Creative Freeform String Piecing

Creative Precision String Piecing

Six hour class • all levels
Supply List  •   Classroom Requirements

Learn to draw and piece colorful, luminous, freeform designs with absolutely precise seams using this simple method of piecing on a paper base. Precision String Piecing can be used in either quilts or clothing, and with either traditional or original designs. Emphasis will be on color selection as well as sewing techniques. Students will design and create 2-3 small samples. Possibilities include "Flying Geese" in a graduated curve and several variations on "Crown of Thorns."

Free Motion Quilting

Hands on - Six hour class  •  all levels
You must know how to operate your machine

Supply List  •Classroom Requirements

Various methods of machine quilting will be introduced and demonstrated in this class, and your will have a chance to make a sample of each one. Major emphasis will be on free-motion (feed-dogs down, hand guided) quilting. Workshop will include a slide lecture full of information and inspiration.

Subjects covered will include:

• How to manage a large quilt with a standard sewing machine.
• How to avoid physical exhaustion and repeat motion stress injuries when machine quilting
• How to plan a quilting design after the quilt top is completed
• Contemporary whole cloth designs
• Enlarging and simplifying your drawings or photos to make them into quilting designs
• Couching with heavy cords and yarns
• How to make free-hand filler designs that look complex and are really easy.
• Basting for machine qulting
• Batting choice
• Needle and thread choice
• Marking and transfering your design to the quilt top

Getting Comfey With Curves

Hands on  •   Six hour class  •   all levels
Zig-zag sewing machine required

Supply List  •  Classroom Requirements

Learn the secrets of drawing and piecing graceful curves like the ones in "Messenger #2" and "Garden Party".   Caryl demonstrates her simple, direct methods for piecing the curves in her quilts, and shows you how to draw and piece your own curved design wall quilt.

High Tech Tucks

Six hour class • all levels

Supply List  •  Classroom Requirements

Learn to construct three dimensional "tucks" in rainbow hues, and how to piece them into a patterned background. In this class, each student will make a luminous 18" to 24" (45cm to 60cm) wall hanging, which changes color as you walk past it. Try it, it's easier than you think!!!

Illusions

Six hour class  •  all levels

Supply List  • Classroom Requirements

Caryl's series of "ILLUSION" quilts explore the illusion of overlapping transparent triangles. In this class each student will construct a small sample 13" x 18" rectangle, to learn the basic concept behind the "ILLUSION" quilts. This can be made into a 15"-20" x 20"-24" wall quilt, with the addition of a 1"-2" border. Once you have learned the basic techniques you will be able to develop your own variations on "ILLUSIONS". Complete instructions and a pattern will be provided.

Six hour class • all levels
You must have a free motion foot and
you must know how to operate your sewing machine

Supply List  •  Classroom Requirements

"LAYERED AND STITCHED APPLIQUE" is a very spontaneous technique, in which bits of fabric, cut in various shapes are laid directly on a background fabric, in a design which is not predetermined. The composition is developed directly in the fabric. Successive layers of fabric are glued, fused, or stitched to the background, and all of the layers are stitched through with various colors of thread, using a free motion machine embroidery technique that is very close to drawing.

This technique requires a sense of playfulness and adventure. 2-3 small samples will be made in the class, Happy accidents often occur, leading to new discoveries about design, color, and composition.