Have you ever wanted to create a highly complex quilt design with an appliqued look but just can’t bring yourself to have to do all that fine handwork? Well this technique is a fabulous way to achieve an applique look without having to do any hand stitching at all.
Instead, you get to doodle on the surface of a quilt sandwich using your sewing machine and free motion foot. Then, just like back in kindergarten, you get to color in the lines!
In this class, art quilter, Heather Thomas will provide you with tons of ideas, drawings and skills to create some truly amazing quilts.
First she will help choose a great design to work with and show you how to transfer the basics of that design to fabric. Next, she will dispel the myth that free motion quilting is difficult as shows you how to stitch out your chosen design.
Then she will introduce you to the world of fabric paints and inks and instruct you on how easy it is to achieve delicious shading and bold luscious color as you fill in your stitched motifs and finish up your unique quilted and colored work of art.
As part of this class you will have access to downloadable assets including a complete list of supplies needed and over 60 of Heather’s designs for your use.
Heather is a mixed media fiber artist with a passion for color and a dedication to teaching. After a decade of making original yet traditional work, she began venturing out toward art quilting, embellishments, and mixed media work. With more than 12 years of studying and teaching color and design under her belt, she wrote her second book, A Fiber Artists’ Guide to Color & Design, which came on the heels of her very popular first book, Fabric Embellishing: The Basics & Beyond.
In 2011 Heather was a guest writer for Quilting Arts magazine with a multi-part feature on Free Style Machine Quilting. She also participates in group and individual instructional DVDs produced by the Creative Crafts Group. You can visit Heather’s blog at heatherthomasblog.blogspot.com.
Q: How do I know what the Class covers?A: Every Class has a free Preview video you can watch, to give you a flavor of the Instructor and the skills or project that will be covered. In addition, the Overview tab includes a thorough written description of the Class. And finally, each Class Session has a brief written summary of the content in that Session, including the length of each Session video. You will get a good feel for the Class content by reviewing these resources.
Q: Do I have to be a Member of National Quilters Circle to purchase a Class?A: No you don’t. While Premium Members will receive regular offers for special deals on NQC content, Classes are not reserved exclusively for Members. If you buy a Class as a non-member, we’re sure you’d also enjoy having access to our full library of great quilting videos and articles as a Member, so give it a try.
Q: How do I purchase a Class?A: First you should decide that the Class is what you want. Review the Class Preview video and the various written descriptions of the Class and each Session before you purchase, so you have a good understanding of the Class content. When you’re ready to purchase and gain access to the Class, simply click the “Add to Cart” button, and proceed through the Checkout process.
Q: How do I access/view my Class?A: Once you’ve paid, you can access/view your Class by going to the MY ACCOUNT section of National Quilters Circle. The MY ACCOUNT link is in the upper right-hand area of the website. Within your MY ACCOUNT, a section labeled “My Classes” will appear, including a link to watch the video of your Class. You’ll also receive an email confirmation after your purchase, which will include a link to view your Class. You can access your Class as many times as you wish, and you’ll never lose access to your Account information. Just be sure to “Log In” for access to MY ACCOUNT.
Q: Do I have to take the Class right away?A: No. Any Class you buy will be accessible to you always. You can view your Class whenever you want, and you can view individual Sessions in whatever order you like.
Q: Is there a limit on the times I can view my Class?A: No. Your access never expires. You can view any Class you purchase as many times as you want, whenever you want.
Q: Can I view a Class on my tablet device or mobile phone?A: No problem. Most newer-model smartphones or other mobile/tablet devices with an internet connection are able to play the Class videos. Simply Log In on National Quilters Circle, and you can view any Class you’ve bought through the MY ACCOUNT section. Or, you can click on the “View Class” link within the email confirmation you’ll receive upon your purchase.
Q: How do I get access to the Bonus Materials for the Class?A: Until you purchase a Class, the Bonus material (any extra videos, download materials, etc.) will not be accessible. Once you purchase a Class, and go to view your Class, each individual Bonus element is accessible by simply clicking on each item. You’ll find the Bonus Materials directly below your main Class viewer frame. You can access the bonus materials as many times as you like and/or save them to your device.
Q: How does the Class Q&A Resource benefit work?A: Once you purchase any Class, within the Class viewing page, you’ll have access to post a question, comment or tip in the Class Discussion area. This is not a “live chat,” but your Class Instructor will answer posted questions and provide tips regularly. You can also view other Class participants’ questions and input to take part in this virtual dialogue among others who have taken the Class and are willing to share tips, answers, or ideas.
Q: Can I print out Class details?A: For any Bonus Material that is a PDF Download, yes you can. Just click on the icon/button for the Bonus element you want, and print with your local printer.
Q: What are PDF downloads?A: These are simply documents, plans, or written materials that are formatted in a way to print out and retain for reference. By simply clicking on the icon/link for any PDF Download that is included with a Class, you can print that document on your own printer or simply view the contents on your computer/mobile device.
Q: Are there any system requirements to view the Class video content?A: Your Class video content is best when viewed on a computer manufactured in the past couple of years with a good broadband Internet connection (not dialup). We also highly recommend using the latest version of Firefox, Safari, or Chrome as your Internet Browser, though recent versions of Internet Explorer will work as well. The recommended screen resolution is 1024 x 768 or larger.
Q: Why do you need my email?A: We need it to acknowledge your purchase of a Class, and send you a confirmation of your transaction. Also, in order to maintain your permanent access to the Class videos, you’ll need to Login to www.nationalquilterscircle.com. We guarantee that we will not share your email with any third parties. You may receive email updates from NQC from time to time, with details of new Classes and updates. You can easily unsubscribe when you receive any email.
Q: Can I get a refund if I don’t like the Class?A: Because you’ll have full access to all the materials and content that is presented in the Class immediately, we can’t offer a refund after purchase. Please review the Class Preview video and the various written descriptions of the Class and each Session before you purchase, so you have a good understanding of the Class content.
Q: How do I contact National Quilters Circle?A: If your question is about the Class content, please use the Class Discussion benefit to ask your question online – and you'll receive feedback from the Class Instructor. Even your fellow Class participants may jump in to offer tips and advice from their experience. If you have other questions or need help, you can email us at nationalquilterscircle@program-director.net or call us toll-free, at 1-855-253-0822. Service Representatives will be available Monday-Friday, from 8:00AM to 4:30 PM Central time, excluding normal holidays.
In this first session Heather will introduce you to all of the tools you need to create and quilted and colored work of art. She will begin by showing several samples of quilts made using this fun technique. As she does so, she will talk about the design elements used and suggest how you can come up with designs of your own by mixing the motifs she provides or by using your own resources. Next, she will tell you all about the different types of paints and inks she likes to use as well as the brushes. She'll close out the session with suggestions for batting, marking tools, thread selection and her basting technique.
Session 2: Creating a Design & Tracing Your Motif
9:59
This class includes over 60 downloadable motifs for you to mix and match into your own unique design, or use ideas of your own. In the session Heather will help you bring together the elements of your choice and give you great ideas on how to mix them up and help them play together well. Then she'll show you how and what she transfers to the surface of the fabric and what tools you'll need to get that job done. After all is marked she'll then walk you through batting selection and show you how she likes to baste using silk pins.
Session 3: Free Motion Stitching Your Design
48:16
Beginning with how to approach your machine from an ergonomic standpoint Heather will show you how to stitch out your design, from using the traced lines to adding detail and then how to choose and stitch out the perfect fill for the negative space. She'll show you how to deal with the fullness that often happens when quilting heavily and how to double over stitched lines to thicken them for greater impact or to conceal less than perfect stitching. This is a no-fail technique and Heather will show you how to make your stitching look like you've been doing it all your life!
Heather begins this session by showing you how each of the color mediums moves on the surface of quilted fabric, then she'll show you how different kinds of brushes can be used and how to get the most out of fabric markers. Then she'll begin coloring in an actual piece, showing you wet and dry shading techniques as she goes. She'll give you lots of hints on when to color what area and why. All the while, she'll be giving you lots of information on how to choose colors to enhance your stitched designs.
Session 5: Final Shading, Squaring Up & Binding
13:57
Once you've finished the stitching and coloring, Heather will show you how to square up your quilt and bind it using fabric that is the same color as your thread. Then she'll instruct you to look over your “finished” piece up close and from several different distances. She'll show you how to add highlights and lowlights to enhance weak areas or showcase major motifs. She will use both dry brushing techniques with Lumiere paints and iridescent Shiva Paintstiks.
Class Q&A Resource
Access to the Q&A Resource for this
Class is available with purchase.
