“After Mary Elizabeth’s presentation and seeing her work with the students, she has forever changed how I look at fabric and the potential I see in its design and colour. Her students were so enthusiastic and excited about what they learned, they asked me to arrange a regular monthly gathering at the store so they could carry on with their projects.” – Jocelyn Chamberlain, Owner, Stitch

The following workshops are available via Zoom:

SUMMERHILL SAMPLER – THE JOY OF SMALL PIECES

INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED

 

Jump in and learn the secrets to success in working with these tiny morsels. Precision machine piecing is actually easy.  In this class you will learn the techniques, tips and tools to achieving accuracy.  Learn how to cut once, sew once, with no trimming, allowing your pieces to fit together harmoniously and your focus to be on the joy of stitching.  After this workshop, you will be able to easily transfer these skills to your other quilting projects, no matter the scale of the pieces. We finish off the day learning about a “knife edge” binding – one of Mary Elizabeth’s favourite ways to finish a quilt. These persuasively addictive blocks will capture your heart and before you are finished you will be dreaming of your next small pieces project! (Pattern Fee)

FOOTHILLS QUILT

ALL LEVELS

 

Antique quilts have so much to teach us! My Foothills Quilt is a study of a late 1800’s Canadian antique quilt.  I saw that the original quilt was chock-a-block with interesting design elements and delightful quirks that I just had to explore.  In this class you will discover how you can use these same intriguing details in your version, as you embrace a novel approach to construction, that breaks up the quilt construction into manageable, irresistible portions. We will also explore an approachable way of experimenting with the important lessons this quilt has to offer about value, learning the impact of colour, and how sashing can be a game changer. Join me as we investigate the spirited design of the original quilt and be inspired; I can’t wait to see your version!(Pattern Fee)

GRAND FEATHERS QUILT

ALL LEVELS

 

An antique “Princess Feathers” quilt at the historic Grand Hotel, on Mackinac Island, Michigan, inspired my fresh, colourful version of a classic four block “feather” quilt.  I used the Apliquick™ applique technique to make this quilt.  If you know me, you know I am a no fuss, not a lot of gadgets quilter, but these tools won me over and they are now one of my favourites!  The same way that the rotary cutter, ruler and mat revolutionized quilting over 40 years ago, I think the Apliquick™ method will revolutionize applique work.  If you have been nervous about needleturn, this edge turn method will help you understand what happens behind the seams and increase your confidence in doing appliqué work.  In this class you will learn tips and tricks that I have mastered with this method to create your own version of Grand Feathers. (Pattern Fee and Tools Requirement)

SMALL QUILTS, SMALL PIECES

ALL LEVELS

 

Small quilts are the perfect opportunity to explore working with small pieces and just the right size for trying out exciting colour combinations, patterns, settings and designs. I use a variety of examples of my own work, both traditional and modern, as well as some small antique quilts, to illustrate different design elements that students can consider using in their own small quilt design. I cover all the steps from piecing accuracy to finishing your wee quilts with an elegant narrow single fold binding, including sometimes embracing “the wobble”.  These small quilts are incredibly rewarding and will capture your heart! (Dime for scale!)

KENSINGTON QUILT – THE ZEN OF PRECISION HAND PIECING

ALL LEVELS

 

A new, deeper quilting calm will be revealed to you as the Zen of hand piecing is explored.  Diminutive stars and enchanting dots twinkle and dance together in this delightful “little sister” quilt to Mary Elizabeth’s “Northern Lights” quilt that was featured in the book Small Blocks, Stunning Quilts (Martingale 2007).  Learn a stitching technique that is easy on the fingers, as well as use of templates, batchwork patchwork, pocket projects, successful curves and points, and loads of tips for staying organized.  You will discover how peaceful and zen hand stitching can be as you take the slower route to stitching your next family heirloom. (Pattern Fee)

 

If you are interested in any of the following workshops via Zoom please, contact Mary Elizabeth:

 

FREEHAND STRINGS – A FRESH DESIGN APPROACH

ALL LEVELS

 

Learn how to “travel light” as you move through the design process and create this string quilt. This free cutting project puts the rotary cutter aside and embraces a liberated approach to blocks and colour. Focusing on the singular creative moment in front of us, while keeping an eye on the whole, the rich lessons learned from this practice will change your design perspective and future work. Sharing examples I have gathered over the years, you will learn about the incredible versatility and appeal of “strings”. This style of quilt will charm you and this string quilt won’t be your last!

(Photo to come – it is just in the frame!)

HAND APPLIQUE – A FRESH TAKE ON A TRADITIONAL TECHNIQUE

ALL LEVELS

 

Explore tried and true traditional needle turn hand applique in this relaxing class that truly embraces the joy of slow stitching and frees your creativity! As you stitch this fresh floral pattern, you will learn the finer details for success: creating smooth curves, sharp points, round berries and wonderfully easy stems. All of this with a minimum of tools and fuss, making this form of applique perfect for projects for travel or when you just want to relax at home and stitch. (Pattern Fee)

(Photo to come – it is just in the frame)

PUMPKIN PEEL – FOUNDATION STRING PIECING FUNDAMENTALS

INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED

 

This class is a perennial favourite, where students make their own spectacular version of this quilt. You will discover the straightforward techniques that will demystify the quilt top construction. Learn the tips and tricks for easy foundation string piecing and then how to sew the curves with confidence. Come prepared to relax and enjoy the process of making your own Pumpkin Peel. (Book required: Small Pieces, Spectacular Quilts)

ADDICTIVE ENGLISH PAPER PIECING

ALL LEVELS

 

Explore the unlimited potential of captivating traditional English paper piecing, using small hexagonal pieces. An exciting and inspirational class filled with helpful hints. Topics include: fabric choices, fussy cutting, an abundance of design options, “batchwork patchwork”, stitching methods, and quilt top assembly.  Past students have said that after this class they will never look at their fabric the same way again! (Pattern Fee)

FOURPLAY FUN

INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED

 

Create a spectacular family heirloom as you make four patches with wild abandon and hone your small piecing skills!  Learn about the necessity of uninhibited and unapologetic fabric combinations, the secrets to piecing accuracy, working with small pieces, batchwork patchwork and the chaos theory of quilting.  This class is small block piecing at its most addictive! (Pattern Fee)

LETTING GO, AS YOU GO WITH THE FLOW – STRING PIECING TELL ALL

ALL LEVELS

 

Have fun in this class as you let go of your inner art director, fire the quilt police and go with the flow. Your quilting life will forever be changed when you learn relaxing string piecing. By embracing the chaos theory of quilting, setting design parameters and studying proportion and scale, the potential and inventiveness of foundation-less string piecing will be revealed. This class will have you seeing those tiny strips in your stash in a whole new light. (Book required: Small Pieces, Spectacular Quilts)

HAND QUILTING 101

ALL LEVELS

 

In this class you will learn a hand-friendly technique and the all-important mechanics of the quilting stitch. Aim for tiny stitches if you like, or have fun with bigger stitches, or simply work towards achieving the stitch length you desire. You will also learn about tools and materials for success, marking your quilt top, layering and basting. Finally, we will cover the secrets to putting quilts into lap or large floor frames, as well as quilting small quilts without a frame. Hand quilting is one of the most incredibly gratifying ways to connect with, and complete, a quilt. (Kit fee)

IMPROVISATIONAL COMPOSITIONS

ALL LEVELS

 

You will learn about the intuitive side of playing with colour, scale, proportion and balance. As youDelve into the process of improvisational compositions. in this fun and free-spirited class. Mary Elizabeth will guide you as you explore your creative potential. Using a “responsive conversational” approach, Students end the day with significant progress on a central composition that they will be itching to continue working on!