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!
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Workshops |
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Autumn Pennies
45" Square Quilt
All Skill Levels
Three-Hour Class
Reminiscent of a wool penny rug, this project's quarter-square triangles 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 (Combination Cotton/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! This unpublished design is available exclusively through Kim's workshops. (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.)
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 ur 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! This unpublished project is available exclusively through Kim's workshops. (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.)
Bloomin' Wonderful
64" Square Quilt
All Skill Levels
Three- or Six-Hour Class
Stitch these velvety-soft trumpet flowers while mastering Kim's quick and easy invisible machine appliqué technique! Class time will encompass all aspects of invisible machine appliqué, including template and pattern piece preparation, tips for laying out perfectly centered designs without measuring, and in-depth instruction for using your sewing machine to achieve finished appliqués that truly look hand-stitched. A three-hour class will focus on the preparation of one block, with a six-hour class providing additional time to practice to your heart's content while you hone your new-found skills! (Simple Comforts book required)
Checkerberry Bliss
60 1/2" Square Quilt
All Skill Levels
Six-Hour Class
Create this vividly colored lap quilt featuring an abundance of berries and blossoms while learning a new technique! This hands-on class is packed from start to finish with tips for easy design layout, pattern piece and applique preparation, and best of all, learning how to use your sewing machine to stitch appliques that appear to be hand sewn. The checkerboard center can be pieced prior to the workshop, or choose a laid-back approach and stitch it up at your leisure in the comfort of your own sewing room -- the choice is yours! (Simple Comforts book required)
Country Whig Rose
42 1/2" Square Quilt
All Skill Levels
Six-Hour Class
Add a touch of country style elegance to your home with this fun and easy-to-stitch quilt. Kim will begin this class with demonstrations and instructions for all aspects of her easily mastered invisible machine appliqué technique, and you'll learn how to use your sewing machine to stitch these blocks that truly look hand-appliquéd. Plenty of hands-on sewing time will enable you to hone your new-found skills, and you'll find that this time saving technique can be used for a myriad of projects! (Simple Blessings 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 time will begin with 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.)
Front Porch Posies
66 1/2" Square Quilt
All Skill Levels
Six-Hour Class
Ideal for learning Kim’s easy invisible machine appliqué technique, this lap-size quilt combines simple yet striking patchwork with gently curved vines and colorful appliquéd posies. Class time will begin with the center patchwork portion of this project, and then you’ll learn Kim’s tips and tricks for easily centered appliqué designs, time-saving methods for pattern piece and appliqué preparation, and how to use your sewing machine to achieve finished appliqués that truly look hand stitched. Don’t feel like tackling a big project? Frame your center block with the middle Churn Dash border for a stunning table topper, or make the center block alone for a wall hanging that’s long on charm without the long-term commitment.
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!
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 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 for beginners. 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!
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 patchwork border. Class time will begin with the center patchwork portion of this project, and then we'll switch our focus to Kim's easy invisible machine appliqué technique. You'll discover just how simple 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 traditional quilt. 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 sharp points, smoothly rounded edges, and vines with flawless curves. 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.
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. A six-hour class will include in-depth design layout and invisible machine appliqué technique demonstrations, with plenty of hands-on sewing time to master Kim's easy methods as you the stitch large, gently curved vines, flowers, and berries for the bottom right-hand block. Two-day workshops will include the introduction of a second block. A very popular class! (Simple Comforts book required)
Things that Grin in the Night
28" x 36" Wall Hanging
All Skill Levels
Six-Hour Class
Autumn-hued prints and plaids combine with big, toothy grins for this whimsical wall hanging that's anything but spooky. We'll spend our class time covering all elements of this project including design layout, basic patchwork techniques, and Kim's easy invisible machine appliqué method. You'll also receive tips for embellishing your quilt with button accents, stuffed appliqués, hand-sewn embroidery, and big-stitch quilting. This fun little quilt will make you wish every day was Halloween! (Simple Seasons book required.)
Winterberries
58" Square Lap Quilt
All Skill Levels
Six-Hour Class
Combine traditional patchwork and easy appliqué shapes to their best advantage in this simple, yet striking quilt that you'll reach for again and again. We'll begin our class by piecing the time-honored Churn Dash block, and then learn Kim's simple invisible machine appliqué techniques for adding an overlay of gently blooming vines and berries. Your finished appliqués will look hand-sewn, and this easily mastered technique can be applied to nearly any appliqué project for time-saving results. (Simple Seasons book required.)
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Lectures |
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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. 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.
Living with Quilts
Would you much rather live with and enjoy your quilts than pack them away? This PowerPoint lecture shares some of the ways that I incorporate my quilts from room to room, and includes approximately 200 photos from my books and home. I close this talk by sharing a handful of my favorite quilts and my presentation time will average 45 minutes to one hour, depending upon audience interaction and questions. A PowerPoint projector is needed for this lecture.