Appliqué and Hand Quilting Workshops
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Rose Sampler Supreme
An easy, portable, freezer paper method makes it simple to do hand appliqué. Emphasis will be on learning to make smooth shapes, easy bias stems, reverse appliqué, perfect points, sharp indents, and perfectly round circles.
Learn how to sew so that your stitches are almost invisible.
Two block patterns will be supplied. Optional: Rose Sampler Supreme book. All levels. One day.
Provincial Flower Bouquet Wall Quilt
Techniques include intricate trapunto or padded appliqué embellished with embroidery. The finished 20" block is surrounded by graceful Maple Leaf and pieced borders. Pattern required.
Some previous appliqué experience needed. Two days.
Buttonhole Stitch Appliqué
An easy appliqué method done by hand or by machine over the raw edge. This method was often used in the 1930's using black embroidery floss. Most sewing machines today also have this stitch selection. Both hand and machine methods will be demonstrated and easy tips and techniques for each method will be covered.
Easy. One day includes block patterns to be done in both methods. One half day includes one method--your choice.
Invisible Machine Appliqué
Love appliqué, but don’t have the time or patience for hand sewing? Perfect your machine stitching skills to do invisible appliqué stitching (no one will know it’s not by hand, unless you tell them). A specially designed Hearts Delight block pattern is included.
A machine with an adjustable zig zag stitch is required. All levels. Optional: Hearts Delight pattern. One day.
Bluenose Schooner
Stitch an exquisite commemorative Bluenose Schooner block in the traditional hand appliqué style of the antique album quilts. A floral swag featuring mayflowers, blueberries and Scottish thistles creates a frame at the bottom of the block.
Techniques include freezer paper on top method, padding or trapunto to give added dimension to the sails and the flowers, shading with stenciling on the sails, inking, and embroidery.
Some previous appliqué experience needed. Pattern required. Two days.
Angel: Satin Stitch Appliqué
Perfect your machine satin stitch techniques to achieve success with layering, inside points, inside and outside curves, corners, tapering, and invisible locking stitches.
Some previous machine experience needed. Pattern required. One or two days.
Woodland Creatures
Learn a relaxing fun method of hand appliqué while stitching a block in this delightful series. Emphasis will be on special techniques, colour choices and fabric selection to achieve dramatic effects on dark background fabric. The block can be used alone for a cushion, as the center of a small quilt , or collect the whole series and make a large quilt.
One block pattern required— choose from Bunny or Robin. All levels. One day.
Nature’s Garden
Celebrate the many splendors of spring and summer as we create an exquisite hand appliqué design that is a tribute to the flora and fauna of our beautiful countryside.
Fabric choices and many tips and techniques including super fine stems will be covered to help you expand your appliqué skills. Pattern required.
Some previous appliqué experience needed. Pattern required. One day.
Labels for your Quilts
Many ways to make beautiful labels to document your quilts with important information will be demonstrated and practiced. Demonstrations will include Spencerian Script, inking, using photocopied images, stamping, colouring techniques and much more! Having a label on your quilt increases the appraisal value and makes the quilt more meaningful for generations to come. All levels. One half day.
Felted Wool Appliqué
Learn the fundamentals of working with felted wool including how to felt wool, an easy placement method for putting the shapes on the background block, hand embroidery stitches, and finishing techniques. A machine blanket stitch may also be used if your machine has that capability.
Pattern will be supplied. All levels. One half day.
Penny Squares or Red Work Embroidery
This embroidery was very popular from the late 1800’s to the 1930’s. The pre-printed squares at first were sold for one penny each! We will be exploring the history of this technique as well as learning several embroidery methods for stitching these blocks.
All levels. Pattern supplied. Optional: Redwork Remembered book. One half day.
Perfecting Your Hand Quilting
If you want to make small, even quilting stitches, help is at hand. Learn how to plan and mark your quilting design, layer and baste to achieve quality results. Tools and battings will be discussed and demonstrated. All levels. One half day.
Other information
Full day workshops have been planned for 6 hours; half day workshops are 3 hours.
When flexible hours are indicated the longer workshop will include more techniques, patterns, and more help with your hands-on stitching.
Whenever possible, the workshops will be customized to fit the needs and interests of your group. Some workshops can be expanded to accommodate a retreat situation and some can be reduced to a demonstration or half day format when required.