Workshops

CREATE A ​DESIGN JOURNAL - PART 1

So many ideas, so much inspiration. How do you tune out all the noise and organize your thoughts into clear and concise design strategies?

You are unique and individual! Embrace this by discovering what your personal style is, and how to incorporate this into your work to create original designs that reflect who you are and what you love.

In a step by step process, you will find your natural sense of style and design, and your own true voice will emerge. We will use this as a platform to create a personal Design Journal. Then with individual consultations, use what you have learned about yourself to create original quilt designs for future projects. 

By the end of the Workshop, you will:
  • Know and embrace your own unique sense of style and design.
  • Use your Design Journal to inspire future projects that speak to your heart.
  • Map out first of many new projects, celebrating your newfound voice in quilting!
Read what others have said about this workshop. 
 Design Journal Testimonials

WORK WITH A DESIGN JOURNAL - PART 2

Using your new design journal, you will work on a design that is not only original and unique to you, but it will also follow a clear and concise design strategy that reflect your style and interests.

With the instructions from Workshop 1, you will be able to dive immediately into creating a design that reflects your true spirit. We will spend time discussing the elements of design, and how to use these to strengthen your work.  

Workshop will end with a group discussion on where to go next, the benefits of possibly  working in a series and how to use your design journal for your future project planning.

THE 5TH LAYER

The 5th layer isn't just about baubles and beads. It is contentiously adding the finishing touch to the 4 layers of a quilt that you worked so hard on. This is your opportunity to bring the quilt to life by enhancing certain elements, add movement and texture, and to create a conversation between the viewer and your work. 

We will spend the day exploring unusual ways to add interest to your work with fabric manipulation, embroidery and big stitch thread work, inks and stamps, and yes, a few baubles and beads. Students are encouraged to bring an unfinished work to discuss in individual conferences on how to add a successful 5th layer.

FROM SCRAPS TO TREASURES

Gather up all those little bits and treasures that you have been saving for the perfect project. With a little imagination and a lot of whimsy, you will create an art quilt as unique as you, showcasing all the things you love.

More workshops to choose from . . .

Making Waves

Pattern available

Embrace those big, beautiful curves, then throw in some colorful beach balls just for fun! You will love seeing this quilt come together and each one takes on it's own personality.

Pattern to be purchased by student.

Techniques taught:
​Simple improvisational curve piecing and stuffed applique.

This quilt that was designed to showcase Windham's Tidal Lace Collection. It also looks amazing in batiks, and there is a "Lake Tahoe" version coming soon!

Winter Brrrd Houses

Pattern available

Combine pieced blocks, improvisational curves and a little folk art applique for this whimisical quilt with so many options. Make a whole village of houses or just work on 2 or 3, it's your choice.

This is also very easily adapted to other seasonal settings - spring, Christmas, summer camping - the options are endless.

​Pattern to be purchased by student.

Techniques Taught:
Improvisational curves and piecing, tips on successful design wall construction, stuffed applique, big stitch/embroidery.

Continuous Braid 

Pattern available

A great technique to showcase a medallion block, a printed panel or even use as a Round Robin border. It is fun to choose the fabrics, and goes together very quickly. This is a great technique to use over and over. I will also share my new Braid Trimmer 
Ruler with students, which takes the fear out of marking and trimming your braid.

Added Bonus - Students usually go home with a finished braid.

Braid Trimmer Ruler may be purchased at end of class, if interested.

Techniques Taught:
All my tricks for choosing the perfect fabric combination and making a Continuous Braid quickly and easily, Including how to use my new Braid Trimmer Ruler.

Tweaking Tradition,
​One Block at a Time

Embrace traditional and historical quilts, but create original designs from your own modern viewpoint.

The first portion of this class, Pati will share the theories of her graphic design background to help you strengthen your quilt design skills. She will discuss the principles of Modern Quilting, the fundamental Elements of Design, and the Theory of Grids with students. Then, it will be off to the sketch pads, sewing machines and design wall to put those theories to work.

Shortcuts!

Pattern available
Shortcuts! uses unusual techniques to make tried and true blocks easy and fun way. The blocks are 3 dimensional and really fast to make.  Then take them to the design wall to create your own unique layout.

You will use these blocks over and over again in the future. This quilt was also designed to work well with pre-cut layer cakes.

Techniques Taught:
Simple piecing, dresden plate construction, design color skill tips, and an introduction to Big Stitch Quilting.

Yardstick Sewing Tote

Pattern available
Remember Grandma's Knitting Basket? This is reminiscent, yet made to order for you, the quilter! This tote takes on it's own personality with fabric choices and pocket options. Yardstick kits will be available for purchase in class.

Added Bonus - Student's usually go home with a finished project.

Techniques Taught:
Tote and pocket construction and options.

Lectures

THE MAGIC OF YOUR CREATIVE SPIRIT
Using the principles and elements of design can act as a road map for venturing into new design territory. But, listening to your inner voice is where the creative magic happens. It is important to understand both. This is an opportunity to sit back, let your mind wander and get in touch with your own creative spirit. Imagine all the ways to draw inspiration from what you see and what you love, then use design principles to guide you to where the magic happens.

1 – 1 1/2 hour lecture, power point (optional) and trunk show

For fees and available date: Contact me at [email protected]
WATCHING TRADITION EVOLVE
We live in an innovative society. Change and transformation is everywhere. Quilting is ever changing, just as art has evolved through the ages. Modern, improvisational and minimalist design all draw inspiration from history. Let's shake things up a bit and discuss how to use traditional quilts and block design as a jumping off point for innovative design in your next quilt. Warning: You will go home inspired and ready to start something new!

1 – 1 1/2 hour lecture, power point and trunk show

For fees and available date: Contact me at [email protected]
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MODERN TRADITIONALIST
Explore the principles of modern quilt design and how a traditional quilter might use these to challenge their design skills. By looking at fundamental design elements individually, it is easy to understand how to create original designs with a modern aesthetic.
1 – 1 1/2 hour lecture, power point and trunk show

For fees and available date: Contact me at [email protected]

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FINDING MY VOICE
I discovered quilting 25 years ago. My roots are in traditional quilting, but the clean aesthetics of Modern Design appeals to my background in Graphic Design. This has led me on a quest to merge what I love most of these to styles to express my own voice in my work.
Follow along as I share my ups and downs, successes and failures, and tips on how to find your own voice.

1 – 1 1/2 hour lecture, power point (optional) and trunk show

For fees and available date: Contact me at [email protected]
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