Updating the Class List

This autumn we have been busy with classes.  This has been quite a change for us from the past ew years when we only had two main classes to think about. 
One thing I have noticed is that I have needed to do the scheduling in increments. No more are the days when I wrote a class list only twice a year, in August and December.  Yesterday I made several updates to the list, and then transferred all those updates to the web-site.  

We have added a lot of new classes, some taught by Sandy, and some by Judy, which has been very stimulating. 
Part of the experience of new classes is finding a way to communicate the excitement felt by the teacher to potential students.  This continues to be a work in progress.   We are trying to show samples in the store, as well as writing descriptions to put on the class list that’s available in the store and online.  I am trying to add more photos and Sandy has written more detailed descriptions. 

I have enjoyed teaching a couple of classes, the Hand Embroidery and the Learn to Sew.  I personally have learned a lot from teaching them, and as a nice side effect, gotten to know better some really interesting people. 

Some of the newest updates....

 New Classes added include;

9.   String Quilts ----Strings of a Different Angle
In this class we will combine string quilts with 60 degree angles.  You can make this column quilt, or a string star based on the 60 degree angles.  I liked this one so much, I am going to make it again.  It can use a lot of little bits up!!   If you have a stash of Selvages, they will work too!
    Instructor: Sandy        Cost: $ 48.00
    Friday, Oct 17, 9:30 a.m to 4 p.m.


14 Hawaiian Applique
Applique is a great take along project.  We make an 18” block which can be used for a cushion, wallhanging or tote.  Some of the Baltimore album quilts are this kind of fold and cut applique technique as well. We will do the folding and cutting in the first session, and the basic hand applique in the second.
    Two 3-hour classes        Instructor: Sandy        Cost: $ 48.00
    Next Session: Thursday mornings 9:30 to 12:30, December 4 and 11

And we've added sessions to the classes below...

 Learn to Quilt.... added new dates for after Christmas
     Session I: Tues 6:30 to 9:30, January 6 to Feb 17
     Session II: Wed 6:30 to 9:30 January 7 to Feb 18
     Session III: Tues 6:30 to 9:30, February 24 to April 7
     Session IV: Wed 6:30 to 9:30 February  25 to April 8
     Session V: Tues 6:30 to 9:30, April 14 to May 26
     Session VI: Wed 6:30 to 9:30 April 15 to May 27

    (Jacqueline's quilt top from the class!)

.Machine Quilting
    New dates:           Saturday morning, 9:30 to 12:30, Nov 22 and December 6

The Saturday Sampler Support Group:  -- this might not continue after Christmas, so be sure to sign up for these sessions if you are interested.
There are 4 more sessions in this Saturday Morning Sewing Group that focuses on sampler blocks.  You can sign up for one class at $15.00, or all four for $60.00.  They will give you a big boost on your project! 
  Saturday mornings: 10 a.m  to noon,
   (every other Saturday), Oct 18, Nov 1, Nov 29, Dec 13

New Session of   Learn to Sew :   (Limit 6 students)
                      Six 3-hour classes Instructor: Michelle   Cost: $135.00
                      Session I: Saturday 1:30 - 4:30 January 24 through Feb 28

 Hand Stitching–Embroidery :
      A new session has been scheduled  Thursday afternoon, 1:30 to 4:30, Jan 22 through Feb 19

 Machine Pieced Hexagons:
 a new session is scheduled for November 21, all day! 

 Using a Jellyroll, or  2-1/2" strips,
a new session is Scheduled for November 7th!  Friday, 9:30 to 4, 

Dresden Plate (and Wedges)
a new session is Scheduled for Friday, 9:30 a.m to 4 p.m. November 28, 

classes!

The Class List for the autumn is now available!  

 

 and open for you to register for something exciting!

The list is posted in various places....

On the wall on clipboards,

 

on a calendar,  

and of course on the web-page, here

It is pretty exciting to offer a wider variety again!   Sandy has worked up a bunch of new technique classes,  I am even teaching a couple of classes myself!  (Embroidery and Learn to Sew)
Classes are usually a combination of learning and socializing,
But if you are really in it mostly for the socializing, we've got a couple of drop in and sew times--- Sunday mornings with Val, where you can do machine sewing for $5,  and a new time, Thursdays from 5 to 9 for handwork , which is totally free!

Looking forward to the classroom being a busy place this fall

planning classes

Past week or two I've been spending a lot of time planning out the class list for the autumn 

There will be a lot more classes now that we have the space, which is pretty exciting! 

i hope to have the list posted on the website within a few days,   hope you find something you like! 

Milagros embroidery and New Classes

Yesterday I started an embroidery that is all in backstitch, (with just a few french knots). 

 I was inspired by the work of Yumiko Higuchi,

you can see lots of her stuff on her Pinterest boards, here

She seems to cover a whole piece of fabric with motifs, like this:

and then either frame it or use the fabric to make another item: such as these bags:

So, I drew out some motifs onto one of my fat quarters of Essex Linen, using a blue ink pen that disappears when it gets wet.  

  

 I had about 4 hours yesterday to stitch, so I was able to get a pretty good start on it.

 

Sometimes in redwork embroidery you use backstitch for more detailed pictures, and stem stitch when you want a heavier line, 

Anyway, the way of having the motifs randomly spread out over the surface reminded me of Milagros, the little motifs that many south americans use for prayer.  they sometimes fix them to a cross or a heart, as reminders of what to pray for,

The back of the piece, for whoever is interested......

 CLASSES!

As I was stitiching, I started to  think that it would be lots of fun to have a class at the store based on embroidery stitches!  (My mind is in overdrive right now as I am thinking of our new store space).  

It's been about 4 years since we had a whole variety of classes, since we just haven't had a dedicated space for a classroom.  However, in our new space there is a full basement (2000sq.ft!) and surely we will carve out a large sewing room.  So, now my brain is churning about what sort of classes we might offer.....  If there is something you've been hankering to take a class in, let me know!!

Sandy's Modern Quilt

So many people have taken a class from Sandy cook that she needs no introduction. Lately she has offered a quilt class on modern improvisational quilting And also one on free motion quilting with the modern design focus. This is the sample that she brought into show people what the classes would be about.

The front has sections of different techniques

The back Shows off some of the leftover blocks.

The large areas of gray really show off the free motion quilting.

It makes me want to just dive in and try some of these blocks. Any of them would make a fabulous quilt just on their own. If you want to take the class we just recently set some new times for after Christmas.  http://www.periwinkle.biz/classes.html

If you want to register for one of the classes, you can just Dropinto the shop to register, or even just make a phone call at 933–3072.

Also, if you like this style of quilting, just a reminder that there is the modern quilt guild that meets twice a month, you might like to go to their meetings.