Carol is available to teach the following classes at guilds, quilt shows, and quilt shops. She is based in the Chicago area and can travel. For additional details and photographs of workshop projects, follow this link.

LECTURES

Get your Stash Together:  Organization for Quilters

Some quilters find that their fabric stash, scraps, quilting tools, and books have become a burden, as they don’t have a good approach for organization and storage of these precious resources.  Knowing how to approach the task of organizing quilting supplies makes it easy to transform the dreaded stash into a collection that is a delight to use.  This lecture provides many practical ideas for making your fabric, tools, thread, books, and magazines readily accessible.  Topics include how to fold and store fabric so that it’s easy to view and locate, labeling, using your computer as a tool, and many ideas for actually using your stash.

AHA! Techniques and Tools for Perfecting Your Quiltmaking

Aha!  Get some great ideas for precision piecing and for simplifying and improving your sewing, piecing and quilting.  Using the right supplies can make a big difference in the results.  Learn techniques to enhance your projects while making sewing more pleasant.  This lecture covers many techniques, materials, tools, and great ideas for sharpening your piecing, quilting, and sewing skills.

Infinite Opportunity:  Quilts Hidden in Your Stash

As quilters, we love to collect beautiful fabrics – yet we are often unsure how to put them all together to make quilts that we love.  The term “scrap quilt” may bring to mind using leftovers that don’t necessarily look good together.  By contrast, while STASH quilts utilize your stash and scraps, they contain thoughtfully selected materials and look BETTER because of the variety – not tired because they were created just to use up fabrics.  The lecture addresses several key design principles that make multi-fabric quilts work and includes pairs of quilts to show the impact of incorporating these considerations.    Multiple examples of color combinations are provided to give ideas for selecting and using fabrics from your stash to make fabulous multi-fabric quilts.

Hexagons:  Six Sides, One Angle, and Oh So Many Possibilities

The hexagon is successfully used in both traditional and contemporary quilts.  The unique six-sided geometry of the hexagon makes it exceptionally versatile!  While hexagons can be arranged in interesting patterns, they can also be created from other shapes, such as triangles and diamonds.  Quilted hexagon pieces can incorporate many techniques, including machine piecing, hand piecing, English Paper Piecing (by hand or machine), fussy cutting, embroidery, and quilting. 

Gaps in My Quilting Education

During forty years of making quilts and being part of the quilting community, I’ve learned much about quilting. However, many techniques that I use constantly are rarely discussed, and I almost missed learning about them. Fill some gaps in your education with the most valuable information that I almost failed to learn about thread, fabric, piecing, batting and machine quilting.

Machine Quilting with Metallic Thread

While metallic threads can create wonderful effects on quilts, many quilters avoid them because they think they are too difficult to use.  However, quilting with metallic threads does not need to be challenging!  The needle, thread, thread path, and sewing machine settings all make a difference.  This lecture includes information about metallic threads and how to successfully use them for walking foot quilting, free motion quilting, bobbin quilting, and machine embroidery.  Many projects stitched with metallic thread will be shown.  Attendees will receive a list of tips for quilting with metallic threads.

WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES

Walk Around the Block:  Walking Foot Quilting (3-4 hours)

The walking foot does far more than stitching in the ditch!  Walking foot quilting can be an easy and attractive way to quilt your own quilts and other projects such as runners and totes.  You can get excellent results and stay in control of the quilting process.  The learning curve is short. In this class, you will learn creative ways to use your walking foot for quilting. The class will include straight line quilting, stitching in the ditch, how to stitch straight lines without marking your quilt, quilting with curved lines, spiral quilting, quilting with special stitches on your machine, and quilting curved designs using easy-to-make templates.  Since the way you prepare for quilting makes a difference in the results, the class also covers needles, thread, batting, marking and basting your quilt, and setting up your machine. 

Walk All the Way Around the Block:  All-Day Walking Foot Quilting (6 hours)

This all day class includes all of the techniques covered in the half day class.  Additional techniques include joining lines of stitching invisibly (for those times when your bobbin has run out or you’ve needed to remove stitches), matchstick quilting, radiating lines, square spirals, echoed curves, using freezer paper to get the border design just right, and using your piecing design for quilting grid designs with little or no marking.   

Safe and Accurate Rotary Cutting (3 hours)

While accurate rotary cutting creates the fabric shapes that make precision piecing possible, many quilters struggle with the cutting process.  Learn to use the rotary cutter safely and effectively. This class includes how to position the ruler and how to cut fabric in a variety of shapes and sizes.  Participants will also learn basic rotary cutter math, how to use fabric efficiently, and how to square up a quilted top.

Postage Stamp Table Runner or Table Topper (3 hours)

All of the tiny squares in a postage stamp quilt block can make the piecing seem daunting.  However, using a fusible grid to position and align the fabric squares transforms the process, making it easy to get the fabric arrangement that you like while also getting all of the corners to align.  The class project will be a rectangular table runner or square table topper, easily completed without binding.  This is lovely in holiday colors or in colors to match your decor.  This class will begin with an explanation and a demonstration of the technique.  Participants will first make and complete a small mug rug to experience the process from start to finish, and then start on their runner or table topper. 

Diagonally Pieced Runner (3 hours)

Learn how to make a diagonally pieced runner that turns out great every time! Innovative techniques work together to produce great results while making this runner easy and fun.  It is pieced and quilted in one step.  Since no binding is needed and no hand sewing is required, finishing is quick.  You may want to make a runner to coordinate with the decor in your home or you may choose to make a seasonal decoration or a wedding, shower or holiday gift.  You don’t need to decide: once you’ve made one, you’re likely to make more! 

Five Great Zipper Bags (6 hours)

Zippers are not scary! Zipper bags are quick, fun, and useful. They make lovely personalized gifts and require only a small amount of time and fabric to make. In class, learn five different ways to insert zippers as you make five kinds of zipper bags, including some with non-traditional materials. Projects include a cork pencil case, a mesh bag to keep things neat in your suitcase or protect lingerie in the washing machine, a small round or rectangular key chain/coin purse, a boxy zipper pouch stabilized with foam, and a lined cosmetic bag or purse. By the end of the day, you’ll have most of the bags finished, you’ll know how to complete the rest, and you will probably want to start making many more!

English Paper Piecing by Machine (3 hours)

English Paper Piecing is done by basting fabric pieces to accurately cut paper shapes. The fabric-covered papers are then joined together, allowing unusual shapes and angles to be accurately pieced. When done by machine, English Paper Piecing is also fast!  In class, you will learn how to complete two types of hexagon table toppers entirely by machine. Basting fabric to papers, joining the fabrics and finishing the table topper will all be done by machine! The techniques used in class are applicable to larger quilted projects as well.

English Paper Piecing by Machine:  Tall Tree (3 hours)

English Paper Piecing is done by basting fabric pieces to accurately cut paper shapes. The fabric-covered papers are then joined together, allowing unusual shapes and angles to be accurately pieced. When done by machine, English Paper Piecing is also fast!  In class, you will learn how to use English Paper Piecing by Machine to create a tree wall hanging using elongated hexagons. Basting fabric to papers, joining the fabrics, appliqueing the tree to the background and quilting will all be done by machine! The techniques used in class can all be used for other English Paper Pieced projects as well.

Circle Log Cabin Pillow (3 hours)

Piece a circular log cabin block and make it into a pillow with a hidden zipper back. Learn how to piece the block and how to create the pillow back with a zipper. You will also learn how to make the pillow look delightfully plump and how to make different sized circle log cabin blocks for quilts.

From Silk Tie to Stylish Gifts (3 hours)

Start with silk neckties, blouses, or scarves. Transform the silk into a luggage tag, key fob, pen case, tissue holder and covered notebook. Leave class knowing how to quickly and easily turn family treasures or thrift shop finds into beautiful gifts that will be appreciated and used.

Machine Quilted Christmas Cards (3 hours)

Quilted Christmas cards or postcards! How fun is that? With the walking foot, they are easy to make and what a delight for friends and family to receive. Learn a variety of ways to quilt your cards, try trapunto to make them three-dimensional, and use several methods to finish your cards.

Valentine Play Day (3 hours)

Remember the fun of gathering doilies, colored paper, scissors, markers and glue to make Valentines? Experience the same joy of Valentine-making, this time with ingredients of fabric, batting and thread, using your sewing machine with a walking foot, dual feed, or even a regular sewing foot. You will learn a variety of ways to quilt a heart, and then use your hearts to make mug rugs and cards that are perfect Valentines. The designs and techniques used in class are also applicable to larger quilts, so you should leave with some completed Valentines and with useful ideas that you can use for quilting your next quilt.

Little Gifts by the Dozen (6 hours)

As the holidays approach, you are likely to want little gifts for friends, co-workers, and teachers and to use as hostess gifts, party favors, or stocking stuffers.  In this class, you will learn to make more than a dozen little gifts that you can quickly and easily produce in quantity to share with friends and family.  Try a variety of fusibles and stabilizers while you learn to make a dozen lovely little gifts that you can easily make in quantity. Projects include a luggage tag, pencil case, padded glasses case, covered notebook, wristlet keychain, card case, pocket tissue holder, gift bag, potholder, bordered towel, napkin with a mitered hem, and a hairbow.  Make these projects in your favorite fabrics, stash fabrics, holiday fabrics, or prints that represent the interests of the recipient.  You will complete most of the projects in class and know how to finish the others at home.   The projects incorporate a variety of techniques and use products that many quilters have not tried, including hardware and several different types of fusible products and batting. 

How Far Can a Jelly Roll? (6 hours)

Have you bought some packages of 2 ½” wide strips because the fabrics are so beautiful, and coordinate so well – but they remain unused because you don’t know what to make with them? Or have you seen a package of richly colored batik strips or a fun thirties jelly roll, and wanted to get it, but you’ve been hesitant because you don’t know how to use it? In this class, we will start with a package of 2½” strips and add coordinating fabrics to make a table runner, tote bag, notebook cover and zippered document bag.  You will finish some in class and leave with instructions for finishing the others.  You will be amazed at how far your jelly can roll!

Quilt As You Piece Table Runners (6 hours)

Make two lovely table runners and a hexagon table topper.  One runner is made with diagonal piecing and designed for a fabric that features a wide stripe.   All are “doubly quick” as they are quilted while they are pieced and are finished without binding.   The striped runner does not require any matching of the stripes, which means that it goes together quickly.  Consider making them coordinate with your dining room décor or use holiday fabrics. 

Zipper Tote Bag (3 hours)

Make an attractive quilted tote to securely carry books, papers, or needlework, with the contents safely zipped inside.  This bag is easy to construct, so after making one for yourself, you’ll want to make several more to give as holiday gifts! 

Finishing the Edges of a Quilt Without Binding (3 hours)

Sometimes a finish other than binding is a good option for the edges of a quilted piece.  Time constraints, size, design, and the intended purpose of the quilt are all relevant factors.  This class includes finishing with a facing, three variations on pillowcase-style backings, self-binding with the backing and satin stitching. 

Covered Lunch Bag or Tote (3 hours)

Every special child (or adult) deserves a new lunch bag.  The drawstring-top bag, which can be made in your choice of two lunch bag sizes or a tote bag size, is also ideal for carrying hand sewing projects or knitting.   This is a great project for using several favorite coordinating cotton prints.  Since the bag is made with foam stabilizer, and you have the option to line the lunch bag with waterproof PUL fabric, it is also a good project for trying some new-to-you supplies.  While easy to construct, this bag is beautifully finished, with no seams showing inside or outside. 

Free Motion Quilting with the Bernina Stitch Regulator (4 hours)

The Bernina Stitch Regulator is a wonderful tool that makes it much easier and faster to master free motion quilting.  This class is designed to help quilters who have a BSR become more comfortable in free motion quilting their own quilts.  The class covers how to use the BSR to stitch unmarked free motion quilting designs as well as marked designs.  Since how you prepare for quilting makes a difference in the results, the class also covers needles, thread, batting, marking and basting your quilt, adjusting tension, and setting up your machine to use the BSR.  Learn how the BSR can give you a huge jumpstart towards lovely free motion quilting!