Block Party with Quiltmaker Classes

It's all about the education at Block Party with Quiltmaker. Quiltmaker magazine has always been a great place to learn new techniques, get incredible project ideas, be inspired by expert designers, connect with fellow quilters, and so much more! And now at Block Party with Quiltmaker, you'll go beyond the pages of your favorite magazine to explore new techniques and create fabulous projects!

Every attendee participating in the full event package at Block Party with Quiltmaker will receive three full days of classes, plus the meet and greet with instructors and sponsors, and both dinners and presentations.

Classes

Around the Block

Taught by Gudrun Erla

The Around the Block quilt features the Flairspin block from vol. 2 of Quiltmakerʻs 100 Blocks, in two sizes. After making the center block, the border blocks will be a piece of cake. The blocks are put together with a partial seam method and we will also learn a time saving method of making flying geese. The class is appropriate for intermediate skill level.

Size: 60" square.

Supply list and Fabric Requirements: Download and print PDF file here

Easy Hex

Taught by Gudrun Erla

The Easy Hex quilt is made using a 60 degree triangle ruler. The quilt has two versions, the split and the scrambled version. Choose from a few different sizes of each version. In class we will learn the construction of the triangle blocks into hexagons, cutting with the triangle ruler and choosing your layouts. Quilt is Fat Quarter Friendly and appropriate for experienced beginners and intermediate skill level.

Supply list and Fabric Requirements: Download and print PDF file here

Gudrun Erla

Strip To Be Square

The Strip To Be Square quilt is made with 2-1/2" strips and background fabric. The blocks come together with some basic piecing techniques but the two setting options create a fun and

vibrant quilt, full of movement. Choose from any of the 4 sizes to work on during class. The class is geared for experienced beginners or intermediate skill level.

Sizes: Crib: 45" x 51", Lap: 51" x 70", Full: 73-1/2" x 85", Square: 77"

Supply list and Fabric Requirements: Download and print PDF file here

Lillebet's Bouquet

Taught by Beth Ferrier

This simply charming variation of the Lillebet's Bouquet block will take students of all skill levels through the basics of Beth's Hand Appliqué by Machine technique. You will learn how to quickly produce flawless templates, glue baste perfectly turned edges and machine stitch heirloom quality appliqué in a fraction of the time needed for hand work.

While students won't be completing the entire project in class, we will make great progress as we will learn, hands-on, how to create perfect circles, points and curves. You will leave with all you need to know to use Beth's clever appliqué technique on any appliqué design.

Finishes about 16"x 20"

$3.50 Materials Fee payable in class, includes templates preprinted on Wash Away Applique Sheets, glue stick and a "magic wand".

Download and print a Supply and Material list here

Romancing the Stitch, Improvisational Free Motion Quilting

Taught by Beth Ferrier

For the machine quilter who is ready for a challenge. Working on simple quilt "sandwiches", we will explore scads of free motion designs that don't require marking the quilt, including background fills, feathers and ferns. We will discuss specialty threads and bobbin quilting. Some free motion experience is desired, but stubborn beginners are always welcome.

Download and print a supply and material list here

Simply Roses

Taught by Beth Ferrier

Let this lovely little quiltlet teach you how to imitate the look of fine hand appliqué with your sewing machine. My nifty-deluxe appliqué technique will take you from novice to appliqué goddess in one class! While we won't be completing the entire project in class, we'll cover techniques for points, curves, cleavages, all the things an appliquist needs to know! All skill levels invited!

Finishes 8½" x 20½"

$2.00 Tool Kit Fee payable in class, includes templates preprinted on Wash Away Applique Sheets, perfect circles, glue stick and a "magic wand". $3.50 Materials Fee includes templates preprinted on Wash Away Applique Sheets, glue stick and a "magic wand".

Download and print a supply and material list here

All Drezzed Up

Taught by Diane Harris

Learn to make classic Dresden Plate blocks in several sizes and then decide on a project in which to use them. Choose between the full-size All Drezzed Up quilt, a fun wallhanging, or diminutive Dresden Plate baskets with rickrack handles. Another option is to use Dresden Plates in a border. Dresden Plates are great for using up scrapfabrics. Cutting is made easy with acrylic templates (or you can make a plastic template). Leave with a head start on a Dresden Plate project of your choice (you can even design your own if you wish). Watch out, these are addictive!

Download and print a supply and material list here 

String Piecing 101

Taught by Diane Harris

 Start with Block #123 from Volume 2, Pinwheel O'Strings, to learn how easy and addictive string piecing can be. From there, branch off to see how string piecing can be used in traditional blocks of all kinds. Design your own stringy block if you wish! Learn about value and scale as a bonus. Pull from the QM Scrap Bag for added inspiration. String piecing will be your new best friend when you realize that it can quickly diminish your scrap supply and lead to dynamite quilts of all kinds.

To start thinking about how you could use your strings, see my Pinterest board: http://pinterest.com/dianeharris/strings-and-ideas/

Download and print a supply and material list here

Boxed In

Taught by Julie Herman

Set a dynamic block on point to create this show-stopping quilt. This hands-on class will help expand your skills in fabric selection and placement. Boxed in uses contrast & color placement to give additional interest. It also creates the felling that there is more than one block. Students will use chain-piecing to speed up the block creating process. We will focus on how different contrasting fabrics change the entire appearance of the quilt. It is suggested, but not required, that you bring more than two options of fabric for the sashing portions of the quilt. Students can expect to create blocks during the class.

Students will also learn tips and tricks on binding. This includes how to make a flange, bias binding, scrappy bias binding, and so much more!

Level of Experience: Confident Beginner

Download and print a supply and material list here

Hex N More

Taught by Julie Herman

Learn to use the Hex N More Ruler. This new ruler was designed to cut 4 shapes in 4 sizes! As a result it gives you limitless possibilities. All of the pieces can be rotary cut from strips. In addition to developing the ruler I also have designed 8 patterns to go with it.

This class is divided into three parts. In the first part of class you will learn how to cut Hexagons, Half Hexagons, Triangles and Jewels. In the second part of class you will use the fabric provided with the class kit to create a small project using the Hex N More. In the third part of class you will begin working on a quilt using skills learned in parts 1 & 2. Students can expect to create a small project and begin working on a quilt during the class.

Class kit fee payable in class: $25

Level of Experience: Confident Beginner/Intermediate

Download and print a supply and material list here

Three in a Box

Taught by Julie Herman

Learn to create this exciting and versatile block. The full color pattern includes directions for creating the block at 12", 18", 24" and 36" sizes. In this class we will explore block arrangement. One block, so many options! Students will use chain-piecing to speed up the block creating process. We will focus on how different block arrangements change the secondary patterns within the quilt. Student can expect to create blocks during the class.

Students will also learn tips and tricks on binding. This includes how to make a flange, bias binding, scrappy bias binding, and so much more!

Level of Experience: Confident Beginning

Download and print a supply and material list here

Midnight Flight

Taught by Bonnie Hunter

Quilt Center size: 72" X 72", Borders yet to be added!

I love to push the colors within my scrap quilts as far as they will let me --- even when working on a quilt with a planned color scheme! For the main "BLADES" of this block, I chose fabrics from blue to periwinkle to purple ----and using every neutral scrap in my stash that I could find. Lots of fun prints, all with a white, cream or beige background. I pulled in a bunch of scrappy blacks for a dramatic touch. The glue that holds it all together? The solid red and solid cheddar in the four patches that march their way through the quilt diagonals.

I love blocks that combine to create a secondary design, and the 4-patches of each block meet and criss-cross through the quilt. Precise piecing is encouraged to have the small 4-patches in each block meet and match each other as blocks are set together. This is an exciting block! When blocks are set side by side, the corners combine to form MORE spinning stars.

Don't faint - but get excited! There are 88 pieces in each 12" block.

Note: This is "NOT" a quilt you can get finished in a day, and we will be working on BLOCKS ONLY during the workshop. I will provide directions for the full quilt, which you can finish at home.

Yardage is included for the full quilt, and if you plan on bringing about 25% of what is required, you should have enough to keep you busy during class!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at Quiltville@gmail.com

Download and print a supply and material list here

Talkin' Turkey

Taught by Bonnie Hunter

Quilt Size: 84" X 97-1/2", Block Size: 12"

My Talkin' Turkey block is feathered in 100 blocks vol 5, released in May of 2012!

I LOVE red! I am drawn to red fabric at every turn, especially when found in antique quilts. If I'm browsing for fabric, without anything particular in mind, I gravitate toward red. When I spent time digging through my strings, I found I had more red strings than ANY other color - even when compared to blue! This presented a challenge -How far could I go with just these strings and scraps in EVERY shade of red I could find from pinky rosy red to orange rusty red to juicy tomato, fire engine, and all the way to burgundy and everywhere in between? This is the result! I used EVERY kind of fabric in here as long as it was red. You'll find funky Maryland crabs, Lucky Cows, Christmas fabrics, and even a gifted piece of Central Michigan Chippewas! The neutral side is just as varied, including some "I dare ya" prints! As in "I dare ya to throw in those hideous Sun Bonnet Sues!" And I did. I even threw in some Millennium fabric -The more you throw in, and the more it clashes, the better it is. Believe me ---though the design is based on a traditional Turkey Tracks block, this quilt is NO TURKEY!

Note: This is "NOT" a quilt you can get finished in a day, and we will be working on BLOCKS ONLY during the workshop. Block instructions will be included in the class fee, with the full pattern being included in my latest book release, String Fling, due out in July of 2013. I will have books with me for purchase during the event.

Yardage is included for the full quilt, and if you plan on bringing about 25% of what is required, you should have enough to keep you busy during class!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at Quiltville@gmail.com

Download and print a supply and material list here

Winston Ways

Taught by Bonnie Hunter

Quilt Center Size 54" X 63", Block Size: 12"

The Winston Ways block was feathered in volume 3 of Quiltmaker Magazine's 100 blocks by 100 designers.

I love to name quilts after places I've traveled through while working on them, and this one just had to be named for my recently adopted home town of Winston Salem, NC! I love blocks that combine to create a secondary design, and the corner checkerboards of each block meet to make this look like a two block quilt set on point, when it is just one block set side by side. Precise piecing is encouraged to have the small checkerboards in each block match each other as blocks are set together.

Don't faint - but get excited! There are 104 pieces in each 12" block.

I dug through my scraps choosing scrappy reds and neutrals for the checkerboard areas, blues from Aqua to Navy and everywhere in between for my star points, a wide range of neutrals including stripes and plaids for my star backgrounds, and as many different blacks and yellow/golds for the half square triangles that surround each star.

Note: This is "NOT" a quilt you can get finished in a day, and we will be working on BLOCKS ONLY during the workshop. I will provide directions for the full quilt, which you can finish at home.

Yardage is included for the full quilt, and if you plan on bringing about 25% of what is required, you should have enough to keep you busy during class!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at Quiltville@gmail.com

Download and print a supply and material list here

12" Love Apple block

Taught by Jo Morton

No sewing Machine - handwork - appliqué All day workshop

Students will learn and practice the 'backbasting prep method' for placement of the motifs on the block, using the Love Apple block shown, then stitch down with needleturn appliqué. The back-basting technique is very portable (a take-along project) and you will love the results. This is a technique class only.

Skill level - beginner, intermediate

Download and print a supply and material list here

Emily's Hand Pieced Baskets

Taught by Jo Morton

No Sewing Machine - handwork. We will stitch a piece of history using this basket block which is half of a LeMoyne Star. Delight in the time honored tradition of handwork which includes making accurate templates and 'no knot' hand piecing. Pressing tips given.

The basket blocks are hand pieced, machine sewing directions are given to complete the quilt.

Quilt is 36" x 36". These techniques are perfect for take-along projects! This quilt is in my book 'Coming Home', optional as there is a class handout."

Skill level - beginner, intermediate

Download and print a supply and material list here

Hand Pieced LeMoyne Stars

Taught by Jo Morton

NO sewing machine - hand work. We will stitch a piece of history using this early LeMoyne Star block which dates to the early 1800's. Delight in the time honored tradition of handwork which includes making accurate templates and 'no knot' hand piecing. Pressing tips given. The star blocks are hand pieced, machine sewing directions are given for the Sawtooth borders and setting.Single Fold Binding used on these small quilts. These techniques are perfect for take-along projects.

Skill level - beginner, intermediate

Download and print a supply and material list here

Quilter's Quest - A Mystery Quilt by Debbie Caffrey

Taught by Debbie Caffrey

I have designed more than 250 mystery quilt patterns since 1994. My mystery patterns have been used around the world.

A mystery quilt workshop is a project class and a fun, intense day of sewing. A mystery workshop is a nice compliment to another workshop that is heavily focused on design or techniques. Come join the fun and get your Block Party started with a bang!

Download and print the supply and materials list here

Surprise Yourself Quilt
     based upon the book and DVD of the same title

Taught by Debbie Caffrey

This workshop is brand new and based upon my new book coauthored with Charlotte Angotti. Charlotte Angotti and Debbie Caffrey approach design and construction from two completely different perspectives, and somehow they reach the same destination, a gorgeous quilt of many fabrics. Debbie will teach you some of both approaches.

Using simply rotary cut and pieced units, quilters will be guided through constructing and designing their own quilts. Color and value play a big part in this workshop.

Once the quilters piece some units they will work on a design wall to determine where to go next. The workshop is good for all skill levels.

Download and print the supply and materials list here

Thank Your Lucky Stars

Taught by Debbie Caffrey

Let's open the door to imaginative block setting possibilities. Pull a few pieces from the original block, add a few large triangles, squares, and rectangles, and look what happens! This recipe is one that I use frequently when designing quilts.

Look at the interesting pattern created when you make an alternate setting block simply by replacing the four patch units in the small star block in the center of the Happy-Go-Lucky Block, rotating it, and adding triangles.

Notice how the huge flying geese units around the perimeter of the quilt end the story. My classes teach you to quilt, not just to duplicate a pattern. Open yourself to the possibilities!

Download and print the supply and materials list here

Fold and Sew quick quilts from Pre-cuts

Taught by Peg Spradlin

A fun and easy fold and sew technique using 5" and 10" square pre-cut fabrics and 2 1/2" pre-cut strips to make quick quilts. Cut your own before class (itʼs a great way to use up your stash) or use Moda Bake Shop pre-cuts. A variety of blocks using this technique will be demonstrated and used to make quilts which are great for charity, lap, baby, or children. Itʼs also an easy technique for beginning quilters to learn.

Download and print a supply and material list here

Kansas Challenge

Taught by Peg Spradlin

This class uses Block 357 from volume 4 of Quiltmakerʼs 100 Blocks to make a 60" x 60" quilt using Kansas Troubles Moda fabric-or the students favorite fabrics in their preferred color way. This class will teach precision piecing to help the student accomplish perfect points and seam joining. Helpful hints for foundation piecing and a mini tutorial on adding trapunto feathers to the quilt top are also included in this class.  This class is for quilters of all skill levels.

Download and print a supply and material list here

Shadows of Spring

Taught by Peg Spradlin

Students will learn the colorful shadow applique technique using brightly colored fabric, felt and voile that is used in this stunning 54" x 54" wallhanging. Although time may not allow for the finishing of this quilt, all steps will be demonstrated and the full pattern will be provided. This is an intermediate skill class and students need to be comfortable with free motion quilting.

Download and print a supply and material list here