At Piece with Time Class Plan

by Kristin C. Steiner & Diane C. Frankenberger

Notes to Instructors & Shop Owners
At Piece with Time is a special book. Over and over again, quilters tell us, "This is so much more than just a quilt book!" And it's true-—this is a book about finding one's self AND telling the story in a quilt.

At Piece with Time allows you, the instructor, to teach beginning and intermediate precision-piecing techniques and flawless applique methods in a sampler-quilt format. More importantly, it allows you to guide students in discovering the treasures in their lives, then stitching these milestones into a quilt. By using the journaling exercises provided in each chapter, you encourage your students to listen to life, celebrate a unique journey, and commemorate their experiences with personal choices in color, symbol, pattern, and fabric. Join Kristin and Diane in bringing this magic to your classroom! This class is best taught in a six-month series format. Meeting once a month for six months allows for the growth and nurturing of a community of quilters. The longer class time allows you to guide the student from beginner-level blocks through more challenging ones. Applique techniques can be taught and then reinforced over the months. The student gains color confidence as she progresses through the quilt, with you there to help fine-tune her decisions. Your reward will be the closeness and sharing that come from this unique class. No one ever wants it to end. There is also a shorter, 3-month version included. However, if you prefer a more standard class format, look for the one-day class outline on the last page of this lesson plan.


At Piece with Time Quilt
6 monthly sessions - 3 hours each

Supply List

  • Required textbook: At Piece with Time by Kristin C. Steiner & Diane C. Frankenberger
  • Fabric:
    • Background fabric #1 - for all pieced blocks - 1-1/2 yards medium
    • Background fabric #2 - for applique triangles - 1/2 yard medium light
    • Background fabric #3 - for center Blazing Star - fat quarter light
    • Background fabric #4 - for outer setting triangles - 1/2 yard medium dark
    • Fat quarters of assorted light, medium, and dark fabrics for pieced blocks and their appliques
    • Narrow frame border A and B - 2-1/4 yards accent
    • Final large border C - 2-1/2 yards dark floral
    • Backing - 5 yards
    • Binding - yardage provided for 2-1/2" double-fold straight-grain binding - 3/4 yard (note, you can get binding from leftover fabric from narrow-frame border if you choose)
  • Queen size batt
  • John James applique needles - sharps #11 or 12
  • Fine silk pins
  • 100% cotton thread to match each applique fabric
  • Black Pigma .01 pen
  • Freezer paper and tracing paper
  • Basic sewing supplies
  • Rotary mat, ruler, and cutter
  • Sewing machine in good working order

Note to instructor: You may find it helpful to demonstrate any new piecing or applique techniques in class. Students however, will do all stitching and most cutting as homework. Reserve time to help students select fabrics for each block at the end of each session.

Session 1: Introduction to the Class

  1. Explain the opportunity this class gives for each quilter to create a "scrapbook" of her life in cloth. Remind her that she can make any changes she sees fit to allow her quilt to express the important events of her life's journey.
  2. Review necessary supplies.
  3. Color workshop: Using a theme fabric, help each student begin to develop a personal color palette. Explain that this can evolve through the remaining sessions.

Precision piecing skills are the focus of this first session. Note: applique is not covered in this session.

  1. Ring Around the Rosy: Demonstrate how to accurately cut the necessary pieces. Explain how to find a scant 1/4" on a sewing machine. Emphasize the importance of sewing a consistent scant 1/4" on all seams.
    1. Demonstrate the "matching mark" in step 6 on page 17.
  2. Twinkling Star: Review the cutting recipe on page 22.
  3. Grandmother's Favorite: Review the cutting recipe on page 24.
  4. Help students select colors for these 3 blocks.
  5. Invite conversation about childhood experiences. Encourage each quilter to explore the Travel Log Journal in each chapter.

Homework: Piece the above 3 blocks for the next session.

Session 2: Applique is the focus of this session.

  1. Explain preparation, tracing paper overlay and needle turned techniques for applique on pages 10-13.
    1. Using Ring Around the Rosy block, guide students in appliqueing pieces #1 and #2. Demonstrate how to stitch the remaining shapes.
  2. Friendship Star: Review cutting recipe on page 32.
  3. Churn Dash: Review cutting recipe on page 40.
  4. Strawberry Basket: Review cutting recipe on page 45.
    1. Explain the careful stitching necessary in the slender fingers and deep inside curves of piece #4 of the strawberries block, page 46.
  5. Help students select fabrics for these 3 blocks. Invite conversation about the themes covered in these blocks.

Homework: Piece the above blocks. Begin to applique any of the completed blocks.

Session 3

  1. Hearth and Home: Review the cutting recipe on page 48.
  2. Rambler: Review the cutting recipe on page 51.
    1. This block is pieced on the diagonal. Explain this by demonstrating steps 3 and 4.
  3. Broken Star: Review cutting recipe on page 53.
  4. Help students select fabrics for the above blocks. Invite sharing about experiences covered in the themes of these blocks.

Homework: Stitch the above blocks. Continue with applique.

Session 4

  1. Harvest Bouquet: These setting triangles forming the center of the quilt take some time to applique. Introduce them now so students can work on them over the next few sessions.
    1. Demonstrate how to prepare the squares for applique in steps 1 through 4 on pages 65-66. Have students prepare one square in class, using Background 2.
    2. Discuss enlarging the applique pattern on page 67 by 200%.
  2. Blazing Star: Review the cutting recipe on page 69. Remind students they are to use Background 3 for this block.
  3. Help students select fabrics for these blocks. Invite conversation about gathering our wisdom and growing into our strengths as women.

Homework: Stitch the Blazing Star block. Begin working in earnest on the Harvest Bouquet triangles.

Session 5
The remaining blocks are more difficult, but your students are ready for the challenge.

  1. Tulip and Ivy: Review the cutting recipe on page 42.
    1. Demonstrate how to cut the parallelograms A, AR, A1, and A1R. Have each student cut one set in class.
    2. Explain the construction of a Y seam. Show piecing order in steps 1 through 7.
  2. Passionate Star: Review the cutting recipe on pages 56-57.
    1. Demonstrate the cutting of piece A and B. Have students cut one of each in class.
    2. Show how to line up pieces in steps 1 and 2. Stitch for students.
  3. Diamond Star: Review cutting recipe on page 60.
    1. Demonstrate how to cut piece D, the diamond. Have students cut one in class.
    2. Demonstrate Star construction in steps 4 through 7.
  4. Help students select fabrics for the above blocks. Encourage conversation about themes touched on in these last blocks.

Homework: Stitch the above blocks. Continue to work on Harvest Bouquet triangles.

Session 6
This session deals with setting the quilt together.
A design wall would be most helpful.

  1. Demonstrate how to "true up" Harvest Bouquet triangles on page 66, step 5.
  2. Review the cutting recipe for all setting pieces on page 72.
  3. Show the construction of the center of the quilt, including how to miter the corners of Border A.
  4. Using the design wall, lay out your quilt in rows. You may also invite those students who have finished their blocks to lay out their quilt top. This is a great chance to talk about the issues of balance and movement, encouraging students to move their blocks around to achieve a pleasing arrangement.
  5. Conclude this informative and inspiring class with chocolate! Serve Megan's Favorite Sinful Chocolate Torte from page 58. Congratulations!

Wisdom Gathered Wallhanging
Intermediate-to-Advanced Applique Class
3 monthly sessions - 3 hours each

The wallhanging featured on page 76 makes a stunning quilt. Precision-piecing techniques can be taught in the Blazing Star center, while the flowers and vines of the surrounding triangles offer a variety of applique challenges.

Supplies

  • Required textbook: At Piece with Time by Kristin C. Steiner & Diane C. Frankenberger
  • Blazing Star - fat quarters of a background fabric, a dark, a dark floral, a medium accent, a floral accent, a medium, and a medium light
  • Applique triangles - 1/2 yard of a second background fabric
  • Fat quarters or large scraps of a variety reds, yellows, browns, blues, and greens to form flowers, vines, leaves, acorns, and nest
  • Framing borders - 3/4 yard for inner frame and outer frame
  • Binding: The above yardage includes enough for a 2-1/2" straight-grain double-fold binding
  • Backing fabric: 1 yard
  • Crib-size batt

Session 1

  1. Demonstrate how to set up the background squares for the applique on page 65. Also explain making a tracing paper overlay, tools, and selecting color.
  2. Demonstrate applique techniques for leaf points, dips, and curves.

Homework: Work on applique triangles.

Session 2

  1. Blazing Star: page 69. Review cutting recipe with students. Demonstrate precision-piecing techniques for accurately piecing the center pinwheel.
  2. Help students select fabrics for this block.

Homework: Construct Blazing Star.

Session 3

  1. Explain how to "true up" applique triangles on page 66 in step 5. Help students do this in class.
  2. Demonstrate how to miter the framing borders.
  3. Review final quilt construction, quilting ideas and binding techniques.

Friendship Fun
Traveling Sewing Kit, pages 34-38
1 session - all day

Note to instructors: This class is fun! Quilters will love making this 3-piece sewing ensemble. Fusing, embellishing, and embroidery can be used to personalize each piece.

Supplies
Required textbook:
Required textbook: At Piece with Time by Kristin C. Steiner & Diane C. Frankenberger
For additional supplies, see page 34 of At Piece with Time

  1. Portfolio: demonstrate using fusible web to decorate the portfolio cover.
  2. Explain steps on page 36 for constructing the inside of the portfolio.
  3. The Sewing bag and Thimble Holder can be made at the same time. Demonstrate steps on page 37-38.