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Katharine's Talks
I offer talks on my career as designer and writer. These are illustrated
with a host of patchwork quilts that will, I hope, inform and inspire you. Talks last about one hour and are 'hands on' tour of quilts made over the last 20 years
with related stories and tips. Mostly Scrap Quilts representing my progress as a quilter, from the early use of dressmaking
offcuts to designer fabrics custom made for quilters. Talks are informal with opportunities for questions and answers.
- A Quilter's Journey
- Small and Minature Quilts
- Quilts of All Sizes.
Click Quilt for Katharine's Bookings and Useful Contacts.
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Katharine's Workshops.
Workshop Requirements
Below are detailed descriptions of my workshops.What students need are: The usual sewing kit (pins, needles,
tape measure and sissors). Sewing machine, extension lead (if possible) and instruction book.
Rotary cutter, ruler (such as 12"x 6", 6" x 6" if you have one) and board.
Fabric marker. Notebook and (to record) a camera.
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Liberated piecing techniques are applied to house blocks to give your quilts that contemporary look. This is an
improvisational way of working without templates and no two house blocks turn out the same. Quick pieced flying geese
units are adapted to make pine trees, then a border of irregular sawtooth sashing and simple blocks completes your quilt
or wallhanging which can be made any size from small wallhanging to king size. You will learn a variety of piecing
techniques including how to fit all these separate pieces together into an effective and individual quilt.
All template free. A relaxed day when you don't have to worry too much about precision piecing. Ideal for scrapbag quilts
to use up those bits.
Students will need to be familiar with the rotary cutting set and straight stitch on the sewing machine.
Any spare blocks you have from previous projects may be fitted in to these quilts so
bring them along if you have any.
Fabrics
Bring along a selection of fabrics in contrasting values and colours (including green for the trees)
- fat or long quarters and smaller pieces including brights, contemporary patterned
(i.e. geometric, marbled, textured etc),(eighth or quarter) . Twelve to fifteen different fabrics minimum.
About half a metre of of pale blue to represent sky - this could be textured as in hand dyed or marbled or
just plain blue.Hand dyes if you have them would work well for some of these blocks.
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No need for templates or any measuring when you make the colour blocks in this technique. You select a set of fabrics
to work with, which can be arrestingly bright, or a co -ordinating colour scheme, depending on your mood,
then cut and sew. It's as easy as that! Minimal measuring or marking makes this a relaxing day when you can
let go, enjoy yourself and create surprisingly fast results.The second block in the workshop combines well
with 'colour blocks' and is totally liberated piecing. No two stars turn out the same and you can make them
in any size, which can be made to fit alongside the colour blocks using Katharine's fiendish fudging methods.
The blocks can be used in a number of ways and are suitable for quilts, cushions or bags.Students must be familiar
with the rotary cutting set and sewing machine. If time we will also cover the ‘tilted pinwheel’ block which combines
well with the previous two.Skill level: Beginner, but it is useful if you have experience in using the rotary cutting
set and sewing a straight line on the sewing machine. If you are a complete beginner you will be given tuition on these
techniques.
Student's requirements.
Fabrics
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Dress/patchwork weight cotton. For the colour blocks select fabrics which in your opinion will
harmonise or contrast successfully. Hand dyes work well with this project. Eight fabrics needed altogether.
(If you are not sure about this bring what you can and I will help with selection.)
Anything larger than 9” (22 cm) squares will do.
- For the Wacky Stars you will need between two and four fat quarters in bright contrasting colour pairs.
i.e. light / dark, or bright / dark.
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The idea of cropping a simple pinwheel block, then incorporating it into a half dark half light square,
split diagonally gives it the versatility of the Log Cabin Block with the contemporary twist of asymmetry.
This gives any piece of work movement and can be used in a variety of ways to produce a unique and original
piece of work. Suitable for quilts and smaller items such as cushions, bags etc.
Students will need to be familiar with the rotary cutting set and basic machine piecing. See examples of this
technique in Katharine's book 'Scrap Quilt Sensation'
cropped Pinwheels:
Student's requirements.
Fabrics
- A variety of fabrics in dress/patchwork weight cotton: plains, patterned, stripes, checks, spots, florals,
large and small patterns. Between ten to fifteen different fabrics minimum. More if you have them. Size of
pieces can be from 5" x 9"(13 x 23 cm) up to fat quarters or halves.
It is important to try to include darks, mediums and light tonal values. Include also some brights,
i.e. yellow, orange, pinks etc.
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Based on the quilts ‘Stars and Scraps’ which won a first prize in its category at the Festival of Quilts at the N.E.C.
in Birmingham 2003 and featured in ‘Fabrications’ magazine, this workshop will show you how to make effective
scrap quilts from a number of simple star blocks combined with scrap fabrics. Quick piecing and rotary cutting techniques
cut out the need to use templates and speed up the production process.
Students must be familiar with the rotary cutting set and the sewing machine as this method of working
requires precision in both the cutting and the sewing of an accurate quarter inch seam.
Students requirements.
- As above plus
- A few pieces of A4 plain paper and tracing paper and pencil, sharpener, eraser and ordinary ruler.
Fabrics.
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Bring along a selection of fabrics which in your opinion will harmonise, in different values
(light, medium and dark tones) and in a selection of colours - fat or long quarters and smaller pieces.
I used mainly patterned fabric in the quilt but plain could also be included. Twelve to fifteen different fabrics in all.
Include some bright fabrics such as yellow, orange, pink, turquoise etc.
Preparation
If you have time before coming to the class you can prepare some of the units as follows: Quick piece together at
least 16 pairs of half square triangle units in contrasting light / dark values. Cut each combination of the squares
4 inches, then, when the half square triangle units are pieced and pressed cut these down to exactly 3 1/2 inches square.
to make a 3 " finished unit. Use different fabrics for each unit pair i.e. 32 fabrics altogether. Using the quick piecing
method for half square triangles you will have two units of each combination.( At this stage the units should measure 3½"
which provides the seam allowance for stitching the units together thus making a 3" finished unit.) Press seams.
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Forget 'Formula' quilts which use blocks, strips or repeating patterns. This workshop will teach you how to manipulate simple shapes using
quick piecing techniques to create a unique piece of work. Using as many fabrics as you have in your collection you will combine triangles
and squares in a variety of sizes to make a rich pattern and suface texture for your quilts. The workshop will be illustrated with examples
of the technique to inspire you but at the end of the day each piece of work created will be different. Most effective for quilts but could
be used in smaller items such as bags or cushions.
Skill level: Intermediate.
Students Requirements.
- As above
- Pencils, ruler, a few pieces of squared paper and plain paper.(A4 size or larger)
Dress or patchwork weight cotton - plains, patterned, stripes, checks, spots, florals, large and small patterns. Anything larger than 4" (11cm.) squares will do. Bring as many different fabrics as you can. It is important to include dark, medium and light tonal values. You will also need some slightly larger pieces of fabric (about 6 inch square) for the focus blocks in high contrast pairs such as light/dark or bright/dark.
Include some bright fabrics such as yellow, orange, pink, turquoise etc.
Preparation
If you have time before coming to the class you can prepare some of the units as follows:
Quick piece together at least 16 pairs of half square triangle units in contrasting light / dark values.
Cut each combination of the squares 4 inches, then when the half square triangle units are stitched and pressed,
cut these down to exactly 3½" square.
Use different fabrics for each unit pair i.e. 32 fabrics altogether. Using the quick piecing method for half square
triangles you will have two units of each combination.
(The units should measure 3½" which provides the seam allowance for stitching the units together thus making a 3" finished unit.) Press seams.
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Learn a number of different techniques in a day and make a mini 'Art Quilt' to give these techniques a showcase. Because they are quick to make
and economical on fabric you can afford to be more adventurous with colour and the way you combine the different elements. The can be treated as
a 'sketch' for larger pieces or as little works of art in their own right. Inspirational samples will be there for you to study on the day and you
will be welcome to take photographs.You will learn quick piecing techniques combined with rotary cutting, no template methods of making the basic units
which are small scale half square triangles used for blocks and saw tooth sashing, joining strips with curved seams, tilted blocks, wavy borders,
prairie points and more. You will gain confidence in handling colour and combining geometric shapes. In addition it's fun, experimental and will
give you ideas to incorporate into larger pieces of work.
Students Requirements.
- Sewing machine. Include the quarter inch foot and the walking foot.
- Japanese flower pins (these have a flat, flower shaped end and are fairly long and sharp) if you have them. I will have some to lend out.
- rotary cutting set including the shorter (12 x 6 in, or 6 in. square) ruler if you have one.
- Fabric marker.One of two pieces of tracing paper.Notebook or camera.
Fabrics.
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Bring along a selection of fabrics in contrasting values and colours – fat or long quarters and smaller pieces
including brights,
contemporary patterned (i.e geometric, marbled textured, stripes etc) plus some larger pieces for borders and backing.
About 12 – 15 different fabrics altogether.
- Backing fabric should be about 30 in. square.Low loft wadding a piece about 30 in. square.
- If you have any UFO blocks or small bits of patchwork left over from previous projects (6 in. blocks or smaller pieces) bring them
along as well – it's possible you may be able to incorporate them into your piece.
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Snail Trail is an intriguing block which relies for its effect on the correct placement of dark and light fabrics.
Although the design gives the illusion of curves all the seams are straight making it fairly simple to construct in
any size, either by regular or foundation piecing methods. Both techniques will be explained. Once the blocks are made
there are a number of ways to put them together giving a variety of options for the finished quilt. Snail trail blocks
can also be used for smaller items such as cushions or bags if you don’t want to embark on another major project.
Student Requirments.
- As above
- ‘Sew in’ vilene (not iron on) or stitch and tear for foundation material about half a metre.
Fabrics
- Scraps in light and dark tonal values or you can combine bright colours with black.
Bring along a number of harmonising fabrics that you will enjoy working with - fat quarters or smaller
pieces can be used.
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Learn to manage composition with shapes and colours on a miniature scale of 6½" x 4½"
Piecing techniques include curved seams, strips and prairie points. Each 'postcard' is interlined with 'stitch 'n' tear',
backed with handmade paper, then machine quilted ready to frame or mount onto a small canvas. A miniature 'Art Quilt'.
They are also ideal for individual greetings cards. In a one day workshop you will have time to make several finished
postcards to explore the principles of abstract shapes, line, form and colour. Another option is to make a
'Pinboard Quilt' a small quilt using similar techniques which is finished with wadding and quilted by machine.
Lots of samples to inspire you on the day.
Students requirements.
- As above.
- sewing machine with the quarter inch foot if possible.
- Fine pins. Notebook and pencil plus one or two sheet of A4 tracing paper.
Fabrics.
About half a metre of Stitch ‘n’ Tear and Half a metre of Bondaweb.
Small pieces of fabric in bright colours in the marbled batiks, Moda marbles (or similar) or hand dyed.
If you want to work with patterned fabrics, small scale prints are better as these will fit into the scale
you will be working on. Choose fabrics with a fairly high thread count (In other words not loosely woven,
the batiks are good for this) Quarters or smaller pieces will be sufficient: about 6 - 7 different colours minimum
in a variety of values.
A sheet of hand made paper, available from Art shops, or I can supply pieces.
Machine quilting thread in variegated colours to go with your fabrics.
For the Pinboard Quilt you will need a piece of wadding about 15" Square and a square of backing fabric the same size.
Small bits of embroidery or interesting fabrics such those printed with motifs can be incorporated in these quilts,
so if you have anything like this bring it along.
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Learn a quick method of making the Flying Geese blocks and then make a selection of blocks using this unit which is made of triangles in two sizes. ‘Dutchman’s Puzzle’, ‘Eight Pointed Star’ and a ‘Sophisticated Pinwheel’ as well as Flying Geese itself are all possible in a short time. Very versatile for blocks, borders, sampler quilts and more. Lots of samples to inspire you. All skill levels.
Sewing machine required.
Student Requirments
- Sewing machine with quarter inch foot if possible, or can be hand stitched but this is slower.
- Pencils, ruler, a few pieces of plain paper.(A4 size.)
Fabrics.
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between six and eight different fabrics minimum, in a variety of values - light, medium and dark.
Small pieces will be sufficient, quarters, eighths or scraps for making up samples.
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In this workshop students will learn how to piece miniature patchwork blocks on a seaside theme.
Beach huts, sailing boats, fish and a lighthouse. using the foundation piecing method.
This involves stitching the patches onto a lightweight foundation fabric onto which the design has been traced from the patterns provided. Blocks are approximately 3 inches square. Blocks can be used to make an individual greetings card or as the beginning of a small wall hanging, cushion or bag. There will be a collection of miniature quilts to study as examples which you are welcome to photograph.
Student Requirements.
- For the foundation: about half a metre of either sew in vilene or stitch 'n' tear
- Sewing machine, or this techniques can be hand stitched.
Fabrics
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small print fabrics; dots, stripes, small floral prints, geometrics etc,
in a variety of colours to suit the theme, plus some fabric (fat quarters) to represent sea, sky and sand.
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Using this ingenious method to create a complex seeming pattern in patchwork is actually quite easy.
Nine patch blocks in two different designs are first made, then cut and re-assembled. Basic rotary cutting skills
and the ability to sew a ¼" seam plus a collection of fabrics are all that is required. In addition to basic
skills students will learn the quick piecing methods to speed up construction, advice on fabric choices and
colour selection. In one day it should be possible to create enough blocks to start a quilt,which can be made any size.
Student Requirements
Fabrics.
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In dress or patchwork weight cotton - plains, patterned, stripes , checks, spots, florals, large and small patterns.
Anything larger than 6" (15 cm.) squares will do. Bring as many different fabrics as you can. It is important
to bring dark, medium and light tonal values. You will also need some slightly larger pieces about 8"(20 cm.) squares of fabric for
the focus blocks in high contrast pairs such as light/dark or bright/dark. Include some bright fabrics such as yellow, orange, pink,
turquoise etc.
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