Thursday, April 27, 2017

Basting and Quilting in an Old Fashioned Frame


Joe Cunningham is a professional quiltmaker with a flair for improvisation and quilting “freehand” designs without marking. “Joe the Quilter” lives in San Francisco, California, a long drive from Baltimore, Maryland. But thanks to technology, I just spent an hour and a half with Joe and his “Zen attitude,” via his DVD, Basting and Quilting in an Old Fashioned Frame.” (found on amazon.com)

As a teacher myself, of hand applique and hand quilting, I always enjoy learning how other people work on their quilts.

On the video, Joe shows step-by-step how to make the simple, inexpensive 4-board frame he uses. While visiting a local quilting group, the Dorcas Quilters, Joe points out similar setup options that they use. This kind of frame can easily be disassembled and stored away when not in use; convenient for a quilt guild, shop, or at home.

He also shows how to use the frame to thread baste the 3 layers of a quilt (backing, batting, and top) in preparation for machine quilting or hand quilting in a hoop.

From his studio, Joe talks about how he likes to work while actually quilting in the frame, how he decides what to quilt, and the tools he prefers. 

Zooming in to view both hands above and below the quilt, Joe maneuvers the needle to demonstrate how to do the actual hand quilting stitch, tie off, and “waddle” from one place to another.

The most useful thing I learned from Joe today is how to quilt away from myself. I look forward to trying his methods, and I can watch over and over until I accomplish the Zen attitude of quilting "without looking." Meanwhile, I can enjoy the music on the DVD from “Music for Squares” by Joe Cunningham and Erik Walker.
 
Keep Stitching!
Barbara M. Burnham
www.barbaramburnham.com
(c) 2017 Barbara M. Burnham. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any kind is expressly prohibited without prior written authorization.

Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Hand Quilting 101 Workshop

HAND QUILTING 101 WORKSHOP with Barbara M. Burnham

Sat, Apr 22, 2017 at 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Visit Spring Water Designs for details: http://www.springwaterdesigns.com/
9691 Gerwig Lane Suite G, Columbia MD 21046

Have you wanted to learn to quilt by hand? Maybe you would like to improve your hand quilting stitches, or try a new technique?  Would you like to sit next to someone who can guide you step by step? Join us to learn the basics of hand quilting. Work on a practice quilt piece, a wall hanging or pillow, or bring your current hand quilting project. Try several methods of quilting by hand, with or without a hoop or frame, even if you have never quilted by hand before. 

Barbara uses a video projection system so everyone can see closeups, as well as one-on-one guidance with each student. She will bring her award winning quilts, and several antique quilts for your inspiration. A selection of quilting designs will be provided.

Topics covered:
How to choose fabrics, threads, and batting
Choose the best tools for hand quilting
Basting the quilt sandwich
Selecting a designs for your quilt
Marking tools, how to mark quilting designs and grids, no mark methods
Several ways to do hand quilting stitches
Lap Quilting, or By-the-Block
Begin and end threads with knots, or with no knots
Quilt straight lines, curves, and feathers
Hide colored threads to prevent shadowing
Handling a large quilt
Plans to make your own quilt frame (handout)
Tips and techniques to make your hand quilting easy and fun
New! Big Stitch Quilting techniques

Keep Stitching!
Barbara M. Burnham
www.barbaramburnham.com
(c) 2017 Barbara M. Burnham. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any kind is expressly prohibited without prior written authorization.