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

Leave your sewing machine at home, 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, wool applique preparation, and simple hand stitching to make this a fun and relaxing 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.)

Blackbirds and Berries
18 1/2" x 22 1/2" Quilt
All Skill Levels
Six-Hour Class

Gather together your favorite scraps and charm squares and whip up this sweet little quilt as you learn Kim's simple invisible machine applique method. Workshop time will encompass all the steps needed for stitching this project, including easy pattern piece preparation, plenty of hand's-on time for fashioning beautifully shaped appliques, and Kim will share tips and sewing machine settings for achieving finished appliques that look as though they've been hand-stitched. These techniques are so versatile and easy to learn, you'll want to add them to your bag of sewing tricks and use them often! (Homestyle Quilts book required beginning October of 2012)

 

 

Cottage Garden
12 1/2" x 46 1/2" 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.)

 

Four and Twenty Blackbirds
72 1/2" x 72 1/2" Quilt
All Skill Levels
Six-Hour Class

Combine a rich palette of your favorite prints, simply stitched patchwork, and a variety of applique shapes that look hand-sewn, and the result is this stunning lap quilt. Spend the day with Kim as you learn her tips for easy design layout, techniques for preparing a variety of applique shapes, and then discover how easy it is to use your sewing machine to achieve finished designs that appear hand-stitched. Workshop time will focus on the pieced and appliqued "pie" blocks featured in the quilt center, as well as preparing the variety of shapes used in the border, and then you'll finish this design in the comfort of your own sewing room. (Simple Charm book required)

 

 

Four Patch Potpourri
63 1/2" x 63 1/2" Quilt
All Skill Levels
Six-Hour Class

This collaberative project, designed by Laurie Baker and appliqued by Kim for their upcoming Homestyle Quilts book, is the perfect blend of simple patchwork and traditional applique. The large applique shapes featured in the quilt center are ideal for learning Kim's easy invisible machine applique technique, and this workshop, with in-depth technique demonstrations, lots of hands-on preparation, and plenty of stitching time, will help you hone your new-found skills. (Homestyle Quilts book required beginning October of 2012)

 

 

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

Featured in the January, 2011 issue of Australian Homespun magazine and now available in Kim's Simple Charm book, 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. (Simple Charm book required)

 

 

 

Mocha Stars
60" Square 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.)

 

Old-Fashioned Hospitality
60" Square 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.)

 

Penny-Wise
18 1/2" x 32 1/2" Wool on Cotton Table Runner
All Skill Levels
Six-Hour Class

Simple cotton patchwork and an overlay of gently shaped wool appliques make a charming statement in this table runner that will look at home in any room of your house. Pre-piece this simple patchwork design in the comfort of your own sewing room, and then leave your sewing machine at home and spend a relaxing day with Kim while you learn her easy methods for fool-proof applique design layout, wool applique preparation, and hand-stitching your shapes in place.  All the beauty of applique, with no edges to turn, and timeless appeal! (Simple Charm 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.  Not available in any book, 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. (There is a $5 pattern fee per person.)

Vintage Berry Blossoms
60 1/2" x 60 1/2" Quilt
or Alternate 32 1/2" x 32 1/2" Quilt
20" Finished Block Size
Six-Hour Class or Two-Day Workshop
All Skill Levels

Learn Kim's easy invisible machine applique technique as you fashion this charming unpublished design available exclusively through her workshops. Class time will focus on the techniques and steps needed to prepare, lay-out, and stitch this block design, and you'll receive plenty of hand's-on time to hone your new-found skills. Once home, you can complete this project in the comfort of your own sewing room. For added versatility, you can stitch the pictured four-block quilt or select the alternate single-block option  -- the choice is yours!  Two-day workshops will provide scads of applique preparaton and stitching time, with extra progress in your design layout and an overview of the patchwork border. (There is a $5 pattern fee per person.)

 

 

 

 

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.