Please find listed below details and photos of the workshops that I currently teach. Some workshops are available as half days or evenings while others are one day classes. A small number of workshops are 2 or 3 days in duration and these can be offered on consecutive days or with several weeks in between.
If you wish to contact me with regard to availability, costs and travel please email – info@patchworkpatterns.co.uk
Workshop List
Improv Piecing
Improv piecing is stitched on the machine and involves stitching blocks without measuring in an improvisational way. In the first part of the class we will cover techniques on how to piece improv squares, triangles, strips and curves. We then move on to piecing a small quilt or cushion using the techniques learned. Machine stitching. One day.
Walk the Walk
Do you make patchwork quilt tops and then get stuck with the quilting? In this workshop we explore the use of the walking foot for quilting, practise various techniques and make a set of samples to take home. This is a technique class with some preparation of materials needed beforehand. Machine stitching. One day.
Triple Dresden Plate
The Dresden Plate blocks in this quilt are constructed from pieced wedges. Each wedge contains three fabrics. The middle fabric in each wedge creates a circular effect in the middle of the block. The Dresden plates are stitched using machine piecing and applique. Machine stitching. One day.
Interlocking Chains Quilt
This quilt is made from a single repeating block but what makes it really clever is the fabric placement which continues into the linked blocks. It is a pattern which needs careful piecing but once you have made your first couple of blocks you will be well on your way. Machine stitching.One day
Weekend Sewing Makes
Stitch a set of four items for the sewing room including a storage basket, a tiny tray, needle case and pin cushion. These projects are from Janet’s book “Twenty Five Weekend Makes Patchwork”. A fun day where students will take home a set of completed items. Machine stitching. One day.
Hugs and Kisses Quilt
This project is from my book “Simply Modern Patchwork Quilts”. There are so many different patterns in this quilt from intersecting floral lines to bright jade green crosses, yet it is made from just one repeating block. The combination of print and plain fabrics help to create the visual effect. Machine stitching. One day
Vintage Style Flower Pin Cushions
Stitch a 3D flower pin cushion in a vintage style. Gathered and folded flower petals are stitched together to create a delightful flower which is then stitched to a padded shape. The pin cushion is finished with a large co-ordinating button. This project would make a great gift or a lovely addition to a sewing box. Hand sewing. Half day or evening.
Simple Pleasures
A quilt for the lovers of machine applique!
Stitch a quilt full of simple, favourite motifs including shoes, flowers, ice-creams, a birdhouse, hearts, a handbag, cupcakes and many more. If you wish you can personalise blocks to include things that are special to you by substituting motifs. Finish the quilt with lots of pieced squares and rectangles. This is a two day class.
Bumpy Circles
In this workshop we will use half a jelly roll and some plain fabric, to stitch a quilt where interconnecting bumpy circles (well really they are octagons) join together to create a secondary pattern. The best news is that there are not any curved seams to stitch and very few seams to match. This quilt will grow quickly over the day. One day.
Cathedral Window Pin Cushions
Cathedral window is a folded patchwork technique which looks highly intricate. The name Cathedral Window is derived from the stained glass appearance of the finished pattern. Although the result looks complicated it is a simple technique and can be completed by hand. Half day or evening.
Ladders Quilt
I just loved these fabrics as soon as I saw them and knew that they needed to be showcased in a simple geometric design. As I stitched the quilt it reminded me of ladders. If only all ladders could be this colourful! A simple and very quick quilt which is great for using a jelly roll. Machine piecing. One day.
Fabric Christmas Crackers
Make your own crackers as presents for others or as a permanent table decoration to contain personal gifts for family or friends. There will be time also to make a little extra wall hanging if the class is booked for a day. Hand and/or machine sewing. One day or half day or evening.
Stack, Slice, Switch and Stitch
Using Jan Mullen techniques, stack, slice, switch and stitch crooked versions of traditional blocks. There are no points to match or templates to make – you just pick up your rotary cutter and go for it! A number of different blocks will be taught. Machine sewing. One day.
Second Sampler Quilt
A workshop or workshops for those who have perhaps completed their first quilt but wish to go on to learn some further techniques. Techniques covered include foundation piecing, machine appliqué, stained glass patchwork, Hawaiian appliqué and more complicated machine piecing. Predominantly machine sewing.
Busy Bag
A portable Busy Bag containing activities to keep a young child entertained. The bag is bright and eye catching and the activities include numbers, shapes, a zip, pockets for pens, pencils and papers, a clock and a felt story-board with characters and figures. Machine appliqué and stitching. One day.
Idaho Beauty Scrap Quilt
This big block scrap quilt contains big and small squares coupled with half square triangles. The good thing about this quilt is that it can be made entirely from 5″ charm squares, so if you have a lot of scraps that need using up or some packs of charm squares this is an ideal opportunity to reduce that stash! Machine piecing. One day.
Flower Power
Sometimes you just have to make a quilt in a hurry and sometimes big is definitely beautiful. This quilt has a simple nine patch block alternating with large appliquéd flowers. I have made my quilt in electric pinks, lime green and aqua blue but I am sure it would work just as well in a more restful colour scheme. Machine piecing and appliqué. One day.
Pleated Log Cabin
Something a little different from the normal log cabin quilt. Each of the log cabin strips is pleated which results in a textured effect and a very warm quilt with little or minimal quilting required. This project is made entirely from 2 ½” strips of fabric so if you have purchased one of those jelly rolls of fabric recently this is a good project to use it on. One day.
Scrap Quilt
A bright and cheery quilt made from random fabric scraps of many colours and patterns. This quilt is a good opportunity to use up some of those fabric scraps that you have been saving for a rainy day and the quilt can be finished to any size. For those who wish to participate we will begin the day with a small fabric swop. One day.
Ready Steady Christmas
Christmas will soon be upon us and wouldn’t it be nice to have some hand made decorations, wall hangings etc, ready to put out in December? I will have 6 projects for you to chose from and you can make whichever you fancy. Projects include wall hangings, cushions, decorations etc. Students will receive the patterns and instructions for all projects although you will only have time to make 2 –3 projects at the most on the day. One day.
Stars in the Cabin
Log cabin blocks are combined with stars to create a very effective quilt. The blocks can then be arranged in a number of different ways to create secondary patterns. I have made my quilt in scraps but it would work very well in fabrics of a single colour way. Machine piecing. One day.
Luscious Landscapes
I have had such fun experimenting with these little designs. These landscapes use a freezer paper method of construction followed by couching yarns, ribbons and cords. They are finished with machine and hand quilting, embroidery and beading. Best of all they can be completed within the day. One day.
Recycle, Reuse and Reduce
We often have clothing that we don’t wish to wear any longer or perhaps a favourite item that we just can’t part with because we love the fabric. In this class I will have several ideas for patchwork quilts so that you can recycle old clothing, reuse the fabric and reduce that fabric mountain that I know you have been secretly hoarding. One day.
Strips with a Twist
Take two colour ranges – one set of light fabrics and one set of dark fabrics. Add a bold contrast fabric. Stitch small, bold checkerboards of squares and surround these with varying size strips of fabrics. The result is a shaded quilt that looks as if it twists and turns. Machine piecing. One day.
Fabric Flower Necklace
Stitch a beautiful necklace containing large fabric flowers. The flowers are constructed using organza, fabric, felt, zips, buttons and a variety of embellishments. The flowers are then stitched to a fabric base with a little sparkle added for a touch of glitz and finished with a ribbon tie. Half day or evening.
I’ve Got the Blues – Chunky Necklace
Stitch a delightful chunky necklace in shades of blue. The necklace is constructed using felt balls and spiraled rolls, sparkling beads, with a twisted zip. Finish the necklace with a ribbon tie. Instructions will also be given for stitching a simple felt brooch to match the necklace. Half day or evening.
Sweet and Simple Naive Christmas Decorations
Stitch simple festive decorative shapes such as hearts, holly leaves, stars and gingerbread men in felt and fabric. Decorate with buttons and stitches. Attach these festive shapes to a small white mirror frame and finish with a ribbon hanging. Half day or evening.