Saturday 26 November 2022: Online Workshop (Improv Foundation Piecing)

Chris English - Saturday 26 November 2022 - 4.00pm to 7.00pm (GMT)

Online Interactive Workshop: Improv Foundation Piecing Cushion Cover!

We're really excited to welcome back the wonderful Chris English for another class: in this latest offering, Chris will be teaching his Foundation Piecing Cushion Cover workshop in an improv-styley and we're convinced you'll absolutely love it!...

Introduction by Chris:-

I absolutely love using recycled fabric to create new quilts and cushion covers. For this cushion cover I wanted to combine the plaid/check shirts to create a dynamic and visually interesting effect.Every year I love making my friends cushion covers for Secret Santa! Much better than a shop bought gift. I love making these covers as provide a great opportunity to try a new technique or colour, if you don’t like it then get it gifted.I discovered and developed this foundation piecing technique that made getting the bold graphic look easier to achieve. I think this technique works particularly well with the plaids/checks and makes them work together in a really interesting and dynamic way. It would work equally well with solids or floral or a mix.I’ve used this technique in several of my recent quilts that were exhibited at Festival of Quilts 2022.

What you will learn on this Online Interactive Workshop:-

During the workshop, you’ll  take the shirts you have chosen and create new fabric to use as an improv cushion cover. I’ll start by showing you the basics of my foundation strip piecing techniques, before combining them to create unique and dynamic blocks. Deconstruct your shirts. Then we’ll experiment with some improv cutting techniques to create extra visual excitement. After making the blocks you’ll learn how to join them together and add a back to your cushion cover. To finish I’ll share my techniques and tips for quilting your new cushion cover, we’ll try mixing hand and machine quilting to create a unique quilty texture.  I'll also be there to answer any questions you may have about quilting, finishing your cushion  and using recycled fabric in your quilting practice.

Skill level required for this Online Interactive Workshop:-

Beginner to Intermediate - This course is suitable for anybody interested in learning about improv and using recycled fabric. The sewing skill required is perfect for beginners! Chris has many years of experience as a quilt maker and teacher of quilting; his lessons are so inspirational , fun, and challenging but in a constructive and fun way with his clear and patient guidance. This lesson is suitable for all; if you are a beginner this is a great way to find your creative ability and try some new techniques and experiment with quilting techniques.skills which explore the rudiments of creative art and design practices. For those with some confidence and experience you could add further diversify to approaches in your own artistic ability and imagination

Material requirements for this Online Interactive Workshop:-

This technique is great for scrap busting and using recycled fabrics. Ideally you’ll need three or four check or striped shirts, you can mix these and you’ll get a different result. If the shirts are the same size then that’ll help when it comes to making the cushion back. With this amount of fabric you’ll be able to make a couple of cushions. An old cotton bed sheet for your foundation.

• For one cushion you’ll need four 8” squares.
• Thread - you'll need different weights to experiment with machine and hand quilting.
• Cushion insert - approx 16” but if you have a different size, that’s fine, we’ll adjust as required!
• Wadding 16” square- depending on your cushion cover size.
• Note: Charity shops are a great place to find shirts; go for it and choose colours you wouldn’t normally go for. Cotton is fine but so are other fabrics and will added some extra texture.

Equipment requirements for this Online Interactive Workshop:-

• Sewing Machine
• Rotary Cutter
• Cutting Mat
• Fabric Scissors
• Quilting Needles
• Iron
• Pins
• Fabric Glue Spray (Chris uses 505)
• Last, but by no means least, be sure to bring along an open mind!... ;-)

​Tickets for this Online Interactive Workshop (via the Zoom platform) will be limited & allocated on a first-come/first-served basis! If applicable, any free pattern, or 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 £30.00 is based on ONE person attending this crafting class.

This CraftyMonkies Online Interactive Workshop is being broadcast from the United Kingdom and the class time given is based on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). We advise you check via Google Search (or similar) to see corresponding start-time in YOUR location!

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.

Enjoy This Class/Workshop Again on YouTube! A link to a recording of this workshop will be sent to all who buy a live ticket for the Zoom broadcast approximately 5 working days after the event; the video will be available to view for 30 days from the video release date.

Are you not able to attend this class due to living in a different time-zone?

Are you otherwise engaged on the date of this workshop? Well, we have excellent news!

This class will be available to view via Pay-On-Demand via our Online Shop for 30 days following the video release date (approximately 5 working days after broadcast on Zoom).