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!

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.