This hands-on class will teach you the basics of ruler-guided free motion quilting using your home sewing machine. We will cover straight line ruler work and curved ruler work, as well as some free motion quilting designs to “fill-in” the framework we create with our ruler work. We will also learn how to audition your ruler work designs on paper before taking them to fabric. This class will give you the skills to create block and border designs using ruler work. I will loan you rulers to use during class so you do not need to spend a lot of money to “try out” the technique of ruler work!
**NOTE: You must have a true ruler foot for your machine to participate in this class. If your machine manufacturer does not yet offer a ruler foot, please seek the assistance of your dealer ahead of class so a foot can be ordered for you.
Class Length: 6 hours with break for lunch (this means 6 hours of class time + a break for lunch-we REALLY need the full 6 hrs!)
Maximum Number of Students: 20
Skill Level: Beginner
This class is designed for the quilter who knows the basics of ruler work on a home sewing machine and is ready to explore more challenging designs using ruler work. This class will focus on ruler work border designs created with basic arc rulers. We will learn how to create a variety of ruler-based border framework designs and then we will fill them in with free motion quilted designs. This class will bolster your ruler work skills, your free motion quilting skills, and your design skills. I will supply loaner rulers to be used during class, so there is no need to buy any rulers for this class! (Know that if you already own arc rulers, you’ll be able to transfer all these skills to your own set of arc rulers.)
**NOTE: You must have a true ruler foot for your machine to participate in this class. If your machine manufacturer does not yet offer a ruler foot, please seek the assistance of your dealer ahead of class so a foot can be ordered for you.
Class Length-Can be taught as either a 4, 5, or 6 hour class
Skill Level: Student must have basic ruler work skills
Maximum Number of Students-20
Ruler Work 103 - Creating Stupendous Feathered Wreaths Using Ruler Work
Have you ever wondered how to create an intricate feathered wreath with all kinds of thread detail that set it apart from other feathered wreaths? In this class, we will use ruler work to create a complex feathered wreath with a compound spine zone. To create it, you will learn how to use the Westalee Circles on Quilts templates as well as how to couple circles with basic arc ruler work to create a stupendous circular design! If you’re frightened by the plumes on the outside of the wreath, don’t be! I’ll show you how to stitch those freehand, but I’ll also show you a way to quickly lay down a marked template of plumes that you can easily trace. If you love ruler work, you will love learning what you can do by coupling circle ruler work with arc ruler work and free motion fill-in quilting!
Note: You will need a true ruler foot, an extension table for your machine, and either Westalee Circles on Quilts Set #2 or the 4-pack set of Westalee Circles on Quilts Templates. I will supply you with a loaner set of arc templates to use during class if you do not own the PTD Starter Ruler Pack.
Class Length – 6 hours
Skill level – Student needs to have completed my ruler work 101 class OR have experience in using arc rulers
Maximum Class Size – 25 Students
Featherettes are related to feathers, but they’re a little bit different and they are easier to stitch than a feather. They come in all types of sizes and shapes so they can easily be used to fill all kinds of spaces on a quilt. This class will combine both drawing as well as hands-on quilting exercises to help you learn how to design and quilt featherettes. We’ll start with the most basic types of featherettes and build on those skills; you’ll also learn how easy it is to create featherette borders. If you can already stitch a basic feather, this will expand your repertoire and if you aren’t able to stitch a feather yet, featherettes are a great gateway to learning feathers!
Class Length: 4 – 6 hours
Skill Level: “Seasoned beginner” to intermediate level free motion quilter. Student must have some experience using the free motion foot on his/her machine.
Maximum Class Size: 25
Pattern/Supply Fee: None
If you’ve never free motion quilted before or you’ve just barely dipped your toe into the free motion quilting pond, then this is the class for you! In this 4-hour class, we’ll first cover all the basic tips and tricks to make free motion quilting easier, and then we’ll get to the hands on stitching where you can learn to stitch some basic designs. This class is geared to creating a good foundation of free motion skills that will serve you well as you continue practicing and move on toward more challenging designs. Let me help take the fear out of free motion quilting so you can discover the fun of it!
Cost: Shop Fee or Guild Fee (no pattern fee)
Skill Level: Beginner free motion quilter
Maximum Class Size - 25
Free Motion Quilting Skills-Quick and Easy Trapunto of a Quilted Motif
Have you ever wondered why some quilted motifs stand out from the rest of the quilt and really catch your eye? It’s all because of the magic of trapunto, or adding one or more extra layers of batting behind certain parts of the quilt! In this short class, you will learn how easy it is to add a trapunto layer to a quilted motif as you create a beautiful trapuntoed feathered wreath. You won’t need to quilt the wreath itself as I will supply you with the wreath, but you will see the magic of trapunto come to life right before your eyes as you “define” portions of the wreath with invisible thread. This is SO much easier than you think and you will go home with a beautiful 16-inch block holding a complex feathered wreath that you can use for the front of a pillow, tote bag, etc. In addition to the class fee, there is a kit fee of $7.50 to cover the cost of the quilted wreath block kit. (Note: there will be a variety of wreath designs from which to choose, each having a complex spine design and hyperquilted plumes.)
Class Length: 4 hours
Maximum Class Size: 20
Skill level: Advanced beginner to intermediate level free motion quilter
Class Fee: Shop (or Guild) Fee + Kit Fee of $7.50 to cover cost of pre-quilted wreath block