Workshops/Lectures

 

I will be retiring after this year (2023). I will not be scheduling anymore lectures or workshops. Any trip that has been scheduled for 2024 will be honored.

 

Lectures

NEW… Neutral and Two Color Quilts
If you have trouble putting colors together, consider doing a two color or neutral quilt. In this lecture/trunk show I show off my collection of neutral and two color quilts that were published. See one quilt done in three different colors and quilted three different ways.

NEW…. I’m Seeing Stars
This is a trunk show of many of the different types of star quilts (20 to 30) that I have designed including the quilts from both St. Louis Stars and Kaleidostars books. Star quilts include Lonestar, Feathered Star, Ohio Star, St. Louis Star, and Kaleidostar to name a few.

Curves is NOT a dirty word!
This presentation is a short history of my prize winning quilts and how blocks such as the New York Beauty and other curved piece blocks have influenced my work. Includes a PowerPoint presentation of the last 200+ years of curved blocks and how they got their names.

Using Mirrors to Enhance and Add Variety to your Quilt Blocks
This lecture is guaranteed to get you hooked on using mirrors to find hidden treasures in your fabrics. The PowerPoint presentation shows a variety of ways to fussy cut your fabric using templates and many of the wonderful effects it can create. Afterwards, members are encouraged to play with my mirrors and fabric samples to see for themselves.

Making Minis, Not Harder, Just Smaller
A Powerpoint presentation of what goes into making miniature quilts, including fabric selection, quilting supplies, and techniques. Trunk show follows of my published and winning miniature quilts. This is a “hands on” lecture. Lecture is based on my published article in “Quilter’s World” magazine.

Designing with Computer Software; The Wonders of EQ8
I use EQ8 to design all of my commissioned and published quilts. This is a short introduction of how EQ8 works, on an overhead screen for everyone to see, and many of the quilts that I have designed with it first as an EQ image and then the actual quilt.
Those wanting more hands-on training can take my half or full day workshop.

Workshops

St. Louis Stars NEW

Create this unique 4 block quilt with my 17″ St. Louis Stars template set. Learn how to find hidden designs in the fabrics with mirrors, how to get perfect repeats when fussy cutting, how to get an 8-point star to lay flat and other tips to help your overall piecing.

A kit fee of $25 is required which includes pattern, 17″ St. Louis Star templates, and seam guide. Optional mirrors will be available for purchase in the class for those who do not have them. An optional fabric kit can be purchased for $40.00 which includes everything to make the top plus the binding.

Full-day: Intermediate quilter.

Swimming Downstream NEW

Learn how to use my Cutting Corners templates to make this easy and cute fish block. Also included how to use freezer paper and fusible to create the eyes. 

Kit fee of $25 is required which includes pattern, Cutting Corner templates, seam guide, freezer paper, and fusible.
Half-day: Beginner to intermediate quilter.

 

Summer Breeze NEW

This quilt block has two distinct parts. One is made with templates and the other is strip pieced using my Cutting Corners Template set. A great quilt for those beautiful batiks you have been holding on to.

Kit fee of $35 is required for the class, which includes 2 sets of templates, seam guide, pattern, and general instructions.

Geese On the Loose, Helix, or Phoenix Rising

If you are tired of tearing off foundation paper, learn “unfoundation piecing” on circular flying geese and New York Beauty blocks. I also take the fear out of sewing curves using only three pins and my unique pinning technique. This is not a class for beginners. This is a technique class.

Kit fee of $35 is required for the class and includes the pattern, seam guide, handouts, and acrylic templates. Full day – Intermediate to advanced quilter.  You get to choose your pattern.

Geese on the Loose                                             Phoenix Rising

Helix                                                 

Northern Lights

Using my template set “Kaleidostar”, you will learn to look for hidden designs in your fabrics, fussy-cut designs and play with fabric placement for striking blocks!

Kit fee of $30.00 required which includes templates, seam guide and pattern for a 13″ block. Based on my book “Kaleidostars” through AQS. The book is included in the kit. Intermediate to Advanced quilter.

                           Northern Lights


Hourglass

A beginner class for curve piecing. Learn to sew curves using my unique pinning techniques and my personal templates to create this wonderfully easy quilt. Great class for 2-1/2″ strips and 10″ square prepacks. Half-day: Beginner to advanced quilter. Kit fee of $25 includes acrylic templates, seam guide, and pattern required for class.

A second option to the class is to have precut patches with no class prep or fabric requirements. You choose which option you would like. Kt fee of $35 for this option includes the precut patches, acrylic templates, pattern, and seam guide. 

                       Hourglass

Eclipse

Learn how to use templates to make this very traditional New York Beauty block. Each section is 12″ which creates a 24″ block. Can be made into a place mat or table runner/bed runner. This is NOT paper pieced. Learn curve piecing with my special pinning technique.

Kit fee of $40.00 is required for the class which includes acrylic templates, pattern, and seam guide. Full day class. Intermediate to advanced quilter.

                                    Eclipse

Framed New!


Learn how to use small border prints to use both in the center of this New York Beauty quilt block and in the background to create a “framed” effect. Makes a striking quilt. This class is an extension of my “Unfoundation 101” class, which is not required to take this class. Learn how to get perfect repeats, how to create a mitered effect in the background and how to look for hidden designs in your fabric.

Kit fee of $35 is required for the class and includes templates, seam guide, handouts, and pattern. Full day – Intermediate quilter.

 

Eden

If you have been afraid of “y” seams or find marking the seam lines tedious then this is the workshop for you. I will take the fear out of the dreaded “y” seam and show you how to do them without marking. Based on one of my most popular patterns, Eden.

Kit fee of $22 is required which includes a pattern, templates, and a seam guide. Full-day workshop. Confident beginner to Advanced quilter.

Eden


Mardi Gras 

Learn how to piece “y” seams with a Lone Star block and how to fussy cut pieces to make the quilt unique.
Kit fee: $15.00. Full day – Intermediate to advanced quilter.

Mardi Gras


“Unfoundation” Piecing 101

No more tearing off the foundation! In this workshop you will learn how to sew “off” the foundation and make a large NY Beauty block. It is a technique class and something you can use on other foundation patterns. If you put four blocks together it will make a pillow or small wall hanging. The class also includes my special pinning technique for perfect curves every time. You can combine this class with the Helix/Geese on the Loose/Phoenix Rising class. Morning is introduction to freezer paper foundation and curved piecing. Afternoon class continues the techniques making the curved flying geese section.

Kit fee of $35 is required for the class and includes pattern, seam guide, handouts, and acrylic templates. Half day – or two half-days. Confident beginner to advanced quilter.

New York Beauty

 

Yin and Yang


This quilt was featured in McCalls Quilting May/June 2011 issue. Learn curved piecing with my special pinning technique to create this unique and up-to-date block. Part of the lesson also includes machine applique’ for the small circle. A fee of $35 is required for the workshop, which includes templates, precut patches to make 4 blocks, seam guide and pattern. Half day – Confident beginner to Intermediate quilter.

Parfait

Based on my Kaleidostars block. This workshop shows how to use mirrors on one symmetrical fabric and how to cut perfect repeats to create exceptional blocks.It is a half-day workshop. This is a 17″ block. Based on my book “Kaleidostars” through AQS.

Kit fee of $30.00 is required and includes acrylic templates, seam guide, and pattern. 4 hour class – Confident beginner to intermediate quilter. Book is included with the class.

Parfait


Glorified Nine-Patch with a Twist

This is the perfect class for those who have been afraid of curves. I take the fear out of piecing curves using only three pins and my unique pinning technique. This is a fast block to put together and has many design possibilities. You will also learn the best way to use templates and a fast on-point construction. Instructions on creating this unique binding technique is included. You will impress everyone after you make this quilt! The templates come in 3 sizes: 4″, 6″, or 9″. Workshop fee is based on the 9″ size which is what will be used in class.

Kit fee of $30 is required for the class and includes acrylic templates, seam guide, handouts, and pattern. Full day –  Intermediate to advanced quilter.

Nine Patch with a Twist

Mojito or Chinese New Year

A class on “unfoundation piecing”. Uses the same templates as my original Chinese New Year quilt. Make this wonderful antique sunflower block with an easy pieced center. Learn to sew curves using only 4 pins and my unique pinning technique. Learn how to make and use your own templates and do foundation piecing with very little waste and no paper to tear off. See how the setting triangles create a center with a floating effect. Learn how to make the perfect mitered corner.

Kit fee of $35 is required for the class and includes a pattern, seam guide, handouts, and acrylic templates.   Full day – Intermediate quilter.

                                      Mojito

 

Chinese New Year


Curves Without the Fuss

A wonderful scrap quilt in either two colors or lights and darks. You make this two color quilt without having to sew curves. Learn how to make and use templates for the center of the block and machine applique the circle on to a pieced background. The border and setting triangles are made of triangles and squares! This quilt was featured in “Quilter’s World” magazine December 2005 issue.

Kit fee of $20 includes pattern and template. Full day. Intermediate quilter.

Curves Without the Fuss


EQ8, an Introduction

Learn the basics of this fantastic program and be on the road to designing your own quilts. Electric Quilt 8 has, by far, improved their user friendly software making it so much easier to use and learn. By the end of the half-day class you will have a basic understanding of how to use the libraries, create a quilt in a variety of layouts, and how to use the printouts to determine your own cutting instructions. In the full day class you will learn how to design your own block, play with layers, and learn about other wonderful extra tools you can use in EQ8 including the photo feature for T-shirt quilts. Guaranteed to get you hooked on EQ8. A laptop with EQ8 installed is required for the class (at least 2 per student). Class minimum of 15.

Full-day or Half-day. Anyone with or without computer skills can take this class. Electric Quilt supplies a temporary file to play with in class and for 7 days after class.

Fast Easy Appliqued Circles

If you like the look of Drunkard’s Path blocks but don’t want to do the curved piecing then this is the perfect class for you. A block for beginning applique’rs. Learn simple machine applique techniques and make this quilt in a weekend.

Kit fee of $15 for pattern and seam guide. Half-day. Beginner quilter.

Fast Easy Appliqued Circles

 

Liberty Square

If you have been wanting to make a mini but were afraid because of the size, then this is the class for you. Learn precision techniques for this mini quilt and five different ways to make half-square triangles. Kit fee of $15 includes the pattern and all the materials needed to make half-square triangles. My motto is…”It’s not harder, just smaller”.

Kit fee of $15 is required which includes a pattern and materials for creating a variety of half-square triangles. Full day – Beginner to advance quilter.

                      Liberty Square


Rob Peter to Pay Paul

Easy curve piecing creates this fast block. A wonderful beginner quilting class for anyone dreading curves. Learn how to use templates, on-point settings, and perfect mitered corners on a small table runner that you can complete in a day. Learn my unique pinning method for perfect curves every time. Also learn a variety of finishing techniques with the backing with and without binding.

Kit fee of $25 includes templates and pattern. Half-day – Confident beginner quilter.

Rob Peter to Pay Paul

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