Classes

"MOCK MOLA" APPLIQUÉ: Raw Edge Machine Reverse Appliqué

Machine appliqué. Some free motion experience is helpful but not required. Cathy can adapt designs to suit all capabilities
6 hour class.
Class limit: 20 students.
Please enquire about costs.

This class features Cathy's fast and easy technique for reverse appliqué.  It is a great way to use "holy" fabric, that you can't bear to cut up, and wonderful for trying new design ideas. Students will learn this technique by working on a small individual project using two layers of fabric, plus batting and backing.  With Cathy's help, each student will design her/his own piece. Machine quilting will attach all the layers together, then the top layer is cut to reveal the design. The pieces will be mostly completed at the end of the class.  This is a hugely popular workshop!

Written instructions and design suggestions will be supplied.

SUPPLY LIST:
- sewing machine in good working order with walking foot AND (optional) free motion foot
(If you are unclear on how your machine works, please bring along the instruction book.)
- extension cord

-Three Fat Quarters:
- one fat quarter plain black fabric (black on both sides)
(I recommend a black Pimatex by Robert Kaufman, if you can find it - it's very dense and does not fray much.)
- one fat quarter bright batik or hand-dye or other yummy fabric (something with a high contrast from the black fabric)
- one fat quarter backing fabric
- AND one fat quarter low- to medium-loft black batting (if you can find it, but white will also do)
Feel free to bring more fabric, so you have a choice!

- black thread (top and bobbin)
- safety pins (about 30)
- white marking pencil
- small sharp embroidery scissors
- seam ripper
- pen/pencil and paper for sketching design
- fabric grippers (like Machingers gloves) may be helpful for free motion quilting
- (optional) Golden Threads quilting paper - trace design and sew right through this paper - it's easy to remove.
- students are encouraged to bring design ideas to class. Try Googling images for "black and white art" or "positive/negative art" for inspiration.  And don't forget to bring your camera!

One iron and ironing board should be available at the workshop.

"Love the new technique. Very well taught and organized.
And we even got a song!"
Machine Quilters Showcase, Rapid City Iowa, May 2015

"Lots of fun. Useful technique with many applications.
Almost finished project in class. Wow!"
Houston Quilt Festival November 2011

"I got more done at this workshop than I've ever got done
at any workshop before!"
Boise ID, November 2009

Love, love, love this technique!
Minnesota Quilters show, June 2010

Excellent instructions - in steps I could understand
and using words that did not go over my head!
Minnesota Quilters show, June 2010

THANK YOU for "reducing the terror" from the beginning,
to free up our creativity!
Minnesota Quilters show, June 2010

See some of Cathy's students' work.

"Compass"

"Hot and Cold"

"Punga"

This class takes Mock Mola (reverse appliqué by machine) a giant step further. Students will make four simple matching fat quarter sized pieces using three layers of fabric.  Stitching all layers together first will hold the pieces together. Then the pieces are cut up and resewn so that the designs look refracted through a beveled window. The results are unique and complex.  Students will take these pieces home to sandwich and quilt (minimal quilting only). Instructions are included to complete the quilts with a facing binding technique.

Written instructions are provided.

SUPPLY LIST:
- sewing machine in good working order with walking foot AND (optional) free motion foot
(If you are unclear on how your machine works, please bring along the instruction book.)
- size 90/14 needles
- 2-3 empty bobbins
- extension cord

-Three Full Yards of coordinating fabric:
- the top layer is lovely if it is a hand dye or somewhat variegated in the same colour. Patterns are not advised, but tone-on-tones are okay. Try to bring at least one "zinger".
Feel free to bring more fabric, so you have a choice!

- cutting mat and rotary cutter with 24" ruler (second day only)
- thread to match AND contrast with the layers (especially top two layers). We'll be stitching the mock mola, then quilting layers together.
- safety pins (about 100)
- small sharp embroidery scissors
- seam ripper
- pen/pencil and paper for sketching design and white marking pencil for drawing design on fabric.
- fabric grippers (like Machingers gloves) may be helpful for free motion quilting
- (optional) Golden Threads quilting paper - trace design and sew right through this paper - it's easy to remove.
- students are encouraged to bring design ideas to class, the simpler the better.

One iron and ironing board should be available at the workshop.

Teal, lime green and pink, fractured vertically only.

6 HOUR NOTAN CLASS:
Machine appliqué. Some free motion experience is helpful but not required. Cathy can adapt designs to suit all capabilities. (see below for 3 hour class requirements) This class will produce a fat quarter-sized quilt, done using Mock Mola appliqué.
Class limit: 20 students.
Please enquire about cost.

SUPPLY LIST:
- 10-15 pieces of letter-sized paper
- paper scissors
- pencil and eraser

- sewing machine in good working order with walking foot AND free motion foot
(If you are unclear on how your machine works, please bring along the instruction book.)
- extension cord

-Three Fat Quarters:
- one fat quarter plain black fabric (black on both sides)
(I recommend a black Pimatex by Hoffman, if you can find it - it's very dense and does not fray much.)
- one fat quarter bright batik or hand-dye (something with a high contrast from the black fabric) (bring a few possibilities to choose from if you can)
- one fat quarter backing fabric
- AND one fat quarter low-to-medium loft black batting (if you can find it, but white will also do)

- black thread (top and bobbin)
- safety pins (about 30)
- small sharp scissors (not appliqué scissors)
- seam ripper
- fabric grippers (like Machingers gloves) may be helpful for free motion quilting
- students are encouraged to bring design ideas to class. Google "Notan images" for more ideas.
Bring along a digital camera, if possible, so you can see your design clearly.

One iron and ironing board should be available at the workshop.

3 HOUR NOTAN CLASS: NO SEW
Notan is also offered as a 3-hour class. In this shorter version of the class, the design work will be done entirely on paper and each student will produce many possible designs during that time. Instructions will be given for completing the piece using Mock Mola appliqué (reverse appliqué by machine) or as a fused piece. There will be no sewing in this short class.

SUPPLY LIST: 20 pages of various coloured copy paper, paper scissors, a few envelopes or a magazine to keep cut designs separate, a digital camera to view the designs.

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A Notan design on paper

"Spitfire Notan" quilt

In this technique, tiny bits of fabric are used  to create "painterly" effects.  It is terrific for trees, flowers and landscapes. Unlike other confetti techniques, there is no netting on top of the fabric to flatten the raw edges and dull the colours; we just use thread to hold it down.  This results in a degree of dimensionality in the finished piece.  Options include using Cathy's pattern, or bringing a picture of a simple landscape or tree to make your own design. Cathy's pattern makes a small quilt 18"x14 1/2" (as pictured to the right).

This technique is taught with the permission of Ruth Bloomfield in Queensland, Australia.

Written instructions are provided.

SUPPLY LIST:

Cathy will supply Totally Stable fusible stabiliser for each student.

- A piece of sky blue fabric, approx. 8 ½” x 11” (You may use an actual print of sky fabric, or approximate the light blue of the sky. This part is not confettied.)

- Fabric Scraps: Small (6”x6” max) scraps of SIX printed fabrics in EACH of dark green, light green, white, and dark brown. Also bring a very small bit of red for the flowers. Fabrics should “read” the colours indicated, but should be various shades with small scale patterns. Batiks are great for this technique.

- Thread to match fabrics (dark green, light green/grey, white, dark brown, red) plus enough bobbins to wind all colours. This technique uses a lot of thread, so please bring full spools of the first four colours.

- Border Fabric:
            Narrow inside border, cut four ¾” strips x 13”
            Outside border, cut four 3 ½” strips x 15”

- Backing, batting and binding fabric (not required in class)

- Medium or large sized sharp fabric scissors
- Sewing machine with free motion quilting foot and ¼” foot
- A pencil
- Extension cord

If students wish to work on their own landscape, they should bring photo of a simple scene, fabric and thread suitable for the colours in their pictures. At least six different fabrics of each colour will create the depth necessary.

Based on Caryl Bryer Fallert Gentry's favourite piecing technique, this class will lead students through all the stages to create perfect curves. Students will use either Cathy's pattern (seen at right: "Winter Solstice") or a simple one of the student's own design. This is a "game-changer" technique that will change the way you look at - and design - your quilts! Final quilt is approximately fat quarter sized.

Supply List:

Cathy will bring spray starch, stilettos and coverings for each ironing board. One ironing board for every 3-4 students, plus a light box for every 3-4 students is required.

Complete written instructions, mini kits of Quilt Patis (1" hexagons) and Paper Pieces (1" elongated hexagons), all fabric, hexagon design paper and a source list will be supplied.
Kit fee:  $25.00

SUPPLY LIST:
Bring embroidery scissors, a few straight pins, a hand-sewing needle (I like #9 Sharps for most fabrics), and light, medium and dark hand piecing thread (white, grey and black on bobbins are perfect).

This full-day class is designed as an overview of all the techniques currently being used in the hexagon world.  Not all of them are by hand!  We start with very traditional techniques, including English Paper Piecing (EPP) and one that uses a Mason jar lid as the template.  We continue to explore plastic and paper templates large and small, including elongated hexies (which are used for the Lucy Boston Quilt of the Crosses). A full discussion of fussy cutting is part of the story. After that, we'll look at quilt-as-you-go techniques, pieced hexies, and designing with hexies.  New techniques which Cathy will demo include machine piecing them using both Inklingo and Marci Baker (no set in seams!) techniques. There will be an extensive class handout, with overview of the techniques and sources for supplies.  During the class students will try out 3 and possibly 4 of the techniques themselves. 

Cathy will bring some of her own hexagon quilts, and students are encouraged to bring show and tell of their own hexagon quilts.

SUPPLY LIST:
Three 15" squares plain fabric in vivid, coordinating colours
sharp, pointed, fabric scissors
matching thread to each colour of fabric
hand sewing needles (I like #9 Sharps)
pencil for  marking
white marking pencil
a sharp seam ripper is helpful
 

SLOW AND STEADY TURTLE - Hand Appliqué

A very classy looking turtle, made with fabric scraps and hand appliqué. Students will learn freezer paper appliqué using three techniques and the best situations for each. This charming turtle pattern will be ready to finish in the car or in front of the fire at home – a perfect hand work project to carry anywhere!

Hand appliqué suitable for beginners
6 hour class.
Class limit: 20 students.
Please enquire about cost.

Pattern purchase required ($10.00).

SUPPLY LIST:
8" squares of three different fabrics for turtle's spots
one 9x11" piece of dark fabric for turtle's back
one 9" square of turtle's limbs fabric (a woodgrain with small knots for the eye works well for this)
one fat quarter of background fabric
one 12" square of freezer paper
pins, hand sewing needles, fabric scissors AND paper scissors
thread to match the fabrics (gradations of grey are recommended)
hand sewing needles (I like #9 Sharps for most fabrics)

At least two irons (more if possible) and ironing boards (small) should be available at the workshop.
 

See some of Cathy's students' work.