Purchase this digital product and receive a link to the YouTube video of the CraftyMonkies Online Interactive Workshop featuring leading designer, tutor & craft expert Chris English and his fabulous Improv Foundation Piecing.
Once you have purchased this product, the PDF document you will receive contains a link to the private-access video on YouTube.
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!... ;-)