottons, the slivers, holograms, razzle dazzles, trilobals– even the names make you reach for your meds. From the Understated, the Hard Working Middle Class, the Attention-Getters or the Drama Queens, spend a day learning how to use common as well as unusual threads in your machine quilting motifs.

Beginning Quilt Making

I have been teaching this class in many different places and a variety of age groups for 17 years now. It is the foundation class for new quilters and is the most comprehensive Beginning quilting class in the area. We cover the craft of quiltmaking from beginning to end and don't leave you hanging with an unfinished project. You will learn all the basics for completing a nine- block sampler, which includes the following: fabric selection, rotary cutting, several block categories, hand-quilting, basting, binding, and more. Most students are amazed when they see their own work and realize their tremendous accomplishment after just one quilt course. No previous experience necessary. Each student is required to have access to a working basic home sewing machine in order to work on the project between classes, if needed. Material lists will be given out the first night of class. Complete Quiltmaking Manual available for purchase at $20 each payable to the instructor the first night of class.

Hand-Carved Applique

For those who love floral quilts but are daunted by traditional appliqué, this might be a method you want to learn to do yourself. Traditional appliqué, with cotton quilt fabric, requires you to finish the edges, either by hand or by machine. Your options include freezer paper, fusible web, machine appliqué, satin-stitch, etc. etc. and you have to do this for every flower petal, leaf and stem. What would you think if you could find a much quicker, easier method and get more beautiful and realistic results – REAL-LOOKING flower petals and leaves? This method can be adapted to any appliqué quilt pattern you already have – no need to purchase any new book or pattern. This technique is called Hand Carved Applique because you cut and seal the edges in one operation. The fabrics used here are different colored synthetic sheers.

This method uses heat tools with synthetic fabrics to carve and seal the edges. The heat tools are easy to find in any hobby store and are not expensive. You can use a soldering iron, wood burning tool, leather burning tool, or Textile tool with a stylus tip. Simply using the tool like a pencil to draw around a cardboard shape carves and seals in one operation. The tip is very hot and and must be used on a glass surface – an old empty picture frame will do.

These workshops are designed to teach the technique in one day, but you can apply this to any floral pattern you already own. There are 4 workshops to choose from in the Hand Carved series.

1. Window Box of Tulips

This is the simplest version of this technique. Each tulip is carved from layers of sheer synthetic organza in different colors and machine appliqued onto a pre-quilted background with monofilament thread. Patterns and directions are included in class. Heat tools are also available on loan for the day. Project measure 10" x 22".

2. Iris

You can create a realistic bloom of Iris for your walls with this hand-carved appliquéd wall-hanging. The leaves and blossoms are three – dimensional and lift off the surface of the quilt and twist and turn – just as they do in a real garden. The leaves have a light amount of machine embroidery and the quick and easy hand carving makes the project fast and accurate – you might even want to make a pair for a bare winter wall. Project measures 15" x 20".

3. Blooming Flowers

This little art quilt is a further development of the Hand-Carved Applique technique. In this workshop, layers of synthetic sheers, satin, lame and Angelina fibers are sandwiched together and cut out with the heat tool. It is then lightly machine embroidered in a hoop, then cut out with the heat tool. the flowers and leaves glitter and shine and can be used in a wall hanging as shown or attached to a hat or bag. Project measures 17' x 21".

4. Caladium Garden

This small wallhanging is designed for those who are tired of conventional applique and want to learn something more interesting and realistic to nature. It features a Caladium Garden on a dark velvety background. We will be using the Hand Carved Appliqué and Free-Motion embroidery techniques for the leaves and stems. If you haven't heard of Hand-Carved Applique, you are in for a treat. The leaves are created using a soldering iron (or fabric texturing tool) to carve the shapes out of shimmering sheers and satins - just like real flowers and leaves. The leaves have some light machine embroidery as well as the magic of Shiva Paintiks for altering fabric for artistic advantage. Paintstiks are provided, depending on class size. This is such a quick and realistic “garden” you may decide to make up several with different velvet colors as gifts for your loved ones. Project measure 30"x 16"

Machine Needlefelting Series

If you own a needlefelting machine such as the Babylock Embellisher, the Janome Xpression, the Fab Felter" from Nancy's Notions, the Pfaff Smart-350 or the Huskystar ER-10, then lucky you. Now you can reproduce beautiful Art Quilts and learn a new technique on your machine. You can also use the needlefelting attachment from Bernina or Brother machines to produce these projects. I expect more and more sewing machine companies will be offering this accessory to their machines in the near future so check with your machine dealer to see if you can have your sewing machine fitted with a needlefelting attachment.

If you have been looking for some classes that teach you how to use your felting machine than look no further. Following are 5 different workshops that get you well acquainted with your machine and teach different ways of using it.

1. Kimberton

This little quilt introduces the needle felting method to those who may have this machine and don't know what to do with it or may have a needle felting attachment available for their sewing machine and don't know what to do with it either. Three small panels, made entirely of wool roving, are created on the felting machine first, then placed onto a pre-quilted background of flannel. Of course, you can use the panels any way you wish, such as a bag adornment or an individual quiltlet. Quilt pattern is included with the class notes. This project measures 15" x 32". Kits are available , which include wool roving, wool yarn, 1 hand felting needle. $12 over and above class fees

2. Santa Fe

This small art quilt is made entirely of wool roving, wool yarn and wool fabric, put together on the felting machine. The circular medallions are made emtirely on the felting machine and then appliqued onto a flannel pre-quilted quilt. Quilt pattern is included in the class notes. Of course, you can use the panels any way you wish, such as a bag or garment adornment or an individual quiltlet. This project measures 15" x 32". Kits are available , which include wool roving, wool yarn, 1 hand felting needle. $12 over and above class fees

3.Falling Leaves

Imagine the maple leaves turning colors and falling gracefully to the ground. Now you can reproduce this beautiful autumn Art Quilt by creating the leaves on the felting machine and then attaching them on to a pre-quilted quilt. Pattern for the quilt is included in the class notes. The quilt is machine quilted and measures 34” wide by 48” long. If you don't want to make the quilt, you can just come and learn how to create leaves on the felting machine for another project. This class requires a $12 kit purchase (includes wool roving in various autumn colors; wool yarn for stems; 1 hand felting needle).

5. Impressionistic Landscapes

Coming Soon