Workshops
Set
Your Sampler Blocks…Afloat! Workshop
Description
Come and play with a novel way of creating a refreshing setting for sampler
blocks! Set them "afloat" on a sea of simple repeat elements
— Rail Fence Blocks! We will work with two- or three-strip Rail
Fence Blocks, possibly combined with four patches, to create a mosaic
background for whatever blocks you bring. Quilts with sample blocks afloat
on Easy Pieces and Strips That Sizzle will also be shown. (If you are
familiar with these techniques from Margaret's books, you're welcome to
work with these in the workshop.)
This is a great way to maneuver value around your sampler blocks to
make a rich and dramatic setting for them — and to learn a lot about
value and color, almost in spite of yourself!
Click for Printable Version
Supplies Needed
- Copy of Smashing Sets: Exciting Ways to Arrange Quilt Blocks
- Sampler blocks to be set: Any number of blocks — they can be
unrelated in color and design. Think about friendship blocks, block
of the month from the guild or your shop, your first sampler blocks
— or blocks from your friends who know how much guilt they will
lose by passing on unloved blocks to you!! You have no blocks? Or an
Incomplete set? Bring muslin to make BLANKS to represent blocks, as
necessary…
- Glue stick
- Tracing paper
- Rotary Cutting equipment: rotary cutter (with fresh blade, for fabric)
Optional: 2nd rotary cutter with dull blade (for cutting paper)
- Rotary cutting mat large enough to cross-cut fabric 22" wide
- Plexiglas straightedge: 6" x 24" minimum: large squares
(9", 12", 15") if you have them (I'll bring some to share)
- Design Wall (cotton quilt batting or flannel backed tablecloths are
best)
- WIDE MASKING TAPE to adhere design wall to wall in room
- Sewing Equipment; Sewing Machine, foot pedal and all machine cords,
toolbox that came with machine. EXTRA NEEDLES. Neutral thread, with
a couple bobbins already filled. Scissors and thread snippers
- Pressing Equipment: irons and ironing boards enough to share
- Extension cord with multi-plug outlet if you have one
- Reducing glass (or other reducing device like binoculars, camera,
or security peephole device from hardware store)
- Pillow or cushion to put on your chair to raise you up to a good machine
sewing height!
- Fabric: You will be working with a range of values; bring as a minimum:
1/2 yard each of at least eight to ten fabrics to set off your sampler
blocks. This range of fabrics can be from one color family, or more
than one. (Ex. mostly blues, with a splash of red-orange here and there).
Be sure you have a good range of lights, mediums, and darks. In addition,
bring a few fabrics that really blend with the above selection, and
a few that really contrast with it. The more fabrics you bring, the
better; but you won't need very much of each one.
Miller Quilts © 1997 - 2009
