Monday 06 May 2024: Nicholas Ball One-Day Workshop

Nicholas Ball - Monday 06 May 2024 - 9.30am to 4.30pm (BST)

One-Day Workshop: Welsh Flannel Quilt!

Join us on Monday 6th May 2024 in London for a truly fabulous One-Day, live, In-Person workshop with Nicholas Ball and her wonderful 'Welsh Flannel Quilt' workshop!

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​Introduction by Nicholas about Welsh Quilting history:-

Wales has a rich quilting history that predates the Amish. Once one of the country’s most important exports, flannel has found its way not only into the national costume of Wales, but also into many stunning examples of improvised quilts. Less known than wholecloth examples, Welsh flannel quilts were first created out of necessity, for warmth and comfort. Now, they are works of art which hold their own against more celebrated examples of improvisation, such as the quilts of Gee’s Bend.

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What You Will Learn in this Online Interactive Workshop:-

During the workshop, you will learn how to improvisationally piece many of the familiar elements found in Welsh flannel quilts, such as four patch, nine patch, half square triangles, and quarter square triangles. Each student will receive a small piece of traditional Welsh flannel which they will combine with brought fabrics to create a small improvisational study, approximately 18” square.  Students will then learn big-stitch hand quilting using wool thread to add wonderful texture to their quilt in a number of traditional motifs, as well as a more organic, improvised design. Each student will receive a reel of thread for quilting. Finally, the edges of the quilt will be finished using a traditional Welsh butted edge technique.

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Skill Level for this Workshop:-

The workshop is suitable for all skill levels.  The traditional blocks will be familiar to new and experienced quilters, whilst the improvisational nature of the piecing will provide a gentle introduction to sewing without patterns or specific measurements.  A small quilt study is also great for learning how best to fit irregular sized pieces together without feeling overwhelmed and provides a firm foundation for lots of other improvised techniques.

Material requirements for this Workshop:-

Whilst not essential for the workshop, my book Use & Ornament (Lucky Spool,2023) will expand upon some of the techniques learnt and provide many more improv tips and tricks.

Equipment requirements for this Workshop:-

• Sewing-Machine
• Pins, Fabric Scissors and Snips
• Optional - Small Travel Iron and Pressing Mat could be useful

Equipment requirements for this Online Interactive Workshop:-

A sewing machine - you could hand piece, yet this will be slower and so you may not achieve as much on the day.

Good quality thread in an appropriate weight for piecing (I recommend Aurifil 50wt)

Sharp fabric scissors

A hand needle for quilting - I prefer a long milliner’s needle. Use whatever length you are comfortable with, though ensure that whatever you choose has a large eye to accommodate the thicker woollen thread. We will be using a 12wt thread for quilting.

A willingness to explore your own creativity!

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Fabric Equipment requirements for this Workshop:-

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

An assortment (4-6) fat quarters in your chosen colour scheme.  Students may wish to use the traditional colours of Welsh flannel quilts, which are black and red, though any colour scheme will work.  The flannel provided will be a mixture of red, black, and cream.

A piece of wadding approximately 22” square

A piece of backing fabric approximately 22” square

An assortment of small square and rectangular scraps in your chosen colours for added interest.

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.

Tickets for this Live, In-Person workshop will be limited and allocated on a first-come/first-served basis, so please be sure to book quickly!

The ticket price of £145.00 is based on ONE person attending this live, in-person crafting class. The price includes a lovely Lunch, Tea & Coffee and Light Refreshments on the day, as well as the class Tuition which runs from 9.30am to 4.30pm.

​Why Not Make A Full Weekend Of It?!

If you would like to make a Quilting Bonanza Weekend of it and embrace the One-Day Live In-Person 'Improv Quilting Masterclass' Workshop AND attend our other One-Day in-person classes (Sarah Hibbert is teaching on Sunday 5th May and Carolina Oneto is teaching on Saturday 4th May), why not treat yourself to more classes (all the same price at £145.00 per head per day) and take full advantage of the Premier Inn Hotel just minutes away (you will need to book and pay for that yourself). There is also an NCP Car Park behind the building so you need not worry about finding on street parking. You could use public transport as the tube/train is very close by or even arrive by boat as the location has its own landing strip! Greenwich is only about 15 minutes away too with plenty of beautiful hotels. The choice is yours!

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Phew! That's a lot of information to take in! If you are at all confused by any of the above and need any help whatsoever by way of explanation, please just email us via hello@craftymonkies.com.