You know... hearing the story of how I got started in this business would be nice, but wouldn't you rather learn something? I have a lot of really useful information that I think you would appreciate much more!! This information packed Power Point presentation is full of that useful information that will teach you to use alternative piecing methods for making units, as well as tips and hints relating to every aspect of quilting. I also share secrets I've gathered over years of trial & error, taking classes and learning from what fellow designers and national teachers have shared with me.

The lesson begins with quilting's own four letter word... M A T H! To alter the way units are made, you must first understand the traditional mathematics. In a simple, easy to understand format, you will be taught how to play detective and identify units from the math in any quilt's cutting instructions. These basic building blocks also allow you to re-size your blocks and perhaps design your own quilts!

The "Make it larger - Trim it down" portion of the program demonstrates step-by-step techniques for making units (such as half square triangles, quarter square triangles, square-in-a-square units, flying geese and the shaded four patch) larger than they need to be so they can be trimmed down to be squared and the correct size. These perfectly squared units go on to be perfectly squared blocks, then squared quilts that lay flat and go together easily!! Many, many designers and award winning quilters use these techniques and you can too!

There are also plenty of tips on a variety of subjects such as general pressing tips, pressing four patches and pinwheels to lay perfectly flat, how to fit borders properly, piecing hints for Log Cabins, and how to correctly sew a connector corner, accurate 1/4 inch seams, how to hide flaws and errors and so much more!

After watching the Power Point presentation, I bring along more than 20 quilts to view up close and personal, all made with the techniques shown in the presentation.

Don't worry about taking notes during the lecture because after the presentation, a packet containing a review of the majority of the information covered, most all of the math information covered, and many handouts from the lecture will be available for sale. It contains a review of the basic math rules and how to apply them, handouts of all of the 'Make it larger - trim it down' techniques and the pressing techniques. Many of the handouts are in color. You won't have to rely on your memory and can take it home to use on a daily basis!!

Lecture Fee: $250
Approximately 1 hour

Practice What I Preach: This is a hands-on lesson of the techniques covered in my lecture. The skills taught in this class will be used each and every time you quilt!! Here is an opportunity for each student to try out the "Make It Larger ~ Trim It Down" techniques, and a variety of pressing techniques. I can help to improve the accuracy of the 1/4 inch seam by watching the student and/or have them watch me. We will cover how best to handle Connector Corners for perfect results, how to join the ends of your binding for a lumpless binding and how to hide flaws and imperfections in the seam allowance. If any student would like help with general quilting problems such as those described here, this is an opportunity for one-on-one assistance. Students will be given a short list of cutting instructions and a few simple pieced units to make ahead for practical use in class.

Cotton Blossoms: Mock Needle Turn Machine Applique
Do you love the look of traditional needle-turn applique but think that applique is a four-letter word? Read on... You will learn to prepare appliqués using freezer paper and spray starch, and then remove the freezer paper before sewing it to the background fabric!! The appliqués can then be sewn to the background by hand, or by machine. The machine stitch is lovely and unobtrusive. Your appliqués remain soft and pliable, just like the traditional method. All of the basic applique shapes are featured in the pattern, such as flowers, leaves, free form circles, perfect circles, a star, square, triangle, heart (hiding as one of the leaves), stems, bias stems and large, easy curved shapes. The basic shapes and techniques are taught in class. Seeing is believing!!

Union Blues: A lesson in "Making-Do"
What's a "Make-Do" block? Well, found in lots of charming antique quilts, Make-Do blocks are seen when the quiltmakers of the past set out to make color and fabric coordinated quilt blocks for their quilt, but ran short of their fabrics because fabric were so scarce. To finish the quilt, they "Made-Do" with what they had to work with, thus created quilts that have a few odd fabrics in them. You can Make-do a little or a lot, depending on your taste. Exchanging a few fabrics with class mates is encouraged to replicate what these women did in making their quilts, adding to the authenticity and charm. I bring several examples of antique Make-Do quilts with me for inspiration. This is a very fun and informative class that stretches you a bit out of your comfort zone.

Fab Four: Four different quilts... four easy blocks!
Play is encouraged as we explore the fun secondary designs that come from these four easy blocks! Quilt Four is the class project which features all four of the Fab Four blocks. We will make all of the units used in the blocks, and cover lots of tips in making units such as Flying Geese, Half Square Triangles, Quarter Square Triangles and the not-so-difficult-anymore Square-in-a-square block using Open Gate's Fit to be Square ruler. I will bring all four of the pattern cover quilts as well as a few more in alternate colorways for additional inspiration.

Workshops:$400 for 6 hours
Maximum 20 students