Quilting on the Waterfront (QTW) - 2010 Conference

Lecture/Demo (3 hrs.): Play with fabric, setting a variety of possible "palettes" for scrap quilts. Lots of great information, including Q & A - no sewing.SUPPLY LIST: - A selection, or selections of fabrics that you’re considering for use in one or more of your next quilts, for personalized attention (a fabric make-over!). - A wonderful assortment of anything and everything for fooling around (this can be all the fabrics you’ve brought for other classes, and stuff you’ve recently bought.) - Favorite fabrics you’ve always wanted to use but haven’t for some reason. - Selections of fabrics that show the kind of color problems you experience, if you do. - Chocolate. It’s also a good idea to bring a small notebook, a pen, some scissors, and a glue stick to help you remember your great ideas!

Hands-on Workshop (6 hrs.) Experience exciting ways to manipulate fabric while enjoying the immediacy of fusible techniques; play around with the possibilities using positive/negative images; and, discuss appropriate edge finishes and quilting. While impromptu design is encouraged, participants may choose one of Karen K. Stone's patterns: Just Beachy, Hibiscus, Delirious, Prickly Pear, Indigo A-Go-Go, Little Thing and San Antonio Rose.SUPPLY LIST: - Basic sewing supplies, sewing machine set up for decorative stitching (afternoon), and rotary cutting tools. Instructor will provide pattern.- Pencil and paper.- Paper-backed fusible web.- Sharpie pen, pencil, or anything that will write on your fusible web backing.- Scissors - really good ones. Bring the size you prefer for tight work.- A variety of decorative threads (40-wt. Rayon is great for this, and 30-wt. is even better).- A fresh needle for your machine (90/14 Sharp).- Fabric: Start with a background fabric that you love, that offers lots of possibilities. By "background", please don't assume "off white"; but, a unifying "starting place" for your quilt that will appear in every block. OR, choose a group of fabrics that you'll consider as your backgrounds. You'll need a square of this "starting place" fabric for each block. Bring the fabric - don't pre-cut.- Select and bring a minimum of eight fat quarters of other fabrics which compliment and contrast with your background(s). You'll be able to make two blocks for every fabric you choose. (So, if you want to make 16 blocks, you'll need 8 fabrics.)- Although we'll only use about eight fabrics plus your background(s) in class, feel free to bring more to establish your palette for making more blocks.

Hands-on Workshop (6 hrs.) A stunning version of the traditional Lone Star quilt, paper foundation piecing makes this pattern unique and accurate with nice sharp points. Vary the Lone Star by subdividing the diamonds; manage lots of fabric and color; and, dress up backgrounds with improvisational machine couching and reverse applique'.SUPPLY LIST:- Karen's pattern for "An Unusual Lone Star" will be provided by instructor.- Sewing machine in good working order, equipped with a new medium-sized needle (90/14).- Basic sewing supplies, including good fabric scissors and scissors for cutting paper.- Rotary cutting tools.- Paper for trying out motifs for bobbin work and applique'.- Fabric: Bring lots! More is usually more fun, but you can probably have enough fun with around 20 fat quarters (used=OK), if you include a range of values, some gradations and some that contrast with your gradations.- If you'd like to experiment with bobbin work in class, bring your free-motion quilting foot or darning foot; and extra bobbin case, if you have one, so you can adjust the bobbin tension; pearle rayon or pearle cotton or other thread too large to feed through your needle; two 12" squares of fabric/batting/fabric (basted together for quilting); and a removable marking pen or pencil which will show up on your backing square. - If you'd like an introduction to reverse hand applique', bring two rather contrasting 8" squares of fabric; thread to match your top fabric and contrasting thread for basting; "Straw" or milliners needles for hand applique'; sequin pins (1/2" long), if you have some; and a removable marking pen or pencil which will show up on your front square.

Longarm Lecture/Demo/Drawing: Say goodbye to conventional ways of using stippling to fill in negative spaces on your quilts. These very unique, easy to understand, and easy to execute design techniques will have your creative juices flowing...and, you can add your own twist to Irena's ideas. Very impressive designs. No planning ahead and no marking of the background fabric required. Class kit fee ($12) payable to Irena at class time.SUPPLY LIST:- Drawing pad with no lines or grid and a soft pencil.

Longarm Lecture/Demo/Drawing: If you have never tried them, it is about time you did! You will never regret it, once you understand the concept. The rest is just putting a little effort into trying to get those feathers looking exactly the way you like them. Starting with the basics, you will quickly learn that you can create beautiful feathers of your own. Class kit fee ($12) payable to Irena at class time.SUPPLY LIST:- Drawing pad with no lines or grid and a soft pencil.

Longarm Lecture/Demo/Drawing: Learn how to create your own patterns by embellishing any shape in a freehand motion using formal feathers or any of Irena's whimsical and funky feathers from her collection. You can use any circle-making device or any template on the market and turn it into your favorite quilting toy! There are thousands of patterns available today, but the best and most beautiful ones are those that YOU create. Class kit fee ($12) payable to Irena at class time. Kit includes: workbook, dry erase pen, compass, ruler.SUPPLY LIST:- Drawing pad with no lines or grid and a soft pencil.

Longarm Lecture/Demo/Drawing: More Feathers! This class should be taken after Formal Feathers I and/or after participants have had some practice in drawing/quilting feather designs. Learn how to create charming, unique plumes of feathers and feather swags, how to fill any shape and form with feathers, and more. Irena will show you how to make them leap off your quilt! No question...feathers are FUN! Class kit fee ($12) payable to Irena at class time.SUPPLY LIST:- Drawing pad with no lines or grid and a soft pencil.

Longarm Lecture/Demo/Drawing: (Repeat of Thursday's class) Say goodbye to conventional ways of using stippling to fill in negative spaces on your quilts. These very unique, easy to understand, and easy to execute design techniques will have your creative juices flowing...and, you can add your own twist to Irena's ideas. Very impressive designs. No planning ahead and no marking of the background fabric required. Class kit fee ($12) payable to Irena at class time.SUPPLY LIST:- Drawing pad with no lines or grid and a soft pencil.

Longarm Lecture/Demo/Drawing: You will be impressed by how many shapes of feathers you can create by just using your own imagination and creativity. During this class, you will learn to make charming feather swags, fill any triangle, square, rectangle, round, oval, or odd shape on any quilt. After this class, you will be able to create your own ideas by adding a twist to Irena's ideas. No more being stumped with "How do I quilt it?"...a great class - full of great ideas! Class kit fee ($12) payable to Irena at class time.SUPPLY LIST:- Drawing pad with no lines or grid and a soft pencil.

This is one of the techniques Irena is FAMOUS for and has won *numerous* awards for!...coloring her quilts. Learn how easy it is to apply color to a small already quilted piece, using colored pencils and paints. You don't have to be an artist - just color/paint what you see. You will learn how to do shading that will make your designs look dimensional. It is a lot of fun and very relaxing. Irena is passionate about her technique and loves to share her talent and experiences. Class kit ($35) payable to Irena at class time includes: quilted sample, two sets of 12 colored pencils, one set of 6 brushes, dispenser cup, 2 oz. textile medium paper pattern package, CD with information about the coloring technique, plus CD with 367 images in color. Don't miss out on this wonderful workshop!SUPPLY LIST:- No additional supplies needed.

Take advantage of some "sewing time" with friends while you are at the QTW Conference...like a small Quilt Retreat! You will have learned some new techniques in the workshops, why not get busy with your project(s) while you're inspired and have the time?! A special room has been reserved at The Inn on Lake Superior for just this purpose; but, SPACE IS LIMITED...so, sign up early! Tell your friends! And, please bring a simple snack to share.