I'm teaching "Intro to Improvisational Quilts" at John C. Campbell Folk School in March

Are you intrigued by improvisational quilts? Have you wanted to try improv patchwork, but don't know how or where to start? Here's your opportunity!

Join me for a fun and creative week in the quilting studio for "Intro to Improvisational Quilts" on the idyllic campus of the John C. Campbell Folk School in Brasstown, NC, March 24 - 30, 2024.

Sign up for Intro to Improvisational Quilts workshop, March 24-30, 2024

All quilting levels welcome!

My workshop on Intro to Improvisational Quilts will explore improvisational cutting and piecing methods. We'll be creating patchwork intuitively—without a preconceived pattern or plan. If you are a quiltmaker with a sense of adventure, you want to try venturing off the beaten path of block-based quilts, or you want to ditch exact measurements and traditional layouts for a change, I'm extending this invitation to you! 

Improvisational patchwork at the Folk School.

Read the class description, and then register for the workshop online. But don't wait! There are limited spots available.

About John C. Campbell Folk School

John C. Campbell Folk School.

My first experience at John C. Campbell Folk School was when I taught a long weekend, free-motion quitling class there in 2021. It was magical and fun! All the staff and students were wonderful.

The Folk School is located on 270 acres of natural Appalachian beauty in southwest North Carolina. Walking trails and roads connect the various studios, dining hall, Craft Shop, History Center, student housing, and other buildings and structures. The surroundings are scenic and peaceful, and the school offers a nurturing atmosphere for learning, self-discovery, and creativity—but know that the classrooms and studios are up-to-date with the necessary technology to meet instructor's and student's needs. Information about a typical week or weekend experience can be found on the folk school website in addition to updates and stories about folk school news and upcoming events.

If I don't see you in my Intro to Improvisational Quilts workshop, I'll be teaching Intro to Free-motion Quilting in August during the second session. Enrollment for the July-December session is scheduled to open March 5. 

Take a class at the Folk School... and experience where "the magic happens."

Guild workshop: small numbers yield big results

I'm always amazed and delighted at the dedication and productivity of the work my quilt guild, the Choo Choo Quilters, has when we get together for our annual Cuddle Quilt workshop. We have a small guild—a roster of about 25 members—but our small numbers are mighty when it comes to supporting our community service project.

Ginny (left) and I hold a colorful scrappy quilt top made by Linda.

This year, the Choo Choo Quilters are digging into their stashes and wallets to make bed quilts (twin and queen size) for a local organization. During yesterday's workshop, three bed size quilt tops were completed and great progress was made on several others.

Tea Cup quilt blocks
The completed Tea Cup blocks went up on a makeshift design wall (a flannel-backed tablecloth over a stand alone white board) early in the day.

Tea Cup quilt blocks on a portable design wall.

We gathered 140 blocks that guild members made. It was determined that the bed size quilt required a 9 x 11 layout, so we began arranging the numerous blocks on the floor. 

Working on a 9 x 11 block layout.

Ta-daa! A finished Tea Cup block quilt top (99 blocks).

Cristy (left) and Kay with the completed Tea Cup quilt top.

Crazy Patch blocks
Sherry and Ginny, the Big Quilt Coordinators, made pre-cut quilt block kits for workshop participants. The block was a stack-slice-shuffle crazy patch block. Here are blocks from two of the three colorways.

Crazy Patch quilt blocks on the design wall.

More crazy patch blocks.

Plaid Surprise blocks
The instructions for the Plaid Surprise blocks was distributed at the July guild meeting. Some of these blocks were turned in at the workshop.

Left: Plaid Surprise Disappearing 9-patch blocks.
Right: trimmings from the blocks will be used to create another block.

Easy Woven and String quilt blocks
Batting was measured and cut for the Woven Block quilt top and others.

Sherry cut batting for completed quilt tops.

Earlier in the year, the guild members made string blocks. This top is ready for quilting.

String quilt top ready for quilting.

Cutting tables and ironing boards were set up for shared use.

Cutting stations.

And we all enjoyed the sewing and camaraderie.

Cuddle Quilt workshop attendees.

Surplus Tea Cup blocks

I offered to take the additional 41 Tea Cup blocks home with me. This is a fast and easy block that I enjoyed making (and using up fabric scraps). I'll be piecing a few more blocks with the hope of getting enough for another quilt top.

Tea Cup blocks on my design wall.

2019 Cuddle Quilt Goal
This year's goal is 20 bed size quilts. We already have 17 that are in various stages of completion. I'd say that's quite an accomplishment for a small guild!

Ruffles, Diamonds and other yarn creations

We had lots of fun and laughter at my demonstration on self-ruffling yarn. This scarf is a quick, one ball project that doesn't require a lot of concentration—except for keeping those 8 or 9 stitches on the needles. We used Spectra by Universal Yarn for this fun project. Two of my students model their creations.

Left: Marie used Spectra Volcanic.
Right: Irene models Spectra Larkspur Glen.

One of the Diamond Girls, Sue, completed her mitered diamond vest, the project she chose in my Mitered Diamond Adventure workshop. She added a knitted band along the collar and sleeve edges of her piece. A hook and eye closure completed the look. It turned out fabulous!

Vest from my Mitered Diamond Adventure knitting workshop. 

My Knitting in the Round students are looking fashionable in their completed Retro Cloches with a knitted  flower embellishments. 

Student projects from Knitting in the Round class.

Here are other yarny creations that my students have completed. We love Show and Tell at classes and workshops. Enjoy!

Left: Linda accented a red Retro Cloche from Knitting in the Round with black trim.
She also knit a coordinating red scarf to go with it.
Right: Sharon used a zigzag lace pattern for this cute hat.

My talented students have other needle art skills as well. This is a crocheted baby blanket. Lovely!

A beautiful baby blanket crocheted by Marie.

We even knit for our 4-legged furry friends. Here are two doggie sweaters, knit by Jane, that any fashion-forward dog would be proud to wear.

Jane's colorwork dog sweater. Notice the pocket on the top of this sweater.

A sporty striped dog sweater for the same lucky little dog.

Intro to Free-Motion Quilting Workshop

Do you have quilt tops waiting to be quilted? Do you want to complement your straight line quilting with free-motion designs? Do you want to get more from of your sewing machine? Join me for a machine quilting workshop and ... Break free with free-motion machine quilting!

On March 27, I'll be teaching a free-motion machine quilting workshop. In this workshop, students will learn the basics to get started with no-mark free-motion machine quilting. The topics covered include sewing machine set-up, quilt preparation, and choosing materials and tools for a successful project. You'll work with continuous line patterns that can be used with traditional or contemporary quilt styles. This is an introductory class—no free-motion quilting experience is necessary.

The workshop will be held at Alexian Brothers/Senior Neighbors, 10th and Newby Streets, Chattanooga, TN. It is a full-day class from 10 am to 3:30 pm. To sign up, send an e-mail to me at veronicaquilts@gmail.com.

You already use your sewing machine for piecing your quilt tops. Now, come and learn how you can also quilt those tops with your sewing machine!

Amazing artwear workshop

Members of the Riverbend Fiber Arts Guild are well on their way to finishing exciting wearable art garments after our Yarn Fabrication workshop this past Saturday. The weather was sunny and mild, we had plenty of natural light pouring in through the front windows at the Senior Neighbors facility downtown, and everyone came with a creative spirit and an open mind to myriad yarn fabrication possibilities.

Layouts: color and embellishment options.

 

 

Stitching at the machines.

Upcoming guild meeting Show and Tells should be great! Thanks for attending my workshop. Your work is fabulous!

Vest Workshop this weekend

I'll be doing a vest workshop using my Yarn Fabrication technique this Saturday for the Riverbend Fiber Arts Guild. The members of this group are very artistic, talented and imaginative. I'm looking forward to a day filled with creative energy, fiber and fun.

 Oh, and the weather forecast is predicting mild weather. (yay!)

Wearable Art Vest Workshop

Is it yarn? Is it fabric? Is it woven? It's Yarn Fabication. 

On February 20, I'll be teaching my yarn fabrication technique at a workshop sponsored by the Riverbend Fiber Arts Guild.

In this workshop, we'll be doing an easy, no-knit stitching technique to create a soft-sculpt artwear vest like the one shown here. Yarn and a sewing machine is used to stitch up a "yarn-fabric" base to make the vest. Garment pieces are easily assembled using flat seams, and simple shaping is achieved with a slash-and-join method. Additional interest, texture and color can be achieved with contrasting yarns, trims, threads, embellishments, buttons or beads. This soft-sculpt vest can be customized for any occasion.

The vest workshop will be held at Alexian Brothers/Senior Neighbors, 10th and Newby Streets, in Chattanooga. It is a full day class from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost of the workshop is $45 per person. Make checks payable to "Riverbend Fiber Arts Guild." For additional information or to sign up, send an e-mail to veronicaquilts@gmail.com.

A black-and-white inkle woven shawl collar was added to the lime green vest.

The brown vest (below) showcases a novelty button for a front closure. Use your imagination to embellish and customize your wearable art creation!

The vest pattern is a modified version of Rachel Clark's "Picture This" vest pattern.