Free Cut Piecing



A  simple idea with countless possibilities:   stack  up pieces of fabric, slash through the stacks, rearrange the pieces and sew them back together into units that can be combined into   traditional, pictorial,  or abstract designs with curves (or not).  Think of this of this as drawing with your rotary cutter, but you don’t have to know how to draw.  We’ll make a leafy wall hanging in class and make some other units to learn the technique.   This piecing method make fabric that can be used in quilts or clothing. Try it; it’s liberating!

Experience level: intermediate

Supplies:
Sewing machine
Basic sewing supplies
Rotary cutter with good blade
Mat
Iron and portable ironing surface. (optional)
Square rulers sizes 6" - 15", if you have them.  I'll bring mine to share.
Hera marker, point turner or chalk for marking hatch marks (optional)

Fabric:

    Six coordinating fat quarters for the leafy wall hanging.  
    Four fabrics cut 12 ½ inch square for the big quarter circle blocks.
    Other fabric pieces at least 6 1/2" square for the heart block and for exploration.  Fabrics that read as  solid will show off your piecing, but prints can be used to good effect, too. Lots of fabric will broaden your options.

6 hour

Free Style Foundation Piecing


.Explore the many ways one can use the foundation string piecing technique to make intricate, beautiful quilt tops easily.  Using a square as foundation, we will make 3-5 types of blocks that can be used to make anything from a classic Amish quilt  to a design uniquely your own. This is a fast , cut and sew technique.  Bring even your smallest scraps as well as larger pieces from your stash.  I consider this technique "quilt therapy".

Materials needed:

Sewing machine in good working order
Rotary cutter, mat, and ruler
Scissors and thread
A few flat flower pins
Tracing paper   (Transparent paper to use as foundation for this technique is a plus.)
1/2 yard of black or other strong solid cotton that goes with some of your fabric stash
Lots of kinds of cotton fabric including little scraps.  100% cotton is easiest to work with. Bring about half a grocery sack, IRONED.
(optional: a wood iron, bone folder or Hera marker for pressing seams flat)  
    
   
Experience level:  All

3 or 6 hour workshop