Upcoming Workshop - Twizzle

Twizzle Quilt: 70" x 77"

There are a couple of spaces left in my upcoming 'Twizzle' workshop at Calico Cupboard. 

When you make the this project you can make TWO other projects at the same time. It all has to do with how you make the quilt. 

This is a perfect time of year for this project. Keep one project for yourself and the other 2 can be gifts!

Join me on Friday, October 18, 10 am - 3 pm.

Skill Level: Confident Beginners with

basic piecing and rotary cutting experience

Class fee is $50

Sign up at Calico Cupboard or give them a call
(250-658-2722).

The 2nd project is a wall hanging (48" x 48").

And the 3rd project is this table runner (18" x 60").

The Ornaments!

Great results from my Mod Ornaments workshop at Calico Cupboard!  

Here are pictures from 3 of my students.

by Carol - who was anxiously awaiting the birth of her first grandchild.
She's here!  Congratulations Carol!

by Janet. Love the fabrics and perfectly made!

by Shannon. All finished and a bit of 'bling' too! Love the plaid.

Want to make your own Mod Ornament? 

I'm offering this class again on Monday, November 4th - plenty of time to make one or more in time for Christmas.  

It is just a 3-hour class and wouldn't you rather do this on a Monday instead of the laundry!

Sign up at Calico Cupboard in Victoria (250-656-2722)

Workshop Pictures

A few pictures from recent workshops to share with you today.


Last week I visited the Langley Quilters' Guild. I presented lectures to their day and evening meetings and then students joined me for my Sunflower Runner workshop. 

Students learned all about Give & Take Appliqué - an easy way to take advantage of positive/negative design where one fused design makes two blocks!

Fabulous work everyone!! A special thank you to all the members of the Guild who were so welcoming, particularly to Jan who hosted me in her beautiful home.

********************

And here are in progress photos of the projects made by students in Machine Appliqué FUNdamentals at Calico Cupboard Quilt Shop here in Victoria.

There is another workshop scheduled for March 17th, 12:30 - 4:00. 

Call the store to register (250-658-2722).

Spots are filling FAST.  

Who's going Back to School?

Are your children or grandchildren going back to school soon? This weekend marks the end of Summer vacation in most parts of Canada. Perhaps it's time for you to learn something new too.

Check out your local quilt shops to see their lineup of classes.  My classes at Calico Cupboard here in Victoria will be starting soon. 

Machine Appliqué FUNdamentals

·         Friday, September 15, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm - FULL

·         Saturday, November 18, 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm - FULL

 ***Another session added:

·         Friday, November 10, 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm

 Learn how to use fusible web to make wonderful appliqué designs. Step by step instructions include tracing, fusing and finally stitching the appliqué. We will concentrate on satin stitch. Blanket stitch will also be demonstrated. You will learn all about setting up your machine and how to stitch smooth curves and sharp points.

Machine Quilting with Rulers – Domestic Machines

·         Saturday, September 16, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm or

·         Friday, November 17, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm

In this workshop you will learn to create beautiful quilting by using specialty longarm quilting rulers on your domestic sewing machine. Learn to use rulers to stitch incredibly smooth lines, curves and motifs while free motion quilting. Daphne will share tips and techniques to achieve success with this exciting new development in the quilting world!

You will receive a special fabric pack and instructions to make a quilt sample to use in class when you sign up for this workshop.

You MUST have the machine quilting ruler foot for your machine brand installed on your sewing machine. You also need rulers designed to use with your particular foot.

This workshop is for quilters with Intermediate to Advanced Free Motion Quilting, skills and who are very familiar with their machine and its functions.

Machine Quilting – Beginner Free Motion Quilting

·         Saturday, September 16, 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm

·         Thursday, October 5, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm 

·         Saturday, October 21, 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm 

·         Friday, November 17, 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm

Free motion quilting is like 'drawing with your sewing machine'! You are in control of how and where your machine sews. You are free to stitch interesting and creative patterns and you don't need to continually turn your quilt through your sewing machine.

In this introductory workshop you will gain confidence and begin to develop your own style and designs. Daphne will share her best tips, the ones she has learned from over 20 years of free motion FUN!

 To book a class, please call Calico Cupboard at (250) 658-2722

Fall Workshops - Calico Cupboard

I will be teaching several workshops at Calico Cupboard here in Victoria.  I'm offering each workshop multiple times to accommodate as many students as possible.  

To book a class, please call Calico Cupboard at (250) 658-2722

Here are the classes and the dates:

Machine Appliqué FUNdamentals - offered 2 times

·         Friday, September 15, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm 

·         Saturday, November 18, 1:30 pm – 4:00 pm

Learn how to use fusible web to make wonderful appliqué designs. Step by step instructions include tracing, fusing and finally stitching the appliqué. We will concentrate on satin stitch. Blanket stitch will also be demonstrated. You will learn all about setting up your machine
 and how to stitch smooth curves and sharp points.

Machine Quilting with Rulers – Domestic Machines - offered 2 times

·         Saturday, September 16, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm 

·         Friday, November 17, 10:00 am – 12:30 pm

In this workshop you will learn to create beautiful quilting by using specialty longarm quilting rulers on your domestic sewing machine. Learn to use rulers to stitch incredibly smooth lines, curves and motifs while free motion quilting. Daphne will share tips and techniques to achieve success with this exciting new development in the quilting world!

You will receive a special fabric pack and instructions to make a quilt sample to use in class when you sign up for this workshop.

You MUST have the machine quilting ruler foot for your machine brand installed on your sewing machine. You also need rulers designed to use with your particular foot.

This workshop is for quilters with Intermediate to Advanced Free Motion Quilting, skills and who are very familiar with their machine and its functions.

Machine Quilting – Beginner Free Motion Quilting - offered 4 times

·         Saturday, September 16, 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm

·         Thursday, October 5, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm 

·         Saturday, October 21, 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm 

·         Friday, November 17, 1:30 pm – 4:30 pm

Class Description:

Free motion quilting is like 'drawing with your sewing machine'! You are in control of how and where your machine sews. You are free to stitch interesting and creative patterns and you don't need to continually turn your quilt through your sewing machine.

In this introductory workshop you will gain confidence and begin to develop your own style and designs. Daphne will share her best tips, the ones she has learned from over 20 years of free motion FUN!

Book your class today by phoning Calico Cupboard at (250) 658-2722

Machine Quilting with Decorative Stitches

This is the most recent class I taught at Calico Cupboard here in Victoria. Students cut leaf shapes from fused fabrics, arranged them on a background and then played with lots of their machine decorative stitches.  Here are a few photos of the creative selections they made. 

Why not try some of YOUR machine's decorative stitches in your next fused project. Send me photos - love to see your work!

Fall Classes - Calico Cupboard, Victoria

Bake It Easy - Kitchen Set
with Daphne

My fall classes are scheduled! Summer is starting to wind down; the nights are cooler and we have even had some cloudy periods and showers among the most AMAZING summer!  We are seeing those 'back to school' commercials and advertisements.

So, naturally, I think of classes too. Fall is the perfect time to learn a new skill or make a new project. The full schedule is online. A total of 21 different classes are offered this fall. Some old favorites are included (like the Machine Quilting series) and both Peggy and I have some new classes scheduled as well. 

The full brochure is online here.  Class samples will be in the store in the next few weeks. Hope to see you in the classroom this fall!

English Paper Piecing - with Peggy



Improv Curves - with Daphne

More New Quilters

Here are students from my most recent Beginner Quilting class at Calico Cupboard. Several students were missing from our last class due to illness. We'll have to get together to complete their quilts soon!

Next class in the 'beginner journey' is Triangle Tangle, scheduled for May 4th, 10 am - 3 pm. There are a few spots left in the class so if you want to learn ALL about triangles, give the store a call to sign up (250) 658-2722.

Winter/Spring 2013 Classes - Calico Cupboard

The new schedule for classes at Calico Cupboard in Victoria has just been posted.  There are choices for both new quilters/sewers and intermediate quilters wanting to expand their skills.

The entire brochure is available here.

Of particular note is the Stonehenge Woodland Block of the Month.  This 12-month project is designed by Marti Michell, an expert in creating Block of the Month programs and the quilt features Stonehenge fabrics by Northcott.  Peggy F. and I are your leaders and we will start in June but spaces are very limited so you will want to sign up before the February 8th deadline!

I'm looking forward to joining Peggy (with my daughter) to make the 'Sleep Sack' near the end of January. No....that's not an announcement. I'm not going to be a Grandma.  We're making a couple for her friends who are expecting!

You will also see that I have updated my Free Motion Quilting classes. One session will concentrate on stippling - that puzzle-piece stitching that many of you are familiar with but need the help of a class to improve your skill and confidence.  Part 2 goes 'beyond stippling'. You'll expand your stitching ability in this class and learn at least 10 new designs that you can use in your quilts right away.

Hope to see you in class after the Holidays!

Fall Workshops

I will be teaching locally again this fall at Calico Cupboard in Victoria.  The schedule has now been posted online:  http://www.tinyurl.com/calico-cupboard

A couple of new workshops are on the schedule:

Eclipse is a 'split quilt', a new technique that I have been working with for several years. You will learn my new method for improvisational and soft fused applique, machine applique and quilting with decorative stitches and about threads and needles.

Mykonos Marble is my latest pattern quilt. This design features medallions from Northcott's upcoming fabric line Stonehenge Aphrodite. The supporting fabrics are inspired by decorative marble floors. Learn about precision piecing and diagonally-set quilts in this workshop. The pattern is now available in my Patchworks Studio store and the fabric will be in stores in October.

Hope to see you in the classroom!

Block of the Month - Donation Quilts

I taught a Block of the Month series at Calico Cupboard Quilt Shop here in Victoria during the last year. Students made extra blocks for donation and recently we got together to turn those donated blocks into quilts. We were joined by several members of my weekly quilting group. 

Here are pictures of the great quilt tops that are being donated to Victoria's Quilts Canada.

Great work everyone!

Convergence Quilts

Last week I taught Ricky Tims' Convergence Quilts to 5 enthusiastic students at Calico Cupboard Quilt Shop. Here are the results of their work. Five very different designs - all the same technique. Well done everyone!

Bev used 4 Stonehenge fabrics for her piece.

Nancy selected coordinating batik fabrics.

Peggy used fabrics she bought in Fort Lauderdale - when she came on my quilting cruise.

Sherrie started with the green fabric and added the orange and purple tones.

Susan wanted to showcase the interesting swirls areas in the green and puple/orange/yellow fabrics.

Winter/Spring 2012 Classes

The new Class Brochure for Calico Cupboard Quilt Shop is now available online.  Join Peggy F., Diane B., Susan T. and me for some fun projects starting in late January.  Why not sign up with a friend - makes a GREAT Christmas gift for a quilter friend.

The link to the brochure is here.

On My Bookshelf / Upcoming Classes

Here are pictures of some of the projects from my book. And 'yes', it's 'on my bookshelf', ready to mail out to YOU! Click here to order.

More Give & Take Fabric Appliqué projects

This fall you can take a workshop with me to learn the technique. I will be visiting the Fort Saskatchewan Quilt Guild from October 13-15. Join me for the New York Beauty Runner workshop on Thursday, October 13th. I will also be presenting a Trunk Show of book quilts and my pattern quilts for the guild on Friday evening, October 14th.

At Calico Cupboard (in Victoria) I'll be teaching Give & Take Hearts, one of my latest designs. on Saturday, October 22nd.

Reminder:

Ripless Paper Piecing at Quilt University starts in a few days. Besides the 'ripless' technique I have included more detailed information about how value is important when selecting fabrics for your quilts. I'm sure you will refer to this section of the class for many future projects. I also discuss quilt finishing including quilting design ideas to personalize your class project. See the Gallery of previous students' work.

When I return from Nova Scotia in early October, join me at Calico Cupboard to learn all about Transfer Artist Paper (TAP) on Friday, October 7th. That workshop is in the morning; perhaps you would like to stay for the whole day and take Free Motion Studio. I have designed this workshop for students with basic machine quilting skills. You will expand your expertise with free motion quilting, learn about designs to enhance your quilts and about threads and needles.

Hope to see you in class.

Upcoming Workshops - Calico Cupboard

My local workshops will continue after I return from Nova Scotia in early October. Join me at Calico Cupboard to learn all about Transfer Artist Paper (TAP) on Friday, October 7th.

I blogged about this product in early August when I reviewed Lesley Riley's new book, Create with Artist Transfer Paper.
 
That TAP workshop is in the morning; perhaps you would like to stay for the whole day and take Free Motion Studio. I have designed this workshop for students with basic machine quilting skills. You will expand your expertise with free motion quilting, learn about designs to enhance your quilts and about threads and needles.

Upcoming Classes

Ripless Paper Pieced quilt by Jeana, one of my QU students.

Registration is open for my next online class at Quilt University.

Ripless Paper Piecing offers all the accuracy of regular paper piecing but you will save time and money! No ripping off the paper when the blocks are done and no preparation of one foundation for every block you sew. Why don't you join me in class and learn all about this fun and easy technique. If you've tried paper piecing before and were not a fan, this method may just be for YOU! 

Class begins on September 30th, there are 3 lessons and the classroom remains open until November 5.

My next 'local class' is Strippy Stars at Calico Cupboard. I developed this design when playing with some pre-cut 2 1/2" strips. There may still be room in the class scheduled for Saturday, September 17th. Give the shop a call (250-658-2722)  if you'd like to join me to learn some fun new techniques.

Hope to see you in class - either online at Quilt U or in person here in the Victoria area.

Victoria Quilters' Guild - Donation Quilt Tops

A while back I talked about the Yours, Mine & Ours Group at Calico Cupboard here in Victoria. Several members of the group, Peggy Farries and myself went to our local guild meeting last evening and showed the 6 quilt tops we made from the donated blocks during our monthly sessions. Here is the picture taken by the Victoria Quilters' Guild webmaster, Mary Anne Jarvin. Thanks for taking the photo Mary Anne!

The quilts are being donated to the local chapter of Victoria's Quitls Canada, an organization that provides comfort quilts for cancer patients. I know this caring and generous group will finish these tops and they'll be on their way to good homes soon.

A new series of monthly classes will begin in October. This time we're calling the project 'Seasonal Sampler' and Peggy and I will have some new and interesting blocks and techniques to share. Our students have said they really want to continue making additional blocks for donation and we think that's an excellent idea. I know you'll want to join in the fun, so check out the Calico Cupboard Fall Class brochure and give the shop a call to sign up.

On my Bookshelf

The most recent addition to my book collection is Create with Transfer Artist Paper by Lesley Riley. I first met Lesley in Houston, at International Quilt Festival, when I took a 'fabric photo books' workshop with her. I loved how her images were vibrant and seemed to be integrated right into the fabrics - even unusual ones that I knew I could not put through my printer. The answer was TAP (Transfer Artist Paper). I have been using it ever since for many of my photo collage pieces.

The book describes WHAT you can transfer with TAP (photographs, your own drawings with felt pens, stamped images and more). And all the different surfaces you can transfer TO (fabric, paper, wood, glass, metal and more). I have tried fabric - all sorts, from quilting cottons to heavy upholstery to t-shirts; a variety of papers and wood. Glass and metal are next on my list of 'things to try'. If you are looking for a way to use images in your work you'll learn how to use TAP and be inspired by the 15 unique projects included in the book.

Look for it at your local quilt shop or book store. And if you want to try TAP with me, I will be teaching a workshop this fall at Calico Cupboard Quilt Shop in Victoria on Friday, October 7. Check out the full Fall Workshop schedule online.

Fall Teaching - Calico Cupboard

I finished the Calico Cupboard Quilt Shop Fall Classes Brochure last night. You can see it online.

Copies will be in the shop on Saturday so I hope you'll stop by. Some samples are still coming so be sure to check the online version to see project pictures along with the instructors, class descriptions, dates and times.

Hope to see you in classes this Fall!  Here's to a great season of learning.

Yours, Mine & Ours - Donation Quilts

Together with my friend, Peggy, I have been hosting a Block of the Month club at Calico Cupboard quilt shop here in Victoria. We call ourselves the Yours, Mine & Ours Club. The members make one block for themselves and another block to donate.

Today we had our first 'work session' to begin putting the blocks together into quilts.

 First we had to sort through all the blocks and find 12 that we thought would look good together.

Next we framed each block with sashing. We had selected dark blue to be the strip colour for each person to bring. We had a good variety, but they were all dark blue. We had some great sewers (Marjorie, Susan, Sherrie, Vivian, Dixie, Selby & Peggy), we had a 'master presser' (Etiola) and Pat and I trimmed and squared up the blocks. (Hope I didn't miss anyone!) After the blocks were framed, they were sewn into rows and then into the quilt tops.

We worked like a 'well oiled machine' and completed 3 lovely quilt tops. I'm so proud of everyone.

 
Our monthly sessions are continuing on Saturday with a new block for everyone to make (plus a free block for August when we'll take a small break). We have scheduled another work session for early August though....we have lots more beautiful blocks to make into quilts.

Peggy will be hosting in September and we will announce a NEW monthly project to start in October - no we're not giving HINTS but we know you'll love it!