Workshops

All workshops are one day (six instructional hours) or two days (12 instructional hours) in duration. Strips That Sizzle, Easy Pieces, Samplin’ AnglePlay and The Magic Four Patch Unit are sewing workshops. The others are design workshops in the one-day version, and design-and-construction workshops as two-day presentations. Two-day versions, where available, are highly recommended.

All workshops can be expanded and/or combined to create an exhilarating four-day workshop format. Further information on such four-day (or five-day) retreat-type workshops is available on request.

Note: Four of these workshops (Blockbender Quilts, Strips that Sizzle, Easy Pieces, and Smashing Settings), all based on books by Margaret, have been featured on the HGTV television program "Simply Quilts." The AnglePlay is featured in episode 401 of www.thequiltshow.com with Ricky Tims and Alex Anderson.

NEW! AnglePlay™

The following three workshops are based on Margaret's book AnglePlay Blocks, and her new AnglePlay™ templates for rotary cutting the elongated (half-rectangle) triangle shape. No longer are quilters limited to the square and half-square triangle shapes of traditional 4 patch and 9 patch blocks! The "change in the angle" of AnglePlay™ breathes new life into traditional pieced blocks, and the templates enable rotary cutting and perfect piecing results for a shape that in the past has been awkward at best. Come and enjoy the new world of AnglePlay™!!!

AnglePlay: The Basics

In this class students will experience a number of ways of designing with the half-rectangle (elongated) triangle. These include creating original blocks, reinterpreting traditional blocks, working with modules, and working with larger grids. In this one or two-day workshop, day one is design only (fabrics and machines not necessary); day two is working with fabrics.
One or Two Days
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Samplin' AnglePlay™: New Blocks with Fresh Angles

In this workshop students will learn to cut with the AnglePlay™ templates, including cutting half-size and pieced triangles. They will make a number of sampler blocks, and get a glimpse of refreshing new ways of putting the blocks together.
One or Two Days
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Make Way for AnglePlay™; The Magic Four-Patch Unit

In this workshop students will learn to cut with the AnglePlay™ templates, including cutting half-size and pieced triangles. They will make a number of four patch units using only two pieced rectangles and one pieced triangle, for a huge variety of block possibilities. Different students will have different "assignments," so students will see a lot of block variations during the course of the workshop. Bringing a camera to record such variations is strongly recommended.
One or Two Days
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Smashing Settings for Sampler Blocks

Make way for the Sampler Quilts of the 21st Century!! No more "3 blocks by 4 rows" with three strips of fabric "holding them in"!! With design approaches simple enough for advanced beginners, you can make quilts look complex using strip piecing, refreshing seam angles, and variegated fabrics. With my non-threatening template system and a few color guidelines, you'll never think about sampler quilts in quite the same way again!!
One or Two Days
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Set Your Sample Blocks…Afloat!!!

Play with simple patchwork elements to form magical and complex-looking settings for traditional blocks! Using repeat patterns (such as Rail Fence or Nine Patch), selected block segments, and a range of value from light to dark, you will create rich, lustrous backdrops for sampler quilts. Fun for quiltmakers of all skill levels and experience!
One or Two Days
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Easy Pieces: Creative Color Play with Two Simple Quilt Blocks

A sewing workshop which yields a quilt top plus working plans for many more; based on Margaret's most recent book. Students work with two different versions of a rotary cut and quickly sewn block, creating blocks and mirror images of the blocks at the same time. Each block contains six values (light to dark), and is composed of only two shapes (triangles and wedges) which are easy to cut (no templates). Combinations and rotations of the blocks on the design wall yield hundreds of quilt possibilities.
One or Two Days
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Strips That Sizzle

A sewing workshop which yields a quilt top plus working plans for many more. Easy strip piecing which explores innovative approach to moving color and value across the quilt. Students learn much about value and color from each other's fabric selections, and from watching these fabrics transform during the day. Requires cutting strips ahead of time.
One or Two Days
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