Online Interactive Workshops with
Nicholas Ball
02.02.25
16.00-19.00 (GMT)
Online Interactive Workshop
​
Nicholas
BALL
Sewing & Quilting:
Improv Triangles!
Nicholas Ball
Sunday 02 February 2025
4.00pm - 7.00pm (GMT)
Online Interactive Workshop
Improv Triangles!
We're absolutely delighted to welcome Nicholas Ball back under the CraftyMonkies spotlight for a repeat of his wonderful and ever-popular Improv Triangles workshop, which last ran with CraftyMonkies in April 2023. Since then, many of you have emailed us and Nicholas to ask if we could please, please pleeeease repeat the class, as either you’ve missed it previously, or you’ve just found out about Nicholas and his work. Our aim here is always to please - take it away Nicholas!...
​
Introduction by Nicholas:-
I’m so pleased to once again offer this class with CraftyMonkies, especially since many of my newer followers have specifically requested it. Triangles are always a favourite and a great introduction to improv sewing. What I love most about my Improv Triangles technique is the versatility of the units created. This simple shape has so many uses in improvised patchwork and is a great skill to add to your improv arsenal. Where some people see trees, others see gnome hats! You can use the familiarity of triangles to suggest all sorts things in your compositions. After you make a few you’ll soon find the only limit is your imagination!
​
What you will learn on this Online Interactive Workshop:-
You'll learn how to throw off the dreaded 'shackles of constraint' and let your inner-creative run wild with this fabulous technique-based improv-quilting class! In the workshop you will first learn Nicholas' basic method for creating improv triangle units. We’ll then look at adding variation to these units using inserts. Finally, a quick and easy stacked triangle method will be explored, giving you three different way to use triangles. We will also discuss fabric choice, including some time spent on the colour gradient method which Nicholas uses a lot in his triangle pieces, plus the different ways to arrange your sewn units into a finished composition.
​
Skill Level for this Online Interactive Workshop:-
This class is suitable for all skill levels. It’s perfect for competent sewers who want to explore more liberated piecing, perhaps as a change from traditional quilting, but it’s also a perfect improv introduction for quilters who are just starting out and have little quilting experience. If you have never worked in an improvised way before, this class is for you!
Material requirements for this Online Interactive Workshop:-​
Whilst not essential for the workshop, Nicholas's books Inspiring Improv (published by Lucky Spool, 2019) and Use & Ornament (published by Lucky Spool, 2024) - both readily available via Amazon - will expand upon the techniques learnt and provide many more improv tips and tricks. Improv Triangles are featured in both books and detailed instructions for piecing irregular shaped units together are also included in Inspiring Improv.
​
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.
For the basic triangles, large scraps of solid and print fabric in square-ish and rectangle-ish pieces work well for the background, whilst smaller scraps are perfect for the triangles. Feel free to cut your pieces from yardage. The background pieces shouldn’t be smaller than approximately 4” for your first attempt at this technique.
For the insert triangles, the same sized background pieces as the basic triangles can be used. For the triangles, strips of approximately 1.5” - 2.5”. These need not be full width of fabric, so feel free to use what you have.
Finally, for the stacked triangles, an assortment of squares, anything from 5” to as large as you want! As the name suggests we will be cutting through stacks of fabric, so as long as your prices are all roughly the same size, anything will work. A layer cake or charm pack would be perfect.
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 these techniques, so it won’t take long at all if you want to cut your pieces along with Nicholas. They also needn’t be perfectly square or straight, so feel free to use scissors!
This is very much a technique-based workshop. We will be exploring triangles and won’t have a finished project in mind. Feel free to make as many or as few of the units as you like. You can combine them into a sampler or continue to work on the project after the workshop by adding more units to it during the sewalong. Don’t feel any pressure to cut up all your precious fabric!!!
Equipment requirements for this Online Interactive Workshop:-
-
Sewing-Machine
-
Good quality thread in an appropriate weight for piecing (Nicholas recommends Aurifil)
-
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
-
Most important of all - a willingness to explore your own creativity! It's going to be FUN!!!...
​
Pattern Information relevant to this Online Interactive Workshop:-
Not applicable for this improv class!
​
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.
​
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/
​
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.
​
This class is a live Zoom Workshop ONLY!
​
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.
For the full range of CraftyMonkies Online Interactive Classes
& Workshops simply click here!
13.04.25
16.00-19.00 (BST)
Online Interactive Workshop
​
Nicholas
BALL
Sewing & Quilting:
Fruit Salad!
Nicholas Ball
Sunday 13 April 2025
4.00pm - 7.00pm (BST)
Online Interactive Workshop
Fruit Salad!
We're delighted that we'll be welcoming Nicholas Ball back under the CraftyMonkies spotlight in April 2025 with a BRAND NEW Zoom-class, but one which will be a little familiar to all you wonderful folks who joined us on our 2024 USA Retreat in Lancaster, PA - here's Nicholas to tell you all about his fabulously fantastical Fruit Salad workshop!...
​
Introduction by Nicholas:-
I’ve always been a little bit obsessed with creating quilts that have unusual inspiration behind them. My earliest foray into improv quilting was my Vegetable Patch Quilt. Made in 2014, this quilt features a selection of vegetables, including red cabbage and leek, and highlights through liberated piecing the shapes and texture found within them. I’m excited to continue this theme with this brand new class, never taught online before, with fruits as the focus. These fruits can be as fantastical as you like. We will be using our imaginations to create a piece that is truly unique to you!
​
What you will learn on this Online Interactive Workshop:-
Students will learn the basics of several of my core piecing techniques and the art of observation as we work together to create a small fantasy fruit study. We will look at working from the inside out by first creating “seeds” or “pips” using my confetti insert technique. These will then be sewn together as we practice joining irregular sized pieces. Next, shape will be added with freehand curves and rings, before the piece is surrounded by a vibrant background, perfect for showing off some free motion quilting. As always, I will spend some time discussing fabric and colour choices, though really anything goes in this creative exploration. These are fantasy fruits after all!
​
Skill Level for this Online Interactive Workshop:-
The workshop is suitable for ALL abilities. The techniques explored will provide a gentle introduction to improv piecing if you are a beginner. The skills learnt can be easily expanded and used in lots of other quilts, not just ones inspired by fruits, for those looking for another creative challenge. Curves and inserts are so useful and a great addition to your improv arsenal.
Material requirements for this Online Interactive Workshop:-​​
Whilst not essential for the workshop, my book Inspiring Improv (published by Lucky Spool, 2019 and available via www.amazon.com/www.amazon.co.uk) features inserts and freehand curves and expands upon the techniques learnt, providing 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:-
-
4-6 fat eights in your chosen colours for your fruit
-
A fat quarter in your chosen background colour to piece the fruit into
-
Scraps/offcuts in contrasting or co-ordinating colours for adding 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.
Equipment requirements for this Online Interactive Workshop:-
-
Sewing Machine
-
Good quality Thread in an appropriate weight for piecing (I recommend Aurifil 50wt)
-
Rotary Cutter with a NEW blade - especially important for the freehand curves!!!
-
Cutting Mat
-
Patchwork Ruler (we can make any size work, but a small 1” x 12” is very handy, as is a 6” square).
-
Fabric Scissors
-
Most important of all - a willingness to explore your own creativity!
-
A willingness to explore your own creativity!
​
Pattern Information relevant to this Online Interactive Workshop:-
Not applicable for this improv class!
​
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.
​
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/
​
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.
​
This class is a live Zoom Workshop ONLY!
​
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.
For the full range of CraftyMonkies Online Interactive Classes
& Workshops simply click here!
19.07.25
16.00-19.00 (BST)
Online Interactive Workshop
​
Nicholas
BALL
Sewing & Quilting:
Fabric Manipulation!
Nicholas Ball
Saturday 19 July 2025
4.00pm - 7.00pm (BST)
Online Interactive Workshop
Fabric Manipulation!
As always we're super-excited to welcome again the wonderful Nicholas Ball under the CraftyMonkies spotlight, this time for a BRAND NEW CLASS entitled Fabric Manipulation. Some time ago, Nicholas popped onto our CraftyMonkies YouTube channel to join in with one of our Tea-Time tutorials. Nicholas showed us just 15 minutes of fabric manipulation, a simple little taster and it proved to be one of our most popular teatime tutorials yet! So much so that Nicholas suggested we do a full class on the many ways that fabric can be manipulated. Judging by the comments and viewing figures of that video, this class is going to be extremely popular as I'm sure people will want more!...
​
Introduction by Nicholas:-
After discovering stuffed appliqué back in 2020, the technique quickly turned into one of my favourite and subsequent creative exploration resulted in my quilt Viral Temperature, the cover star of my book Use & Ornament. I was overjoyed when the quilt went on to win second place at Quiltcon 2022. Since making Viral Temperature, I have experimented with many other fabric manipulation techniques and have come to appreciate the wonderful texture and intricate results that can be achieved, especially when many techniques are grouped together into a small hooped or quilted piece, like my coralscape.This class is designed to showcase some of the many ways fabric can be manipulated and arm you with the skills to create amazingly individual work.
​
What you will learn on this Online Interactive Workshop:-
The focus of the workshop will be on fabric manipulation. We will explore many different techniques, including stuffed appliqué, gathering, furrowing, creating puffs and yo-yos, cording, and shirring. We will work toward making samples that highlight each technique and provide a visual record of our newly-learnt skills. Next, I’ll discuss how we can incorporate what we have learnt into a wonderfully textured piece inspired by coral. We will talk about planning our design using paper, as well as how best to order the construction of the piece and how to add further embellishment using embroidery and stitch. Finally, I’ll show you how the finished work can be hooped or basted and quilted to create a truly unique piece of textile art. We will be using our sewing machines for the most part, with some hand stitching too. We will look at using heavier-weight threads, twin needles, cords, and elastic. It’s going to be quite the eclectic mix! If coral is not your thing, how about fungi, or flowers? The techniques you’ll learn are so versatile and even combining them in a modern, graphic way, without any further inspiration, is sure to result in a great result!
​
Skill Level for this Online Interactive Workshop:-
Intermediate - the techniques showcased in this workshop are not difficult ones, yet require some careful handling to ensure that the work looks as good as it possible can. Accurate stitching down of your chosen shapes for appliqué, the stuffing of appliqués and the use of shirring elastic can all present challenges, whilst hand furrowing and making puffs are relatively simple. During the workshop, we will discuss how the majority of the techniques can be adapted to suit varying skill levels. I also want to share as much a possible with you, so the pace of the workshop will be brisk!
Material requirements for this Online Interactive Workshop:-​
-
Small amounts of Bondaweb or similar iron-on fusible fabric web
-
Small amounts of lightweight tear-away stabiliser
-
Good quality fibre fill or toy stuffing
-
Fray check (optional but very useful)
-
Good quality thread - I like using heavier weight threads to add definition to the appliqué and for embellishment . I recommend Aurifil 12wt, with either a 50wt or 40wt in the bobbin. Or course, you can also use regular 50wt, which will also be needed for stitching the appliqués closed. For those students interested in using heavier weight threads, my Use & Ornament Aurifil collection provides ten small spools - seven 12wt, one 40wt, and two 50wt - and is perfect for this class. The collection is available either online or from your local Aurifil stockist.
-
A small amount of DK or aran yarn in a light colour
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Shirring elastic
-
Paper for note-taking
Whilst not essential for the workshop, my book Use & Ornament (available via www.amazon.com/www.amazon.co.uk) will expand upon the stuffed appliqué technique and provide further information on both traditional trapunto and my Viral Temperature quilt. The quilt is one of the eight quilt projects featured and the instructions provided will allow you to work on a similar quilt in your own time.
​
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 fabric scraps in a colour scheme of your choice
Pieces of background fabric, approximately 4” - 6”, which we will use for our samples. I use a linen/cotton blend
​
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. They don’t need to be perfectly square either, so feel free to use scissors!
Equipment requirements for this Online Interactive Workshop:-
-
Sewing machine
-
An open-toe presser foot (optional but very useful)
-
A darning foot
-
Regular piecing needle (80/12)
-
100/16 topstitch needle for heavier weight thread
-
Twin needle (2.5mm - 3mm)
-
Pencil
-
Fabric marker/chalk
-
Fabric scissors
-
Small embroidery scissors or thread snips
-
Small embroidery hoop
-
Long tweezers
-
A fine hand sewing needle - a size 10 milliners works well
-
A larger-eyed hand sewing needle - I use a size 1 cotton darner or milliners Short appliqué pins
-
A willingness to explore your own creativity!
​
Pattern Information relevant to this Online Interactive Workshop:-
Not applicable for this improv class!
​
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.
​
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/
​
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.
​
This class is a live Zoom Workshop ONLY!
​
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.
For the full range of CraftyMonkies Online Interactive Classes
& Workshops simply click here!
08.11.25
16.00-19.00 (GMT)
Online Interactive Workshop
​
Nicholas
BALL
Sewing & Quilting:
Snakes & Ladders!
Nicholas Ball
Saturday 08 November 2025
4.00pm - 7.00pm (GMT)
Online Interactive Workshop
Snakes & Ladders!
As ever we're super-excited to welcome Nicholas Ball once again under the CraftyMonkies spotlight for yet another BRAND NEW CLASS in 2025! This one is entitled Snakes & Ladders (it already sounds like fun!) Here's Nicholas to tell you all you need to know - take it away Nicholas!...
​
Introduction by Nicholas:-
Shape and line are so important in improv quilting! Often lacking a visible block structure, improv quilts can be used to create complex compositions. I’ve always been a fan of the versatility of freehand curves, choosing to piece them alongside the more linear interest of inserts for contrast. In this quilt, these two techniques collide in a playful interpretation of the classic board game snake and ladders!.
​
What you will learn on this Online Interactive Workshop:-
You will learn how to create curved wedge sections of fabric which can be used in many different ways. We will discuss how to piece these wedges into background fabric using freehand curves, as well as how to appliqué them for ease and simplicity. For our experimentation, we will be using them alongside “ladders”, pieced from skinny inserts, to create a small study which can either be quilted and bound, or used as the starting point for a larger piece. We will look at using our iron to add further interest to our seams, as well as ways to deal with excess bulk. We will also look at how best to piece our irregularly sized units together. As always, I will spend some time discussing fabric and colour choices, though really anything goes in this creative exploration!
​
Skill Level for this Online Interactive Workshop:-
This workshop is suitable for ALL skill levels! The techniques explored will provide you with skills upon which you can expand and use in lots of other quilts. The piecing of the curved wedges is simple enough for those new to improv, but they can also be made more intricate for those looking for more of a challenge by making them narrower and more intricate.
Material requirements for this Online Interactive Workshop:-​
Whilst not essential for the workshop, my books Inspiring Improv (published by Lucky Spool, 2019) and Use & Ornament (published by Lucky Spool, 2024) will expand upon the techniques learnt and provide many more improv tips and tricks. Improv Triangles are featured in both books and detailed instructions for piecing irregular shaped units together are also included in Inspiring Improv.
​
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:-
-
6-8 fat quarters in your chosen colours for your “snakes”
-
6-8 fat quarters in your chosen colours for your “ladders”
-
Larger scraps/offcuts in contrasting or co-ordinating colours for adding interest to the background.
​
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)
-
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 6.5” or 12.5” square).
-
Fabric Scissors
-
Most important of all - a willingness to explore your own creativity!
​
Pattern Information relevant to this Online Interactive Workshop:-
Not applicable for this improv class!
​
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.
​
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/
​
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.
​
This class is a live Zoom Workshop ONLY!
​
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.
For the full range of CraftyMonkies Online Interactive Classes
& Workshops simply click here!
Be sure to find out more about our second Retreat in Rutland, England during September 2024 plus our first release for 2025 in Ceredigion, Wales - more news of our other planned 2025 Retreats coming very soon!
​
If you'd like to watch any On-Demand Recordings of past Online Interactive Workshops by our wide range of craft experts,
simply head over to our Video Store!
Looking for a birthday surprise, marking a special occasion or a treat for someone special? A timely reminder that CraftyMonkies Gift Vouchers, in a variety of denominations, are available all year round - could be just the ticket for your crafty loved one!...
