Winning Stitches Class Plan

by Elsie M. Campbell

NOTES TO INSTRUCTORS AND SHOP OWNERS
The quilts from Winning Stitches really help sell the class, the book, and other notions endorsed in the book. I encourage you to display teacher's samples in advance to publicize your classes. Feel free to include the "Class Description" in your class schedule.

CLASS DESCRIPTION
Learn Elsie's tips and techniques for hand quilting in one day-long session or two shorter sessions. You'll mark intricate quilting designs, discover a tried-and-true basting method, and take smaller, more even hand-quilting stitches. The detailed diagrams and clear how-to photos in her new book, Winning Stitches, provide expert advice for quilters of all skill levels.

SUGGESTED CLASSES
Sweethearts Table Runner (pages 56-58): Two 3-hour classes
14" Blocks (choose from pages 100-106): One 6-hour class

SWEETHEARTS TABLE RUNNER TWO-PART CLASS

STUDENT SUPPLIES:

  • Textbook: Winning Stitches by Elsie M. Campbell
  • 18" x 55" piece of freezer paper
  • Black permanent marker, such as an ultra-fine line Sharpie marker
  • Marking pen or pencil (I suggest the Quilter's Ultimate Marking Pencil by Custom Processing)
  • 3 1/2 yards bleached muslin
  • 24" x 60" piece of low loft polyester batting
  • 6" square each of 3 rose hand-dyed fabrics for rose petals
  • One fat quarter (22" x 18") of green print for the heart, leaves, and stems
  • Gold machine or hand embroidery thread
  • Green, rose, and white hand-quilting threads
  • 1/2 yard light-weight fusible web for appliqué
  • Tear-away stabilizer for machine appliqué
  • See-through ruler for marking straight quilting lines
  • Long darning needles for basting
  • Between needles for hand quilting
  • Thimble
  • Scissors and/or thread snips
  • 14" quilting hoop

INSTRUCTOR SUPPLIES:

  • Finished sample for display
  • Photocopies of Table Runner pattern found on pp. 107-108 at 200%, one per student
  • One iron and ironing surface for every 3 students
  • Good lighting and adequate table space for students
  • Light box (optional) for students who find it difficult to see the marking guides for tracing
  • Sewing machine (optional) for demonstrating appliqué techniques
  • Finished sample for display
  • Masking tape for taping backings to table for basting
  • Extra needles, etc. as needed

FIRST SESSION

  1. Have students trace their photocopied, enlarged quilting pattern to make a Freezer-Paper Marking Guide as described in the book on page 13.
  2. Students should trace the appliqué patterns onto the paper side of the fusible web and adhere them to the appropriate fabrics. Cut the shapes out exactly on the traced lines.
  3. Have the students cut a 24" x 60" piece of fabric from their yardage, adhere the marking guide to one side of the piece, and turn it over. Marking guide lines should "shadow" through. Following the marking guide lines, have students fuse their appliqué pieces in place on the fabric.
  4. Students should trace the quilting lines, using an appropriate fabric marking pen or pencil. Add straight quilting lines using the see-through ruler as a guide.
  5. Demonstrate appliqué techniques. The appliqué pieces can be stitched in place by machine or by hand. I suggest using a tear-away stabilizer under the piece if machine-stitching the appliqués down using a satin stitch.
  6. Demonstrate basting techniques as outlined in the book on pp. 23-24.

HOMEWORK:
Finish stitching the appliqués in place. Add embroidered monogram, if desired. Baste the quilt layers together in preparation for hand quilting.

SECOND SESSION

  1. Demonstrate hooping the basted piece for hand quilting (page 27).
  2. Help students master the quilter's knot (pages 27-28).
  3. Demonstrate burying the knot, the quilting stitch, and ending the row of quilting (pages 29-31).
  4. Give students time to practice what they've learned. Walk among students, observing their work, providing encouragement and providing individual instruction as needed.
  5. Demonstrate front-to-back optional edge finish, giving particular attention to corner miters.

ONE-SESSION 14" BLOCK CLASS

STUDENT SUPPLIES:

  • Textbook: Winning Stitches by Elsie M. Campbell
  • 18" square piece of freezer paper
  • Black permanent marker such as an ultra-fine line Sharpie marker
  • Marking pen or pencil (I suggest the Quilter's Ultimate Marking Pencil by Custom Processing)
  • 1/2 yard bleached muslin for Table Runner
  • 20" square piece of low-loft polyester batting
  • See-through ruler
  • White or contrasting color hand-quilting thread
  • Long darning needles for basting
  • Between needles for hand quilting
  • Thimble
  • Scissors and/or thread snips
  • 14" quilting hoop

INSTRUCTOR SUPPLIES:

  • Photocopy of selected block pattern (from those found on pages 100-106) Make one copy per student at 100%.
  • Finished sample(s) of block patterns
  • One iron and ironing surface for every 3 students
  • Good lighting and adequate table space for students
  • Optional light box for students who find it difficult to see their marking guides for tracing
  • Masking tape for taping backings to table for basting

MORNING

    1. Have students trace their selected block quilting pattern to make a Freezer-Paper Marking Guide as described in the book on page 13.
    2. Have the students cut their 1/2 yard piece of fabric in half to yield two fat-quarter-sized pieces (18" x 22").
    3. Using a hot, dry iron, have students adhere their prepared marking guide to one side of one piece, and turn it over. Trace the lines of the marking guide onto the fabric, using an appropriate fabric marking pen or pencil. Add straight quilting lines, as desired, using the see-through ruler as a guide. Remove the guide.
    4. Demonstrate basting techniques as outlined in the book on pp. 23-24. Help students layer and baste their blocks.


AFTERNOON

  1. Demonstrate hooping the basted piece for hand quilting (page 27).
  2. Help students master the quilter's knot (pages 27-28).
  3. Demonstrate burying the knot, the quilting stitch, and ending the row of quilting (pages 29-31).
  4. Give students time to practice what they've learned. Walk among students, observing their work, providing encouragement and providing individual instruction as needed.
  5. Demonstrate Traveling and the No-Knot Method for starting and stopping a row of stitches, pages 32-33.
  6. If there is time, you may wish to discuss and/or demonstrate one or several of the problem-solving techniques from pages 33-35.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
I have recently become aware that Sailor Leaf-Its as shown on page 35 are no longer available through the Sailor Pen Company of Fayetteville, GA. The Colonial Needle Company has picked up this fine product and will be marketing them along with their line of other needlecraft products. Ask for them from your favorite quilt shop supplier or distributor.

AUTHOR CONTACT INFORMATION
Elsie M. Campbell
Email: n2quilting@yahoo.com
Website: www.elsiemcampbell.com

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