Paper Piecing at WonderFil Threaducation Centre

I'll be teaching a paper piecing class at the WonderFil Threaducation Centre Saturday, April 9.  I'm excited as I don't teach this class often and as a result, I don't paper piece very often.  I do like to paper piece, I just find that I get sidetracked and do other things and leave paper piecing alone for a while.

There are many methods of paper piecing, but my favourite is a combination of a few methods. I`ll be teaching this super easy method at the class.  You won`t need any extra tools other than regular rotary cutting tools and thread snips.  I am essentially a lazy and impatient person, so I am always looking for a faster and easier way to do ALL things in my life.  I`ll share all my little tricks and tips with you in the class.

I'll be teaching students how to PAPER PIECE while you  work on a project of your choice. We are promoting the class using The Jungle Abstractions Quilt: THE LION by Violet Craft, but students are welcome to choose a pattern we have at the Threaducation Centre or bring along your own.  I have a few that will be available.

This is the Wild & Goosey block from Bonnie Hunter.  The blocks finish at 3" each.  Sew 4 together and you'll have 6" blocks.  These are super easy and unfortunately, hardly make a dent in your scraps.  If you come to class and choose to make these blocks, bring plenty of scraps and we'll share! 

This is pineapple block.  It finishes at 7 1/2".  An odd size I know, but I was going for the largest size block I could print on my printer.  By sewing the blocks in alternating colour ways, you will end up with diagonal lines and circles.  I call the pattern Xs and Os.  Don`t see the Xs and Os`?  Squint as you look at the picture.  The effect will be much clearer with more blocks.

The next 4 quilts are supper mini Woven Geese.  This is a pattern I wrote many years ago and still enjoy challenging myself to sew the tiny, tiny blocks occasionally.

The largest blocks are 3" in 6 shades of blue hand dyed fabrics.

The 2nd quilt is made up of  2 1/2" blocks.  I used 6 colours of the colour wheel - Purple, Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue.

  

Quilt #3 used 2" blocks in a hand dyed fabric gradation from Red to Blue

And finally the very mini's blocks are 1 1/2" in another hand dyed gradation from green to pink.

As I was preparing for the class, I decided to pull ideas from my saved files and found this Circle of Geese pattern.  I've always wanted to do this as a 12 step colour wheel on a black background.  As I didn't have any black fabric at home, I choose some Batik pre-cut 5" squares and repeated the 3 fabrics around the circle. 

  

I need to continue to work on the Lion.  This is a big project: 60" square, but it is going together well.  I hope to see you at the class.

A week of Quilts - Day 2

On the weekend, Karen challenged me to show off my quilts...3 per day for 5 days.  I thought about this and have decided to show of a different theme of quilts each day.  So, there will be more than 3 quilts each day, but it will be fun.

I apologize ahead of time for any fuzzy pictures.....I am using the camera on my phone.  I want a new camera, but am not sure what to get, so I am holding off.

Today I am sharing my Lone Star quilts.  I really do like making these quilts.  I strip piece them and have found them very enjoyable to make.  I have sewn 3 bed size lone stars.  One went to a friend for their 20th wedding anniversary.  One is very dog chewed (memories of a family pet) and sits on our bed as an under quilt....keeps us warm in the winter.  The third is still under construction.  This is a very large broken star quilt in yellows and blues.  I have finally found the right colour thread for it and as soon as my backing fabric arrives, I'll quilt it.

This little lone star measures 15".  The star is make up of 1" cut strips.  The star measures just over 7" from point to point.  I made this in 2005 and quilted it with WonderFil's Invisafil thread.

Mini Lone Star

I think this is the quilt that started it all.  I call this Whitefish Star.  It measures 33" x 33" and is made up of 1 3/4" wide strips. I stitched this in 2000.  I bought a bundle of Fat Quarters at a Quilt shop in Whitefish Montana. 

Whitefish Star

This is the only quilt I have ever (and ever will) enter into a competition.  The judge's comment was a poor choice of fabric for the backing and to watch my tension.  I used whatever I had for the backing....its a wall hanging! And I quilted this quilt with twin needles.  I don't think the judge understood. I still love it!

quilted with twin needle

   

The rest of the quilts are samples of my Lone Star and Friends pattern.  I created this pattern to teach 3 types of stars, the lone star using 3 fabrics and two other pieced stars. The quilt is easy to sew, but teaches some precision piecing techniques.

Asian Lone Star and Friends

I sent my hubby to the store to get me fabric.  He chose well for this Asian Lone Star and Friends.

 This was my first class sample.  Used fabrics I had in my stash.

Christmas Lone Star and Friends

This Lone Star quilt was made with non traditional Christmas fabrics.  Not sure I like it, but it makes a great class sample.

Am I Blue? Lone Star

When I chose the fabrics for this quilt, I wanted anything but blue!  I didn't do too well choosing fabrics!  But I do love this quilt.  I quilted it with a hologram thread.  The stitching really shines.

Feathered Lone Star

This is the last Lone Star I stitched.  It is a sample for my class and used as the picture for the printed pattern.  I used WonderFil Tutti (50wt cotton) thread to quilt this.  Love it!

Free Motion Quilting - Basics

Yep, I'm teaching a class next Thursday evening at the WonderFil thread offices...actually in the Threaducation classroom next door.  6:30-9:30pm.    We'll be doing the first-basics-beginner FREE MOTION QUILTING class.

In this class we'll cover the basics...how to set up your sewing machine for Free Motion Quilting, the necessary and optional accessories, thread and tension issues and also (most importantly), the 5 basic shapes that make up ALL free motion quilting designs.  There will be lots of time to practice in class and I'll keep an close eye on everyone as they sew.  AND WonderFil thread is included!

I like to keep my classes small (8 maximum), so that everyone has enough room to work, but also so that I can get around to everyone in the class and give you some personal attention and tips and tricks.

If you are interested in this class, give me a call (space is limited) at 403-819-8126 to register.  $42 including GST.  You can register with your credit card.