Workshops & Lectures

I'm proud to say that I'm a self-taught quiltmaker, and as I was learning the many different steps it takes to make a quilt, I found that not knowing the "rules" actually had its benefits because I had no preconceived notions about the right or wrong way of doing things. The happy result is that some of my methods are commonly practiced, while others were learned through trial and error and a little bit of common sense -- I love sharing these techniques through my classes and watching as people become excited about this wonderful pastime.

You'll find my classes to be very relaxed and stress-free...after all, if you're treating yourself to a special day, it should be enjoyable! My workshops are project-based rather than technique-oriented, which means that you can apply everything you learn toward making your own beautiful version of the  featured quilt, rather than finishing the day with only a small technique sample.  Now if you're anything at all like me, you'll probably find that your best progress toward actually completing your quilt will be made once you return home to the comfort (and quiet?) of your own sewing room.   The most important thing about our day together, though, is that you'll leave your workshop with some new-found skills!

My most popular workshops combine simple patchwork with invisible machine appliqué, so my class choices reflect this. If you have a very basic knowledge of patchwork, and a sewing machine with adjustable tension control that's capable of producing a tiny zigzag stitch, you're all set!

 

 

Autumn Pennies
45" Square Quilt
All Skill Levels
Three-Hour Class

Reminiscent of a wool penny rug, this project's Hour Glass blocks combine beautifully with simple circle shapes for a fun class project that won't be destined to become another "UFO." You'll receive in-depth technique demonstrations with plenty of hands-on sewing time to master Kim's invisible machine appliqué method. Kim will also show how easy it is to finish your quilt using the "big-stitch" style of hand quilting. This is the perfect class to make you successful even if you've never appliquéd a stitch! (Simple Seasons book required.)

 

Bittersweet Briar (Cotton and Wool Quilt)
48 1/2" Square Quilt
All Skill Levels
Six-Hour Class

Spend the day with Kim and learn just how easy it can be to work with wool when you create this tradition-with-a-twist quilt. Black and green cotton prints pair beautifully with an assortment of richly-hued wool appliques, and the result is simply stunning. What's more, Kim will share her tips and tricks for perfect design layout, applique preparation, and simple hand stitching to make this a fun and easy class for anyone. A great learning project, even if you've never tried applique! Because wool applique and invisible machine applique methods are so completely different, the two workshop versions of this design are offered separately and cannot be combined into one class. (Simple Graces book required.)

Bittersweet Briar (Traditional Quilt)
48 1/2" Square Quilt
All Skill Levels
Six-Hour Class

Perfect for learning Kim's invisible machine applique method, this striking quilt in a palette of richly burnished colors is ideal for practicing and honing your new-found skills. A fun "hand's on" workshop from start to finish, we'll spend our time together working with a variety of shapes from big, bold blossoms to gently curved vines of bittersweet berries. Discover just how easy it can be to prepare machine-stitched appliques that have the appearance of being hand sewn, and conquer your fear of the "A" word! Because wool applique and invisible machine applique are so completely different, the two workshop versions of this design are offered separately and cannot be combined into one class. (Simple Graces book required.)

 

Cottage Garden
12 1/2" x 46 1/2" Quilted Table Runner
All Skill Levels
Six-Hour Class

Pre-stitch this simply pieced table runner in a snap and then use Kim's easily mastered invisible machine applique technique to embellsh it beautfully with a sprinkling of colorful fabric pennies.  This informative and fun workshop is full of techniques, tips, and tricks to make you successful at applique, even if you're a complete novice.  Best of all, the petite size of this project makes it easy to finish, especially when using the "big-stitch" style of hand quilting demonstrated in class. (Simple Graces book required.)

 

 

Feathered Stars
52" x 52" Wall Hanging
Gutsy Beginners and Beyond
Six-Hour Class

This little quilt sparkles with patchwork stars and princess feathers for an elegant wall hanging that's long on traditional charm. Class will begin with a short bit of time devoted to the patchwork portion of the quilt center, and then we'll shift our focus to Kim's easy invisible machine appliqué technique. You'll receive tips for sewing accurate patchwork, and all aspects of invisible machine appliqué and design layout will be covered as you learn to use your sewing machine to achieve finished appliqués that look hand stitched. One of Kim's most popular workshops!  (Simple Traditions book required.)

 

Gathering Garden
53 1/2" x 53 1/2" Lap Quilt
All Skill Levels
Six-Hour Class

Featured in the January, 2011 issue of Australian Homespun magazine, this medallion-style lap quilt combines fast and easy patchwork with big, chunky appliques -- a perfect combination for learning Kim's invisible machine applique technique! What's more, you'll find that it's easy to adjust the size of this project to suit your needs simply by adding or subtracting borders.  Our workshop time will encompass all aspects of Kim's invisible machne applique method, and we'll close the day with a quick tutorial for finishing your quilt using the big-stitch style of hand quilting. Kim will begin offering this workshop in spring of 2011. (Pattern provided by Kim.)

 

Petal Pusher
56 1/2" x 64 1/2" Lap Quilt
All Skill Levels
Six-Hour Class

Ideal for learning Kim’s easy invisible machine appliqué technique, this lap-size quilt features simple yet striking Dresden blossoms with gently curved vines, berries, and leaves. We'll begin our class time by piecing the patchwork for the Dresden units, and then Kim will share her techniques, tips, and tricks for preparing perfectly curved applique edges and crisp, sharp points. Best of all, you'll learn how to use your sewing machine to achieve finished appliqué designs that truly look hand stitched. (Simple Graces book required.)

 

 

Meadow Blossoms Mini Quilt and Mug Mats
22" x 22" Mini Quilt, 4¼" x 4¼" Mug Mats
All Skill Levels
Three-Hour Class

Stitch these colorful little blossoms from your favorite fabric scraps and remnants while learning a new technique! We'll focus our class time on the assembly of one block, with invisible machine appliqué demonstrations and plenty of hands-on sewing time to master Kim's easy method. Kim will also share tips for quickly finishing your project with the "big stitch" style of hand quilting. Make just one blossom in class or sew the entire meadow at your leisure-the choice is yours! (Pattern provided by Kim.)

 

Mocha Stars
60" Square Lap Quilt
Gutsy Beginners and Beyond
Six-Hour Class

Create these sparkling stars using a fun and unique freezer paper piecing technique, and then recycle your paper pattern pieces as you machine appliqué them into place. All aspects of Kim's easily mastered methods will be covered in this class, including design placement, tips for preparing appliqué shapes with smooth, flowing edges, and using your sewing machine to achieve finished appliqués that look hand-stitched. Large-scale stars and simply-shaped flowering vines make this a perfect learning project. If you've been hesitant to try appliqué, this class will open new avenues of quilt making for you! (Simple Comforts book required.)

 

Molly's Meadow
51 1/2" Square Quilt
All Skill Levels
Six-Hour Class

Cultivate a patchwork meadow when you stitch this color-drenched quilt designed using Kim's collection of Molly's Meadow fabrics for Henry Glass. Class time will begin with a little bit of "stripping" as we touch on the checkerboard blocks featured in the quilt center, and then we'll switch our focus to the simple applique setting squares that give these blocks the illusion of being gently curved.  Kim will share all aspects of her invisible machine applique technique to help you prepare, lay out, and stitch the flowering vines that meander along the outer border.  This sunny project is the perfect class if you're looking for a little variety in your quilting life, even if you've never appliqued a stitch! (Pattern provided by Kim.)

 

Old-Fashioned Hospitality
60" Square Lap Quilt
All Skill Levels
Six-Hour Class

Create an artful expression of your hospitality with this vividly appliquéd quilt center, and then frame it to perfection with a strippy and colorful patchwork border. Kim will provide instructions for pre-sewing the quiilt center, which will enable us to spend our workshop time together focusing on all aspects of her simple invisible machine appliqué technique. You'll discover just how easy it can be to prepare beautifully shaped appliqués, and you'll learn how your sewing machine can be used to invisibly stitch them in a fraction of the time that needle-turn techniques require. One of Kim's best classes, because this project is so "do-able" for anyone! (Simple Comforts book required.)

 

Scrap Basket Blossoms
28 1/2" Square Quilt
All Skill Levels
Six-Hour Class

Gather scraps from your favorite prints and treat yourself to a fun and relaxing workshop as you stitch this quilt with traditional flavor.  The variety of gentle shapes in this design are perfect for learning Kim's invisible machine applique technique, and you'll discover just how easy it can be to produce consistently smooth applique edges, flawlessly curving vines, and...crisp, sharp points!  This modern time-saving method is easily mastered and will enable you to achieve finished shapes that closely duplicate the look of needle-turn applique, but they can be sewn in a fraction of the time.  And because you'll love stitching this block so much that you won't want to stop, bonus directions for an alternate four-block version of this project will be provided in class. (Pattern provided by Kim.)

 

Serendipity Sampler
66" x 75" Lap Quilt
All Skill Levels
Six-Hour Class or Two-Day Workshop

Create a lap quilt meant for snuggling when you stitch this richly-hued sampler project that's perfect for incorporating scraps of your favorite prints. Using a pre-pieced background square (fast and easy!) and the bottom right-hand block as our focus, you'll learn how to lay out perfectly centered applique designs, receive in-depth invisible machine appliqué technique demonstrations, and have plenty of hands-on sewing time while you master Kim's simple methods. Duplicate the color scheme used in the featured quilt, or switch thngs up -- try substituting neutrals for the background patchwork or using batiks and brights for a finshed project that feels contemporary and modern. Two-day workshops will include the introduction of a second block. Simple Comforts book required.)

 

 

Yesterday Remembered
36 1/2" x 36 1/2" Wall Quilt
All Skill Levels
Six-Hour Class

This beautiful wall quilt featuring classic applique designs is actually a cleverly disguised opportunity for learning Kim's tried and true invisible machine applique technique!  The four-block size of this project makes it very "do-able", and the border can be appliqued or not to suit the amount of time you wish to devote to making your own quilt.  You can also tailor the look of your project by duplicating the traditional two-color scheme featured in Kim's quilt, or choosing assorted prints to add your own personality, or by selecting clear, bright colors for instant contemporary flair. This workshop provides plenty of hand's-on time for learnng and practicing a varety of applique shapes.  (Simple Graces book required.)

 

 

Due to it's overwhelming popularity, the only lecture I'm currently offering is my trunk show presentation listed below!

A Simple Trunk Show

This informal and light-hearted presentation features quilts from my "Simple" series of books and includes a handful of quilts from American Patchwork & Quilting magazine as well, for a combined total of at least 35 quilts! Hear stories of my successes (and mistakes) as I was learning to quilt, including how I made the leap from self-taught novice quilter to published designer with just my fourth quilt. Presentation time averages approximately one hour, depending upon audience interaction and questions.  A sturdy table (or even two) for quilt display, and two-to-four helpers for holding quilts is all that's needed for this fun presentation.