The inimitable improv-maestro Nicholas Ball joins us once again this coming Autumn and he's bringing a brand new project with him, namely his Foliage Quilt class! Be sure to book a place on this class ASAP - they do tend to go rather quickly!...

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Introduction by Nicholas:-

I take lots of inspiration from the natural world. Regular CraftyMonkies fans will know all about my Vegetable Patch quilts and how I look to cabbages, leeks and many other legumes for interesting lines and patterns. Our house is home to various potted plants, with leaves of all shapes and sizes: round and flat, tall and spear-like. This quilt is my interpretation of that particular green world. The variegated shards of snake plants are perfect for exploring the slab technique and provide a cool and calming colour palette with which to work. I really hope you'll be able to join me once again!

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What you will learn on this Online Interactive Workshop:-

To begin, I will share the backstory of my Foliage Quilt, as well as show you some behind-the-scenes photographs I took during it's construction. Next, you will learn how to create ‘slabs’ of fabric from thin strings which we will use to suggest the fine surface detail of leaves, with a discussion on the colours and fabrics which will work best.  From these slabs, we will be cutting organic leaf shapes and perfecting our freehand curve technique to piece them into backgrounds.  We will also use skinny strips to add detail to the edge of each leaf. Finally, we will discussing possible quilting treatments that continue the inspirational theme.

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Skill Level for this Online Interactive Workshop:-

This workshop is suitable for ALL skill levels! The freehand curves will provide the beginner with a firm foundation to cutting without rulers, upon which they can expand the technique. The slab technique is perfect for creating larger pieces of usable fabric, from which you can cut any shape and resew in any way you like. There are no constraints and the possibilities for creative interpretation are endless!

 

Material requirements for this Online Interactive Workshop:-​

Whilst not essential for the workshop, Nicholas' book Inspiring Improv (published by Lucky Spool, 2019) features the Foliage Quilt and will expand upon the techniques learnt and provide many more improv tips and tricks.

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Fabric requirements for this Online Interactive Workshop:-​

Whilst difficult to give exact fabric amounts and measurements when sewing in an improvised way, please use the following as a rough guide.

 

My Foliage quilt finishes at approximately 45” x 54”. To make a quilt of a similar size, you will need the following:-

 

• 5 - 6 fat eights in 3 different green colour ways for the leaves, for a total of 15 - 18 fat eights.  I used teal, leaf green and chartreuse.

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• 3 - 4 fat quarters in each of your chosen green colour ways for the leaf edges.

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• 2.5 meters of background fabric

 

Please don’t stress about these requirements!!! They are simply a guide and I’ve yet to teach a class where something couldn’t be made because of the wrong fabric pieces. If in doubt, gather up a selection of prints and colours you like and you can cut during the workshop. Accuracy at the cutting stage is not so important using my techniques, so it won’t take long at all if you want to cut your pieces along with me. Of course, if you wish to make a smaller quilt, wall hanging or cushion cover, then you will need less fabric!

 

Equipment requirements for this Online Interactive Workshop:-

• Sewing-Machine

• Good quality thread in an appropriate weight for piecing (Nicholas recommends Aurifil 50wt)

• Rotary Cutter - with a new blade (especially important for the Curve technique!)

• Cutting Mat

• Patchwork Ruler (we can make any size work, but a small 1” x 12” is very handy, as is a 12.5” square.

• Fabric Scissors

• Most important of all - a willingness to explore your own creativity! This class is going to be FUN!!!...

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Pattern Information relevant to this Online Interactive Workshop:-

Not applicable for this improv class!

 

Additional Information relevant to this Online Interactive Workshop:-

Unlike a lot of my previous workshops, in which we explore many different variations of a techniques, the aim of this workshop is to make your own version of my Foliage Quilt. Whilst we will not have enough time to baste and quilt the project, we will be trying to complete the quilt top. For this reason, there will be much more sewing along together as we work on making our blocks, with the main focus being on the slab and freehand curve techniques.

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Tickets for this Online Interactive Workshop (via the Zoom platform) will be limited and allocated on a first-come/first-served basis! Any free pattern and other information, relevant to this course will be forwarded to you after booking and approximately 5 days before the course date.

The ticket price of £35.00 is based on ONE person attending this crafting class.

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This CraftyMonkies online interactive workshop is being broadcast from the United Kingdom and the class time given is based on British Summer Time (BST). We advise you check via Google Search (or similar) to see corresponding start-time in YOUR location!

Here's a great world time zone reference:-

https://www.worldtimebuddy.com/

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Ordering MATERIALS/EQUIPMENT Online For Any Class/Workshop!

Please ensure you book your place & order any materials/fabrics/equipment online in plenty of time ahead of course dates.

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This class is a live Zoom Workshop ONLY!

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IMPORTANT!

Sadly, we are NOT able to offer a recorded Pay-On-Demand video for sale in our shop after this event.

The only way to enjoy this class is to book a ticket for this Zoom Workshop.