Home: California
Julia McLeod was born and raised in England.
Graduating with a degree in textile design, she pursued a career in the woolen- and worsted mills of Northern England and Scotland. After working on Savile Row, in the heart of London’s menswear industry, Julia made the move to New York City in the early 90’s and, for most of the years since then, has called the USA home.
Julia first encountered American quilts while visiting the Amish communities of Pennsylvania. Some of the early quilts she made were for her young children.
Now based in Northern California, near San Francisco, Julia specializes in making silk quilts, sourcing fabrics from neckties, clothing and furnishing fabrics. She loves to rescue vintage quilt blocks and textiles and make them the starting point of a beautiful quilt.
Her lectures and workshops are entertaining, and appeal to a broad range of quilt-makers. Be sure to visit Julia’s website for more lectures, including “The Lone Robin”.
Lecture: Everything but the Cotton
Most of us these days make quilts using quilters cotton, available in abundance from brick and mortar and online quilt stores.
But before easy access to the local quilt shop, before internet shopping, how and where did quilt makers obtain their materials? And how did those particular textiles influence the design and construction of their quilts? What can we learn from quilts made from a restricted supply or unusual types of materials?
Join Julia McLeod for a fascinating look at quilts made during times of privation, shortages, incarceration and hospitalization. This talk showcases both historical and contemporary makers, and highlights some unique quilts.
The lecture is followed by a trunk show of Julia’s quilts, made using upcycled neckties, kimonos, saris, vintage blocks and more. Lecture fee $450 (1/2021)
Workshop: Starting with Silk – 6 Hours
Silk is one of the most gorgeous materials, but it can also be one of the most challenging to work with. For the quilt-maker who wants to work with silk, this workshop gives you the techniques and tips you need to tame this slippery fabric.
Many of us have silk treasures from trips abroad, neckties or prom dresses that are too special to cut up so we leave them tucked away in a drawer or box. It’s time to get them out and make something beautiful!
To begin: Is this really silk? We’ll examine ways to determine fiber content, including the burn test.
We will then cover two ways to work with silk: First, a very free, improvisational piecing technique and second, a foundation piecing method that gives ultra-precise results.
Working with just a handful of neckties or a small silk stash, you’ll construct elements in these two techniques that can be combined into a small, pillow-sized finished piece.
$30 kits can be provided for this class, or a comprehensive supply list can help you get set up with everything you need. Don’t have much more than a few neckties to work with? Combine them with your regular quilters cotton from your stash.
Learn more about Julia on her website: https://juliamcleodquilts.com/ and check out her videos at https://youtu.be/lIyStNxvoMg Julia has been Zooming her presentations since April of 2020.
Contact Julia at Nine Two Five 360 3298 or at juliamcleodquilts @ gmail.com
Be sure to tell Julia that you found her on The Quilters Calendar!