A classy weekend

It was a busy weekend, but such a “recharge your batteries” type of weekend for me.

I taught a brand new class, “Perfectly Wonderful Bindings by Machine” at Scrap and Sew this past Saturday to a full house of 12 students. It’s funny, really, how this class came about. I have been working for at least the past six years to perfect a new technique for sewing bindings on quilts completely by machine. It has been a real “trial and error” process for me as I worked to find the best method for adding those pesky bindings with good quality results. Not an easy task, I can assure you. But late last fall, I mentioned in passing to Tess (owner extraordinaire of Scrap and Sew) that I had finally mastered the technique and ‘did she think anyone would be interested in learning it’ sort of thing. She said, “we’ll put it on the class schedule and see what happens.”

Apparently, a lot of people would like to know how to add perfectly acceptable bindings by machine to their quilts. The class quickly filled up with a waiting list of enough people to add another class. I’m thrilled! (And yes, we’ll be adding one more class so please contact Tess at 813-963-5200 if you are interested….) Anyway, I met some wonderful new folks on Saturday who came for the class and I also enjoyed spending time with some of my already-friends as well. I truly had fun sharing my new method and hope to see a lot of their quilts finished and bound with this technique in the future at the shop.

Now let me add a disclaimer: I do NOT recommend this technique for ANY quilts you plan to have judged in any quilt show. As a quilt judge myself, I do not believe this is an acceptable method for adding binding to a show quilt. Having said that, though, I do believe this method is perfectly acceptable for adding bindings to quilts you want to use and launder; for baby quilts, charity quilts, quilts for your mother-in-law, wall hangings, etc. But if you have just completed a magnum opus Baltimore Album applique quilt, don’t add your binding by machine.

On Sunday, I had the pure pleasure of spending the day with a classroom full of creative and talented gals from the Quilter’s Workshop of Tampa Bay Quilt Guild. I taught the Lone Starburst class, which is one of my all-time favorite workshops. Oh my goodness….. the glorious fabrics they chose to make their quilts! There was so much eye-candy in the variety of their 2 1/2″ strips I couldn’t help but feel happy down to my tootsies because I got to touch and play with all of their fabrics! It was truly a good day. (Thank you, Glenda, and to ALL the ladies who were there for sharing your Sunday with me. I enjoyed every moment, and the lunch was completely yummy!) 

So all in all, I had a great weekend. Who wouldn’t be recharged after spending the majority of waking hours doing quilty things? I’m ready for the week. And I know its going to be a good week because I’m in my sewing studio where fabrics are spread out everywhere with a current work-in-progress.

Yep, I’m ready. Bring it on!

🙂

PS — Speaking of classes……I’ll be teaching a BRAND NEW mystery quilt class (this new design might possibly be my very best one yet…..) at Scrap and Sew this Friday, January 27 from 6pm – midnight. There are still a few spots left and it isn’t too late to sign up. Come join the fun. There might even be some Sangria there (did I say that?) Call Tess (813-963-5200) and I’ll see you there!