Class Offerings

Class List

Two students enjoying a Thermofax screen printing session in my home studio.

I offer classes in my home studio, or on-site, at quilt retreats, quilt store classrooms or for guild workshops.  Many years of working in all manner of textiles, quilts and quilted garments has been a rich source of learning and I find great pleasure in passing on that knowledge to others. If  working with fabric, in any application, is your pleasure or passion, I am happy to help grow your knowledge in any way that suits you. Here is a sample offering of classes, but I am open to requests and suggestions.  Classes can be a private session or a group activity.  

Scroll to the bottom of the class list for class fees.

Basic to Beginning Quilting

Learn how to cut fabric efficiently, piece accurately and assemble any traditional quilt block.  Easy beginner patterns include Log Cabin, Pinwheel or any of the modern quilt block layouts.  Classes also offer instruction on how to layer, machine quilt and finish the edges with a traditional binding method. Classes can be tailored to fit individual levels of skill and knowledge.  Suggested class time: Two 3-hour class periods

Free-motion Quilting, Beginning or Advanced

Using your sewing machine as a drawing tool, you can quilt any free-flowing design with this technique. Although it may seem intimidating, it is surprising how quickly this skill can be learned.  Once you have an understanding of the technique, you can quilt any design you might wish for on a quilt. This is also the basic skill needed to to thread painting.  
Suggested class time:  One 3-hour class period

Oregon Summer - raw-edge applique with extensive free-motion quilting

Sew Your Garden

In this class you will work with my original pattern designs to make a wall hanging size quilt.  Each participant will receive patterns for all of the vegetables shown in the three little quilts.  You will choose three of those to build your very own garden scene.  The background is pieced but the vegetables are created by fusing using the raw edge applique technique.  Although the roots are stitched using free-motion quilting, you will also learn how to add lines of bobbin work stitching for even greater texture.

Suggested class time:  One 6-hour class period will get most people through the design process and into some stitching time, with enough knowledge to finish their wall hanging on their own time.  For a complete finished project, two 6-hour class periods is recommended. 

 Happy class participants holding their "almost" finished projects

 

Art Quilts

There are many ways to produce a quilt as an artistic wall hanging rather than a functional item.  From photo realism to fully abstract, you can be the creator with technical guidance and design advice as needed.  As you advance your skills, you will also learn, and use, basic art and design principles.
Suggested class time:  One 2-hour or 3-hour class, depending on previous experience, with follow-up email consultations

 Callas for Dufy -  sheer polyester and cotton fabrics, free-motion quilted

Surface Design

Surface design includes a wide variety of ways to make marks on fabric.  It is possible to transfer images, remove color or change the texture of the fabric.  There are various methods of screen printing like Thermofax screens and deconstructed screen printing.  Stenciling, stamping and wax resist (batik) can also be used.  You can create a unique piece of cloth to use in any sewing project.  This can be done as an added layer to fabrics you may have purchased or dyed yourself.
Suggested class time:  One 3-hour class which will cover at least three techniques or full day workshop (6 hours plus lunch break) to cover all listed techniques

 Callas - painted with thickened Procion dye 

and free-motion quilted

Fabric Dying

Whether tie-dying, over-dying of previously dyed fabric, ice-dying, using Japanese shibori methods or painting with thickened dye, there are any ways to color fabric to make cloth that is yours alone. For casual fun or serious art quilters, making your own hand-dyed cloth can become addictive fun.
Suggested class time:  One 3-hour class for one or two techniques, or a full day workshop (6 hours plus lunch break) for three or four techniques

Hand Embroidery

Embroidery by hand, using traditional floss or silk ribbon, is a wonderful way to add dimension, detail and texture to almost any sewing project.  Start by learning The Basic Six or move on to more advanced stitches.  Working with silk ribbon or rayon floss can turn even basic stitches into intricate embellishments.
Suggested class time:  One 3-hour class period for basic or advanced stitches

Felting

Needle-felting by hand or machine has many applications.  You can make lovely home accessories in very little time using silk, yarn, sheer ribbons, wool and other bits and pieces. Or, learn the art and craft of wet-felting, as it has been done for centuries, or the more modern application of Nuno felting which produces soft, flowing scarves or even whole garments.
Suggested class time:  One 3-hour class for most techniques.  Nuno felted scarves take a little more time.

 Needle-felted wool and silk with with gold foil accents and hand embroidery

3D Bowls, Vessels and Leaves

Making three-dimensional objects out of fabric or thread is easier than you might think. Using special methods of stiffening and shaping will give you a wonderfully decorative piece that will charm anyone who sees it.  You can make large, intriguing leaves or other shapes with a few quick steps.
Suggested class time:  One 3-hour class period for a vessel, bowl or a 3D leaf.

Seasonal Interests

Paper Ornaments  Whip out some fast and easy ornaments for the holidays.  These are made from old sewing pattern tissue and filled with lavender for hanging on the tree or as a gift box decoration.  They can be glittered or left charmingly plain.
Suggested class time:  One 3-hour class period

 

Cotton Batting Santa  These old World Santas are made in the tradition of German Dresden style decorations.  Made with vintage cotton batting, pipe cleaners, German glass glitter and Dresden papers, they make a unique and timeless seasonal decoration.
Suggested class time:  One 3-hour class period

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Class Structure and Fees

All classes can be experienced in 2-hour or 3-hour segments over one day or you may combine multiple 3-hour sessions to learn more advanced techniques.  Multiple day workshops can also be arranged.  My home studio will easily accommodate 3 participants so you can enjoy a class with friends.  More are possible, depending on what technique you are choosing for your class.  Call, or email, to tailor a class just for you or as a group activity.  You can choose your own topic or choose from the above suggestions.  Private lessons are available as well for a 2-hour period of time.  Most afternoons, evenings or weekends are available for booking.  You choose what best suits your needs and schedule.

Rates

$40.00 per person, for 2 or more, for a 3-hour class
$50.00 for an intensive individual 2-hour class
$65.00 per person for a full-day class (6-hour plus lunch break)

For full-day workshops conducted outside my studio the fee is $500 per day (6.5 hours of instruction with a half-hour lunch break) plus any travel costs and room and board.  Maximum of 15 students. 

Some classes may have an additional fee if items like dye, paint or fabric is supplied as part of the class.  This is generally done when it would be expensive for students to purchase supplies that would be in larger quantity than one could use in a single class.  Sharing in the cost of supplies saves everyone shopping time and expense.

Contact Information

Phone:  (541) 729-1242 (cell)
Email:  joyincloth@gmail.com