Classes

It is my teaching philosophy to provide students with the tools to make them independent. I do not believe in providing templates or giving cutting instructions so that at the end of the course the student knows how to make that particular quilt or those particular blocks and nothing else.

Beginner's Patchwork & Quilting

In the first two lessons you make a small project, a crazy quilt cushion so that you begin to learn  how fabrics and colours work together. You then go on to make another cushion in matching colours but this time you learn how to draft the design (not nearly as difficult as it sounds) so that you can make this block and any others you see in whichever size you like. During these first lessons you learn a lot about colour & design in fabric so that you can go and buy the fabrics for your quilt. The size is up to you but most generally make a lap quilt (9 blocks) or a single bed quilt (12 or 15 blocks). This first quilt is called a sampler quilt because it is made up of a collection of individual blocks, each one teaching a new technique or skill. You may work by hand or machine, both are equally valid methods and we will spend time working out a design layout, assembling the quilt and then quilting it, again by hand or machine. I will teach you both methods.

As a rule of thumb I say you will need at least 10 lessons to complete the quilt (although you may not have finished the quilting part if you are doing it by hand) but some people work faster than others and some prefer to take their time.

IRequirements:
Graph paper, pencil, sharpener and ruler.
Template plastic
Quilters quarter inch rule.
Paper and fabric scissors
Sharps needles sizes 8 to 10
Berry pins
A good quality cotton e.g. Gutermans, in a colour to match your fabrics or else pale or dark gray depending on your fabric.
Sheet of fine grade sandpaper
A thimble to fit your finger
It is a good idea to have some ziplock bags to hold templates and a folder for notes.

Fabric requirements:

Cushion: 3 fat quarters (these you can buy at Spotlight as well as patchwork shops. Myrtle Street Rydalmere has a large collection and you will especially find them at Craft Shows) 1 metre fabric that tones for the backing, 3 large buttons for the closure and a size 18 cushion insert.

I’ll give you the amounts you need to buy for the quilt when we’re up to that stage.

If you are going to work by machine you can bring it with you to class. The first half of each class will be preparing the templates and cutting the fabric but you should have time to start sewing before the end of the lesson and it would be good if you can finish the block during the week.

Classes are limited to a maximum of 3 students to provide individual attention.

A new class will be offered in 2009: please contact me to register an interest.

Fabric memory page

Not currently being offered as a class

The topic is your choice: a parent or grandparent, a special birthday, a holiday trip or even your life up to now.

During the classes you will learn how to fabric paint your background, design the page, I'll teach you both machine and hand embroidery to embellish the page as well as fabric stamping and beading and we'll finally put it all together. If you need help with writing your text I am happy to do that as well.

If you wish to buy your own pack of phototransfer fabric, you will get 5 sheets for about $33 or I can provide you with individual sheets for $7 each. Don't be concerned if you have no computer skills because I can scan your photographs for you.

Class costs $20 each week.

Regular Saturday workshops once a month:

These classes are designed for secondary school textile teachers but anyone who is interested in textile art is welcome to attend. You will need to commit to one Saturday morning or afternoon each month the classes are offered.

We’ve made a colour book with some easy fabric manipulations, in 2009 we’re going to be making a texture book that can be used as reference material in class.

 

We’ll start with making your own fabric from bits & pieces ( a review for those who’ve been to class with me before), learn how to manipulate fabric in various ways (scrunching, wrinkling, making tunnels, using Suffolk puffs) and making cords & beads.

We’ll move on to using water dissolvable fabric making 3 dimensional  objects & a scarf then play a little with some of the new textile materials tyvek & lutrador.

Finally we’ll spend some time creating texture with tucks, pleats & folds.

 

In 2009 I will be available for workshops in February, March, May, June, July, October & November.

I will have workshops from 9.30 to 12.00 & 1.00 to 3.30 on the first three Saturdays of these months. Cost is $30 for each workshop. There is a limit of 3 people per workshop.

The second Saturday is fully booked with people returning for another year.

 

 

For more information or to join the class contact Barbara McLennan on (02) 9894 1010 or by email.