Today’s Topic: Empty Spools Quilt Retreat, David Taylor
Good Afternoon, Quilters!
While the calendar says “Spring”, here in MN we just endured an April Fool’s Day blizzard with 12 inches of snow and a 24 hour power outage!
I can only find Spring in my quilting!
I hope your weather is more in keeping with “April showers bring May flowers”!?
Spring Book Sale!
Fortunately, my book More Free Motion Machine Quilting has an entire chapter of Spring themed motifs: a lovely carnation, silly flowers, a gorgeous iris as well as the fauna that goes along with spring–butterflies, a bunny with a basket and more!
ON SALE this week! Get $5 off your purchase of MORE Free Motion Machine Quilting 1-2-3! (The price is already discounted in my Etsy Shop so head there now!!! With every purchase, you will receive a signed copy along with a little quilted treat!
California, Here We Come
Earlier this month, I attended an Empty Spools Quilt Retreat in Asilomar, CA with my friend, Susan Hilsenbeck. Attending this retreat has been on my quilting wish list for a long time, so when Susan asked if I was interested, I jumped at the chance.
The Empty Spools Seminars began nearly 40 years ago and are held in scenic Monterey, California at the Asilomar Conference Center. The setting is gorgeous-beautiful sand dunes along a stunning rocky coastline and just a few miles away from Cannery Row, Pebble Beach Golf Course and the beautiful town of Carmel.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to visit the neighboring towns due to a terrific storm! I guess I’ll have to go again next year!
David Taylor’s Animal Applique Artistry Class
I signed up for a class from the award-winning quilter, David Taylor. I love how he brings animals to life in cloth and was intrigued by his hand applique technique. (Hand applique is my second quilting love.)
Before arriving, we sent photos to David Taylor for approval. I choose this photo of a sandhill crane. The photo represented a lovely memory for me. One early morning, while walking in my favorite spot–Lake Elmo Park Reserve- I turned a corner and there stood two sandhill cranes.! Fortunately, I had my camera at the ready. The pair lingered for a short time, then trotted off with me stalking them quietly with my camera. Finally, they flew away in tandem-honking their distinctive flying call. It was only a few moments-but the encounter made my day. Quiet minutes in nature-and the feeling that you never know what’s around the corner when you go for a walk -is always a thrill for me.
Pattern, Freezer Paper and Fabric
With an enlargement of the pattern to guide us, David demonstrated how to create a quilting pattern. Next, we traced the pattern onto freezer paper and then began the most challenging part–choosing the fabric for each piece of the pattern.
Choosing fabric took a lot of guidance from David. For every piece I chose, I took two down!
I quickly realized that none of the fabric that filled my suitcase was suitable,
Off I went to purchase several yards of new fabric with my new “eye”.
In-Person Classes
This was a great class for me at many levels. First, it was reinvigorating to learn a new technique. While I’ve done plenty of applique, I’ve never created a pattern from a photo before. This opens up all new ideas and ways of seeing photos and fabric!
Second, it was educational to be on the student side of the classroom. I always hear students say–“but you make it look so easy”! And I definitely felt that way about David Taylor. He made pattern making look so easy! (His method for choosing fabric–well, he didn’t make that look easy! He works hard–even with his trained eye -to find The Perfect fussy cut from his fabric.)
Finally, I love to see how other students work. Some are very controlled with neat piles of folded fabric, while others have a mess everywhere. Yet–all create beautiful quilts! I guess that’s what we all love about quilting-there is no one perfect way to quilt-from design to workflow.
I can’t say enough about the advantages of in-person classes. A good instructor can quickly see how to move one forward. They know what is important to fret about, but more importantly, they know what’s not important–just keep moving! David was very good at that!
(FYI-I will be teaching at Road to California, January 2024 and AQS, Daytona, Feb, 2024)
If you ever have a chance to take an in-person class, attend a retreat at Empty Spools, or a class from David Taylor–leap at the chance!
Please Share!
What is YOUR favorite Spring motif?
When is the last time YOU took an in-person class?
Is today a good day for a nature hike?
We’d LOVE to hear!
Happy Stitching!
Lori
PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy Quilts and are intended for personal use only. Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to LKQ. For all other purposes, please contact me at Lori@LoriKennedyQuilts.com!
Check out my books on Etsy: LoriKennedyShop
