Birds in Toyland Class Plan
Please note that this book includes both needleturn and wool hand applique instructions. You can teach either method or combine the two techniques.
From Birds in Toyland by Becky Goldsmith
Provide to students:
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Choose 1 block for class. I suggest either Block 5 on page 69 or, the more challenging Block 12 on page 76.
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Enlarge the class block by 150% to bring it up to the 10˝ x 10˝ size. Make 3 copies of the block for each student. Two copies will be used for templates.
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1 self-adhesive laminating sheet (packages available online or at an office supply store) to make templates
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One 10˝ x 10˝ piece of clear vinyl
Class Description
The Birds in Toyland are playful, whimsical, and packed with personality. You are going to love playing with them!
You will work on one block in class that can be used in a small project or in the bigger quilt. You will learn the hand applique techniques to help you sew with confidence.
This block is super fun to embellish! Add as much embroidery and as many embellishments as you like to make your bird bright and sparkly.
Learn the Piece O’ Cake way to make easy and accurate templates, how to make and use a placement overlay, how to make lovely stitches, and sew much more!
Class Length
Plan a class that suits your own situation. The more skills you teach, the longer the class needs to be. You could offer one 6-hour class, or a series of classes that cover needleturn, wool applique, embroidery, quilting, and embellishments.
Birds in Toyland makes a wonderful block of the month class! If you are teaching this as a block of the month project, you may want to include a class on piecing the setting blocks, pages 13-16.
Please do refer to the detailed instructions in the book.
A note about machine applique: While this book focuses on hand applique, you are welcome to base a machine applique class on Birds in Toyland. Students would need the book for patterns and and pertinent instructions. You can teach whatever machine sewing method suits your shop.
Needleturn Hand Applique:
Teach this as a full day class or break it into smaller classes to cover techniques found on pages 17-28
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Templates
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Placement overlay
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Plan to cover sewing techniques that include:
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Finger pressing
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The invisible stitch
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Outer points
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Inner points
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Outer curves
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Inner curves
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Cutaway applique/small shapes
Wool Hand Applique:
Teach this as a full day class or break it into smaller classes tocover techniques found on pages 29-35
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Templates
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Placement overlay, page 17
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Plan to cover sewing techniques that include:
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The use of SoftFuse fusible web
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The whip stitch
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Outer points
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Inner points
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Outer curves
Class Supply List
Students will bring notions from home but do show those that you recommend in class and have them available for sale. Quilters love to shop!
The notions I use and recommend can be found at pieceocake.com and are available from Checker, United, and Brewer.
Stock Quilter’s Vinyl on the bolt or in the package for placement overlays.
Book: Birds in Toyland by Becky Goldsmith
Fabric:
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One 10” x 10” square of background fabric for 8˝ blocks OR One 12” x 12” square of background fabric for 10˝ blocks
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A variety of large scraps for the applique in cotton for needleturn hand applique OR felted wool for wool hand applique
Notions:
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8” x 8” square of clear Quilter’s Vinyl OR 10˝ x 10˝ square of clear Quilter’s Vinyl
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Needleturn hand applique needles: #12 sharp/applique needles
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Wool hand applique needles: #9 Bohin Crewel needle or other to suit your thread
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Needleturn thread: I recommend 50/2 cotton thread. Masterpiece Super Bob sets from Superior are an excellent choice.
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Wool thread for wool applique
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Fabric scissor
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Paper scissor
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Small sewing scissor
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A Sandboard
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White pencil
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Graphite pencil
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An Ultra Fine Point Sharpie marker to make the placement overlay
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A pencil sharpener (depending on the pencils you use)
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A portable light is helpful
Additional notions for wool appllique:
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SoftFuse Fusible web (this is the best brand)
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Teflon pressing sheet (I use the Big Goddess pressing sheet)
Classroom Preparation
Table space, 36” or more.
A chair.
Access to electricity to plug in a lamp (optional).
1-3 ironing stations to press wrinkled fabric and backgrounds. More pressing stations for wool applique
Needleturn Applique Class Agenda
Make templates
Make placement overlay
Prepare background—press and mark
Optional: color and design
Trace and cut shape #1
Finger press—this is a very important step
Pin
Thread and knotting thread
Teach the invisible applique stitch
Outer points
Inner points
Outer curves
Inner curves
Cutaway applique and small shapes
Wool Applique Class Agenda
Make templates
Make placement overlay
Prepare background—press and mark
Optional: color and design
Trace shape #1 onto SoftFuse fuse it to wool
Cut shape #1 and fuse it to the block
Thread and knotting thread
Teach the whip stitch
Outer points
Inner points
Outer curves
Inner curves
Small shapes
