Quilter by Avocation
Teaching
Workshops
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The Courage to Paint
Jump right into painting for your quilts, wearables or accessories! A full day class, the morning is spent learning how to use the materials. By the afternoon, you're working on your first project.
Your $10 kit fee includes all the fabric you'll need, use of instructor's drawings, full color class handout, all the paint palettes and water cups needed.
Supply List | See More Samples | Student Gallery
Three Rulers That Rock!
Learn to make three traditional, yet versatile, blocks — Dresden Plate, Pineapple, and Flying Geese — using contemporary rulers that really work!
Take the class to learn how to make the blocks, or complete the class sample and have a finished 42” x 42” wall quilt or table topper to showcase your new skills.
Supply List
Other Available Classes
The “Greenest” Scrap Quilt Ever
Selvage quilts are all the rage, quick and joyful to create. Using selvages you cut from your stash, you’ll whiz your way to finished blocks. No need for accuracy, just grab and sew.
A three to four hour workshop will have you well on your way to done...spend the day and you can be quilting. Finished project measures 40” x 40”, suitable for crib or lap...and yes, you do have enough selvages on hand!
Class Sample | Supply List
Abstract Art Quilt
Create a 20” x 20” abstract art quilt and break out! By pulling colors in varying values from your border fabric, you can play your way to a successful quilt.
A three hour workshop finds most students leaving with the top complete...stay a full day and your project is very near completion.
Fun for the traditional quilter who wants to see what “art quilts” are about and relaxing play for the art quilter.
Class Sample | Supply List
In This House
Develop or practice foundation piecing skills! Students will begin the work of creating their personalized house quilt, choosing their own theme.
As added fun, students will write a haiku poem inspired by their quilt, perfect to include on the label. Haiku is a form of traditional Japanese poetry, simple and addicting to write.
Project quilt finishes 29” x 29”, blocks are 7” square. Project comes from In This House...If Walls Could Talk, a haiku/quilt block anthology, published by FPI Publishing, in which the instructor’s work appears.
Class Sample | Supply List
New Class!
Beaded Bindings
and Fringes
Add just the right amount of bling to your wall quilts by adding beads to the binding.
In this technique class, we’ll explore three different ways to accent quilt edges with hand beading.
Techniques are appropriate to traditional or art quilts.
Supply List
Throw in the Towel
Are you stuck in a rut? Do you want to leave patterns behind and jump into making original art quilts? Then this workshop is for you!
Begin by staying out of the quilt shop...bring a cloth napkin or linen type dish towel and tons of interesting fabrics and embellishments. Students will be coached and encouraged through designing and creating an original art quilt.
The goal is not a technically perfect quilt - the goal is to explore new techniques and try your hand at something totally original.
Supply List | See More Samples | Student Gallery
Lectures
New!
Piecing Life Together
Barbara shares readings from her syndicated column and the quilts that inspired her writings.
Living With Quilt Pox
A trunk show exploring Barbara’s quilt career from the beginning. See the quilts she’d really rather not show as well as those that still make her heart sing. Laughter, learning, and door prizes along the journey.
Evolution of Painted Appliqué
A Powerpoint presentation on Barbara’s painted appliqué technique — how it developed and how-to. Quilt samples brought along.
The Fine Print
Workshop Fees
- 3 hour workshop, $300 • 6 hour workshop, $450
- Lecture, $250 ($200 if booked with a workshop)
- Judging per full day, $300
Travel By Car: Actual round-trip mileage billed at the current IRS mileage rate
Travel By Air: All round trip expenses, including ground transportation, baggage fees, etc.
Barbara prefers to book her own travel arrangements, seeks the most reasonable air fare possible, and will verify costs with your group before booking. Sponsoring group will arrange for ground transportation from lodging to workshop venue and airport return.
Meals: Provided where appropriate, or reimbursed.
Lodging: Lodging, where needed and necessary, is provided by the host group. Barbara prefers to stay in a safe, reasonably-priced hotel in a single, non-smoking room. If that is not possible, she is willing to stay in a private home that is smoke-free and offers a private bedroom and bath. She is pet friendly if pets are person friendly.