Workshops

I have divided my workshops into two categories: Process or Project

Process Workshops are presented in either a Lecture/No Sew format or a Technique Sample format. In a Lecture/No Sew process workshop I define, explain, and illustrate numerous topics using visual aids, mock-up samples and quilts. Students come to class with paper and pencil for note taking, and an open, curious mind. A Technique Sample process workshop allows the students to gain knowledge and hands-on experience creating samples of various techniques and methods that can be used in their future work. Both styles of process workshops give the students an opportunity to take advantage of gaining information, experience and an understanding of various topics and techniques, as well as ask questions, without getting attached to or preparing for a project. Both types of process workshops can be customized to either a full day or half day.

Project Workshops are presented in one day, two day or multiple day (3-5) time frames. Although students do not complete the entire project (at least not yet!) in the allotted time, a handout is usually included and a complete explanation of the information is covered.

Process Workshops

Achieving Quality Workmanship - 5 to 6 Hours OR 2 1/2 to 3 Hours
This Lecture/No Sew class will focus on how to achieve quality workmanship and precision sewing in any size or scale based on my book, “Mastering Precision Piecing.” I will illustrate, explain and/or demonstrate my approach on choosing color and fabric as well as a variety of techniques including how to accurately rotary cut, accurate 1/4” seam allowance, template making, y-seam construction, various triangle techniques, how to measure and monitor your own work and more. Note-taking supplies are all you need. If you are interested in knowing how to improve your sewing skills, this is the class for you! Although this class is based on my book it is not required for class. All Skill Levels Welcome.

Borders, Bindings and Edges - 5 to 6 Hours OR 2 1/2 to 3 Hours
This Lecture/No Sew class will focus on how to design, figure out and fit pieced borders, corner triangles, narrow borders, spacer borders, automatic fit borders, and mitered symmetrical border prints to your quilts. I will define, explain and illustrate each style with lots of quilts, visual aids and mock-up samples. Time permitting, some binding and edge styles will also be covered. Notetaking supplies are all you need. If you are interested in bringing your next quilt to a beautiful conclusion, this is the class for you. Although this class is based on my newest book “Borders, Bindings and Edges” it is not required for class. All Skill Levels Welcome.

Binding Technique Sample Class - 5 to 6 Hours OR 2 1/2 to 3 Hours
This Process/Technique Sample class will allow students to gain hands on experience as they take one fabric/batting sandwich and apply binding in four different ways: mitered corner with straight grain double fold binding, rounded corner with bias binding, piping and piping/binding combination. A second sandwich will be used to learn how to join the ends of binding in sequential steps to refer back to again and again. Skill Level: Very Confident Beginner and Beyond.

Basic Drafting - 6 Hours
This process/Technique Sample class welcomes all levels of experience and will focus on understanding and learning to identify the basic grid of patchwork blocks. Students will draft several blocks from the 4 Patch, 5 Patch, 7 Patch, 9 Patch and 8 Pointed Star drafting categories and become familiar with their logical piecing sequence as they broaden their perspective and add to their quiltmaking experience. A handout is included. If you have always wanted to know how to change and redraft blocks to the size you want, this is the class for you. All Skill Levels Welcome.

Project Workshops

Quality workmanship is always the focus. The information covered in class is applicable to all sizes and scales of patchwork and are of great benefit to all quilters wishing to improve their sewing skills.

Framed Double Wedding Ring - 6 Hours
This project uses bias strips, metal bias bars, four patches and hand applique to develop this beautiful, traditional design. Each step will be covered in detail, including finishing and framing. This is a beautiful keepsake to give or enjoy yourself. Handout is included. All Skill Levels Welcome. PHOTO OF PROJECT IS IN THE GALLERY.

Pieced Baskets - 6 Hours
This class will focus on precision sewing, quality workmanship and multiple half-square triangle techniques to create a lovely basket block in two different sizes (1-7/8” and 3-1/8”). Students can choose either one or both sizes, depending on their skill level. Class time is spent between lecture, explanation, demonstration and student sewing time. A handout for the project is included. Skill Level: Very Confident Beginner and Beyond. PHOTO OF PROJECT IS IN THE GALLERY.

My Stars - 6 Hours
This project combines 3” and 1-1/2” sawtooth stars with accuracy being the focus as students create double half-square triangle units to create the block(s). Students can choose either one or both sizes, depending on their skill level. Class time will be spent between lecture, explanation, demonstration and student sewing time. A handout for the project is included. Skill Level: Very Confident Beginner and Beyond. PHOTO OF PROJECT IS IN THE GALLERY.

Learning to Love Templates - 6 Hours
These will be the most accurate templates you have ever made, I promise! Templates are tools that give high rewards and improve our potential for both quality and custom work...they support total freedom in design and will expand your quiltmaking experience. Using a traditional style block, this class will focus on how to MAKE accurate templates, how to accurately CUT FABRIC using those templates and then accurately SEW the block together. Skill Level: Very Confident Beginner and Beyond.

Symmetrical Border Prints and How to Use Them - 2 Days
This project class will focus on designing with mirrors and templates while exploring the many uses of a symmetrical border print fabric. Your chosen border print will serve as the color pallette, as well as be cut and pieced within a 12” patchwork block and then used as the final border. You will learn to match the fabric print at the corners perfectly to create a continuous design around the quilt. If you’ve always wanted to know more about border print fabrics and how to use them, this is the class for you. Skill Level: Intermediate and Beyond. PHOTO OF PROJECT IS IN THE GALLERY.

Patchwork Pincushion - 2 Days
This class will focus on precision piecing using a 3” sampler block that is bordered and then finished with a piped edge, filled and closed. Effective methods and techniques for choosing color and fabric, cutting, sewing, finishing and evaluating/measuring your own work will be covered to help students achieve quality workmanship in any scale. Students will receive a handout for reference in addition to teacher explanation and some demonstration. If you are interested in improving your sewing skills and creating a great product, this is the class for you. Skill Level: Very Confident Beginner and Beyond. PHOTO OF PROJECT IS IN THE GALLERY.

Circle of Stars - 2 Days
This class will focus on design, color and workmanship. The project is created on a 13x13 grid of either 1/2” or 1” squares. Using mirrors and a rough cut mock-up of one quarter of the design, students will compose a beautiful Trip Around the World background and then place triangles appropriately to create nine Ohio Stars. Through value manipulation we will integrate the stars into the background to eliminate the block’s edges and create a beautiful mosaic. Students will receive a handout for the design, borders will be discussed. Join me for two days of learning, improving skills, and fun. Skill Level: Very Confident Beginner and Beyond. PHOTO OF PROJECT IS IN THE GALLERY.

Working on the Edge - 2 Days
In addition to color and design, this class will primarily focus on accurately figuring out how to fit, sew and add multiple border styles onto a simple patchwork block that is placed on point. This quilt is not meant to be your next masterpiece but rather serve as an opportunity to gain knowledge and hands-on experience that will benefit future work. Corner triangle borders, a pieced border, three narrow borders (1/8”, 1/4” and 3/8”) and a final mitered symmetrical border print border (a plain fabric border of your choice is also acceptable) will be covered. Color and design will also be discussed. Students will come to class with a completed 12-1/2” unfinished patchwork block (pattern and instructions included with the supply list) so we can begin with borders at the outset. Block construction is not part of the class. A handout is included. Join me as I show you how to take the mystery out of making borders fit. Skill Level: Very Confident Beginner and Beyond. PHOTO OF PROJECT IS IN THE GALLERY.

Lone Star Medallion - 3 Days
The design part of this class will focus on color placement using mirrors and making a rough cut mock-up of one diamond. The technical part of this class will include accurate template making, precise cutting and sewing strip units to make the diamonds, and finally construction of the 7-1/4” block. Students will then add a designed border, pieced border, very narrow 1/8” border and a series of final plain fabric borders. Skill Level: Advanced. PHOTO OF PROJECT IN THE GALLERY.

Sedona Star - 4 Days
This class will focus on quality workmanship as we explore the many opportunities offered within the skeleton lines of this traditional Carpenter’s Wheel block (36” or 18”) Learn how to fracture shape and space to create your own unique design, then color it beautifully and finally sew it together with precision using both templates and rotary cutting. I’ll show you techniques to improve the quality of your sewing and designing skills. A handout is included. Skill Level: Intermediate and Beyond. PHOTO OF PROJECT IS IN THE GALLERY.

Crossroad - 4 Days
This class will focus on designing, fitting, and applying borders to traditional style wall quilts. Using my quilt, Crossroad as a reference, students will construct a 12” finished block which will then become the inspiration and center medallion for all border designs that surround it. Within the parameter of the Crossroad pattern structure, students will be encouraged to redesign at their own discretion. Some of the border styles covered are spacer, narrow, a variety of pieced borders, matching symmetrical border prints, corner triangle borders and both boxed and mitered corner treatments. A discussion of bindings and edges will also be addressed. Skill Level: Intermediate and Beyond. PHOTO OF PROJECT IS IN THE GALLERY.