In 2018, I decided to focus more time on teaching. I enjoy working with students in enhancing their creative confidence. So I have developed a range of classes covering some of my favourite concepts, techniques and patterns. The common theme is the effective use of colour in your project.
Teaching assignments include SA Quilt Encounter, Wisconsin Quilt Expo and AQS Quilt Week Paducah
Below is an overview of the classes I offer covering hand-stitching, techniques, quilting and tote bags. Note that the duration shown is usually 1 or 2 days, although they may be tailored to suit.
If you would like me to attend your event, please contact me via the Contact page to discuss your needs.
Handwork Stitching Classes
Boro’d from Japan – non-traditional hand piecing
Boro is the Japanese art of mending. The word “Boro” means “ragged” or “tattered” in Japanese. It was an art form used by rural women to patch clothes, bedding, curtains and anything fabric oriented.
The process for this class is straightforward. We use vibrant fabrics and Sashiko threads to make a boro-inspired piece that can be used to create cushions, small quilts, journal covers etc.
Duration: one day class, suitable for all skill levels
Kit: all fabrics and thread kit available
Go With The Flow – explore your inner creativity through free-form stitching
Explore the wild side of stitchery through this no rules class.
Access your creativity in a dynamic hand stitchery class exploring the juxtaposition of
Using hand-dyed fabrics, you will stitch across the landscape of your piece allowing the
Duration: one day class, suitable for all skill levels
Kit: fabric kit available
Textile Art Scrolls – a slow stitching pleasure
Scrolls are long, narrow quilts that incorporate their hanging bar. Scrolls use no batting, their slim width makes it easy to find wall room for display, and they can be rolled up into a convenient bundle for storage.
Your scroll is an individual artwork and can incorporate all those bits you’ve been collecting without a definite goal: speciality fabrics, paper, buttons, used tea bags, and the found objects that we all keep because we’ll, “use them in something someday”. Backing fabrics need to have some weight, such as canvas, wool, heavy cotton, obi fabric, hessian, etc.
This is a hand stitching project aimed at tapping into your creativity and accessing the meditative joy of the slow stitch movement. We will discuss scroll construction and the balance of colour and shape to give your scroll a natural flow.
This class is all handwork.
Duration: one day class, suitable for all skill levels
Kit: backing fabric kit available
Technique Classes
Using Shards of Colour to Create Custom Fabric
Have you ever worked for days on a quilt only to stand back and see a blob staring back at you with no visual punch?
This class teaches how to introduce random shards of colour to your piecing that add zest to a medium tone piece. Next, learn how to piece without a pattern and design on the fly. Finally, you will create your piece of fabric, which you can cut up to form the basis of a quilt.
Duration: half or one day class, suitable for everyone.
Kit: fabric kits available
Panelicious – improvisational piecing around an art panel
Have you ever found an art panel you love but do not know what to do with it? Good news: art panels make beautiful quilts. We want more challenge than simply putting borders around the art panel as quilters.
Learn how to use improvisational piecing around a panel and balance colour and shape to create a beautiful and unique quilt. The size of your art panel will dictate the size of your finished quilt.
Duration: 1 or 2 day class, suitable for everyone
Kit: fabric kits available
Random Heart (size 43″ square)
Making this sampler quilt offers you experience in plenty of essential techniques: flying geese, paper piecing, Seminole patchwork, half-square triangles, log cabin, improvisational stars, and fusible web appliqué.
However, the free-form construction technique ensures every participant will have a personalised end product. My favourite method is to put your quilt together by adding random fabric pieces as the spirit and design move you. This technique hones your ability to visualise and design your quilts.
Duration: 2 day class, suitable for everyone
Further information on this pattern may be found here
Quilting Classes
Framed Quilt (size 43″square) – quilting with large fabric panels
“Framed” is a quilt design for using art panels, large prints or hand-dyed fabric. Larger fabric panels are always tempting but also challenging to use creatively in a quilt. Just adding multiple borders is hardly satisfying as a quilter.
This pattern maintains the artist’s interpretation while putting your spin on it. In this version, the cutting is in a particular order to keep the panel’s integrity. The design intention is to appear as though you are looking at a scene through a “window ”. In addition, the sashing colour provides bold visual contrast to the large panel.
This workshop will start you on the path to creating a one-of-a-kind quilt using an art panel and sashing. It is fast and easy, lots of fun and so beautiful!
Duration: 1 or 2 day class, suitable for Beginner to Intermediate
Kit: fabric kits are available
Further information on this pattern may be found here
Fish & Chips Quilt (size 41 x 57 inches)
Use fusible web and improvisational piecing techniques to create this fun and easy fish-themed quilt.
Fish are so fun to use in pattern design because they lend themselves to an enormous range of fabric colours and textures. In addition, you will have five fish blocks to work with – all of different sizes and shapes. The tantalising randomness of the improvised chunky chip blocks may liberate you from the tyranny of perfect right angle forever!
Duration: 2 day class, suitable for Beginner to Advanced
Further information on this pattern may be found here
Enchanted Forest Quilt: 2 quilts from one class
Sizes: Quilt 1, 49 x 30 inches / Quilt 2, 35 inches square
You will be enchanted in this class as one (very careful and somewhat intricate) cut nets you two stunning blocks. In addition, the class explores the virtues of using positive and negative images in quilt design.
Using the fusible web, you will create two quilts out of one set of trees. You will have the opportunity to play with colour and texture, then use buttons or random pieces of fusible fabric to add leaves and fruit to your fairy tale trees.
Duration: 1 or 2 day class, suitable for confident Beginner to Advanced
Further information on this pattern may be found here
Trip into Taupe Quilt (size 48 x 54 inches)
This fun stash buster quilt originated as a way of stepping outside my colour safety zone. I am a strong-colour woman, but having been seduced by the siren-song of subtle taupes, I wanted to see where that would lead me; the trip was short but enjoyable!
This class provides you with the opportunity to experiment with tones and textures, creating a monochromatic yet visually interesting background. You will then step it up a notch and add contrasting colours and shapes to create drama and movement to your finished quilt.
Duration: 2 day class, suitable for Beginner to Advanced
Further information on this pattern may be found here
Constellation Quilt (size 50 x 65 inches)
Explore the universe with Constellation!
This class will teach you how to make improvisational stars in two sizes. The stars are melded together with blocks of different sizes to create an interesting and fun quilt. Play with colour and pattern to achieve stars that pop and sparkle.
Duration:
Further information on this pattern may be found here
Tote Bag Classes
Angle Tote Bag
Make a creative statement with this modern design tote bag.
The bag has two large pockets inside to place all those essentials, plus an ample central space where you can stash quilt projects, knitting, library books, whatever you need to carry.
The bag uses seven fat quarters, allowing for a good variety of colours and patterns. Participants should not be afraid to pick large bold patterns as strong contrast increases the impact of the finished bag. This design also works well with bright batiks or African fabric.
The result is a stylish tote bag showing off the bold prints – something to be admired.
Duration: 1 day class, suitable for all skill levels
Kit: fabric kits available
Further information on this pattern may be found here
Paint Chip Tote Bag
A tote bag pattern reminiscent of visiting a paint store and seeing This tote bag pattern is reminiscent of visiting a paint store and seeing a display wall of paint chips.
The “Paint Chip” tote bag pattern is all about expressing with colour. I love the bag pattern this chance encounter inspired. Of course, the bag can be made from any 2½ inch scraps you have in your collection. You can cut from a range of fabric or make it very scrappy and choose whatever comes to hand.
Duration: 1 day class, suitable for all skill levels
Further information on this pattern may be found here