Good morning
I thought the silly season was over and done with but not so. For various reasons (including the imminent arrival in NZed of my American sister), the Bag Ladies class scheduled for February 13 is now going to be held one week later. Feb 20 at 1pm is now the start time.
Requirements for this bag (three fabrics required) are :
Fabrics 1 and 2 should contrast - cut two strips the width of fabric (44 in) x 1¼ inches
Fabric 3 is for lining and trim (a check pattern looks good) - cut width of fabric (44 in)x 6 inches
One metre of fine cord for drawstring.
Sewing machine etc
February’s Sew n Soup on Friday the 23rd will be another pattern for you to use up you 2 ½ inch strips so bring them along to this popular class. Starts about 5pm
Natalie
Wholly Quilts
http://nataliemurdoch.co.nz
Monday, February 12, 2007
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Material Matters - an column for NANZQ
Here's an column I wrote for NANZQ newsletter recently when they asked me to discuss quilting matters as they pertain to how to prepare and run a successful class for both students and teachers...
Class requirements … that sometimes long, long list of ‘stuff’ needed for a class is often the first indication of the success, or otherwise, of the next step in your quilting education.
How many of us – students and teachers both – get it right every time?
From a student’s point of view, it seems that every class has a blend of those who have interpreted the tutor’s list and know exactly what to bring and what the end product is going to look like; those who cover all, and I mean all, the bases and bring their entire stash and equipment cache; and then there are those who just wish they had stuck with their favourite colour scheme that their table-sharer happens to be working on.
The smart student is off to a head start in the class. Patterns and fabrics sing together. The machine or other equipment works and works well. Organisation and flair shine. Her abilities however could well mean that she is second guessing the tutor and not necessarily leaving herself open to the learning experience.
Is this a combination of good management and interpretation of the tutor’s list? Or is it a great tutor’s list?
If it is the latter, then how come others in the class can get it so wrong?
The student with the entire contents of her sewing room spread out around her will inevitably be slower. She will be slowed down by choices to make and stuff to sort through. Though that does not necessarily detract from the finished product, she may well have learned more in the class with better organisation skills. On the other hand she may well be absorbing more of the teacher’s tips and techniques.
Each class always has one or two who have ventured along a new path. New techniques, new tutor and, yes, a whole new colour choice only to be confronted by a class that would be ideal for using the old favourite, comfortable colours. Now that you are there you discover your neighbour using those fabrics you eschewed and left behind.
A frustrated student does not necessarily make the most of her learning opportunity.
So what is required to get it right every time?
Do tutors need some training so that the perfect tutor with the perfect requirement list will get a class full of perfectly equipped and happy students?
Or is it that the human factor will always prevail and different interpretations of the same list will continue to create fabulous differences in classes?
After recent symposium classes for so many that were highly successful and productive – does it really matter?
Natalie
Wholly Quilts
http://nataliemurdoch.co.nz
Class requirements … that sometimes long, long list of ‘stuff’ needed for a class is often the first indication of the success, or otherwise, of the next step in your quilting education.
How many of us – students and teachers both – get it right every time?
From a student’s point of view, it seems that every class has a blend of those who have interpreted the tutor’s list and know exactly what to bring and what the end product is going to look like; those who cover all, and I mean all, the bases and bring their entire stash and equipment cache; and then there are those who just wish they had stuck with their favourite colour scheme that their table-sharer happens to be working on.
The smart student is off to a head start in the class. Patterns and fabrics sing together. The machine or other equipment works and works well. Organisation and flair shine. Her abilities however could well mean that she is second guessing the tutor and not necessarily leaving herself open to the learning experience.
Is this a combination of good management and interpretation of the tutor’s list? Or is it a great tutor’s list?
If it is the latter, then how come others in the class can get it so wrong?
The student with the entire contents of her sewing room spread out around her will inevitably be slower. She will be slowed down by choices to make and stuff to sort through. Though that does not necessarily detract from the finished product, she may well have learned more in the class with better organisation skills. On the other hand she may well be absorbing more of the teacher’s tips and techniques.
Each class always has one or two who have ventured along a new path. New techniques, new tutor and, yes, a whole new colour choice only to be confronted by a class that would be ideal for using the old favourite, comfortable colours. Now that you are there you discover your neighbour using those fabrics you eschewed and left behind.
A frustrated student does not necessarily make the most of her learning opportunity.
So what is required to get it right every time?
Do tutors need some training so that the perfect tutor with the perfect requirement list will get a class full of perfectly equipped and happy students?
Or is it that the human factor will always prevail and different interpretations of the same list will continue to create fabulous differences in classes?
After recent symposium classes for so many that were highly successful and productive – does it really matter?
Natalie
Wholly Quilts
http://nataliemurdoch.co.nz
Quilting Classes
Term 1
(Feb 13 to April 5)
Quilting Bes
Tuesdays 10am to 12.30pm and 6pm to 8.30pm
Starts February 13 for 8 weeks
Costs $80
This class is for beginners, addicts and quilters alike who want help or company.
Requirements: Sewing machines, projects or a headful of ideas and plans.
Bag Ladies
Tuesdays 1pm to 3pm
Starts February 13 and runs monthly on the second Tuesday of the month.
Costs $10
Each bag is designed to be made, or nearly completed in a session.
Requirements: Will be given to each as they confirm their class place.
Term 1
(Feb 13 to April 5)
Quilting Bes
Tuesdays 10am to 12.30pm and 6pm to 8.30pm
Starts February 13 for 8 weeks
Costs $80
This class is for beginners, addicts and quilters alike who want help or company.
Requirements: Sewing machines, projects or a headful of ideas and plans.
Bag Ladies
Tuesdays 1pm to 3pm
Starts February 13 and runs monthly on the second Tuesday of the month.
Costs $10
Each bag is designed to be made, or nearly completed in a session.
Requirements: Will be given to each as they confirm their class place.
Sew n Soup
Friday 5pm-ish to whenever
Held on the last Friday of the month.
Costs $15
This session proved so popular last year that it may be necessary to hold it on two consecutive Fridays so you may want to book into either and take a chance. Each session limited to 10.
Requirements: Will be given to each as they confirm their class place though usually designed around the use of eight fat quarters or 21/2-inch strips.
Pot Luck Quilt & Lunch
Saturday March 31 10am-ish to whenever
Cost $15
Requirements: Your scrap basket, pages from the phone book and a shared lunch
Other Classes available (organise a group, your place or mine, and call me about available dates, numbers etc)
- Swatch Scraps is a class just made for using up your collection of 5-inch swatches. There are over 15 patterns with variations available including Ooey Gooey Hearts and a simple 9-patch.
- Pot Luck Quilts This class uses the smaller scraps (don’t toss ‘em, make a quilt) and covers string piecing, foundation piecing and simple template-making.
- Bordering on the Comical utilises a scrappy centre and adds an animal friend in the border to make an individual quilt for that special child while
- The Occasional Whimsy gives you a poster-size wallhanging to celebrate the occasion - Easter, Christmas, birthdays etc.
- Traditions Made Easy Maybe this class should be re-titled ‘it doesn’t matter’. When you learn the simple methods you can tackle anything and this sampler is a great place to start.
- Fat-Quarter Mystery is just that - a mystery and a fun way to learn new techniques that can be applied to almost any quilt-making venture. Just take eight fat-quarters and ... go for it!
- Faces and Flowers a side trip into the art quilt. Applique or Appliquilt - you choose. Challenge the artist in you on a portrait or still life. Picasso got away with it, you can too.
Send me an email for more information
Natalie
Wholly Quilts
http://nataliemurdoch.co.nz
Already Be-hind
Kia Ora
Well, it is Waitangi Day here in New Zealand - our national holiday.
I had planned on this day being one of those creative moments but already the year is running away from me and the class list must take priority. I’d hate to admit it but is it an age thing when every year someone with a dastardly sense of humour steals January?
Mind you this new year has begun with a most enjoyable symposium in Palmerston North and then a two-day class learning Surface Embellishment with Gloria Loughman at Whangamata.
Wholly Quilts is going to set a whole new level of quilting this year. Starting with the weekly Quilting Bes. Yes, that is Bes as in Be taught, Be inspired, Be creative, Be sociable and most importantly Be there.
These sessions are basically do your own thing but with help at hand. The Bes will also Be a Be-ginning for any aspiring quilters or fabric artistes. If you have a friend that wants to learn then this will Be the in place.
Be-cause we are all different the Bes will Be held at different times to suit and may Be altered depending on demand.
Just before I list the class times/costs etc can I please ask my symposium students if they can send me photos of their work. I just have to mention here one in particular - Lynley. For those of you who thought quilting was all little squares and triangles sewn together you need to see Lynley’s naked lady a la Picasso. She was beautiful.
Lynley you inspired me to come home and play with a naked lady (in the nicest, quiltiest way of course). Just wait until she is revealed to the world.
If you want to register for any of the following classes please email or phone. A cuppa and cookies are available at all classes.
See my next posting for the upcoming class list....
Great stitching
Natalie
Wholly Quilts
http://nataliemurdoch.co.nz
Well, it is Waitangi Day here in New Zealand - our national holiday.
I had planned on this day being one of those creative moments but already the year is running away from me and the class list must take priority. I’d hate to admit it but is it an age thing when every year someone with a dastardly sense of humour steals January?
Mind you this new year has begun with a most enjoyable symposium in Palmerston North and then a two-day class learning Surface Embellishment with Gloria Loughman at Whangamata.
Wholly Quilts is going to set a whole new level of quilting this year. Starting with the weekly Quilting Bes. Yes, that is Bes as in Be taught, Be inspired, Be creative, Be sociable and most importantly Be there.
These sessions are basically do your own thing but with help at hand. The Bes will also Be a Be-ginning for any aspiring quilters or fabric artistes. If you have a friend that wants to learn then this will Be the in place.
Be-cause we are all different the Bes will Be held at different times to suit and may Be altered depending on demand.
Just before I list the class times/costs etc can I please ask my symposium students if they can send me photos of their work. I just have to mention here one in particular - Lynley. For those of you who thought quilting was all little squares and triangles sewn together you need to see Lynley’s naked lady a la Picasso. She was beautiful.
Lynley you inspired me to come home and play with a naked lady (in the nicest, quiltiest way of course). Just wait until she is revealed to the world.
If you want to register for any of the following classes please email or phone. A cuppa and cookies are available at all classes.
See my next posting for the upcoming class list....
Great stitching
Natalie
Wholly Quilts
http://nataliemurdoch.co.nz
Friday, December 15, 2006
gday
Merry Christmas - may this Festive Season and New Year bring you everything you could wish for yourselves and your families!
G’day
It is the end of an amazing year for me.
I spent a very cold winter in my wee church and watched the often agonisingly slow progress on my house. The arrival of warmer times marked the big move and I have to say it was all worth the chilly wait.
The church is now the studio and home to Wholly Quilts and the house has hosted its first group of retreaters. What a great weekend that was!
Several classes have been held with a fabulous response to the Sew n Soup evenings. So much so that next year could well see these nights running over two sessions instead of the planned last Friday of the month.
While all our clubs and groups are going into holiday mode, I have been planning a short ‘summer school’ programme for those who would rather sew than sun.
In lieu of December’s sew n soup; you are all welcome to a pot luck quilt and lunch. On Wednesday January 10 bring a plate for a shared lunch and bring your scraps for a shared quilt. It is a very traditional strippy quilt.
You will also need sewing machine, a good handful of pages out of your phone book and thread etc.
Start time is about 10.30am to whenever. Cost $15
Bag Ladies will get their first outing on Tuesday January 16.
The bag for this session uses one metre (or two contrasting halves) of fabric, half a metre of fusebat or similar (I have some available for purchase at $8m).
This bag class is the first of several scheduled for 2007.
Class time is 10am to noon. Cost $10
January Sew n Soup, Friday January 26.
I am hoping for some of my American sister’s input to this session but you (and I) will have to wait and see.
Requirements are eight fat quarters and sewing machine etc. This time you can get a head start by cutting the fabric into 2½ inch strips. If you prefer and have them, big bundle of 2½ inch strips will suffice. You will need some light/dark contrasts in you fabric selection.
Start time 5-ish. Cost $15
As always please let me know if you are planning on coming along to any of these sessions. The January sew n soup is particularly important cos I will be teaching at Symposium in the preceding week and don’t want any of you to miss out on the planned treat.
If any of these are your first session then there is no charge as promised.
On the planning board for 2007 are:
Classes for beginners - so if you know anyone that has compulsive craft habits like us get them to contact me. It will probably be a daytime class run on a term basis but that could depend on demand.
I am working on a sampler class tentatively titled ‘Herbaceous Borders’ – piecing, appliqué, embroidery and embellishing are all featured. Again to be held day or evening depending on demand. It could well be available as a block of the month pattern.
Organising you own special day out can also be accommodated. Classes taught for these include:
Swatches – learn fabric tricks and short cuts to scrappy quilts using 5-inch swatches.
String-piecing – a pot-luck quilt made from your scraps and those of your friends.
Flowers & Faces – venture into an art quilt (or not if you prefer) that’s fun & finished in two days
Bordering on the Comical – a great children’s quilt. An animal border on a scrappy centre.
Fat-quarter Frenzy – bring eight fat-quarters and go home with a small quilt top.
Banners and Runners – a seasonal thing. Make a table runner to suit the celebration/season.
Resolve It – a class that will sort your problems with design, technique, colour or finishing.
Your Choice – I can teach most techniques and patterns so a specific class can be organised.
And don’t forget the retreats. Remember come for a class, a day or a stay.
Natalie
Wholly Quilts
http://nataliemurdoch.co.nz
G’day
It is the end of an amazing year for me.
I spent a very cold winter in my wee church and watched the often agonisingly slow progress on my house. The arrival of warmer times marked the big move and I have to say it was all worth the chilly wait.
The church is now the studio and home to Wholly Quilts and the house has hosted its first group of retreaters. What a great weekend that was!
Several classes have been held with a fabulous response to the Sew n Soup evenings. So much so that next year could well see these nights running over two sessions instead of the planned last Friday of the month.
While all our clubs and groups are going into holiday mode, I have been planning a short ‘summer school’ programme for those who would rather sew than sun.
In lieu of December’s sew n soup; you are all welcome to a pot luck quilt and lunch. On Wednesday January 10 bring a plate for a shared lunch and bring your scraps for a shared quilt. It is a very traditional strippy quilt.
You will also need sewing machine, a good handful of pages out of your phone book and thread etc.
Start time is about 10.30am to whenever. Cost $15
Bag Ladies will get their first outing on Tuesday January 16.
The bag for this session uses one metre (or two contrasting halves) of fabric, half a metre of fusebat or similar (I have some available for purchase at $8m).
This bag class is the first of several scheduled for 2007.
Class time is 10am to noon. Cost $10
January Sew n Soup, Friday January 26.
I am hoping for some of my American sister’s input to this session but you (and I) will have to wait and see.
Requirements are eight fat quarters and sewing machine etc. This time you can get a head start by cutting the fabric into 2½ inch strips. If you prefer and have them, big bundle of 2½ inch strips will suffice. You will need some light/dark contrasts in you fabric selection.
Start time 5-ish. Cost $15
As always please let me know if you are planning on coming along to any of these sessions. The January sew n soup is particularly important cos I will be teaching at Symposium in the preceding week and don’t want any of you to miss out on the planned treat.
If any of these are your first session then there is no charge as promised.
On the planning board for 2007 are:
Classes for beginners - so if you know anyone that has compulsive craft habits like us get them to contact me. It will probably be a daytime class run on a term basis but that could depend on demand.
I am working on a sampler class tentatively titled ‘Herbaceous Borders’ – piecing, appliqué, embroidery and embellishing are all featured. Again to be held day or evening depending on demand. It could well be available as a block of the month pattern.
Organising you own special day out can also be accommodated. Classes taught for these include:
Swatches – learn fabric tricks and short cuts to scrappy quilts using 5-inch swatches.
String-piecing – a pot-luck quilt made from your scraps and those of your friends.
Flowers & Faces – venture into an art quilt (or not if you prefer) that’s fun & finished in two days
Bordering on the Comical – a great children’s quilt. An animal border on a scrappy centre.
Fat-quarter Frenzy – bring eight fat-quarters and go home with a small quilt top.
Banners and Runners – a seasonal thing. Make a table runner to suit the celebration/season.
Resolve It – a class that will sort your problems with design, technique, colour or finishing.
Your Choice – I can teach most techniques and patterns so a specific class can be organised.
And don’t forget the retreats. Remember come for a class, a day or a stay.
Natalie
Wholly Quilts
http://nataliemurdoch.co.nz
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