Lectures and Workshops

The International Quilters’ Guild is pleased to host these workshops and lectures!

We are an online quilt guild that “meets” in a Facebook group. We invite you to join us.

You must register for each workshop individually. Paying members of the International Quilters’ Guild receive all these events at no cost as part of their membership. Learn more here.

Workshops require a minimum of 10 participants. Once 10 people have been registered, you will be sent an invoice. Workshops will begin approximately 1 week after minimum enrollment has been met. Workshops are on demand and available indefinitely.

Show Me How to Paper Piece: Facilitated by Patti Laird using Carol Doak’s book (6 hours)

Video lectures and step-by-step instructions. Recorded & available indefinitely; $40

The videos and instructions for this class will be published in early August 2022. You will be sent an email when it’s ready.

Learn the basics of foundation (machine) paper-piecing using renowned teacher Carol Doak’s book. Beginners leap into quilting and create your first paper-pieced quilt (15” x 15”) with thorough instructions and guided visuals to help achieve a perfect, accurate block. Create your own wall quilt by sewing blocks that can be completed in 3 simple steps!

Step-by-step instructions for perfect blocks
every time
Using book by expert quilter and best-selling author
Carol Doak
Facilitated by Patti Laird
Easy for all skill levels! First-time quilters
can achieve accurate blocks

Cost: $40.00 (includes the physical book—mailed to you in the U.S.—if outside the US, additional postage will be charged)

Supply List:

¼ yard light fabric for the background
¼ yard total of assorted contrasting fabrics for the hearts
¼ yard for border and binding
15″ x 15″ square of low loft batting
15″ x 15″ square of backing fabric
Sewing machine in good working order equipped with a size 90/14 needle. Open-toe presser foot if you have one. If not, your standard foot will be OK.
Thread to match your fabrics and straight pins with a flat head
Rotary cutter & mat
6″ x 6″ rotary ruler (Available from Patti–$10)
6″ Add-A-Quarter Ruler (Available from Patti–$6)
Seam ripper
Small pad of stick on notes and pencil to mark cut fabric piece locations
Pressing mat and iron
Optional: Additional Foundation Paper (Available from Patti–$15)

Patti Laird has been playing with fiber since she was a child. Her mother was a professional seamstress and taught her to sew at an early age. She went on to learn to crochet, cross stitch, embroider, and knit. She currently sews clothing and home dec items and designs and makes award-winning quilts, sells patterns, and teaches classes. She is also the founder of the International Quilters’ Guild.

Website: www.sleepingcatcreations.com
Contact: Patti@sleepingcatcreations.com

Sew Very Easy Patternless Sewing: Facilitated by Patti Laird using Laura Cala’s book (3 hours)

Video lectures and step-by-step instructions. Recorded & available indefinitely; $45

Protect your clothes with a pretty and practical apron! Learn to make a versatile, easy apron without a pattern in this simple, beginner-level class suitable for even novice sewists.

Cost: $45.00 (includes the physical book—mailed to you in the U.S.—if outside the US, additional postage will be charged). The book has 20+ projects, from eyeglass cases and hanging door pockets to drawstring bags and custom machine covers, these projects are suitable for beginners and beyond.

Supply List:

Main fabric: 1/2 yard
Trim fabric: 1 strip 2 ̋ × width of fabric
Border fabric: 1 strip 4 1/2 ̋ × width of fabric
Tie fabric: 2 strips 6 1/2 ̋ × width of fabric
Temporary fabric pen
Sewing Machine
Iron and Pressing Board
Rotary cutter and cutting
Seam Ripper
Straight Pins

Stars & Pines: An English Paper Piecing Class taught by Becky Goldsmith (135 minutes)

Video lectures. Recorded & available indefinitely; $36

English paper piecing is a traditional sewing method where the pieces fit together like a puzzle – add fabric, stitch them together, and make a treasure. EPP is sewing that you can take on the go. The Hand Sewing ebook is included in the course.

This class, for all skill levels, starts with printing and cutting your own EPP papers which opens up major design possibilities. You will learn how to change the colors and values in the star blocks to achieve a different look. The trees don’t have to be trees – change the colors and the center becomes a whirling center medallion. You will go on to learn how to baste your fabric to the papers, sew them together with one of three kinds of stitches, and how to hold your sewing (which is more important than you might think.) Whether you create the included project or add these skills to another EPP project, you will be able to confidently piece anything.

This is an on-demand class by C&T Publishing: https://creativespark.ctpub.com/courses/english-paper-piecing

In addition to access to the class, Patti Laird will host a private group for those of us taking the class and will offer tips and assistance.

Cost: $36

Yes, You Can Free Motion Quilt taught by Jenny K. Lyon (3.5+ hours)

Video lectures. Recorded & available indefinitely; $54

Wouldn’t you love to put the finishing touch on your quilts? For less than the cost of sending one quilt out, you CAN learn to free motion quilt. Join author and award-winning art quilter Jenny Lyon to learn successful free-motion quilting on your domestic sewing machine.
Jenny explains all the details in clear, precise language, sometimes with a
little humor. She knows this is something you can do with some guidance and
practice. Free-Motion Quilting from Ordinary to Extraordinary eBook
is included in the class.

You’ll start at the very beginning: Learn about the best set-up of your machine area and picking the right tools for free-motion fun and how to pair the right needle and thread, and how to adjust your tension for beautiful stitches. Find out key preparation steps when it comes to batting, marking, and basting. Plus, Jenny guides you through a variety of designs such as Loops, Bubbles, Stipple,
Peacock & Crosshatch. You’ll master free-motion fundamentals to create the
quilt of your dreams!

This is an on-demand class by C&T Publishing: https://creativespark.ctpub.com/courses/Lyon

In addition to access to the class, Patti Laird will host a private group for those of us taking the class and will offer tips and assistance.

Cost: $54

Lecture: Photographing Your Quilts by Vicky Conley (23 mins)

Video lecture. Recorded & available indefinitely; $13.50

Let’s face it — you can have the most beautiful quilt, but the quality of your quilt photograph may not give it the justice it deserves. The quilt photo can make the difference between getting into juried shows and receiving a “thank you for your interest” email. Bringing out the beautiful detail and color can be effortless with the proper photography toolset. Having entered several juried exhibitions herself, your course instructor Vicki Conley has a strong understanding of what makes a good artwork photo.

Learn five hacks for taking high-quality photos of your art quilts in this class. Vicki guides you through the process of capturing your quilt in the best possible way from start to finish. Begin with taking a photograph itself; learn about image composition, using a laser level, setting up your camera, and what makes good lighting. Easily resize your pictures in Photoshop, photo editing software, with step-by-step instructions.

This is an on-demand class by C&T Publishing: https://creativespark.ctpub.com/courses/photographing-your-quilts

Cost: $13.50