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The Holidays are fast approaching, which means that classes are done for now and will start up again in mid-January. Thoughts turn to whipping up some special projects for gifts, finishing up some things that have been patiently waiting for me, and planning for some special family time.
This newsletter covers programs through the end of February. If you have not explored my website before, I invite you to check out the Tips and Tricks section. On the first of every month, I list a new tip. The previous tips are still there, giving you a wealth of information to explore. The December tip has been posted, so be sure to check it out.
If you are looking for gift items to make, check out the patterns listed at the end of this newsletter. I also invite you to check out the Course Offerings portion of this website. There you will find descriptions of over 60 programs I offer. If there is something there that interests you either for your shop, your guild, or for a small private class here in my home, be sure to let me know. Classes here in my home are groups of 4-8 students, and can be scheduled by request. I also travel all over the U.S. and Canada teaching for guilds, shops, and quilt conferences, so do keep me in mind when you are scheduling your next event.
Clicking on Course Offerings will give you the overall list. Clicking on the Highlighted General Topics (Piecing, Applique, etc.) will take you to that section of the website and give you class descriptions and pictures of the individual classes.
And now, for my upcoming schedule
How you frame your quilt can be so much more than just four strips of fabric added to the edges. This class explores everything from how wide to make them to deciding what style border best suites your quilt by examining dozens of variations on border treatments. Perfect miters, preventing wavy borders, how to work with Jinny Beyer border prints, as well as how to construct sawtooth edging are just a few of the topics covered. Students are encouraged to bring along quilt tops they would like border help with.
Date: Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Time 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: West Suburban Quilters Guild, Brookfield, WI
For more information, contact Wendy Rieves at 262-782-0791
Do you ever wonder how those prize-winning quilts hang so straight? The secret is in the blocking. Blocking is one of those things seldom discussed, but is the one thing that can make a world of difference in your final quilt. Learn how to properly block your quilt with either a wet or dry method to achieve an expert finish to your quilt.
Date: Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Time 7:00 PM
Location: West Suburban Quilters Guild, Brookfield, WI
For more information, contact Wendy Rieves at 262-782-0791
If you have never been to a weekend retreat before, the retreat at Watson Homestead in Upstate New York is a fine place to start. Set out in the country on the boyhood estate of IBM's founder Thomas Watson, Watson Homestead features rolling hillsides, lovely scenery, and an ideal location for workshops. Guests reside in hotel-style rooms. Meals are in the dining hall by a beautiful fireplace (perfect spot for after-class relaxing), and retreat-goers are treated to time to devote to stitching.
The weekend starts with an optional Friday afternoon class. You may attend Friday afternoon only, or add the afternoon class to your weekend getaway experience. The main class of the retreat begins after dinner Friday evening and continues until after Sunday mornings brunch at noon. The retreat fee includes the classes of your choosing, lodging, and wonderful meals. Treat yourself to a mid-winter getaway and come to Watson Homestead! Contact them now for registration information (listed below). A retreat makes a lovely gift!
You've completed the quilt top, the quilting is done, now it is time to finish the quilt. Your quilt deserves the very best, and proper finishing makes all the difference. This class is a combination of demonstrations and hands-on stitching of class samples that will teach elements of finishing you didn't know you needed to know. Learn how to make a quilt that does not ripple on the edges, blocking, a revolutionary method for making continuous bias binding, how to miter the corners of your binding, and how to blend the beginning and end of your binding without lumps.
Date: Friday, February 3, 2012
Time 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Location: Watson Homestead, Painted Post, NY
For more information, contact Watson Homestead at 607-962-0541
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I am so excited about this class! In it, students will learn the revolutionary new piecing technique that literally came to me in the middle of the night! I have never seen a shortcut like this elsewhere, and I am very excited about the accuracy it allowed me to achieve. Not only is the block constructed in this new method, but I also hit on a new way to do the Garden Maze setting which is more accurate than any other method I have ever used. The block contains an open section in the center that is an ideal spot for an autograph, making it the perfect choice for a friendship quilt.
Date: Friday evening, February 3- Sunday noon, February 5, 2012
Weekend Retreat
Location: Watson Homestead, Painted Post, NY
For more information, contact Watson Homestead at 607-962-0541
Joyous colors combine to create Prairie Lilies, constructed in my two-for-one technique. Piecing in this method creates cutaways that are ready to go into a bonus quilt, so you are actually making two quilts at the same time. Make use of every bit of fabric. It is such fun! Students start with how to choose and combine fabrics for a quilt, giving valuable fabric selection skills that can apply to your future quiltmaking. This is followed with my two-for-one piecing method, then adorn with applique, utilizing a very nifty stem technique. In addition to the Prairie Lilies quilt, students will also be making a bonus quilt out of the cutaways.
Proficiency: All levels
Date: Saturday, February 18, 2012
Sponsor: Vernon County Piecemakers
Location: Viroqua, WI
For more information, contact: Jeannie Holmberg
608-629-5750
JHolmberg@vmh.org
This Tote Bag is sure to become a staple in your tote bag collection. Roomy and loaded with pockets, the shoulder tote makes a wonderful gift item, and can be whipped up in no time.
$5.00 plus $1.50 shipping
This casserole carrier is the perfect accessory for all your pot luck dinner needs. The batting keeps your dish warm or cool, as needed, while you transport it in ease. This makes a great gift for that hard-to-stitch-for person on your list, and best of all, it works up in a jiffy!
$5.00 plus $1.50 shipping
Exciting news relating to the Hand Quilting class is that I have a local artisan who is now making the lap frames that I recommend for the poke-pull technique of quilting that I teach. He does a wonderful job on them and past students who have purchased them are extremely satisfied.
14" Lap Frames are $50 (plus tax) plus $10 shipping and handling. Frames may also be picked up at my home during classes.
By popular demand, I have written up the directions for the luggage tags. In addition to being easy-to-spot luggage tags, they are also perfect for tagging your sewing machine or luggage cart when going to a workshop, or your laptop carry case, or even your musical instruments.
Luggage tag kits with directions are available for $7 postage included, and contain enough supplies to make 3 luggage tags. All you need is a glue stick and your sewing machine. Fabrics in each kit are assorted.
Completed luggage tags are also available at $4.00 each (postage included), and available in assorted fabrics.
This takes you through my schedule through February 2012. For additional booking information, visit the Schedule section of my website.
While I am taking a holiday break from classes in my home, here is some general information about classes that I offer here in my home. Remember that you can request the class of your choice, and with a minimum of 4 students, you can also request a specific date.
If you would like to be added to my mailing list, send me an email at
wihalpin@mwt.net
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You will then receive future emails notifying you when the newsletter has been updated, with a link to the newsletter. You may also pass along the class info to your group or guild. If your email address changes, be sure to let me know so I can update your information. As always, if you decide you no longer want to receive info, ask to be removed from my mailing list.