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
17 comments
SHEREE
I wanted to go this year and take his class in particular. I am intrigued by your comments about needing to go buy more fabric. Looking at the beautiful colors you settled with, I am guessing he encouraged you to step outside the true colors of the photograph. I am so impressed and can’t wait to see your finished project!
Carrie V
Our April Fool’s joke from Mother Nature here in NJ was a monster thunderstorm. This was a scary one. It spawned 9 confirmed tornados, rated from EF1-EF3. One of those was in PA and one in DE. Mother Nature is most unhappy with us humans.
Sue Sheridan
Lori it is still cold here for CA. I live in the country close to Sacramento. This weekend it will be in the high 60’s 70’s. We have a pond on our 5 acres with ducks ans sometimes a heron.
Mrs. Plum
So glad you enjoyed your class with David Taylor! I took a class with him at Empty Spools 7 years ago, and finished my quilt I began in his class about a year ago. It was by far the most challenging quilt I have ever made, but I definitely learned to look at fabric differently. David is an A+++ teacher.
Jan in Maine
David IS the best teacher! I have had 4 classes with him over the years and enjoyed each immensely. If he taught a class on changing a litter box I would take it because he is so good. His quilts are even more amazing.
HOLLY WADDELL
No hiking here, yet. What hasn’t been snow has been ice; then ice covered with snow; then ice & snow relenting into slippery mud. I just spent 3 hours at the barn getting ready to put livestock in shelter for the blizzard headed our way tonight into Thursday. When I came in I realized I have not given a thought to looking for our favorite spring flower, the prairie Pasque Flower, aka. Crocus, our state flower. It’s been such a hard winter between storms, cold and ice, they may not have appeared yet … or they might have peeked out on the rare couple of warm days we had and we missed them.
I have taken some good pictures of them in the past. Although I usually avoid appliqué, that might make for an interesting fabric project. I have never taken a class in person, except for sewing ‘project days’ in 4-H over 55 years ago. Now I’m a YouTube junkie, getting my classes on-line.
Susan Pakula
Lori, I totally agree – two thumbs up for David Taylor, Empty Spools and in-person classes in general. The synergy and enthusiasm that are ignited in a wonderful class last long after everyone is back home and working in their own studios. Your crane is looking great, by the way – have you added a few more pieces? My pheasant is slowly progressing, but twelve pieces a day is truly a pipedream for me. I thoroughly enjoyed sharing time (and ideas) with you in class. Take care.
susan hilsenbeck
Loved Empty Spools and can’t wait to see you final product.
Niña Klinck
My favorite spring things are syrup buckets hanging on maple trees and the smell of syrup boiling in the sugarshouse as the spring goes through the freeze, thaw, freeze thaw bringing rain and much needed sunshine.
The last time I took a class was at MQX the year before COVID closed it forever. VERY sad day…there is no show like it.
And the answer to the last question is that EVERY day is a good day to be outside, whether it be a long hike or just a cruise around your garden to see what is going on.
bauersal
I took a class with David Taylor through my guild a few years ago. It was wonderful. I recently took an online class with Valerie Goodwin that was so interesting and also excellent. I’m certainly happy to be back at classes. They get us exploring new ways of working and I’ve always learned something from classes.
No hikes yet but I’m heading away and plan to put in many miles walking daily.
Linda S
What a fabulous sandhill crane! They are one of my favorite birds. You did a wonderful job with your chosen colors. Please share again when you get it completed.
Janette
Can’t remember the last in person class , so it’s been awhile. Flowers of any kind seems to be the motifs right now. Walk several times everyday, along the river, lots of ducks and geese. The herons will come back soon, l watch for them.
Glenda Reece
Looks interesting. I have your signed copy and refer to it often.
Thank you Lori, I am so glad your are back in my emails. As always such an inspiration.
Glenda R.
Liz Moore
Here in Winnipeg we’re preparing for a major storm. Happy Spring!
Cheri
Lori what a great opportunity for you! David Taylor is my idea of an incredible appliqué artist and I hope that I can get into a class with him in the future.
Appliqué is the “A” word for me, but I do on occasion give it a go.
Just learning about the shapes of the pieces and depths of colors intrigues me. Not nature hiking but have a gaggle of turkeys close to the back door, does that count?😁
Norma
I took a class at ROAD2CA from David this year. He has a great eye for design. I also took your class from Christa. She was great, but I am so looking forward to having a class with that Road 2024.
Lori Kennedy Quilts
Norma–I was truly sorry to miss Road this year! So glad you’ll be back next year!
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