I was tickled pink when the Online Media Coordinator from Fons & Porter got in touch, to offer me a free video tutorial from their new video class site at Daily Craft TV. There is so much to see there, and I was to get a free quilting class video. I spent ages looking at all the classes and all the well known quilting teachers. I could not believe how reasonable the classes were - from $4.99 to $9.99, and there was so much choice! I kept on changing my mind, but eventually I decided on the above class. I think it was the description below that made up my mind -
This quilting class will give you creative ideas for new projects. These tips and fun quilting techniques will enhance your quilting experience. Here is a complete list of the instruction included in this class:
- Wool Appliqué by Paula Stoddard
- Mitered Borders with Sherri Driver
- Creative Piecing with Strips by Carolyn Beam
- Fun, Fabulous Lutrador with Heather Thomas
- Every Quilt Has Two Sides: Different Ways to Approach Quilting
- Making Charm Square Totes with Sue Marsh
- Using Dynamic Direct Compliments with Heather Thomas
Prerequisites: No Prerequisites Required.
Class Runtime: 1 hr. 28 min.
Length : 1:28:00
Boy was I going to have fun. It was really easy to access the
video, and it was so nice being able to stop it and start it, go back to segments I wanted to see again and knowing I have a lifetime access. I am going to give you a rundown on this video, but please keep reading to the end of the post, or you will miss out on a fabulous Giveaway!!
I loved the segment on wool applique. Paula Stoddard has the most fabulous patterns, which I drool over. This segment was no exception. She shows a lot of quilt examples, with woolly applique. She gives lots of tips to do wool applique on wool, cotton and flannel. She also tells you loads of info about wool and how to deal with it. I really like the demo on how to press the wool and how to use paper-backed fusible web to make a pretty quilt block.
The fool-proof demo on mitred borders by Sherri Driver is inspirational. Sherri's instructions are so precise and easy to understand, and she talks you through the whole process. She shows you exactly how and where to mark the quilt, how to pin it and where to sew it. She also talks about the 'Magic X', where the seams cross and how to sew this, so that you get exact points. Great demonstration.
The demo, 'Creative Piecing with Strips', shows you how to use up that overflowing box of scraps that everyone accrues, if they are quilters.Carolyn Beam cuts her scraps into strips and then skews her strips, to make a nine inch block and then adds patches to make a bigger block. She then goes on to make a different looking block, with the strips being horizontal instead of vertical. She demonstrates the construction of the blocks in detail and also shows ways to use strips in traditional blocks. Definitely a good way to use up your scraps.
I bought some Lutrador the last time I was over on the Scottish Mainland, but I was not too sure how to use it, so I was really pleased that Heather Thomas went into great detail of different techniques to use on this material. She painted it, sewed it, printed photos on it and thread painted it,made lace from it, using a heat gun to melt it and generally showed how flexible this material is.
'Every Quilt has Two Sides' has Laura Roberts and Joli Sayasane, Assistant editors from McCall's and Quilters Newsletter respectively,talking about how they approach different situations related to quilting e.g.what about shop hops, giving away material, favourite prints etc. This was like having a coffee with two friends, who discussed their different views.
Sue Marsh's demo on 'Making Charm Square Totes' made me want to dig out some charm squares, sit in front of the sewing machine and get going. She made it look so easy, and she explained each stage so well, so well in fact that I am going to put this on the list of 'To Do. I loved her tip on assembly line sewing. I always get my blocks mixed up and have to rip them out. This will stop if I use this tip.
The final, short segment was by Heather Thomas again on 'Using Dynamic Direct Compliments'. She showed how to use a colour wheel to choose complimentary colours to make the your designs more interesting. A lot of quilters have problems choosing colours, but using this method gives you dynamic, vibrant quilts.
I had a fabulous afternoon, watching this video. It was like being at a quilting class with loads of top-notch teachers, only I could stop the video if someone came to visit (which happened) or if the phone went. I thoroughly recommend you go and have a look, and to make it even sweeter.......
Giveaway, Giveaway, Giveaway, Giveaway
Fons and Porter have enabled me to let one of my blog readers have free access to a quilting video of their choice on the Daily Craft TV site. All you have to do to enter this giveaway is -
1. Become a follower of this blog and leave me a comment telling me you are a follower.
2. Go to the Daily Craft TV site and decide which quilting video you would like to see, if you win. Leave me another comment, telling me which one you have chosen.
If you do this, you will have TWO chances of winning. I will let Fons & Porter know who has won, they will send me the access code to pass on to you. Easy!! The closing date for this giveaway is Saturday 14th September at 12 midnight GMT. I will be in touch thereafter.
Good luck!!
Till next time
tich
