A Perfect Hand, set in Victorian England, is the story of Miss Alice Lockey, lady’s maid to Lady Jemima Alderwick. Research is one of the greatest pleasures of writing a historical novel, and in A Perfect Hand I tried to accurately present the details both mundane and complex of a Victorian servant’s labors. To do her job well, Alice had to be expert in a range of skills, from needlework to hair styling, from the concoction of cosmetics to the repair of shoes. In this book talk and quilt-along we will discuss the novel, learn about the quilts of the era, and together make a mini quilt using the Victorian “M’Lady’s Fan” quilt block. The block uses Foundation Paper Piecing, and can be pieced either by hand or by machine.
Date
Wednesday, June 17th, 2026
AND
Wednesday, June 24th, 2026
Time
5:00-6:30 pm ET
Location
Zoom, a link will be sent to participants before the event.
Cost
$185
Class Materials
Kit Included with Workshop
- A Perfect Hand by Ayelet Waldman
- 9 assorted fabric bundles (sufficient to complete 4 quilt blocks)
- Printed pattern
- 2 sheets of 8.5″ x 11″ freezer paper for piecing
- Glue stick
Please note: This kit does not include a needle or thread, as some participants will sew by machine while others will sew by hand. Ayelet will cover both methods.
Our Teacher
Ayelet Waldman is the New York Times bestselling author of novels including A Perfect Hand and Love & Treasure, and of the memoirs A Really Good Day and Bad Mother. She is an Emmy-nominated and Peabody award-winning screenwriter. But mostly? She’s an obsessive quilter.