Tuesday, 29 May 2012

Sampler quilt course in Bridlington



The blocks from 'Japanese Taupe Quilt Blocks' and 'Japanese Quilt Blocks to Mix and Match' will form the basis of the next course I'm teaching at The Royal, Bridlington.  There's the option to do this course in several ways - as a three day residential, three day non-residential, and individual day courses (with the option to stay over the night before or after - you can always combine the residential options with some extra nights and make it the centre of longer holiday).  Bridlington is a great base for exploring the Yorkshire Wolds and coast, the delights of shops like Scarborough Sewing Centre (an absolute treasure trove of goodies) and the Quilt Museum at York. 

On this course, you can discover some of the special techniques used to make blocks from my two Japanese block books, ‘Japanese Quilt Blocks to Mix and Match’ (JQB) and ‘Japanese Taupe Quilt Blocks’ (JTQB).  You are free to make any blocks you like from the books, but the course will use the following ten blocks as demo samples.  We will also look at ideas for combining the blocks into quilts and other projects. All the blocks from the books, the quilts and the projects will be on hand for your inspiration and you can use any colours you like to make your blocks. Let’s have a feast of creativity!

Some of the blocks included in the course were used on my award winning sampler quilt (top).  You can make yours in whatever colour scheme you like for your own personal style.

Skill level – beginner onwards. Don’t be daunted if you have only just started patchwork!  The techniques used for the focus blocks are all within a beginner’s reach.  If you are more experienced and want to work on more complicated blocks, you can.

30th October - Patchwork 

Part sewn seams, inset seams and curves.  Demonstrations will focus on blocks JQB 38, JQTB 45, JQTB44, and JQTB 62.

 
 
 

31st October - Applique 
 

 
 
 



Needleturn appliqué basics, bias tape appliqué, sashiko & embroidery on blocks. Demonstrations will focus on JQTB 68, JQTB 99, JQB 119,and JQB 109.  NB – needleturn is the hand appliqué technique used for the book samples, but these blocks can also be made with freezer paper appliqué or bonded appliqué. If you want to use those techniques, please bring freezer paper or Steam-a-Seam II, Bondaweb or similar with you.

There will probably be a little bit of sashiko thrown in too, and a look at embroidery stitches on applique blocks -

 

1st November - Combining Patchwork & Applique 
 
–  JQTB 106, JQTB111 – plus ideas for setting blocks into quilts, sashing designs and project ideas.

 
 

Other tutors teaching at the Royal in the near future include Alison Bramley, Jennie Rayment, Lilian Hedley, Christine Porter, Dawn Cameron-Dick, and Katherine Gurrier, plus Fiona and Tim will be hosting the occasional UFO day where you can enjoy their excellent hospitality while finishing off your own projects in good company. 

Check out the details at The Royal's website (yes, the page does start by listing the 'golf specials' - the P & Q courses are further down the page)

2 comments:

Susan Malo said...

Hello Susan,
Is there any way to take your sampler course on-line? I bought your book (and some Japanese Taupe fabric) yesterday at a quilt show in Vancouver BC and absolutely love it! I want to work through all your blocks. I feel so passionate about this. Any suggestions on how I can learn from you? Thanks kindly, Susan

Susan Briscoe said...

Hi Susan, thanks for your comment. I'm sorry I'm not set up for online teaching at all. But my beginners' course has been turned into a book - '200 quilting tips, techniques and trade secrets' ('Compendium of quilting techniques' in the UK). Everything you need to make the blocks in both 'taupes' and the earlier 'Japanese Quilt Blocks to Mix and Match' are in those books though. There's also quite a few shops and quilt groups worldwide who have done block of the month courses from these books, so I'd suggest checking out to see if your local quilt shops might run a course. Hope that helps!