“Thank you for a wonderful workshop! It was total fun to use all those silks I had been saving for so long! I appreciated your clear instructions and enjoyable teaching style” Jayne T, Mississauga QG, Canada
Check out my ‘Where and When’ page for upcoming workshops and engagements. You may be able to join a nearby quilt guild for a workshop.
Take my on demand class for just $19.99 at Creative Spark Online Learning
I am available for in person bookings and for Zoom presentations and classes. I welcome opportunities to teach at retreats and seminars. Need a shorter workshop? Ask me about tailoring a class to suit your needs.
Starting with Silk
Many of us have silk treasures from trips abroad, neckties or prom dresses that are too special to cut up so we leave them in a drawer or box. Get them out and make something beautiful!
Learn two very different ways to work with silk: a free, improvisational crazy piecing technique, and a foundation piecing method that gives stability and ultra-precise results, even with the lightest weight silks.
Working with your stash, you’ll construct elements in these two techniques that can be combined into a small, pillow-sized piece.
6 hour class.
This 3 minute video describes Starting with Silk in more detail.
To prepare for this class, watch these short videos on How to Deconstruct a Necktie and Applying Fusible Interfacing.
Click here for the Starting with Silk Supply List
Cocktail!
Learn how to piece curves for the Drunkard’s Path quilt block, and make your own bias tape for appliqué embellishment.
- Master traditional, accurate curved piecing
- Discover how easy it is to make your own bias tape for all styles of appliqué
- Experiment with several machine appliqué stitches
6 hour class,
Click here for the Cocktail! Class Description and Supply List.
Sheer Delight
Create a small quilt or a seasonal wall hanging by layering sheer chiffons and organza over more robust cottons. Whether you are interested in learning a unique technique to create your own textiles or want to make beautiful hand-made holiday gifts or decorations, this is the class for you!
After exploring the basic technique, we’ll experiment with trapping other textile objects between layers, quilting, embroidering and cutting away to create new effects.
6 hour class.
Click here for the Sheer Delight Supply List.
Earn your Stripes
Make stripey blocks two ways: On the straight and narrow, or by exploiting the bias. Use up stash scraps, deconstructed neckties or up cycled clothing to create striped blocks; neat and precise or curiously curved.
4 hour class.
Click here for the Earn Your Stripes Supply List.
Crazy Piecing
Learn a quick and versatile piecing technique that doesn’t drive you crazy with lots of tiny scraps! Build a complex fabric incorporating varied textiles from your stash: Quilters cotton, upcycled clothing of all types, silk neckties, kimonos, saris and more.
Use your crazy pieced panels in traditional- modern- or art quilts. Create interesting backgrounds for appliqué projects, adorn the back of a jacket, or make bags and pouches.
4 hour class.
Click here for Crazy Piecing Supply List
3D EPP
Yes! Three Dimensional English Paper Piecing! In this hand sewing class we will create three dimensional patchwork objects. Make holiday decorations, baby toys, or just pleasingly intriguing things! Explore fussy cutting opportunities to create beautiful kaleidoscopic effects. Embellish with buttons and beads.
$5 kits provided for in person classes. Prep instructions given for Zoom students.
4 or 6 hour class.
Click here for 3D EPP Supply List
Piecing the Pineapple
Piece the traditional Pineapple block using a uniquely lightweight, printed foundation made by EZ Piecing exclusively for my classes. This light-as-a-feather product adds no extra weight or bulk to your blocks.
We’ll discuss color choices and careful color placement through fussy cutting. Ideal for working with silk and any fine, unstable fabrics, you can also take this class using quilters cottons.
6 hour class.
Kit fee $15. Bring your own neckties and more!
In person workshop participants buy their $15 kit in class. Online students can purchase here.
To prepare for this class if you are using neckties, watch this short videos on How to Deconstruct a Necktie.
Click here for the Piecing the Pineapple Supply List.
Fabric Foundation Piecing
This workshop takes a deeper dive into two fabric foundation designs; Flying Geese and Grandmother’s Fan.
Piecing on to a fabric foundation brings strength, stability and accuracy to your quilt blocks. This technique is ideal for quilters cottons, silks and up cycled fabrics of all kinds.
6 hour class.
A comprehensive supply list will help you get set up with everything you need. In person workshop participants buy their $15 kit in class. Online students can purchase here.
To prepare for this class if you are using neckties, watch this short videos on How to Deconstruct a Necktie.
Click here for the Fabric Foundation Piecing Supply List.
Crazy Pieced Pillow
Pieces, pairs and panels come together improvisationally to form a charming ‘Crazy Quilt’ that we then set in a heart shape or circular frame. The piece you take away from this workshop could be the start of a new quilt or wall hanging, or it could be made into a beautiful pillow. Use silks, quilters cottons or a crazy variety of fabrics!
6 hour class.
To prepare for this class, watch these short videos on How to Deconstruct a Necktie and Applying Fusible Interfacing.
Click here for the Crazy Pieced Pillow Supply List.
Short Cuts to Tradition
A full day workshop focused on precision piecing and swift ways to build traditional blocks using quilters cotton fabrics.
Learn accurate ways to make the classic elements of traditional quilt blocks: Four or Nine Patch, Half Square Triangle, Flying Geese, Diamond in a Square.
This class is perfect for beginners, as well as intermediate or experienced sewists seeking to improve accuracy. Mastering these components will allow you to piece hundreds of classic quilt block designs!
6 hour class.
Click here for the Short Cuts to Tradition Supply List.
Silk Skills for Art Quilters
Learn to identify silk textiles and add them to your art quilts. Silk textiles are lustrous, easy to manipulate and ready to fray. Control or exploit silk’s qualities to suit your project. This silk primer for art quilters gives you the low down on how to incorporate silk textiles into your quilts.
4 hour class.
Click here for the Silk Skills for Art Quilters Supply List
Silk Button Earrings
Spend an hour making darling little silk button earrings. This is a nice add-on class if I’m visiting your guild and you’ve picked a shorter workshop. It’s also a popular, quick and easy option for quilt shows and festivals.
All materials provided – tools, findings, fabrics etc – for you to make two pairs of earrings using precious fragments of silk from neckties, kimonos and more.
1 hour class.
In person only. $20 per person
Reclamation!
My week long course focuses on using reclaimed textiles that may demand different preparation and piecing techniques than typical quilters cottons.
Participants bring their stash of rescued textiles – neckties, kimonos, saris, prom dresses, jeans , table linens and more. Yardage of coordinating solids in silk, cotton etc can augment this selection.
Our quilts will grow organically over the course of the week, using the techniques taught.
All creative styles are welcome – traditional, modern and art quilters will all gain new skills and discover the joy of reclaiming and sewing with unusual textiles.
On Demand Class
How to Use Silks in Your Quilt Making is available on demand for just $19.99 at Creative Spark Online Learning
For quilt guilds, my workshop fees are as follows:
For engagements thru end 2027:
In person: 6-hour workshop: $700; 4 hour workshop: $550; 3-hour workshop: $450;
Via Zoom: 6-hour workshop: $650; 4 hour workshop: $500; 3-hour workshop: $400
For engagements Jan 2028 and beyond:
In person: 6-hour workshop: $750; 4 hour workshop: $600; 3-hour workshop: $500
Via Zoom: 6-hour workshop: $700; 4 hour workshop: $550; 3-hour workshop: $450
In person engagements more than 2 hrs from San Francisco should total 7 or more hours of teaching/lecturing.