Many quilt guilds have retreat weekends.
During a two day weekend or even over several days,
a complex project can be studied in depth and
a greater understanding of the technique is attained.
Below are workshops that are more complex and better suited to a retreat venue.
For more information about fees and scheduling, please contact me
(Type email address into your mail program.)
or write to:
bdieges designs, P. O. Box 989, Tehachapi, CA 93581-0989.
Most of the workshops require some prior fabric and/or sewing preparation by the participants,
so that time spent in the workshop is fruitful and productive. Minimal materials fees are for my patterns or handouts.
All of the patterns include a color photograph.
One Day Workshops
Two Day Retreats
A few days with nothing to do, except quilt and spend time with others so inclined.
Is this Heaven?
Heart 'n' Diamond Bargello
Take the Bargello technique a step further to create a special design with a heart center flanked by five diamonds. The students will learn how the heart and diamonds can be shaded in four different ways.
Intermediate to advanced quilters
Sewing machine required.
Materials fee: $5.00 for the pattern.
Lone Star Garland
The Star Garland block from my Celebration books is transformed into a Lone Star variation to make a wonderful tree skirt, table topper or wall hanging in two sizes. Four of these blocks plus a border would make a queen size quilt.
Intermediate to advanced quilters
Sewing machine required.
Materials fee: $5.00 for the pattern.
Ribbons 'n' Bows Border
Put the cart before the horse and make this wonderful border using quick piecing techniques, then find or make a quilt that needs a border. It isn't required, but if students have a borderless quilt top, they are encouraged to bring it, so that they can see just how this border can be made to fit any quilt top.
Intermediate to advanced quilters
Sewing machine required.
Materials fee: $5.00 for the pattern.
Take Sewfasst® to the Next Level
I have found some unique ways to avoid cutting individual triangles when piecing blocks. Make more than one block at a time and just like the one day workshop, no fabric is wasted with these quick strip piecing techniques. These techniques can be used in many quilt blocks. Some basic techniques are covered to see the development of these more advanced techniques.
Intermediate to advanced quilters
Sewing machine required.
Materials fee: $5.00 for the pattern.
Three or Four Day Retreats
Baskets 'n' Vines
This country basket quilt with it's vine border is all done by machine, including the applique. Of course, I will also teach how to do it by hand. The pieced block can be made with inset seams or not. The secret to developing this short cut is taught. Several blocks and at least one border will be made during the workshop.
Intermediate to advanced quilters
Sewing machine required.
Materials fee: $5.00 for the pattern.
Evening Star
We will be combining three different quick piecing techniques with many different fabrics to achieve these sparkling stars. At least one star will be completed in the workshop.
Knowledgeable beginner to advanced quilters.
Sewing machine required.
Materials Fee: $5.00 for the pattern.
Hand Quilting
Almost everything quilters want to know about Hand Quilting will be taught in this workshop. They will learn all about batting, basting, markers, needles, to hoop or not to hoop, threads, thimbles and much more. A small wall hanging or table topper will be marked and quilted. How to stipple and do trapunto will also be covered in depth. Having a period of time during a retreat, gives the students the opportunity to relax and improve their quilting stitches.
All levels of expertise.
Materials Fee: $5.00 for the kit, includes trapunto yarn and needles.
Shaded Nine Patch
This intriguing quilt always receives oohs and aahs. The subtle shading is achieved through the choice and careful arrangement of fabrics. The shading can also be achieved in changing the position of the fabrics. Although it looks complicated, it isn't and makes for an exciting workshop. To see another version, scroll down in the Gallery.
Knowledgeable beginner to advanced quilters.
Sewing machine required.
Materials fee: $5.00 for the pattern.
