Time for a spot of fabric gardening

Come with Jo on a walk through an enchanted garden full of abstract flowers and leaves.  In this playful and creative workshop Jo will share the techniques she used to make her prize-winning quilt ‘Intertwined’. This scrappy quilt was made entirely from Jo’s stash over a number of years and is a great example of the relaxed way she chooses and combines fabric.

Flowers, leaves and more flowers!

You will be learning how to make a 20” block of patchwork flowers and leaves using improv piecing techniques along with improv curves. There’ll be an introduction to needle-turn applique and bias strips for the intertwining leaves and stems. Jo will also throw in some new flower ideas that use improv Dresdens and EPP.

Finally, Jo will help you put it all together on the design wall to make a large panel that could become a wall hanging or even a full-size quilt like Jo’s. If you prefer to make just one block Jo will give you suggestions for finishing this as a cushion or a bag.

Week 1

We’ll look at choosing fabrics, using scraps and design options. Then it’s time to make our first two improv flowers.

Week 2

In week two we will move on to the main leaf section and tackle improv curves for the large flower. Jo will then show you how to begin putting the block together.

Week 3

It’s time to get hand sewing as we look at creating the trailing flower and leaves using needle turn applique. Machine applique alternatives will be available. We will finish the single block this week.

Week 4

We will discuss how to extend your block with more flowers and/or how to intertwine stems between different blocks. We will look at adding optional EPP flowers and there’ll be a bonus Improv Dresden flower tutorial for those of you who want to go further with this project. Jo will suggest ideas for finished projects with your one block.