Guild Lectures and Workshops

Designing with Storm at Sea and Snail’s Trail Blocks – Lecture and Trunk Show with 6 hour Workshop

How can traditional block patterns that are over a century old work with current fabrics and color combinations for a fresh new look? You’ll be amazed at how these versatile blocks can produce such a wide variety of unique quilt designs. Straight line piecing yields a vibrant feeling of movement and an optical illusion of curved lines. My powerpoint lecture invites you into my classroom for in-depth instruction in design and piecing solutions. This 45-minute lecture is followed by a trunk show. (Because, of course, everyone wants to see actual quilts!)

In the workshop, students have a choice of a Dark/Light Storm at Sea quilt, or a more advanced variation with Snail’s Trail blocks using 4 or 5 fabrics. We’ll be using my TRIMplate® rulers. With these trimming rulers you trim after you sew for greater accuracy. All fabric pieces start as squares or rectangles, so they are easily and quickly cut from strips. This method uses no templates, no foundation or paper piecing, and there is no bias on the outer edge of the finished blocks. Requires two TRIMplates (8-6-4 Diamond and 6” SIS). For in-person classes, I provide TRIMplates for each student to use in class at no charge. TRIMplates may be purchased after class. (Zoom classes require TRIMplate purchase in advance.)

Skill level: Confident beginner to advanced. Sewing machine is needed for class.

Fee: $950 for both lecture and workshop. Guild may divide fee between the two any way they prefer.
Travel expenses from Escondido, California (San Diego county.)

No Color Wheel for Me – Lecture and Trunk Show with 6 hour Workshop

I love working with all the colors. It is all about how you use them to achieve the look you want in your quilts. If you get a headache when you hear “split complementary”, “triadic” or “analogous” then this is the color lecture for you. Leave that color wheel at home, and learn some really practical tips for fabric selection and quilt design.

I call this color workshop “From Black and White to Brilliant”. Explore the creative possibilities of Inktense pencils as you transform black and white prints to fit the color scheme of your choice. Learn simple no-mess techniques for adding visual texture, color, and shading to your fabric. For in-person classes, I will have Inktense pencils and markers for students to share. Optional: Students can purchase a small set of Inktense pencils before class. (Zoom classes require Inktense purchase in advance.) A project is optional. Most students prefer to play with color and learn how to transform their fabric or a small panel.

Skill level: All. No art experience needed, just the ability to color. No sewing machine needed.

Fee: $950 for both lecture and workshop. Guild may divide fee between the two any way they prefer.
Travel expenses from Escondido, California (San Diego county.)

Answers to Quilting Questions You Were Afraid to Ask – Lecture and Trunk Show with 6 hour Workshop

Why has my steam iron become incontinent? What is a no-twist, no-tool, no-fail, fool-proof method for joining binding ends at an angle? Why do half of my flying geese blocks come out wrong? I know you were afraid to ask. But I do have some answers in a fun, informative lecture covering many quilting topics. I don’t want to call it “Tips and Tricks” because… well, because that’s what everybody else calls it. But I do have some great ideas for you!

The workshop is all about those pesky Flying Geese blocks. (Hint: The clever way that most books, magazines and YouTube videos use is not the easiest and definitely not the most accurate!) You will learn several piecing techniques as you make block samples of traditional Flying Geese, Migrating Geese strips and extended Flying Geese. (No project.)

Skill level: All. Sewing machine is needed for class.

Fee: $950 for both lecture and workshop. Guild may divide fee between the two any way they prefer.
Travel expenses from Escondido, California (San Diego county.)