Classes & Lectures

I taught at Pieceful Heart Fabrics in Lisle, IL. for ten years and then at Quilters Quest in Woodridge for three years.  Please contact me for private or small group classes in the Chicagoland area.

I became a full-time traveling quilt teacher in 2013. I travel internationally to teach. I have taught for AQS and Quilts Inc. and other national organizations at their shows. I would love to come visit you at your guild or shop. I would also be happy to join your group on retreat for a fun and creative few days!

*** Times have changed. I’m now scheduling a mix of in person and Zoom classes. I have a dedicated space in my home set up to deliver any of my classes virtually, all taught with attention to detail and a sense of humor! (Kits will be sent in advance where appropriate.)

 

LECTURES

*All lectures can be delivered live via Zoom or similar. Please ask me for details.

I offer an inspiring and entertaining yet informative lecture, Lessons Learned While Quilting. I use professionally shot photographs projected on a screen for a really good look at my quilts and bring a selection of items for even closer examination!

A second lecture, The Language of Flowers, is also available for your enjoyment. It includes a wide variety of quilts featuring flowers, many of which are beaded and embellished. Learn the meanings our ancestors ascribed to different blooms and consider why the giving and receiving of quilts is so special to many of us.

Trip Around the World in Folk Art Stitches

A humorous, educational and interactive lecture including a game with prizes! I’ll take you on a trip around the globe with the quilts from my exhibit that debuted in April 2017 at International Quilt Festival in Chicago and was at Houston in October that year. Learn how I found my inspiration, the stitches I used and the finishing techniques I employed.

CLASSES

I have a range of classes suitable for your group.

Steps to Successful Free Motion Quilting

Discover the magic of free motion quilting. After drawing our patterns on paper we’ll put the feed dogs down and begin stitching on pre-made quilt sandwiches in a relaxed, no criticism allowed setting. Try lots of different designs to find your personal favorites. This class is designed to give the beginning or hesitant machine quilter a confidence boost, ready to return home and practice. As seen on my DVD Modern Machine Quilting: Free Motion

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Walking Foot Quilting- Beyond the Ditch

Learn how to finish your quilts on a domestic machine while enjoying all the control of your walking foot. We will start with a brief discussion of preparing your tops for quilting including marking and basting. Then we will make stitched samples of different styles including modern grids, matchstick quilting and spirals. Finish with a look at Catherine’s work to inspire you to go home and turn your tops into quilts. As seen on QATV series 1400/ QA International Quilt Festival Scene 2014/ DVD Modern Machine Quilting.

Ask me about other Walking Foot Quilting classes if your members already have some experience and want to take some further steps!

We can take a look Under the Surface for a colorful whole cloth project,

or even Take the Scenic Route when we add hand stitching to our walking foot quilting!

Hand Embroidery and Beading for Quilters

This class will teach basic hand embroidery stitches, with and without the addition of beads, making fringes and tassles, and beaded edge treatments, all in one class.

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Folk Art Stitching.

Start by learning, or being reminded of, some basic embroidery stitches on a specially designed pre-printed sampler and then learn some novel embellishment techniques to add to the fun. Learn how Catherine transfers her own designs onto dark colored backgrounds. Enjoy the relaxed tempo and reconnect with hand work!

 

Pretty in Paisley

Use Catherine’s pre printed design to learn your choice of embroidery stitches. The class can be tailored to fit the skill level of the group. Everyone welcome!

Dimensional hand embroidery

Add some more advanced dimensional stitches to to your embroidery vocabulary as you work on your choice from a selection of pre-printed fabric samplers. Learn crested chain stitch, double cast-on, drizzle, trellis and lots more!

 

The Wool Applique Experience

Learn the techniques required for successful whip stitch wool appliqué while working on a small piece that can be finished into a needle case or pin cushion. Use beautiful embroidery stitches to embellish and add further dimension to your project.

 

Dorset Buttons

A traditional English craft experiencing a resurgence!

Learn how to make functional buttons you can use to embellish your next project, wear as jewelry or just do up your cardigan…  I’ll cover the basic techniques so that everyone will be able to follow along and make their own buttons, using plastic rings and perle cotton or knitting yarn. The adventurous can add beads. Then it’s up to you!

(makes a great half day class)

 

Wrapped In Scraps

Learn to make a beautiful bowl or table runner from clothes line and fabric on the sewing machine. We’ll start with the basic no fuss techniques, then choose your project and start stitching. Go home with the skills necessary to start your next fabulous piece. As seen on QATV series 1300/QA Holidays 2014

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Beginning English Paper Piecing

Learn the time honored technique of English Paper Piecing using pre-cut card templates. Stitch a simple flower and appliqué it to a background ready for a small pillow or mug rug. You will be introduced to some traditional and more innovative quilts to inspire your next project. Use hexagon paper to draw out your design and be ready with an ideal take along activity. As seen on QATV series 1300.

English Paper Piecing- Clamshell Pillow

If you have some English Paper Piecing experience and want to try something more challenging try this little clamshell project. Make a pillow top using pre-cut paper templates and your favorite fabric scraps. This is a lovely hand work project your friends will admire. As seen on QATV series 1400.

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All classes can be adapted for different ability levels. They are suitable for a 5 or 6 hour class. Some can be taught as a less detailed 3-hour class. Please ask if you have seen something else on my blog that you would like to try!!

 

Pricing guide
My basic lecture fee for all contracts going forward is $450, with all day workshops at $700. Reasonable travel/accommodation expenses will also be the responsibility of the organization making the booking. Some classes have kit fees payable to me on the day of the class.

Prices are the same for virtual Zoom classes and workshops as for real life appearances. There is an additional fee if  I need to supply a moderator but no travel or accommodation expenses!

 

Please note I love small guilds and I am very happy to talk to you and adjust my fees when that seems like something that will make us all happy!

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