Highlights of Dancing on Your Quilt
Machine quilting can add interest, texture and color to the surface of a quilt. It can be so much more than stitching in the seamlines or straight lines! Ann Fahl's quilts come to life when they are quilted. Learn how it's done in this full day workshop. A muslin or solid color sampler will be made during class using a variety of patterns and thread types. Appropriate for quilters with good sewing machine skills. Thread may be purchased from the instructor.
Supply List
Every student is responsible for understanding their sewing machine and how to adjust it. Some brands have computer menus that are difficult to navigate. You will need to know how to: raise and lower top tension; lower feed dogs; change stitch width; change stitch length; reduce pressure on the presser foot; know how to set your machine for free-motion work. Some Viking machines have a free-motion override setting, know how to find and activate it.
- Sewing machine capable of lowering feed dogs. Make sure it is cleaned and tuned before class. There's nothing more frustrating than coming to class with a machine that can't handle the assignment!
- A platform or table extender to increase the flat working surface area around the feeddogs and needle.
- Optional, extra bobbin case. Bernina owner's please bring a bobbin case with a "finger" or a gold bobbin case.
- Sewing machine instruction manual
- A big handful of rustproof safety pins
- darning foot, extra bobbins
- Schmetz top stitch machine needles, size 12 and 14, 16, or brand recommended by machine manufacturer
- Thread: monofilament smoke or clear, bobbin fill (the Bottom Line by Superior Threads), decorative rayon solid and variegated, cotton, metallic, and any other threads you'd like to experiment with. Thread may be purchased from instructor.
- Sewers Aid, or liquid silicone, bring this if you have it
- Muslin or solid color fabric. One piece 24 x 24 inches for top (option: you may piece 4 solid color 12.5 inch squares together); one piece 28 x 28 for backing
- Piece of thin cotton or fleece type of batting about 25 x 25
- Folded cardboard with grid, or dressmakers cutting board (about $12.00). Two people may share a board. Not everyone has to bring one!
- Straight pins with large heads, scissors, pencil for marking fabric
- Retractable metal tape measure, at least 6 feet long. Bring one only if you have one in your tool box.
- Quilter's gloves, optional, or gloves with tacky latex palms
- Optional, Steam Iron
- Optional, SewSlip or Free-motion Slider (new cling type; no tape)
- Optional, Ann's book Dancing with Thread
The instructor will have thread and top stitch needles available for purchase.
Classroom Setup: Please provide one large table for each two students, and iron and ironing board for every seven students. Please no more than 20 students. Two large tables for the use of the instructor.
