Hand-Sewn Quilting Series I: Precise Curved Piecing

A Virtual Class with Tara Faughnan

Colorful fabric scraps sewn into semicircles.

Using the Drunkard’s Path quilt block, students will learn the basics of hand piecing and sewing curves. In this class we will cover how to create templates and mark fabric for sewing, as well as how to use color and value to create movement. We will also look at various ways to arrange the block to create a dynamic design.


Dates
Friday, May 17th, 2024

Time

12pm – 2:30pm ET*

Location
Zoom, a link will be send to participants the day before class

Cost
$65 for the individual class, $350 for the series

*This session will be recorded. A link to the recording will be emailed to all those who register following the live session. This link is live for one month after the end of the series for you to watch at your convenience.


CLASS MATERIALS

  • (1) 6” square and (1) 5” square. Prints/solids or a mix of both work well for this block.
  • Scissors for fabric
  • Scissors for cutting template material
  • Sheet plastic template material. Plastic file folders, cardstock, or any thick stable cardboard work as well.
  • Cotton Thread( 50 wt. is good)
  • Hand sewing needles size 6 – 8( Variety pack of Sharps or Embroidery needles work well too)
  • Marking pencil / chalk for both light and dark fabrics. Mechanical pencil recommended
  • Eraser
  • Pins
  • Tape
  • Thin Sharpie or other permanent marker
  • Thimble (optional – personal preference)
  • Needle threader (optional – personal preference)

This class is part of the Hand-Sewn Quilting Series

Perfect for the beginner, our Hand-Sewn Quilting Series aims to demystify the act of hand sewing a quilt block through a sequence of diverse forays into block constructing. While rooted in quilting’s history of using scrap fabrics to make beautiful coverlets, this series gathers contemporary voices and techniques to give the new sewist a set of skills and the confidence to take on an existing pattern or personal composition.

Exposure to six unique teachers affords any sewist, seasoned or novice, the opportunity to witness varied approaches even within the same technique. Experiencing the series as whole is sure to provide a comprehensive foundation and will get you well on your way in a joyful practice of hand-sewn quilting.

The blocks from each class can then be assembled together in any way you like to represent a sampler of skills. They would also make great pillows or patches for another textile.

We hope you will join us for all six of our quilting classes to increase your confidence and skill in hand sewing quilt blocks. You can sign up for the entire series here.


OUR TEACHER
Tara Faughnan

I am a professional textile designer and quilter living and working in Oakland, CA. I started to quilt around 2001 or so, using a reprint of the 1931 edition of 101 Patchwork Patterns by Ruby Short McKim as my guide. I had no idea such things as rotary cutters, rulers or plastic templates existed, and spent many happy weeks tracing around cardboard templates and cutting out pieces with a pair of scissors.

Somewhere along the way, my love of quilting led to school and on to a career in textile design, with clients including Michael Miller Fabrics, Riley Blake and Pottery Barn Kids.

I find inspiration in forms, shapes and the place where 2 seams meet. Color interaction is the key inspiration that drives me. It’s that intuitive moment when you put two colors together, and then two more, and two more after that that I focus on. The explorations are endless and I strive to try to walk the line of discomfort and still make everything work together as a whole.

I draw a lot of inspiration from the simple bold geometry of antique quilts, the gorgeous bright colors from textiles around the world, and freedom and spontaneity found in unconventional and improvisational quilts. When I look at my current work, I see all 3 of these aspects represented. I like to use simple geometry, complex color interaction and find the line the exists somewhere between harmony and discord.


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