1.   Building on Foundations	2.  Cat Scraps
3.   Aloha	4.  Clambake
5.   Colour Blending - Bali Style	6.  Dots Gone Crazy
7.   Flirty Thirties	8.  Flower Power
9.   Leap Frog	10.  Machine Quilting
11. Really Sharp Piecing	12.

Aloha
 

Leo Leaves Quilt
By Maud Bentley

This workshop is a multi-technique class that encompasses several aspects of machine work.  It came about through playing with the new
Foolproof Circles set for rotary cutting.  The circle is manipulated and used in fun and ingenious ways.  You will also learn a whole new
approach to appliqué that guarantees smooth curves in simple shapes like this one. The appliqué is simple but effective and can be done
before quilting or later using the “appli-quilt” technique. Sewn in any colour scheme it's lots of fun because it somehow feels like a bit
of a cheat but it's not – you are simply creating a really fun quilt in super quick time!
Here are a couple of blocks to give you an idea of what you will make in class

Aloha Block by Maud Bentley Class Sample	Aloha Block - Class Sample

REQUIREMENTS:
 

• Sewing Machine
• Thread to match fabrics
• Usual sewing kit
• Foolproof Circles for rotary cutting
• Square ruler for rotary cutting that is at least 7” square
• Rotary cutting kit
• Fabrics: All of the fabrics should be pre starched to give a crisp finish (see the Starch page on this web site)  The photo below shows the 14” block you will be making in class and you can see that the amount of fabric which you will need is quite small but try to think in terms of making the quilt as it is so much fun that it is likely that you will wish to continue on with it after the class.  The number of different fabrics you use is also up to you but whatever the case you would not need more than a fat ¼ of any one fabric for the class.

This workshop is a development of Barbara's use of foundation piecing.  It uses small, easily pieced foundation units to produce a complex looking block.
Fun, easy, but also very addictive.  Most students find that they want to make a quilt from this class and a pattern for a
stunning quilt is included with the workshop.  The quilt on the website is titled Contented Cats.   All levels.

Requirements List:

• Rotary cutting equipment to include a large square if you have one as well as the normal ones.
• Paper scissors
• Pins
• Usual  sewing kit
• Sewing machine

Fabrics* – Good assortment of fabrics - bright, fun prints and colours work exceptionally well, but it also works with a more subdued palette.  The workshop is a technique class but it is so quick and fun that there is a very good chance you will wish to carry on & make a quilt.  the block, shown below is what you will do in class.  It measures 12½" x 12½" and therefore you can see that you do not require much of any one fabric for the class.  Please pre-starch your fabrics according to the "Starch" page on this website.

*These are the fabric amounts which would be required to make the whole quilt as shown:

• 2 yds of cat fabric for sashing and inner border

• 1 1/3 yds of multi-coloured stripe fabric for sashing and inner border.

• 2 7/8 yds of blue print fabric for background blocks and the outer border

• 1 ¾ yds of black with dots for the blocks and and for the outer border

• ½ yd assorted yellows

• ½ yd assorted oranges/reds

• ¼ yd assorted pinks

• ¾ yd assorted greens

• 5 yds for backing fabric

• 5/8 yd red for binding

• at least 84” x 84” of batting

I thought you might like to see this lovely 'Contented Cats' Wallhanging made by
Donna Fenger of Camarillo, CA

Donna is a very brave lady who was given a 25% chance of surviving Cancer in 1986
and is still going strong despite refusing treatment. Still Quilts etc. with
much pain owing to Arthritis but the cancer has gone. An inspiration to us all.

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This is a class for all those quilters who have been building up a stash of cat prints but just don't know how
to use them successfully together.  If you don't have a stash then there will be some available in class.
You could easily use any other collection of fabrics which takes your fancy.  This is a foundation piecing class
which is so easy it would suit total beginners but the finished quilt has proven itself popular with all levels.
Stress free fun for all.

Requirements List:

Please refer to information on 'Starching Page'

• Sewing machine
• Cat prints or other collection of themed fabrics in small amounts  (Fat quarters will be sufficient for the fabric amounts)
• selection of other fabrics  to use with the themed fabrics;
• rotary cutting equipment.

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REQUIREMENTS:
 

• Sewing Machine

• Rotary cutting kit

• Circular Rulers in size 3 1/2" or 6 1/2" - these rulers will be always be available in the classroom from Barbara

• straight pins

• iron

• FABRICS:

Please try to decide before class which size clam you wish to make and cut
at least 30 squares which measure exactly either 3 1/2" or 6 1/2" square.
If you are a fast worker then please bring more squares.  These squares need
to be cut from fabric which has been well starched according to the
information on my Starching Page.  You will also need to bring a fabric for
the bias edging.  This fabric must be pre-shrunk and lightly starched; bring
at least 1/2" yd.

• Darning foot or whichever foot you use for free-motion sewing on your sewing machine.

 

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This class is a technique class based on the quilt Dots Gone Crazy.  The method updates the traditional Drunkard's Path design
but does not involve any curved piecing.  It is addictive once you start and will produce a quality result surprisingly quickly.
You will also be given a number of alternative settings to arrange the blocks into, each giving quite dramatically different results.
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Requirements List:

• Sewing machine
• Rotary cutting equipment
• Foolproof Circles ruler set - These will be available to purchase from Barbara in class or from the web site shortly.
• marking pencils for fabric and a selection of fabrics.

This design is based on the concept of positive and negative. In the sample quilt above Barbara has used two sets of colour, black and a mixture of brights. For this class you will need pre starched squares of fabric - the fabrics need to be very well starched and you should review the 'Starch' item on this site. The workshop is intended as a technique class and you can, of  course, make the quilt in any colour-way that you wish. Please use the following fabric requirements for one block from the quilt shown above to give you an indication of what you should bring in your chosen colours.
 

• 2 squares 9½" x 9½" of black
• 2 squares 7" x 7" from a selection of brights
• 2 squares 9½" x 9½" from a selection of brights
• 2 squares 7" x 7" of black
• Please bring at least a fat quarter of fabric for the bias edging.  This fabric needs to be starched but not as stiffly as for the main fabrics.

This is the block you will be making in class - it's size is 16" square
 

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Flirty Thirties
 
 

Flirty Thirties Quilt
Made by Julie Standen of Clutton, England

This workshop gives a unique approach to both paper piecing and machine quilting.  The block design is one that Barbara created to a
allow the traditional Dresden Plate design to be paper pieced and then “appli-quilted” into position on the layered quilt.
The class sample is sewn using a selection of reproduction 1930’s prints and solids, but it could, of course, be made in many different ways.
It works really well as a scrap quilt regardless of the palette you select and uses a good variety of fat quarters or less for the blocks
and the Dresden Plate. The finished quilt size is dependent on the number of blocks used and the width of the borders.
Barbara originally developed these fast and easy techniques used in this quilt for her video Really Quick Quilts.
Flirty Thirties is also featured in her new book Foolproof Curves.

Flirty Thirties - 12 " Block

REQUIREMENTS:

• Sewing Machine
• Iron
• Pins
• Basic Sewing kit
• Rotary Cutter, rule and mat

 

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Requirements:

• Sewing Machine – one that does a zigzag stitch - Try to bring an open-toe foot

• Small sharp scissors – no larger than about 6”  long
• Pencil - preferably mechanical
• Note Pad
• Fusible web - 12 " is plenty
• Threads - bring a selection to match your fabrics & also some contrasting to use for machine embroidery to enhance the appliqué.
• Black 'Sharpie' FINE point marker pen

• FABRICS - The design that we will be doing in class is the one shown above.  You will need to select and starch your fabrics according to the guidelines on the "Starch" page.  For the background prepare an 8" square of light coloured fabric - this fabric needs to be particularly well stiffened with the starch.  For the appliqué fabrics you will only need a very small of each and although they do need to be starched there is no need for it to be as stiff as the background fabric.

• Usual sewing kit

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Alternatively, Barbara can supply a kit for the class to provide all of the pre starched fabric as well as the fusible web.
If Barbara provides a kit there is no need for a light box.  The fee for this kit would be $12.00 per student.

 NB: The choice, whether or not a kit is to be provided, needs to be made when the teaching arrangements are being made with Barbara at an early date.

This is a choice to be made by the organizer and the entire class
must either use the kit or bring all of their own materials.

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You might also  like to see a beautiful quilt by Debbie Westmore who attended this workshop in Cornwall, England. This Quilt was shown at Quilts UK 2002 in Malvern and was sold there and then!  Its called Baltimore Butterflies - my congratulations Debbie - here is a picture:

 Baltimore Butterflies by Debbie Westmore

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Leap Frog

Leapfrog - 76"  x  76"
© Barbara Barber

Apply finishes, usually reserved for the outside edges of your quilt, to the centre, and hey presto! You can magically transform simple designs into the realms of the complex.  The techniques give the illusion of complicated curved piecing without any curved piecing at all.  My personal  watchword of “quick with quality” can be applied to these quilts as well as those in the Really Quick Quilts video. In this workshop, you will learn and explore the technique by making blocks rom one of the quilts from my  new book.  The workshop can be summed up best by saying; lots to learn with loads of new ideas, all put together with plenty of fun.

Here is a close-up of one of the blocks you will make in the class - Size 16" x 16"
 

Requirements List:
 

• Sewing Machine
• Rotary Cutter, Ruler and Board
• Paper Scissors
• Usual Sewing Kit
• Water soluble thread

FABRICS - This workshop does not have to be about frog fabric and it has been done in many styles from florals to geometrics to, of course, frogs.  In the class you will be doing just one block to learn the technique but it is so fast & so much fun that many of you will wish to carry on & make the quilt.  If you would like the fabric requirements for the whole quilt as shown please write & Barbara will supply this to you before class.  You only need enough fabrics to make the 16" block as shown and therefore do not need much of any fabric.  Be sure to refer to the "Starch" section on this website and bring your fabrics well starched.

This is a beautiful quilt made by Janet Benjafield - "Across the Pond"  - following her participation in the above workshop

This  also appears in my new book - Foolproof Curves

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Requirements List:

• Thread to match fabric
• 2 fat quarters of wadding (batting)
• Safety pins – about 20 is sufficient
• Marker for tracing quilting patterns – the water-soluble blue markers are good for this workshop
• Small ruler
• Sewing machine with darning foot.  Please make certain that you have a foot which will allow you to do free motion work.
• Usual sewing kit
• Fabric: 4 fat quarters of calico (muslin) or similar light coloured fabric

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Fishy Affair - Block
18" x 18"

This workshop is taken from the  book and video of the same name.  This is a foundation piecing workshop
but after this workshop you will look at foundation piecing in an entirely new light – the possibilities are endless!
Go the full circle, with ease, and be assured of really sharp, very fine points throughout. This is what Barbara calls
her 'instant gratification' workshop.  It was developed from her award winning quilt, “Solstice”. Barbara demonstrated
her technique earlier this year on the television programme 'Simply Quilts'

Requirements List:

Please refer to information on 'Starching Page'

• Rotary cutter, Ruler and Mat
• Freezer paper (about 16” x 16”)
• 8 large paper clips
• Glue
• Paper scissors
• Scotch or Selotape
• Usual sewing equipment
• Sewing Machine

FABRICS:  Using the photo above which shows the block you will be making in class, select the fabrics you wish to use & starch them as outlined in the section on this website titled "Starch".  The amounts of fabric required for each section are less than you might think and a fat quarter is plenty for all of the different pieces except for the background square which is cut 18 1/2" x 18 1/2" after it has been starched.  If you are not planning to make the quilt, you can use a background square which is 17 1/2" x 17 1/2".
 
 

 
 

I always ask my students to send me photo's, files etc., of the projects they complete after attending one of my workshops this lovely quilt was completed after this particular workshop I held at the Vermont Quilt Festival in 2003 and is by Donna Miller - well done Donna -  there are some really nice points there !

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