Quilters Calendar & Guild Network

resources for quilt guild volunteers

improv piecing

Carole Lyles Shaw

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CLShaw

Home: Bradenton, Florida, USA and online. Carole is offering classes online via her website with live streaming to connect with students. She offers live streaming for guilds for trunk shows and lectures.

Carole is an enthusiastic modern quilter, teacher and mixed media artist. She brings a painless and fun approach to improvisational modern quilting to her lectures and workshops. She began quilting many years ago when she decided to make quilts for her family. From those beginnings, Carole decided very quickly to break from traditional patterns and start creating her own designs using inspirations from modern art and other sources. Her work has been exhibited in museums and galleries in the U.S., Canada and other countries. She has been published in American Quiltmaking, 1970-2000, Quilts Today: A Living Tradition, Spirits of the Cloth and many other books. Her work has been juried into both quilt and art exhibits and has won awards.

Today, her focus is on exploring the modern quilt movement. She lectures and teaches workshops on modern quilting techniques for beginning and experienced quilters, helping each quilter find her own unique approach to expanding beyond the traditional.

Carole is the co-founder of the Sarasota Modern Quilt Guild in Sarasota FL. If you’re ever in their area, please visit a guild meeting.

Carole loves being a member of the quilt and textile art community and sharing her knowledge with others. Carole is a highly experienced workshop facilitator and she creates a warm and fun atmosphere. Beginner or experienced—all levels of quilter are welcome in her classes and everyone receives support and attention. She offers classes and lectures for groups all over the country. Take a look at her workshops and contact her from her website for information.

Lectures & Trunk Shows:

WHAT IS A MODERN QUILT? THE MYTHS AND THE MAGIC!

This 40-60 minute interactive presentation introduces quilters of all backgrounds to the modern quilt movement. Intimidated by modern quilts? I dispel some of the myths  so every quilter can appreciate the freedom in this new style of creative expression! I use many modern quilts to illustrate the key design trends in modern quilting. 

MY JOURNEY TO MODERN QUILTING

This lecture and trunk show is the story of my love of modern quilting—starting with modern quilts that I made in the early 2000’s.  There will be lots of time for questions and answers. In addition to the lecture (slides), I also show some of my quilts ‘in person’ on my design wall and table.  Please note that I do not cover modern quilt design principles in depth—familiarity with modern quilting is a prerequisite.   Topics include:

  • Artistic and quilter influences on my modern quilts
  • Early explorations of high contrast and minimalist palettes
  • Maximalism
  • AfroModerne quilts – cultural heritage and modernism
  • The Future of Modern Quilting—From Where I Stand

Modern Quilt Workshops – Live or via Zoom

I love traveling across the country meeting quilters who are interested in modern quilting. In the past year or so, I’ve had the honor of teaching my modern quilt workshops in California, Texas, Georgia, the east and west coasts of Florida, South Carolina, Virginia and I’ll be adding other states to this list!

Carole now offers a variety of classes, workshops,  online over the internet for students and for guilds. She’s combining every resource, including Zoom, to connect with her students to provide a world-class learning experience. ~Marguerita

My modern quilt workshops are suitable for all levels of quilters.  And, traditional quilters who take my modern quilt workshops tell me that they learn a lot about ‘what makes a quilt modern’ and have loads of fun–even though these workshops take them a little bit out of their box. I hear them say that quilting modern is freeing!

Visit Carole’s Website for more about her, her online quilt workshops and classes and to view her gorgeous quilts. Please let Carole know you found her on The Quilter’s Calendar! Watch a May 2020 interview with Carole below:

Rachel Derstine

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Home: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Rachel Derstine is an award winning fiber artist. Her works are featured in invitational and juried gallery shows and fine art/craft shows throughout the country. Her work has been purchased and installed in institutions such as Epic Corporation in Madison, WI, and the Milton Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, PA.

Rachel specializes in improvisational piecing, vibrant landscapes, couching (stitching yarn to quilt surface) and teaching of basic design elements. She has experience giving online presentations and classes.

Having grown up in Japan, this influence is evident in her style and use of kimonos, silks, ikats, hand dyed and batik fabrics. She includes traditional techniques of quilting as well as her own innovative materials and methods to achieve her desired designs.

Lecture Topic and Description

From Inspiration to Art Process

PowerPoint lecture presentation on the topic of where I find inspiration for my art: Other artists, photographs, influences from life experiences. I include process photos and discuss how to make effective quilts using art concepts such as limiting color palette, simplifying the background, using repetition of line, shapes, value and color throughout the work.

Workshop – Strata Quilt

We will do curved piecing of coordinated hand dyed and commercial fabrics for the background. Easy free motion and walking foot quilting designs will be introduced. Organza circles will be stitched to the surface with single or double needle applique. Yarns will be couched to the surface for movement and definition. Kit optional – $30.

Workshop – Artful Couching

Learn the art of couching with yarns to create texture, flow and extra pizzazz. This is a full day class. We will first create our quilt sandwich and learn some quilting designs created using the walking foot. We will then focus on mastering couching techniques. Students will bring a striped batik or gradient fabric and coordinating yarn to make this 18″ x 45″ table runner size quilt. This class will show you the many ways to use couching for definition and sparkle, by incorporating a variety of cording, yarn and metallic threads in your work.

Please visit Rachel on her website at https://rachelderstinedesigns.com or for individual online classes visit: https://artfulquiltingandsewing.com

Contact Rachel at rachelderstine @ gmail com and watch her on video on her YouTube Channel – Rachel Derstine
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXbECzO6YvG9Nlhku9Q7i8Q

Please tell Rachel that you found her on The Quilters Calendar!

Lisa Ruble

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Home: Kalamazoo, Michigan

After 8 years as a quilt magazine editor, Lisa now designs, writes and proofs patterns within the quilting industry.

Her favorite technique is improv piecing, and she offers both a lecture and workshop to introduce quilters to wonky methods, as well as a lecture and trunk show that goes behind the scenes of quilt magazines.

Learn more about Lisa on her Website:  http://lovetocolormyworld.blogspot.com/ or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/LoveToColorMyWorld/ or on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/lisaerin1121/

Be sure to tell Lisa you found her on The Quilters Calendar!

Heather Kojan

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Home: Owings Mill, Maryland

I’ve been sewing since my teens and quilting for more than 25 years.

My first quilt was an Eleanor Burns Quilt in a Day. Since I had a king sized bed, it made sense to me to make a king sized quilt. Go big or go home, right? That quilt was in shades of mauve and dusty blue (hello mid ’80’s!) Let’s just say my fabric tastes have changed since then!

I consider myself a modern quilter, with traditional roots. I’m the founder of the Baltimore Modern Quilt Guild and love speaking to different groups and sharing the modern aesthetic. I’m foremost a teacher. I teach modern quilting classes in local shops, guilds and shows across the country.

I’m a contributing author to the book Classic Modern Quilts and a featured quilter in The Improv Handbook for Modern Quilters by Sherri Lynn Wood, and 50 Little Gifts published by Lucky Spool. You can frequently find my work in Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks Magazine and Modern Patchwork Magazine.

Let’s connect! You can find me on my blog: www.heatherkojan.com or on Instagram @heatherkojan.

Please let Heather know you found her on The Quilter’s Calendar!

Tammy Silvers

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Home: Acworth Georgia, USA

I design under the label Tamarinis, and specialize in – well, pretty much fun, inspiring projects. Guided improv and paper piecing patterns offer a modern spin on classic designs.

I am a Certified Studio 180 instructor, offering Tucker University sessions, as well as lectures, classes and workshops on Studio 180 tools, techniques and patterns and a certified Aurifilosopher. I teach regularly at Stitch’n Quilt, in Mableton GA.

I have been published in several quilting magazines and have multiple fabric lines with Island Batik.

My lecture options, supported with tons of quilt examples, focus on color and fabric choices, and how selections can transform a project.

Interrogating Your Quilt:
Don’t be nice about it – force that fabric to talk to you! Get the real info on how it can work for you to help you achieve your “quilt” vision. This humor-laden lecture focuses on getting the most from your fabric choices and how fabric can (and does) influence the finished quilt! Supported by plenty of quilt examples from my retinue of quilts – good and bad!

Seeing Double:
Ever wonder – what would this quilt look like if I made it in another color way? If I used plaids and stripes instead of florals? Well, I can’t tell you what EVERY quilt would look like, but we can explore some practical examples together! In a fun format, we will compare quilts made in florals versus batiks, reproduction fabrics versus crisp modern prints, brights versus pastels. Gather inspiration and insight into the choices for your next project!

Auriphilosophy Lecture

Aurifilosophy is…
— The search for Knowledge and Truth, especially about the nature and behavior of Aurifil thread.
— A program designed to unlock the mysteries of thread, educate, inspire, and enable all users to achieve brilliant results.

We’ve trained and certified a team of dynamic, charismatic, and brand-loyal designers, artisans, and educators to offer Aurifilosophy using a structured presentation and thread demonstration. Aurifilosophers will cover thread basics, including information on weight and ply, spool positioning, needle recommendations, and tension settings. They’ll offer helpful tips and tricks, share projects and photos aimed to inspire and expand your use of Aurifil threads, and will gift each program attendee with a bag of exclusive Aurifil swag!

I offer many different workshops including online presentations focusing on a variety of techniques, including paper piecing, guided improv and faux curved piecing methods. You can see my patterns and workshops at www.tamarinis.com.

My Brochure – [ddownload id=”6400″]

Contact Email me at tamarinisquilts @ gmail.com or info @ tamarinis.com to come teach for your guild, or give me a call at area code Four Zero Four 388-9820 [Eastern Time Zone]. Please let Tammy know you found her on The Quilter’s Calendar!

To The Point – A Guided Improv Quilt

 

18 Sound Waves

Cindy Grisdela

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Home: Reston, Virginia, USA. Online classes for guilds, as well as presentations, are available!

Cindy is the author of Artful Improv: Explore Color Recipes, Building Blocks & Free Motion Quilting.

Cindy specializes in improvisational piecing and free motion quilting. She offers a variety of classes, both technique based and project based, using improv techniques to help quilters explore their own creativity. She also offers trunk shows on using color effectively and combining stitch patterns to create compelling quilts.

Cindy’s work was featured in Quilting Arts TV’s season 2100 on curved piecing and improv log cabin blocks. Find out more about Cindy by visiting her website.

Cindy is experienced in offering online classes, presentations, workshops specifically for guilds. Be sure to check her website for more details. ~Marguerita

Please let Cindy know you found her on The Quilter’s Calendar!

Lynn Koolish

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Home: Berkely, California

Lynn Koolish is a fiber artist, teacher, and author. She is most known for her bright colors and hand-dyed fabric. She also creates mixed-media fiber art collages.

She offers single day and multi-day classes in fabric dyeing (including beginning, shibori, and water-soluble resists), mixed-media / alternative surfaces collage, fabric painting, and improvisational design and piecing. Her classes are process oriented giving students freedom to explore and experiment.

Lynn also offers 45 minute slide talks on her journey as an art quilter (Confessions of an Eclectic Quilter); Fabric Dyeing; Alternate Surfaces to Paint, Stitch, and Embellish; and Creativity From the Inside Out.

She has written/co-written 5 books including Fast, Fun & Easy Fabric Dyeing, The Wonderful Colorful Wonder Wheel of Color (with Kerry Graham and Mary Wruck), Innovative Fabric Imagery for Quilts (with Cyndy Rymer), and More Photo Fun (with the Hewlett-Packard Company and Cyndy Rymer). She also has a DVD: Lynn Koolish Teaches You Printing on Fabric

Website: lynnkoolish.com

Please let Lynn know you found her on The Quilter’s Calendar!