Modern Sampler Quilting Class

I am excited to announce that I will be teaching a Modern Sampler Quilting Class series at the Electric Needle in Madison, WI beginning in May!

The Mod Sampler is a series consisting of 4 classes, and we will make a quilt that features 7 quilt blocks (6 on the front and 1 on the back) from Tula Pink’s City Sampler Book, 100 Modern Quilt Blocks. You must buy the book for the class, and it is available with a discount at the Electric Needle if you enroll in the class. I designed the quilt layout, and I will teach you how to break out of your traditional quilting shell. Come learn my favorite way to improv, and explore some of the qualities attributed to the modern quilting movement: negative space, solids, pieced backs, and pieced bindings.

If you are new to quilting, this is a great class to get you started. This quilt is a quick finish, and I will help you through the process. The fourth and final class will be optional, as it will be for those students who would like help with making the quilt sandwich, basting, machine quilting (including free-motion quilting), and binding.

Stop in or call the Electric Needle (608) 831-3770 to reserve your spot. Click here to visit the Electric Needle’s website page for this class.

Class Dates:

• Saturday, May 3^rd
• Saturday, May 17^th
• Saturday, May 31^st
• Saturday, June 14^th (optional)

Time:  1:00 – 3:00 p.m.

Class Series Fee:  $60 (does not include book)

A supply list will be provided when you sign up for class. Please feel free to email me if you have any questions! trina@trinapeterson.com

Hexies!

Calling all English Paper Piecing lovers (and those of you who'd like to try it)!

I admit to being other-than-enthusiastic the first time I was introduced to English Paper Piecing. I wasn't all that excited about the seemingly time consuming project, and my hand-sewing skills were poor at best. Eventually I gave in and tried it, and I was hooked. It's so addictive! It's a great take-along project, an excellent way to use scraps, and a source of endless project possibilities. It's also a great way to improve those hand-stitching skills.

Finding the right templates to use for EPP may well be the most important part of the process. Printing them yourself on copy paper isn't necessarily a great recipe for success (as I found out). Even if you print them on heavier paper, if your cutting skills aren't flawless, the pieces won't fit together well in the end.

Recently, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to test some new templates that have just been introduced by Renae from Gray Rayne Fabrics. They are excellent! The heavier paper is stiff enough to hold up well to hand-stitching & pressing, and they are sturdy enough to use over and over again. They're not too thick to poke the needle through. In effect…they're pretty much perfect. The price will make you smile, too.

Here's what I made with my templates so far: a travel bag set to take all of my girlie things with me to Sew South. Because let's face it: a girl can never have too many adorable matching travel accessories, eh?

If you're interested in trying out these fabulous templates, click here to get them at grayraynefabrics.etsy.com.

If you're new to English Paper Piecing, there is a quick tutorial on Craftsy. Click here.

Or …as they say… GOOGLE IT!  ;)