Monday, September 26, 2011

quilt camp

On Saturday, I taught a beginning quilting class to some ladies at my church. I'm hoping to get several of them hooked on quilting so I have yet another sewing circle of ladies in my life. (So far I have two circles that I'm a part of. One more wouldn't hurt!) Actually, I did the "one day quilt camp", as we called it, to teach the basics of quilting, but also to work on a few community quilts to donate to Margaret's Hope Chest. It was such a fun day!
Here's a shot of the set up. My husband had a grueling week at work, but despite that, he went along with me on Friday night to help me hang the quilts and set up the room. He's such a great guy!
I had no shortage of samples to pull from around my house to use for my class. :)
I made a pin cushion as a thank you for each person who attended the class. (They loved them. Yay!)
I squealed a bunch while I was making these...each pincushion finishes at only 3.5" square!
I taught how to make a 4 patch, pinwheel, log cabin block and string block. The ladies did fabulous at all of them!
Here's a group shot with the string blocks we made. I thoroughly enjoyed watching them play with colors/fabric selection. Everyone did so great, and they all had their own personality reflected in their block. It was so much fun to see that process taking place.

I decided all over again that I love teaching classes. It's so tiring, but as exhausting as it is, it is equally-if not more-rewarding! I also decided that the term "teaching" is a little intimidating. I'd rather think of it as "sharing my love of quilting" with others. Now THAT doesn't sound intimidating. At. All.

Happy Monday to you!

66 comments:

Tiffany said...

This is such a fun idea for people wanting to learn how to make a few basic but pretty blocks - without having to self teach. I love the little pin cushions you made them too - so nice.

Great selection of quilts and other items to show and inspire them - lovely pics!

Anonymous said...

O it sounds so fun and nice. I too love the pincushions! Pretty!

Debbie said...

Very, very cool! I love that you did that!!

Mama Urchin said...

What a fun day!

The Mayo Family said...

Love the pin-cushions & oh how much fun!
(care to post the measurements on that lil-block top?) Thanks :)
I am sure it was a great way to learn, spend time together and...get some sewing in :)
Love your blog, tips, quilts, quilt alongs etc...
I am blessed each time I leave!
have a wonderful day~
Blessings~
Lori

Libby said...

Oh AmandaJean! I can't think of anybody that I would rather take a quilt class from then you!
and I love those sweet pincushions!!

sonia said...

How i would love to attend a class with you. And I say class because you are a magnificent teacher, you not only share your love for quilting but also your knowledge, and that is very much appreciated. Thank you!

the momma said...

I love that you squeal at the cuteness of what you create!! :-)

Peggy said...

Looks like a great time! Love those little pincushions - as always looking for ways to use up scraps, and that looks like a perfect idea!

Terriaw said...

What a fun day! Would love to spend a Saturday just like that. How nice of you to share those adorable pin cushions! They look fun to make. I like the stitching pattern you did in the border. How fun to make those 4 blocks in one day too. Thanks for sharing with us! Hope you get to teach again soon!

Denise L said...

That is awesome....you inspiring others to quilt and taking the time to do all that! I LOVE those pincushions too!

Pétra said...

That would be so fun to do! I am sure the women all went home loving quilting even more and were full of inspiration.

Freddie said...

Looks like a fun day was had by all. I love the tiny pin cushions, super cute.

Elaine/Muddling Through said...

What a great way to spread the love of quilting! Good for you.

Annalia said...

Oh, that looks like so much fun! You are truly awesome at sharing your love of quilting.

Threeundertwo said...

Those pincushions are so adorable! What a great teacher you must be.

Heather said...

Wow! I cannot believe how much you accomplish each week! I am impressed. And you're so thoughtful -- MHC & pin cushions!

It looks like it was a fun day of sharing and learning. Wish I could have been there.

Hey, what do you use as filler for your pin cushions?

Hope you have a great week!

Heather

Unknown said...

Oh that looks like so much fun!

Kelly O. said...

I have been asked several times to teach some of the ladies in our church and school community. and I think i'd like to but have been questioning how to set it up...did you bring the fabrics? or did you give them a supply list?

Abby said...

The pin cushions are so cute and would make great gifts for Christmas! I will have to see if I can figure them out.

Amy said...

The pin cushions are so cute!

Deborah said...

I LOVE what you did here. What a great idea! Sharing your love of quilting. That does sound so much nicer. Your pincushios are adorable.

Thimbleanna said...

Well shoot -- if you need another sewing group we should make one. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Quilts or something. Meet half way and sew. Wouldn't that be nice!!! Looks like you had a wonderful day -- I hope you gained lots of converts!

(Ooooh, who wouldn't LOVE those little pincushions -- they're ADORABLE!)

Aimee said...

Sounds like a lovely way to spend the day! I love those pincushions!!

Carmen said...

Sounds like so much fun!

Studio V said...

I wish I lived closer! I want to come!

Michele said...

Yay! New quilters! I'm sure they had a blast!

Sara said...

Yes I wouldn't want to be called a teacher either! he,he...

the ladies look like they thoroughly enjoyed it!

Kari said...

Can you add a tutorial on your blog for the pin cushions I am starting a collection of pin cushions and that one is ssooooo cute!

mascanlon said...

I love teaching too but as you've said, its all about sharing my love of fabrics and quilts. My local shop closed a few years ago so I haven't had an opportunity to teach in a while, this reminded me I have some other venues if i get creative!

beanie g said...

Amanda, I would love to know how you got the word out and what the requirements were. I was just thinking (as I was looking around our church on Sunday) I've got to get some more people quilting ... let me know! Great job.

Liz Jimenez said...

So fun! Just as I sat down and read your post, I was printing out directions for MY quilt class tonight! I have four local friends coming over on Monday evenings, and we're making Mod Sampler quilts. So far I really love teaching and want to figure out a way to do it again! I'm sure it was a blast. Nice to bring more addicts into the fold. :-)

Anonymous said...

I love the little pin cushions. They are adorable. Thank you for sharing. I wish I could find some good classes locally.

Michelle in NH said...

Very lovely blocks. Congratulations to you all!

Lucy | Charm About You said...

Lovely pincushions and great blocks!
Husbands can be brilliant can't they?! :)

Esch House Quilts said...

I'll bet you all had so much fun! Those pincushions are darling.

Clair said...

I even see the quilt I made for little A in the background. :) It is fun teaching to a captive audience.

Anonymous said...

Cutest pincushions ever - love, love, love them! Please, pretty please would you tell us how you made them? XOXOX

April (Polkadot Sparrow) said...

I squealed when I saw your pincushions, too! Sooo sweet!

So glad that it was fun and that you could hopefully nurture some more quilt lovers. The sewing community loves new quilty friends!! :)

Rene' said...

Amanda, I'm sure you are a fabulous "share your love of quilting" coordinator! What a cute picture of you and your new circle of quilting friends. I love your little pincushions!

Mary Jo said...

Those pincushions are so so cute. You are so nice to do that. How about you come to LP and do a class for us? Any time you just name it. Love your work.

eva said...

i completely NEED you to do a tutorial on those fantastic mini pin cushions.

what do you stuff them with?
do you put batting between the outside, and the stuffing?

so-o-o-o adorable!!!!
xo
eva

Sara said...

I, too, love to share my few skills and enable others to learn how to quilt...

Am loving the beautiful little pin cushions that you made...

They look like they enjoyed the day!

Denice said...

Some day I'm going to invite you to my neck of the woods to share your love of quilting :)

SharynB said...

They look like such a happy group of ladies, I'll bet they're all converts now!
Wonderful thing to do, wish I could find someone like you here in Australia. The pincushions you made everyone - what a lovely thought, everyone would have adored them.

Go girl...........

Anonymous said...

quilt camp sounds so fun!

audreypawdrey said...

Those pincushions are adorable! I know they learned a tremendous amount, and I know they had fun!

Tracy said...

When your all snowed in and dreaming of a land far far away that is a nice 70 degree's all year round. Come to San Diego and "share your love of quilting" I'd love to sit in one of your "sharing" escapades and learn some things from you!

Live a Colorful Life said...

What a fun class. Sharing is what it is all about. CUTE pincusions. (I think I did a little squeal myself when I saw them on the screen!)

Kim said...

Oh what a great way to jump into quilting....no hours of hand stitching blocks together after hours of drawing on 1/4 inch seam lines and being told it is the only way to learn how to quilt!

I bet you got them hooked!

Happy Sewing

The Little Shop of Stitches said...

Love, Love, LOVE it!!! Do you have a sequel already planned for your group?

Natalie said...

The pincushions are great! I'm guessing the individual squares in the 9-patch finish at 1/2" so the border would finish at 1" wide. Curious as to how close that is. Wish I could learn from you in person. Your blog is so inspiring. Thank you for sharing!

PumpkinPeters said...

LOVE-LY! I just found your blog from Bee Square Fabrics' blog and haven't looked around enough to know - do you live near DFW? I'd LOVE you to come teach a group! and not just for the fun pin cushion :) I can't wait to spend more time on you blog.

PumpkinPeters said...

Ha ha, funny! You ARE Bee Square! [At least that's what I assume by seeing your list of blogs.] See what I can learn by looking around before I speak? I was just so excited to let you know I wish you were here!

Anonymous said...

What a blessing you are Amanda to give of yourself so others can learn. I just love your quilts and tutorials.
Thank you!

Marla said...

What a wonderful gift you gave these ladies. Tell us more. Did you tell the ladies to bring machines and their own fabric or did you bring a box of your own scraps to use. I will be teaching my niece to quilt soon and I don't quite know where to start. I don't want to overwhelm her.

Elizabeth and Gary said...

Hi Amanda Jean,
Its lunch hour here at work, so what better use of my time than to spend it reading your inspiring quilt blog. I just finished a baby quilt for my niece using the Dr. Seuss fabric, I wrote a post on it this week. I also have a blue and white quilt at the quilters right now. I have been sewing like crazy trying to get a few quilts done for Christmas gifts. While the blue and white quilt is being quilted I have been working on a "Manly Quilt", its so hard to find a Manly pattern but I did.
I have enjoyed catching up with you today..I love the fraternal twin quilts, they are delightful.
Have a sweet day, Elizabeth

Amanda Jean said...

Heather and Eva,

I use crushed walnut shells (from the pet store) to fill most of my pincushions.

AJ

Amanda Jean said...

beanie g, kelly o, and marla,

I did an announcement in church about it and asked several people personally to attend. I was hoping for about 8 people, but the 5 we had was actually just perfect for the class.

as far as the requirements, i had sent them a supply list...working sewing machine, cutter, mat, ruler, pins, scissors, seam ripper then i had them bring a few fat quarters. i brought some of my own fabric to help suppliment (if needed) and my friend supplied some scraps and yardage, to use as needed. it all came together well. that was the hardest part of planning this class...figuring out how much fabric we would need, how much to have them bring, etc. but thankfully it all came together.

hope that answers your questions!

AJ

Katherine said...

Happy, smiling faces say it all! Looks like everyone had a great time and you've given the 'quilting bug' while making more friends.

Just love those pincushions, too - super sweet!

The Mayo Family said...

Can I bug you once more...
What size squares are the center of the pin cushions?
I love them... :)
Blessings~
Lori

Amanda Jean said...

lori,

i'm thinking about putting together a pattern for the pincushions.

aj

The Mayo Family said...

Thank you~
I will look forward to it!
Blessings~Lori

quirky granola girl said...

those pincushions are too adorable. i love every little bitty square inch of them.
in that last picture, are you wearing a teacher apron? did you put pockets in it like Penny's. well, whatever it is, i love it :)

Unknown said...

nice post. Now you can use this business leads directory for bulk silk fabrics import & export business.

Ullan tilkut said...

Greetings again from Finland! Thank your for the photos! The quilts are lovely! It's so nice to find other quilters from the other side of the world! :)