Quilt with Marci Baker
Workshops
3-D Magic!
To those who have thought “I have always wanted to make a 3-D quilt design, but it looks too difficult.”, I say “These are strip-pieced! Really!” With guidance on value, step-by-step strip-piecing techniques, and a lot of tips for easier piecing, these quilt designs are within your grasp. Everyone from the beginner to the experienced quilter will find enjoyment and success. From two different books, comes several class options.
1. Tumbling Blocks / Roll Of The Dice
Choose one or the other pattern and make a small sample in class or start a project like A Thankful Harvest tumbling blocks or Roll of the Dice – Y shapes, shown here, from the book, ABC 3-D, Tumbling Blocks and More.
2. Honeycomb Waffle / Arches & Asteroid / Bit O’ Honey / Honey Store
Choose one of these patterns to make a small sample in class or start a
project from the book, 3-D Magic! Simple Blocks Striking Quilts.
3. Peek-a-Boo / Hollow Cube / I-See-You
With strip-piecing, these hollow cube variations are easy to accomplish. Make a small sample in class or start a project like Transitions, shown here (all three blocks are in this quilt), from the book, 3-D Magic! Simple Blocks Striking Quilts.
4. Space Crystal (2-day class)
A truly intriguing design with its strong 3-D elements, this is Sara Nephew’s original design. Although it appears challenging, with some focused value selections and no Y seams, it is easier than you think. This quilt was made by a 16 year-old and it was her first advanced quilt. If you love 3-D, you can’t pass this one up! From the book, ABC 3-D, Tumbling Blocks and More.
Log Cabin Star
If you want something new then this is it! Take a look at log cabin from a whole new angle as designed by Sara Nephew and Marci Baker. Students will construct log cabin diamonds and triangles for this table topper. These simply amazing designs are amazingly simple, providing success for all levels of quilters. From the book Not Your Grandmother’s Log Cabin.
Rose Star
Rose Star is a classic design that is traditionally English paper-pieced. Learn Marci’s new way to sew set-ins or Y-seams with no worries about “the point”. Easy strip piecing and chain-piecing make this a fast, fun project when working with the larger size pieces, and an achievable project for the intricate Rose Star blocks.
Choices, choices!
A wide variety of designs can be selected for this class. Using only one shape and creates a unique design. Using either scraps or cutting strips, the quilts can be made to your own style. Choose from Sails, Crystal Night, Thousand Pyramids, The Wave, or Grand Hex for simple projects. Select a more challenging design for a 2-day class. From the book Wonderful One Patch.
Top Secret Bindings
Frustrated with your bindings? You don’t have to go under cover as a secret agent to learn the ins and outs of making a perfect binding because Marci reveals her information during this class. We will discuss the causes in order to avoid the pitfalls of common binding problems like rounded, pointed, and tucked in corners, lumpy finishes, and bindings that are not filled to the edge. While making your own Quilter’s Pocketbook, you will find out how bias, grain, double-fold, strip width, mitered corners and a smooth ending come into play. From The Quilt Binding Bible.
Value-able Fabric & Confident Color
Explore the magic of value and color and how it impacts your quilts. Several fabric exercises allow you to understand the basics of choosing a palette, deciding on a value range, and selecting personalized fabrics.
These methods train your brain to pick color and value that fits your style and builds success. From here on out, you will see your color confidence soar!
Stack & Cut Hexagon Quilts
Exciting techniques, beautiful quilts! Find surprise and beauty with this simple technique to stack layers and cut pieces from large, high contrast prints. Swirling pattern repeats add magical details to 6 identical triangles coming together like a kaleidoscope or millefiori design. As you work with these sometimes-wild prints, you will discover designs beyond your imagination!
Box of Chocolates
Perfect for multi-day retreats, this workshop is a fun day of group quilting. With the basic blocks of half square triangles and 4 patches, your fabrics are put through the assembly line along with everyone else in the group. Each person chooses the task they prefer, cutting, sewing, pressing, or sorting. At the end of the line, your blocks are ready to make your quilt in your own style. Like a box of chocolates you pick out your favorite layout from a wide variety of scrumptious designs that are deliciously wonderful and better yet, calorie free!
Grandmother’s Flower Garden – Strip-Pieced!
Throw away those templates and find another use for your scissors. With Marci Baker’s easy strip piecing methods you will learn how to create this beautiful quilt in a fraction of the time! Explore the creative options of working with hexagons. You learn the cutting and sewing techniques for this basic project that can be applied to many more designs. Even beginners will find these flowers within their reach! From Not Your Grandmother’s Flower Garden.
My Sister’s Tote
Think outside the box and create this unique hexagonal tote. This shape expands to allow plenty of room to hold your quilt projects or to use as a handbag. Start with this tote to learn how easily six-pointed stars sew together without set-in seams. Then you can use this method for any of the other designs in the book. Enjoy the stars outside the box! From Oh My Stars!
Frustration-Free Foundation Piecing
The precision and designs possible with foundation piecing are worth the effort. However, it isn’t fun when the fabric doesn’t fit, or when you have to rip out stitches (or start over), or you feel like you are wasting fabric with all of the trimming, or you would rather not rip out the paper. All of these frustrations are eliminated. Discover the fun and freedom of foundation paper piecing using this method that ensures correct placement without wasted fabric. Use only what you need with no misfits. This is the easiest method ever! Eliminate your frustrations and fears about foundation piecing and learn to sew even the most detailed design.
Designs to Quilt By
Are you stuck and can’t decide on the best quilting design to accentuate your quilt? Discover the different types of designs to quilt
by, the benefits and the limitations of each, and the considerations for hand, machine or long-arm methods. Explore various quilting designs by viewing actual quilt samples. Through group discussion, decide on the perfect quilting and eliminate the roadblock to finishing your quilt. Each student brings 1 or 2 quilts and takes home at least 2 design ideas for each project. Second quilt is considered if time allows.
Pedal to the Metal Machine
Quilting
Practice makes perfect so get started on the right foot. Learn the basics of traditional machine quilting, with an emphasis on simple, effective, mark-free designs. Training includes walking foot and free motion setups. design selection, making continuous line designs, threads, handling larger quilts and more. Leave with some practice under your belt and the confidence to complete your own projects at home.
New Quilter?
It’s easy, it’s fun, it’s do-able when you learn quilting basics using frustration-free methods. You don’t need to learn quilting from the school of hard knocks or by trial and error. Take this class and from the beginning learn the short cuts and helpful tips of rotary cutting, machine piecing and machine quilting. Your next step is to sign up to make your very own quilt.
This is a 12 hour introduction that can be divided into 2, 3, 4,
or 6 hour sessions.