Classes

The following classes are available:

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Zoo Friends

Class Start Date: 29 March 2012
Number of Lessons: 3
Price: US$ 27.00
Tutor: Jennifer Houlden info >>

Join Jennifer and others from around the world for this three lesson online class. Zoo Friends is sure to brighten up any child's room and provide hours of enjoyment. This class will cover many basics of quilting along with colour, fabric selection, precise piecing, fusible applique with machine blanket stitch and machine quilting. In the first lesson, you will pick your fabrics for the blocks and sashing as well as sewing those 4-patch star blocks together. The second lesson will cover everything you need to know about fusible applique and picking the appropriate background to make it stand out and say look at me here I am. Finally, in lesson three we will put it all together and go over the different quilting techniques that have been used to quilt this quilt. Be prepared to have lots of fun and these thirteen little animals cannot wait to become part of another child's life.

See Requirements here >>

Fabric

Option A - stars in 4-patch blocks only

1 yd (1 m) yellow/orange fabric for stars and binding
1 yd (1 m) black print for sashing and borders
48 x 31⁄2" squares assorted brights for 4-patch star blocks
Applique Background - 3⁄4 yd (.75 m) each of light yellow & light green
13 - 24 assorted bright fabrics for animal appliques (scraps to 12" squares)
3 yd (2.5 m) fabric for backing
1 1⁄2 yd (1.3m) wadding/batting
Stabilizer for applique, either tear away or leave in
Fusible web (should be stitchable) such as steam-a-seam 2 lite
23 - 1⁄4" (4 mm) black buttons for eyes or black embroider thread for french knots

Option B - no animal appliques

1 yd (1 m) yellow/orange fabric for stars and binding
1 yd (1 m) black print for sashing and borders
48 x 3 1⁄2" squares assorted brights for 4-patch star blocks
Scrappy Squares - 13 x 7 1/2" squares in assorted brights
3 yd (2.5 m) fabric for backing
1 1⁄2 yd (1.3m) wadding/batting

Option C - stars in sashing and 4-patch blocks

1 yd (1 m) yellow/orange fabric for stars and binding
1 yd (1 m) black print for sashing and borders
48 x 3 1⁄2" squares assorted brights for 4-patch star blocks
Applique Background - 1 yd (1 m) solid colour
13 - 24 assorted bright fabrics for animal appliques (scraps to 12" squares)
3 yd (2.5 m) fabric for backing
1 1⁄2 yd (1.3m) wadding/batting
Stabilizer for applique, either tear away or leave in
Fusible web (should be stitchable) such as steam-a seam 2 lite
23 - 1⁄4" (4 mm) black buttons for eyes or black embroider thread for french knots

General Sewing Supplies

Sewing machine and accessories
walking foot and darning foot will be needed for quilting
quarter inch foot for piecing
open toed embroidery foot for blanket stitch
Cutting board, rotary cutter and rulers (long ruler ie 8.5″ x 24″ or 6.5″ x 24″ and a small square ruler)
Scissors for paper & fabric
Pins: flat head for pinning pieces together & forked for pinning seams together
Neutral thread for piecing
Threads suitable for quilting
Seam ripper
Universal and topstitch sewing machine needles
Fabric marker/pen/pencil
Teflon applique sheet or parchment paper or baking paper
Iron and ironing board
Pencil
Safety pins for pinning quilt sandwich together
Design wall may be useful

Circular Bargello

Class Start Date: 12 April 2012
Number of Lessons: 3
Price: US$ 27.00
Tutor: Ruth Blanchet info >>

Bargello? Yes it is. Not the standard Bargello but circular instead. Afraid of all those small pieces? Don't be - this design is strip pieced. No circles or arches to cut, all straight piecing. Join our class and find out how much easier it is to make than it looks. Suitable for intermediate to advance quilters.

See Requirements here >>

Scarlet Rose

Class Start Date: 26 April 2012
Number of Lessons: 3
Price: US$ 27.00
Tutor: Ruth Blanchet info >>

Everyone loves a red rose. You can now make one for yourself with this stained glass applique workshop which is suitable for intermediate to advanced quilters. There is no quilting required and all stitching can be done with straight stitch OR you can complete the project by hand if you wish. You can make it in no time at all with pre-made bias however Ruth will also teach you to make your own original bias to save you costs.

See Requirements here >>

Mariner's Compass for Circle of Life

Class Start Date: 3 May 2012
Number of Lessons: 2
Price: US$ 22.00
Tutor: Ruth Blanchet info >>

1 month away until Registration opens

Learn to make perfect points with various methods of foundation piecing in this 2-lesson class. Class includes a simplified Mariner's Compass for beginners as well as the advanced block you see here. Also includes the option to purchase our full zodiac sign templates with design layout at half price with help available during class if required.

See Requirements here >>

Getting Started With Quilt Art

Class Start Date: 17 May 2012
Number of Lessons: 4
Price: US$ 36.00 Now US$ 27.00
Tutor: Ruth Blanchet info >>

This class will give you starting points for several different areas in Quilt Art. From finding inspiration and color coordinating, to straight piecing landscapes, applique and progressing to more advanced work of shading, shadows and threadwork. Develop a background, add your own ideas and get inspiration from others in the class. During the whole workshop you will make several small quilts that you can display as framed artwork or kept as a collection for reference. All your work will be unique and different from other students in the class, yet their work will give you added inspiration and creative ideas.

See Requirements here >>

Note: Do NOT get overwhelmed by the length of this list, it looks a lot however, most fabrics you will find in your stash as projects are small and only require small amounts. In most cases no more than a fat eighth is required, often much less. All exercises are optional, however the more experimenting you do during class time, the more you will get from the class.

General requirements:

Digital camera or method of taking photos to send photos into the academy, such as a photo camera as long as you know how to transfer it to the computer.
General quilting supplies such as rotary cutter, mat, scissors, pins, machine needles, thread for piecing etc
Pencil for drawing – preferably a mechanical pencil
Teflon sheet, parchment paper or baking paper
Lightbox may be useful
Sewing machine with free-motion/darning foot and walking foot or equivalent (dual feeds)
Stabilizer – heavy iron-on non-woven interfacing such as Pellon 808 craft fuse
Fusible webbing – I recommend either Wonder Under or Vliesofix. Non-paper backed fusible is also suitable for some exercises (this is discussed in lessons)
Small amount of cotton batting - excess from larger quilts is ideal. See individual exercises for actual amounts
Note book – preferably blank pages

Requirements for each exercise Note: Unless otherwise stated, no more than a fat eighth is required

Lesson One

Exercise One:

Does not require fabric cutting, only access to your stash for fabric selecting. If you need to increase your stash, penny packs and jelly rolls will give you a good variety of color. Note: Fabrics selected may be used as one of your projects later in course.

Exercise Two:

ONE 5 1/2" Fabric motif or photo printed on fabric
ONE or TWO medium fabrics to match colors of printout/motif
ONE light fabric
ONE dark fabric
Any small embellishments or appliqués to enhance the printout/motif – optional

Lesson Two

Exercise One:

A minimum of FIVE fabrics ranging from light to dark, any colors (five fabrics works fine but nine fabrics are ideal). 2” strips are ideal, however either the lightest or darkest requires a 4” square

Exercise Two:

Freezer Paper – approximately 9” x 15”
FOUR landscape fabrics ranging from dark to light (your lightest may be sky color and your darkest may be water color)
ONE contrast fabric – needs to contrast the four landscapes fabrics. It will be used as tree trunks. See photo.

Lessons Three

Exercise One:

Two contrasting fabrics either light and dark fabrics or one floral and one plain fabric or two fabrics on opposite sides of the color wheel eg orange and blue. Requires one fabric to be 12” x 18” and other to be 12” x 22”. Actual size is not important however ensure that pieces are no less than 9” wide and one should be slightly longer than the other
Paper the size of your largest piece of fabric – optional (may use plain or freezer paper)
A third contrast fabric – optional (only small amount required)
Small scraps of fabric for applique. You need both light and dark fabrics that will contrast the background fabrics
Fusible webbing
ONE piece the size of largest contrast fabric (non-paper fusible is ideal)
Small amount for applique and third contrast (requires tracing so paper backed fusible is better suited)
Sandwich sample for stitching practice made from 10” square of cotton batting, cotton fabric and stabilizer (see general requirements)

Exercise Two:

SEVEN fabrics in one color ranging from very dark to very light. Solids, one-color batiks, watercolors & hand-dyed fabrics work best. Avoid floral and busy fabrics. Example: If you are using a purple color range, fabrics can be various shades or tints of purple and even extend to very close colors on the color wheel such as blue-purple, however should not include colors outside this area.
ONE contrast fabric for background
A second background fabric slightly darker than the one above for shadow, small amount only – optional
Machine embroidery threads to match fabrics
Approximately 1/4 yd of fusible webbing
Batting and stabilizer slightly larger than background fabric

Lesson Four

Machine embroidery and other decorative threads - may include rayon, metallic etc
Yarn and cording thread – optional
Thread stand would be useful – optional
Fabric paints or aquarelle pencils/crayons – optional
Stretcher bars and staple gun – optional
Extra backing and batting for finishing off exercises may be required
Binding fabric for finishing off quilts may be required depending on method used to finish quilts

A Day In The Country

Class Start Date: 17 May 2012
Number of Lessons: 6
Price: US$ 48.00 Now US$ 27.00
Tutor: Ruth Blanchet info >>

In this online quilt class you begin by making the easiest block, the heart block. This is the first of 20 different blocks. During each lesson you will make several blocks, some lessons more than others. I leave color selection up to the individual student, but am always available to help when required. You are more than welcome to add your own creatures in where you like, in previous classes I have had all sorts of animals included. There are many different techniques to learn including Blanket Stitch Applique, Dimensional Applique, Foundation Piecing, Machine Embroidery and Quilting, along with basic piecing, setting-in blocks and adding borders.

Techniques you will learn in this online class:

Correct procedures for using double sided bonding
Blanket Stitch Applique
Layering Applique shapes accordingly
Foundation piecing
Basic piecing skills to make pieced star
Setting-in blocks
Free-motion Machine Embroidery
Condensed Machine Embroidery using a hoop
Dimensional Applique
Joining strips on the bias
Adding borders
Making pieced borders
Machine Quilting

See Requirements here >>

I have listed each lesson with a new set of requirements as you may find you have some scraps remaining that can be used in later lessons. Where indicated, extra fabric is listed for some of the block backgrounds in later lessons.

For all lessons you require:

Sewing Machine and accessories (although, this can be achieved by hand if wished)
1/4" Sewing machine foot or other method of stitching accurate 1/4" seam
A sharp Quilters pencil
Baking Paper, Teflon Mat or Parchment Paper
A natural coloured thread for piecing
Machine Embroidery threads (for best results) for stitching with machine or
Stranded Embroidery threads for stitching by hand to match fabrics for applique shapes

Materials for lesson one: (heart, sheep, tree, apples)

8" (20 cm) full width tan fabric for Background One (includes enough for heart, tree and snail blocks)
8" (20 cm) full width tan fabric for Background Two (includes enough for sheep, apple and hive blocks)
6" x 24" red for 3 hearts (2" square for each heart)
7" x 5" green for 2 tree tops, 2 apple leaves
2" x 3" brown for 2 tree trunks, 2 apple stems
3" x 6" red/green for 2 apples
2" x 4" black for 3 sheep heads
9" x 4" white/grey for 3 sheep & grub
6" (15 cm) full width of double sided bonding
6 seed beads for sheep eyes

Materials for lesson two: (Square in a Square, Geese, Rooster)

16" (45 cm) full width medium green for foreground hills (includes enough for foreground hills in barn block, plus cow and horse backgrounds)
6" (15 cm) full width light green for distant hill (includes enough for hills in barn and butterfly panel)
10" (25cm) full width tan Background Three for geese blocks (includes enough for wheelbarrow block)
3" x 15" scrap for centers of Square in a Square blocks (2" motif plus seam allowance works well)
five 12" x 1 1/2" strips for second round of Square in a Square blocks
five 14" x 2 1/2" strips for third round of Square in a Square blocks
7 assorted 1 3/4" x 2 3/4" blocks for flying geese
11" x 14" light blue for rooster background
5" x 7" off-white for geese
2 1/2" square rust for geese feet & bill.
3 1/2" x 2" scrap for flowers
3" x 5" red for rooster crown & upper wing
2" x 3" rust for rooster beak & feet
9" x 8" for rooster body, head & lower wing
2" x 3" green for flower stems
2 1/2" x 1" gold for sun
8" (20 cm) full width of double sided bonding
three beads for geese and rooster eyes

Materials for lesson three: (Pieced Star, Barn block, Butterfly Panel)

11" x 18" dark blue for Sky One and pieced star background
10" (25 cm) full width medium blue for Sky Three in barn block and butterfly panel
11" x 14" med/dark blue for sky
10" x 5 1/2" med/light green for 2nd hill
5" x 20" gold for stars
6" x 10" blue for 2 butterflies
4" x 6" green for 1 butterfly
2 1/2" square for butterfly bodies
5" square red for 2 barns
3" square for doors & window
7" x 10" brown for branch & trunks
6" square green for trees & leaves
16" (40 cm) of double sided bonding
3 apple buttons

Materials for lesson four: (Hive, Cat, Snails, Calves, Cow, Wheelbarrow)

2" x 3" light gold for owls wings and crown
3 1/2" x 5" gold for owl and pumpkin
1" square pale green for cabbage heart
3" square orange for carrots
7 1/2" x 11" med brown for branches
11" square brown for cow
2 1/2" x 8½" wall fabric
7" x 7½" black for cat
20" (50 cm) full width Background Four fabric for Calf & Cat blocks (includes enough for Scarecrow and Pig backgrounds)
5 1/2" x 20" dark brown for fence, beehive stand, pumpkin stem and wheelbarrow
4" x 10" cream for udder, horns, cow tail, calf heads and snail bodies.
6" x 14" tan for calf bodies, snail shells and beehive
10" x 4" green for tree leaves and cabbage leaves
16" (40 cm) of double sided bonding
scraps of fabric to practice machine embroidery techniques
3 bee buttons, 4 acorn buttons & 4 beads for calves eyes
small embroidery hoop

Materials for lesson five: (Scarecrow Block)

12" (30 cm) full width red for Scarecrow border (includes enough for first border)
11 1/2" x 7" dark tan for Scarecrow lower background section
10" x 3" check fabric for shirt (more is required for stripes)
4 1/2" x 8" blue for overalls
2 1/2" square navy for overall patches
6" x 3" gold for straw hat & hands
1" square brown for stick
3" square tan for toadstool stems
6" x 5" brown for flower centers
3 1/2" x 5" red for toadstools
3" square black for bird
8" x 6" green for front of 3-d leaves
7" x 5" off-white/grey for head & under toadstools
15" x 7" dark green for leaves, back of 3-d leaves & stems
30" x 6" yellow/gold for 5 sunflowers (or 6" square for each)
30" x 6" light gold for backs of sunflowers
2 buttons for Scarecrow eyes, Ladybird button, bead for bird’s eye
16" (40 cm) of double sided bonding

Materials for lesson six: (Horse, Pig, borders)

6" x 5" green for tomato plant
2" square red for tomatoes
2 1/2" square pink/tan for pigs head
6" x 6 1/2" brown for horse
3" square light green for corn husks
8" x 5 1/2" green for cornplant
4 1/2" x 4" dark tan for foal
4" x 20" background for star blocks
3" x 12" gold for stars
3" x 12" red for hearts
4" square tan for horses manes and tails
4 1/2" square pink for pigs body & snout
5" x 20" background for heart blocks
12" (30 cm) full width fabric for 2nd border
20" (50 cm) full width fabric for 3rd & 5th border
Ten 3" full length strips of ten different fabrics for 4th border
Three 3" x 20" lengths of three different fabrics for 4th border
9" square tan for Pig background (purchased in part 4)
12 1/2" x 7" green for Horse background (purchased in part 2)
12" fabric for 1st border (purchased in part 5)
60" x 72" backing fabric & batting
23" (60 cm) binding fabric
2 beads for horses eyes
quilting thread
10" (25 cm) of double sided bonding

Machine Quilting

Class Start Date: 7 June 2012
Number of Lessons: 2
Price: US$ 21.00
Tutor: Ruth Blanchet info >>

2 months away until Registration opens

Are you one of the many quilters who do not know how to finish off their quilt tops? Our online class will provide you with the answers on how to beautifully finish them off with machine quilting. This class teaches you about suitable batting and thread to use as well as the importance of layering and how to do it correctly. Then you get to practice the various styles of quilting on your sample block. Follow detailed instructions and photos with one-on-one help from your teacher if needed. The video footage gives you a bird's eye view as if you are looking over the teacher's shoulder but the advantage of replaying it as often as you wish. Learn everyone's favorites, Stitch-in-the-ditch and Stipple quilting, as well as less commonly known styles such as echo and contour quilting.

Ruth has 30 years of experience in quilting and has many tips and tricks to share with you. She will even give you suggestions on how to quilt your already pieced quilt tops. Join her and experience the joy of quilting your own quilt tops.

See Requirements here >>

Patchwork With A Twist

Class Start Date: 6 July 2012
Number of Lessons: 3
Price: US$ 27.00
Tutor: Ruth Blanchet info >>

3 months away until Registration opens

This is a fun patchwork quilt class designed for beginner to advanced quilters alike. No precise 1/4" seam and cutting does not have to be accurate until the end when you square up the blocks. Lots of tips are included with easy piecing instructions and video support so you can learn the technique with ease. Multiple sizes are included with the opinion of a single background or alternating block background effect. Our video enhances the class with step-by-step construction of the block. You really cannot go wrong with this easy to make block. Ruth has the answer to any mistake you may think you are making, even a crooked cut strip!

See Requirements here >>

Sunflowers At Dawn

Class Start Date: 2 February 2012
Number of Lessons: 3
Price: US$ 27.00
Tutor: Ruth Blanchet info >>

4 months away until Registration opens

This three lesson online class will teach you all you need to know to make this beautiful floral project. Learn how to select the right fabrics, place them accordingly, piece and applique them correctly and then quilt your project using echo quilting. In the first lesson, you select your fabrics and piece the background together including borders to create a window frame effect. In lesson two, you learn how to make bias binding stems for your sunflowers, discover fusible webbing and how to use it correctly, cut and adhere sunflower appliques with ease and learn the art of blanket stitch applique. To finish up, in lesson three you add some shading effects to your stems, discover free-motion techniques and echo quilting, then add hanging tabs and label to complete the project. This is a fun class and one of our most popular pattern sellers.

See Requirements here >>

Christmas Holly Wreath

Class Start Date: 30 August 2012
Number of Lessons: 3
Price: US$ 27.00
Tutor: Ruth Blanchet info >>

5 months away until Registration opens

This design is a Christmas best selling pattern. Ruth's step-by-step instructions, enhanced with tips and tricks, will guide you through this entire project in a timely manner while learning several different methods of applique and quilting. The class is three lessons long and begins with selecting fabrics and colors to use, includes easy to use methods of applique, teaches quilting techniques and finishes with ideas to add your label and embellishments.

See Requirements here >>

Pacific Aquarium

Class Start Date: 30 August 2012
Number of Lessons: 4
Price: US$ 36.00 Now US$ 27.00
Tutor: Ruth Blanchet info >>

5 months away until Registration opens

This is a four lesson class suitable for all levels. The background was made using basic Bargello techniques. Applique, embroidery and quilting are applied to the background making up the underwater 3-D scene. It is a fun class with lots of different techniques to try and experiment with. This is a great design for the creative student to add his/her personal touch with the addition of other ocean occupants.

OUTLINE of LESSONS

Lesson One takes you through the requirements and different media that can be used, plus where to look for inspiration. Some cutting out will also be done.

The background is made using very basic Bargello strip piecing techniques which is accomplished in Lesson Two.

During Lesson Three, you will learn, through different techniques, to make fish, shells, seaweed and any other pieces you wish to add.

In Lesson Four, the appliqués and beads will be added, you will embroider and quilt areas to the background making up the 3-D scene. Once all is complete, we will also then look at making the split binding.

See Requirements here >>

Christmas Poinsettia

Class Start Date: 13 September 2012
Number of Lessons: 2
Price: US$ 20.00
Tutor: Ruth Blanchet info >>

6 months away until Registration opens

This is a beginners to advanced course in stained glass applique and is a delightful project for any quilter. There is no quilting required and all stitching can be done with straight stitch. You can make it in no time at all with pre-made bias or make your own original bias with the instructions included. A fun easy quilt which makes an ideal Christmas gift.

See Requirements here >>

Decorate Your Christmas Tree

Class Start Date: 20 September 2012
Number of Lessons: 3
Price: US$ 27.00
Tutor: Ruth Blanchet info >>

6 months away until Registration opens

Decorative your Christmas tree with a tree skirt using one of our applique designs. You can make any size base to suit your tree and then decorate it with as much or as little as you want. We have three Christmas applique designs - poinsettia, holly and snowflakes. If applique is not your thing, then you can insert your own pieced blocks instead. Ruth will show you how. Also included in this class are easy methods of quilting using either straight stitch quilting or free-motion techniques. You will love our videos that will support the easy-to-follow instructions and photos.

See Requirements here >>