Annette's beginner sampler

This is Annette's beginner sampler quilt.

It's wonderfully large, and uses all the blocks she made during the 12 week course.

Annette has gained confidence after taking the machine piecing class, and has since completed a few other projects.

Would you like to consolidate your quilt-making skills? Perhaps you would like to start at the beginning of quilt-making? Carol has been teaching beginners for 12 years. Click the link on the sidebar to see our latest class schedule including beginners classes by machine.

One of Jean's first quilts

We've lost track of whether we count this as one of Jean's first quilts or not!! Whilst undertaking a beginner machine piecing class, Jean started (and finished) another quilt.

Here is one of the quilt tops Jean made using blocks from the beginner sampler class. She made 2 quilts from her blocks - one each for herself and the husband. Throughout the series of classes Jean declared her blocks would make a quilt for the dog Missy - the dog has been cheated our of its quilt and will have to sit on the owners' quilts instead.

Yes, Jean always looks this happy. And why shouldn't she be??

We will commence a new beginner's course starting Thursday mornings in term 4. Stay tuned for our new class list.

Carol's birthday

Carol teaches our beginner classes (we have 3 different groups of beginners). Carol celebrated a Big O birthday one teaching day, and she didn't tell us earlier!

Jean hurried around and organised a birthday card, we bought a cake and everyone celebrated, but Jean felt let down. She wanted to do something personal for Carol, whose classes have totally changed her life!

Carol had admired Jean's wrist pin-cushion... so Jean made her a massive pin-cushion from foam, covered it in fabric, and stuck a lot of pins in like birthday candles.

In this picture Carol wears the birthday-pin-cushion on her head!!

What a fun group of girls, I will be showing you their beginner sampler quilts on the blog pretty soon I would say...

Sunday lessons...

We have some beginner's classes running Sunday mornings for those who work during the week...

Annette's confidence is already growing!! Look at all these beautiful blue and brown blocks...

Heather is making a number of baby quilts for her first grandchild...

After she made those blocks she repeated one block a number of times to make this little crib quilt top. Heather is definitely hooked!!

I hope we have some more beginner's blocks to show in the next few days... Well done to all participants..

Marg's first quilt

Marg proudly displays her first quilt top made in our beginner sampler class.Marg is now learning 12 different kinds of applique in an applique sampler... She is well and truly hooked!!

This is one "first quilt" that will never cause embarrassment (unlike my first one *cringe*).

Well done Marg.

Sampling of quilts

Lyn joined us in a beginner's class because she really wanted to make a baby quilt for her son and daughter-in-law. For a little while, Lyn thought she had bit off more than she could chew! What do I mean? Lyn wanted the quilt to be used, so it needed to be in cinnamon tones to match the existing bed linen, but she also wanted a nursery theme. Can you see the cute Noah's Ark print?

Lyn's first quilt has been quilted by Deep Creek Quilting. Lyn has made blocks for 2 other quilts during the 12 week class, so you could really say that Lyn has made sampler quilts. Well done Lyn!

Far from the beginning...

This is Jenny's first quilt top. She chose the fresh green and white fabrics to make a quilt for her daughter.At the moment Jenny is "top" of the 2 classes that are just finishing. Our beginners classes run for 12 weeks and cover all kinds of machine piecing including curves, Y seams, partial seams and piecing diamonds.

We currently have vacancies in our Sunday morning beginner classes, and will start enrolments for new beginner's classes during the week very soon (to be advised).

Well done Jenny!

Leanne says she has never done anything crafty in her life before this beginner's quilt class. I am sooo suprised. I really think she has captured the look of the 1800s quilts in these scrumptious blocks.

Leanne, your colour placement and fabric selection for the blocks are inspiring. I think you just have the knack!! I am so glad you found patchwork at last!!

Thanks for letting us see your blocks!!

More beginners blocks

We saw some beginner's blocks on the blog last week - and here are some other people's blocks.
I love to see the quilts develop to reflect personalities!

Wendy loves pretty soft colours

Rhonda finished this block today and didn't bring the others with her - you will have to wait to see the rest!

Christine's quilt is vibrant blue - she started it a few years ago and is finishing it in the beginner's quilt class (with the same teacher, different venue!!)

Catheryn has chosen very soft fabrics, I want to whisper when I am near it - can't talk too loudly!!

Good on you girls! I am sure we all feel inspired!! Thank you for letting us share your works...

Beginner's Luck

Here are some blocks made by our Thursday beginners.

Leanne has NEVER done any crafting before this, can you believe it?

Jenny is making this fresh quilt for her daughter

Glenda's blocks (actually, her husband signed her up for the class)

I love to see them because everyone's colours are so different that it changes the way a block looks.

Marion's blocks are bright and fun.

It's great to watch our students grow in confidence - they've had 3 classes now.

Marg's blocks - soft and pretty

Well done everyone!! We can't wait to see some more!!!

Term 2 has started!

Term 2 has started and we have hosted classes 5 out of 6 days this week!!

Last Monday 8 eager participants started their beginner classes with Carol Lewis.

Monday night Lorraine hosted a free class for Joy Of Life block of the month participants. The Monday night group all want to learn the "invisible" hand applique with silk threads and freezer paper. A day group starts this coming Tuesday. Spaces are available in both day and evening groups.

Wednesday night we hosted a fibre forum for making cards. Sue and Sylvia led us through hand-colouring, watercolour techniques, mounting, matting and distressed edging of cards. Here are a few photos of participants cards.

I thought I took more photos, but I must have become side-tracked!!

Thursday Carol Lewis started off another enthusiastic beginner's group. Beginners always look a bit scared on the first day - they ALL feel like they must know less than anyone else, but each person is so concerned with their own work, they are not noticing what anyone else is up to yet!!

I hope to post some photos of their first blocks next week.

Friday we had our first UFO class. Make an appointment with yourself. Bring along a project you want to finish and obtain help from Lorraine when you need it. This a great way to meet deadlines such as birthdays.

Today Lorraine taught shortcuts to make Magoo the funky monkey. Aren't the colour choices fantastic?

Okay, they all look like they've had the stuffing knocked out of them, but it hasn't been into them yet! They really do look like they have been partying hard!!

This class was so popular we will run it again next term.

The UFO session for next Friday night (7-9pm) is nearly full. Bookings will be needed, especially at first where everyone will need help to get started. Phone us to secure your place.

Thanks for bringing in your show and tell!! See you in the shop!!