Moonlighting Quilts

Trees

Create your own tree quilt using my pattern or adapting my techniques.  Let the fabric do the heavy lifting.  This 3-hour workshop will concentrate on freeform rotary cutting, sewing curves, persuasive pressing and quick construction.  Students must be comfortable with their rotary cutters.  The 6-hour version of this workshop includes more detailed instruction on borders and quilting.  Click here for pictures.

Machine Quilting for Art Quilters

Designed for art quilters or traditional quilters who want to add a touch of art quilting to their pieces, this workshop covers filler patterns, stitch-in-the-ditch techniques, and letting the fabric determine the quilting patterns.  We'll also discuss threads and needles.  Students must be comfortable with freemotion machine quilting.

The Pen is Mightier Than the Needle

Wish you could draw on your fabric?  Well, can you trace?  Learn ingenious methods to transfer images from photocopies onto fabric using a pen, a light box, and lots and lots of tiny dots.   Add images and shading, all with a simple little pen.  Artists call this pointillism; you'll call it a great addition to your skills toolbox.  Click here for pictures.

To Bead or Not to Bead

No question here: Bead on!  This workshop will cover beading basics, including simple embellishment techniques using a variety of bead styles.  We'll discuss different methods of affixing beads and play with hot fix crystals to add flash and pizzazz.  The possibilities are endless.  For traditional and art quilters.

Stamp It!

Are you tired of being at the mercy of the fabric designers?  Do you have a collection of rubber stamps that you'd like to use on your fabric?  This workshop will cover the basics of stamping on fabric.  We'll use stamp pads and paint and we'll discuss the merits of each. 

Paintstik Primer

You see these Shiva Paintstiks everywhere, but how do you use them?  This introductory workshop will cover two basic ways to apply these Paintstiks to fabric: by rubbing on texture plates and by using a brush.  You'll be amazed at how easy it is to create your own fabric with these amazing paints.  Click here for pictures.

Machine Appliqué: Circle of Leaves

Do you like the look of appliqué but want results quickly? In this workshop, learn two quick appliqué techniques and then perfect your machine blind hem stitch.  You'll learn how to create a 3-D cluster of leaves for the center and we'll discuss how to use your appliqué stitch to create quilting designs.  Pattern available.  This workshop is being offered at the Virginia Consortium of Quilters Celebration in April 2008.  Click here for pictures.

Buttons & Beads for a Nickel

Ever wonder what to do with all those nickel (5”) squares?  This is a great way for traditional quilters to transition into using some of those wonderful techniques the art quilters love.  After creating a simple nine-patch, we'll fuse a wreath of leaves (or your favorite motif) and embellish the piece with buttons, beads, old jewelry, whatever you can fit on there!  We'll also discuss using fabric pens for adding stippled shadows and highlights, and we'll consider quilting options.  This workshop is being offered at the Virginia Consortium of Quilters Celebration in April 2008.

Design Your Own

Let me design a workshop just for your group.  Topics could include fusible appliqué, surface embellishments, pen stippling, fabric postcards, bead embellishment, or rubber stamping on fabric. Let’s talk about what your group would like to see.