Classes & Lectures
Teacher Profile
I began quilting in 1998 after the birth of my second child. My mother helped me piece a simple quilt top with 12 inch blocks with sashing and keys. She cringed when I picked out a heavy, stretchy denim for the backing. We ended up tying this quilt. The first quilt that I quilted was a log-cabin design, king sized, which I quilted by hand until I got to the borders.
I am a self-taught quilter, so I have learned many things the long, hard way.I enjoy teaching classes because it lets me share my successes and failures. I also love to take classes!
Like many quilters, I am a multi-tasker. I am Mom to three “perfect” children, a nurse and an obsessive quilter. I have learned that all new fabrics get washed before the clothes and somehow the fabrics get ironed but the shirts don’t. I enjoy the process of making quilts so much that I like to keep quilts at many stages going at the same time. Some people call these UFO’s (unfinished objects), but I know that sometime they will all get done. Besides, you can not rush art!
I have started entering contests. I feel that entering competitions makes me stretch my deigns and precision. These are some of my “award winning moments” :
- 2006 – “Grandma Sharon’s Butterfly Garden” – Pensacola Quilters Guild – Judges recognition for use of color and design
- 2007 – “Hope” – Quilt accepted into Paducah AQS show, Young Designers category
- 2008 – “Poppy” – Pensacola Quilters Guild – Judges Recognition- use of color and beautiful machine quilting design and stitching – Best small quilt
- 2008 – “Evening in Times Square” – Quilt accepted into Nashville AQS show
- 2009 – “Evening in Times Square” – Indiana Heritage Quilt Show – 3rd place amateur
- 2009 – “In Her Arms” – Quilt accepted into Knoxville AQS Show
- 2009 – “Serenity” – Quilt accepted into Des Moines AQS Show
- 2010 – “In the Garden I” – PQG – Judge’s recognition for machine quilting
- 2010 – “In the Garden I” – Quilt accepted into Knoxville AQS Show
I have been teaching quilting related classes since 2007. My classes range from curved piecing, free-motion machine quilting to art quilting with embellishments and fabric painting.
Available Classes
Curved Piecing and Design
This class will demonstrate curved piecing techniques. A pattern will be provided for the class. The student may draw their own design and bring it to class if they prefer. 6 Hours read more…
How do I Quilt This?
This class will be a 4 hour design class. The class participants will bring quilt tops that have not been quilted yet and we will discuss and develop quilting designs. Several books, quilts and other resources will be available at the class. read more
Machine Quilting 1
This class starts with an interactive lecture. We then spend 3 hours stitching out progressively more difficult designs. The lecture includes information on batting, needles, thread, and basic techniques for getting started. The quilting designs start with a large meander and progresses to an innovative feather. The goal of this class is for the beginner quilter to become familiar with the sound and feel of their sewing machine and to work on control of quilting stitches. read more…
Machine Quilting 2
The 2nd step class is four hours of sewing. It starts where the first class ends and introduces more complex designs and includes interactive discussion about possible uses of the designs. The goal of this class is to explore new quilting designs, to work on accuracy and control, and to increase the quilter’s confidence. read more…
Machine Quilting 3
Advanced machine quilting techniques and designs. Each student will design their own whole-cloth quilt by combining a selected theme image and fill patterns. 6 hours read more…
Quilt Embellishment
Working from a fat quarter, this class will introduce working with multiple fibers and embellishments. Instruction on couching, needle felting, hot-fix crystals, use of organza and toile, and beading will be given. 6 hours read more…
Thread Sketching
Working from an 8”x10” photo, we will make a one-of-a-kind thread sketch. We will use a free-motion quilt foot and introduce you to bobbin work. 3 hours read more
Lectures
Fear-less Curves
This interactive lecture will introduce techniques in designing and piecing originial curved designs. Several quilts in different stages of completion will be displayed. 1-1 1/2 hours
Machine Quilting and Design
This lecture combines a trunk show and power point presentation. The truck show focuses on triumphs and failures in machine quilting and showcases quilting designs that enhance the quilt. The powerpoint presentation compares several different quilting designs applied to quilt tops – allowing a discussion on the strengths and weakness of quilting designs. 1- 1 1/2 hours
Color in Quilting
This lecture combines a lecture and a trunk show. The lecture is presented by a power-point presentation that covers the “technical” terms of color and using the color wheel. 1-1 1/2 hours