Sunday 25 April 2021: Online Workshop (Improv Quilting Rings)

Nicholas Ball - Sunday 25 April 2021 - 4.00pm to 7.00pm (BST)

Online Interactive Workshop: Improv Quilting Rings

We're delighted to welcome back a veritable Jedi-Master of improv-quilting, Nicholas Ball, for the second of TWO repeated classes this weekend! The first of Nicholas' two day improv-fest started on Saturday 24th April (4.00-7.00pm, BST) and, for those who couldn't make Saturday's class for whatever reason, the class is REPEATED today, Sunday 25th April, also between 4.00-7.00pm, BST! The class Nicholas will repeat on these two days? His renowned Improv Rings Technique!...

Introduction by Nicholas:-

I was first inspired to use this technique when I made my Vegetable Patch quilt, specifically the leek block! I wanted a way to show the concentric lines found within leeks without using curved piecing or appliqué. After much trial and error, I learnt that this 'ring' technique is extremely versatile and a useful improv tool. It can add real dynamism to your patchwork and is perfectly suited to the organic subject matter I find so inspiring: I very much hope you'll join me once again!...

What You Will Learn in this Online Interactive Workshop:-

Nicholas' Ring technique gives the illusion of curves using straight seams. During this workshop you will learn the fundamentals of the technique. We’ll first look at how to prepare and cut your fabric ready for piecing. Next, we’ll explore some of the many ways this technique can be used. Nicholas will show you how to start simple, with wide, angular rings, before moving on to demonstrate how to scale down the pieces, increase the angles and multiple the cuts to create near-perfect circles. You’ll be shown how this technique works brilliantly to add shape to other piecing techniques and how it can be used to edge or frame patchwork. The best way to stitch, press and trim the patchwork will be explored in detail. Like all Nicholas' techniques, once you’ve grasped the basics, the only limit is your imagination!

Skill Level for this Online Interactive Workshop:-

This workshop is ideal for sewists who have some experience of Nicholas' style of piecing and perhaps have taken one of his simpler classes. Whilst not difficult, the ring technique evolves to use small pieces, with lots of trimming and pressing, and is not a technique suited for a fast finish.

Material requirements for this Online Interactive Workshop:-

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

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:-

• An assortment of square and rectangular scraps in your chosen colours for “starters”. These can be any size, though avoid anything smaller than 3” square.
• An assortment of various width strips for the rings, though nothing narrower than 1”. These can either be cut from yardage or you can use more scraps! WOF strips or jelly roll leftovers work well.

Please don’t stress about these requirements! They are simply a guide and Nicholas has 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. They don’t need to be perfectly square, so feel free to use scissors!

This is very much a TECHNIQUE-based workshop, with no finished project in mind. We will be making units which you will then piece into a finished quilt/project in your own time or use as a sample of the technique. Feel free to make as many or as few blocks as you like. You can also make a single, larger unit and turn it into a cushion cover, pouch or bag. There is no right or wrong size!

Equipment requirements for this Online Interactive Workshop:-

• A sewing machine
• A walking foot (optional)
• Good quality thread in an appropriate weight for piecing (I recommend Aurifil 50wt)
• Rotary cutter with a new blade
• 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
• Fabric marker or pencil
• A willingness to explore your own creativity!

Pattern Information relevant to this Online Interactive Workshop:-

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Sizing Guide relevant to this Online Interactive Workshop:-

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Additional Information relevant to this Online Interactive Workshop:-

Whilst a new sewing-machine needle is always a good idea, consider using a topstitch or microtex needle for this technique. As we explore narrower rings, the seams allowances overlap, so a sharper needle type will help to pierce these layers more easily.

​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! In light of current uncertainties regarding potential lockdowns in some/all parts of the UK due to Covid-19, please ensure you book your place & order any materials/equipment online in plenty of time ahead of any course dates.

​IMPORTANT!

This class is a live Zoom Workshop ONLY! We are NOT able to offer a recorded Pay-On-Demand video for sale after this event.