Quilt Artist & Teacher
Teaching
Look here often to find out when and where Helen will be putting on events. Come and watch her lectures and demonstrations, or get some hands-on learning by joining a workshop.
If interested, please send an email to qtwduluth@gmail.com
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Lectures, Demos, & Workshops
A Quiltmaker's Journey - 1979 to present
$350 + Expenses
In this one-hour PowerPoint lecture/trunk show, I share photos and stories about the 45+ quilts I have made since I started quilting in 1979. I will also bring many of these quilts to the lecture so participants can get a closer look.
Personalizing Your Quilts with Embellishments
$350 + Expenses
After quiltmaking for a few years, I started experimenting with embellishments to add more of a personal touch to my quilts. In this one-hour PowerPoint lecture/trunk show, I will share over 20 quilts with embellishments added to make them even more special and to help tell their "story." I bring many of these quilts with me, so participants can see them up close and personally.
Quiltmaking for Beginners: Log Cabin
$700 + Expenses
In my opinion, every quilter should make a Log Cabin quilt! It is an old, traditional pattern with a rich history and several layout options. In this six-hour workshop, you'll learn all of the basics of quiltmaking, including: choosing fabrics, precise cutting, proper pressing, stitching a 1/4" seam, layout options, the assembly of blocks into rows, adding borders, stitch-in-the-ditch machine quilting, creating and adding binding, and the importance of a quilt label. This is a fun, busy workshop that can be presented as a full 6-hour class or split into two 3-hour sessions. Learn the basics with an experienced, enthusiastic teacher who loves teaching beginners!
Quiltmaking for Beginners: Rail Fence
$700 + Expenses
The Rail Fence is an excellent quilt block for beginning quiltmakers. In this six-hour workshop, I will teach you all of the basics of quiltmaking as we construct a small quilt (approximately 30" x 30"). It's the perfect size for a baby quilt or a small lap quilt. Topics covered include: choosing fabrics, precise cutting, proper pressing, stitching a 1/4" seam, layout options, the assembly of blocks into rows, adding borders, stitch-in-the-ditch machine quilting, and creating and adding binding and a quilt label. This is a fun, busy workshop that can be presented as a full 6-hour class or split into two 3-hour sessions. Learn the basics with an experienced teacher who loves teaching beginners!
The Disappearing Nine-Patch meets Flying Geese
$450 + Expenses
The Nine-Patch block is an excellent quilt block for the beginner, and this class is for the advanced beginner level. In a three-hour lecture/hands-on playtime class, we will discuss the basics of a Disappearing Nine-Patch. Then, I will show you how to make it even more interesting by changing two Nine-Patch blocks into "Flying Geese." Students will bring two pieced Nine-Patch blocks to class, plus a few basic quiltmaking tools. This is a fun, interactive class that will get your creative juices flowing! (Note: I will demonstrate how to sew the Flying Geese blocks together. Sewing machines are not required, but students may bring one if they so desire.)
Paper-piecing for Beginners
$450 + Expenses
Foundation Paper-piecing is a quilting technique that incorporates a paper pattern or template into the piecing of a block or section of a quilt design. In this three-hour workshop, you'll learn that the beauty of paper-piecing is accuracy. All you do is sew on the line as you create a beautiful quilt design. Complex quilt designs become easier to construct. You'll have perfect points! Later, tear the paper off. We will experiment with a few different patterns during class. (This Star block is a free pattern from the Bernina website.) After creating a couple of simple patterns, you'll be on your way to making lots of detailed designs using the paper-piecing technique.