Parallelisms  (one or two day workshop) - This workshop is intended to be an adventure in creativity.  The student will not make a project exactly like my sample, but rather will be given a variety of techniques which can be used to set free the inner child.  We will spend time playing with color and design.  The one day workshop will involve cutting, fusing and creating.  The two day class will also include stitching!

Bring:

A sense of adventure

A love of fabric and color

Your imagination, plus . . . .

Iron and ironing surface

Teflon pressing sheet

Rotary cutter, ruler (6”x24” & 6”x6” are my favorites) and mat

Fabric and paper scissors

Fusible web - Choose one of these three: Wonder Under, Heat & Bond Lite or Steam a Seam Lite (not Steam a Seam Lite "2")

Sewing Machine (for the two day workshop only)

Fabric selection

          A quilt artist is limited only by their imagination and the fabric pallet and fibers available for use.  Therefore, to allow yourself freedom to pick and choose what is needed for self expression during class, bring many fabrics that provide a wide assortment of colors, shades, patterns and textures.  You will not use everything during class, but you will have the start of a good collection of fabrics and fibers so you can continue creating your works of art!  Sharing and exchanging with other students will be encouraged.

            Don't over think or worry about your choices; trust yourself and enjoy this chance to play.   Don’t be concerned about choosing colors that match something in your home – choose anything that appeals to you and makes you smile (it is helpful however, if these fabrics, or at least pairs of them, are fun together).

Bring:

At least six - 1/2 yard pieces of 100% cotton fabric

At least six - Fat quarters of 100% cotton fabric

(Larger pieces of fabric are fine. There’s no need to cut fabric pieces into 1/2 yard or fat quarter sizes.)

These fabrics should include colors and patterns which move and excite you such as geometrics, batiks, tone on tone prints and/or large patterns which would be effective when cut into strips and spread across a separate piece.  Some bright pieces add to the fun, and do feel free to bring things that you think you may never use - like that wild paisley you bought and can't remember why!!!

THERE ARE NO WRONG CHOICES!

          If you have additional fabrics and fibers on hand, bring those too.  This could include an assortment of sheers and lightweight specialty fabrics (anything over 3” square is good). Tulle, netting, organza, lace, etc.. Fancy, colorful yarns and threads can add to the fun.  Just look around for what you have on hand - - - don’t buy any.  We can share and exchange these items too.  

Beyond Meandering

Supply List

Sewing Machine - in good working order; feed dogs must be able to be dropped or covered; bring the manual, all accessories and a few extra bobbins.

Darning foot for machine

Basic sewing supplies (scissors, pins, name tag, etc.)

Marking Tools - bring a variety of what you like which will show up on your fabric.

Thread - good quality in at least two contrasting colors for the top and bobbin - this helps with tension adjustment.

8 to 10 (at least!) sample quilt sandwiches: a sample sandwich consists of two 16" squares of muslin layered with a square of thin, flat batting and held together with safety pins or basting spray.  Free motion quilting is always more effective and easier when using high quality batting, especially the thin, flat variety.  Some of my favorites are “Warm & Natural” or “Hobbs “Thermore” for wall quilts because they may be purchased off a roll in smaller amounts.  I also like all of the 80cotton/20 poly batts - these drape much better for crib or larger quilts.

A brainstorming project - Bring in a top and learn lots of options for quilting it as we gather around the table and discuss design options & placement.  We can learn so much by talking through a variety of quilts and sharing ideas with each other.

Repliqué Coneflowers (3 or 6 hour workshop) - Chris' first book is about this exciting technique for turning favorite pictures into quilts with machine appliqué. In this class the students will make a small wall quilt of pretty coneflowers. Once the technique is mastered the possibilities for it's use are limited only by the quilter's imagination.

Supply List

Sewing machine with adjustable stitch width & length (darning & satin stitch feet).  

Basic sewing supplies (pins, paper & fabric scissors, ripper, name tag, etc.)

Thread in a variety of colors to match fabrics & at least 3 bobbins

Scotch tape & pencil

Embroidery scissors (must have a sharp point)

Fabric: 14” square sky; 8” square each dark purple (under petals), pink (petals), and 2 different greens (stem and leaves); 6” square brown (centers). These amounts are approximate.

Optional: A variegated thread in browns & golds for embroidered spikes on flower centers.

Finishing (6 hour workshop only): 1/4 yard border fabric; 18” square each backing fabric and low loft cotton batting.

Architectural Repliqué (6 hour workshop) - This class is for anyone who has ever wanted to create a building (or just about anything else) in fabric.   In this workshop the student will begin with a picture of a favorite building (their home, church, family farm, etc.).  They will then learn how to make an exact replica in fabric by stitching directly on a copy machine enlargement.  

In the first half of class everyone will begin to make a sample block to learn the basic technique.  By making the sample block first the student is able to not only learn the technique, but make mistakes without the pressure to have a fine finished piece and have the opportunity to decide if she really likes the technique before investing in fabric or starting something with the guilt of not finishing.

During the second half of class I will work one on one with each student to determine the order of stitching and fabric choices.  A photograph of their project is necessary.  An enlargement of the photo is helpful, but not essential. This is a basic machine appliqué class, with a twist,  and  beginners as well as advanced quilters can have great results!

Supply List:  

Sewing machine with adjustable stitch width & length (darning & satin stitch feet).  

Basic sewing supplies (pins, paper & fabric scissors, ripper, name tag, etc.)

Thread in a variety of colors to match fabrics & at least 3 bobbins

Scotch tape & pencil

Embroidery scissors (must have a sharp point)

Clear color photograph of building to be appliquéd

Copy machine enlargement of photograph (optional)

Fabric for sample block:  8" x 12" piece of sky, scraps for trees, grass, bushes, roof, siding or brick, insides of windows, trim, etc.  This sample block is a good place to audition fabrics you think will work in your own home quilt. 

Mariner’s Compass Simplified (6 hour workshop) - Traditional Mariner’s Compass quilts are beautiful, but can be difficult and time consuming to piece.  This class will change that!  Students will draft a traditional Mariner’s Compass  using only a pencil and ruler.  Then they will sew directly on their pattern using foundation piecing techniques and NO TEMPLATES!   Compasses can be made any shape and size once the technique is learned.

Supply list: 

Basic Sewing Supplies (pins, paper & fabric scissors, ripper, name tag, etc.)

Sewing machine, iron & ironing surface

Ruler (6"x24") rotary cutter & mat

Add-a-quarter ruler - 12" (optional)

Mechanical pencil, color pencils & scotch tape

Fabric: 

1 yard "border" - this is the fabric the compass will be placed on.  A multicolor print works well here.

1/2 yard light background (behind points)  

1/4 yard each of a light and dark value of three different colors.  These fabrics will make up the points of the compass.  The light and dark value of each of the colors gives the points a 3-dimensional look.  Pull these colors from the multicolor border fabric.

I will provide paper for drafting the compass.

My Own Placemat (3 or 6 hour workshop)  -

A bright and colorful way for children to learn to set the table and spell the parts! In the half day workshop a good beginning will be made on the placemat, but there won't be time for quilting and finishing. In the all day class much more progress will be made.

There will be a demonstration in class on how to make word patterns on the computer.

Supply list:   

Sewing machine with adjustable stitch width and length

Darning or free motion foot for the machine

Satin stitch or appliqué foot for the machine

Basic sewing supplies (scissors, pins, seam ripper, name tag, etc.)

Clear, adhesive tape

Sharp, pointed embroidery scissors or duck billed appliqué scissors

Thread to match

Fabrics

1 fat quarter (18” x 20”) each of 3 different fabrics: choose two brightly colored fabrics for the placemat top that contrast well in color and value; and a third high contrast fabric for the backing (which will fold to the front as binding)

1 piece low-loft cotton batting: 13 ½ x 17”

Cutting – by precutting the pieces you will not need to bring rotary equipment to class!

Cut a rectangle from both contrasting fabrics for the top 14” x 18”

Cut the backing fabric: 16 ½” x 20”

A Coloring Spell (3 or 6 hour workshop) -

This quilt is not only bright and snuggly, but it teaches children about colors and spelling too! In the half day workshop just one block will be made that can be used in a pillow or small wall quilt. In the all day workshop a good start will be made on the whole quilt.

There will be a demonstration in class of how to make word patterns on the computer.

Supply list:   

Sewing machine with adjustable stitch width and length

Darning or free motion foot for the machine

Satin stitch or appliqué foot for the machine

Basic sewing supplies (scissors, pins, seam ripper, name tag, etc.)

Clear, adhesive tape

Sharp, pointed embroidery scissors or duck billed appliqué scissors

Thread to match each color (we will probably only get to 3 or 4 of the blocks in class, so bring enough thread for these)

Fabric

Background: (for the 3 hour class just bring one 12" x 14" rectangle of either a black or white)

3/4 yard black with white print (be sure it looks black from a distance)

3/4 yard white with black print (be sure it looks white from a distance)

Colors: (for the 3 hour class bring one 8" x 11" rectangle of your desired color)

¼ yard each of 15 different fabrics - pink, aqua, lilac, black, yellow, red, rust, blue, orange, green, white, brown, peach, purple & lime

Cutting

Cut eight 9” x 12” rectangles from the black fabric (two 12” strips are cut, selvedge to selvedge, and each strip is then crosscut into 4 rectangles)

Cut seven 9” x 12” rectangles from the white fabric (same as above)

Cut one 8” x 11” rectangle from each color (remaining color fabric will be used in the rainbow border)

Embellishing and Finishing (3 or 6 hour workshop)

Learn many exciting ways to complete any non-traditional or artsy quilt.  We will explore ways to play with  sheers, beads, yarns, buttons, and even add pizzazz to binding on a sample project made from a kit.

In the 6 hour class students may bring in projects in need of a creative boost and we will brainstorm ways to embellish and finish each of them.

6 hour workshop - bring an unfinished project for brainstorming and any embellishments you’re considering (tulle, lace, fancy yarns, ribbons, threads, buttons, beads, charms, etc.)!

Both workshops: Kits will be provided at a cost of $10/student (kits will include: a quilt sandwich, fusible web, needles, beading thread, embroidery floss, beads, buttons, binding strips, sheers and yarns)

Student supply list:

Sewing machine with all feet

Basic sewing supplies (scissors, pins, thread, seam ripper, pencil, etc.)

Thimble if desired