Last semester I taught a pinwheel table topper class at WCTC.
It was the first time I’d taught this class and I’m always a bit anxious about timing, and the possibility of handout errors. It can be hard to gauge how much students can accomplish in the time allotted. I had them cut their fabric strips ahead of time, and there were no problems with the handout, but I really underestimated how long it would take to sew all the strips together. After lunch everyone still had more strip sewing to do and I was getting nervous.
As some of the students finally began to reach the triangle cutting stage it became obvious that the triangle cutting and sewing was actually fun and it was great to see how the fabrics were coming together. But half the class was still sewing away on their strips and I could sympathize with their frustration. Well… by the end of class Carmen had her top done.
A few more were close to done, but – praise the Lord – everyone had at least 1/4 of the topper cut out and sewn or pinned together. I felt sure they all knew what they needed to get them finished. On the way home I still felt uneasy about the class – I always want it to be a good experience for everyone.
That night I received an email from an address I didn’t recognize that began: “It’s all your fault!!!”. I gulped, but I knew it was not spam because the rest of the message (readable prior to opening) said “I came home and the one we made in class”. That’s all I could see, but I felt I had to read the rest of the email and when I opened it this was the entire statement:
“I came home and the one we made in class was too large for our table so I shrunk it. Thanks for the technique. Deb”
She made a second, smaller one that same day! And here’s the picture 🙂 :
Wow! What an overachiever. I responded with how impressed I was, and congratulations. When I asked Deb how she did it and if I could include it in my blog she wrote: “Sure. I cut 3-1″ strips. I’m a goof ball who went home and made more. ? Turned out!! Thanks again!”
This made my evening. I then wrote to the other students and asked them to send me pictures if/when they got their tops done. Here’s what I received back!
Great job ladies. I’m so impressed with the results! They’re all lovely and it’s fun to see them in so many different colorways.
Brenda says
Hi. Where might obtain the pattern, please?
clkquilt says
A student emailed me a picture of a similar table topper and I came up with my own technique for putting it together. I only have it in handout form at this time, but I will be offering it again in the future as a class at WCTC. There may be a pattern available on line, but I made up the name for mine and am not sure what else it might be called.
Sally Mc Ferren says
There is a pattern by Rachel Pellman of Rachel’s of Greenfield for a wall quilt with this star as the center. It is called Star Spin. I believe it is a traditional Amish pattern. I first saw it on a trip to Shipshewana.
Cheryl Barkdoll says
This is a great pattern.I l liked how each one turned out. Do you sell it?
Chris Sommerfelt says
This intrigues me. The construction has me stumped!
Laura Krasinski says
I love these! Ill have to take the class if you offer it again.
Cari janssen says
Hope I am available when you next offer this class.
Bernadette Martin says
Chris,
Will you have that, or one like it, in Madison?
clkquilt says
What a great idea! I have already sent in my proposals for what I’ll teach this year, but I’ll put it on my list for 2019. Thanks.
Louise Haddon says
Took a class in 2013 at the Spring Expo at Fox Valley Tec College. The class was called Star Puzzle Table Topper by Joellyn Quinn. It was fun to make and looks much more complicated than it is.