Wed 22 October and 5 November (2-day workshop) 10.30-4.30pm with a break for lunch

Tutor: Kate Higgens

Level - Intermediate

The marvel of sewing patchwork is how the geometry of individual blocks, when combined, creates secondary patterns. This quilt has the illusion of curves, yet all the sewn lines are straight. This workshop is an ideal opportunity for increasing your confidence working with colour and subtle fabric patterns. Sewing with shades and tones in your chosen colour scheme, your colour skills will come on leaps and bounds. This workshop is a two part course, so you have enough time to piece the variety of patchwork blocks and the border. Day 1 - you’ll sew the nine main blocks and on day 2 you’ll sew the borders and corner blocks.

Suitable for intermediate quilters, who have completed a beginners course (or have made several quilts by themselves). During the course you’ll be sewing the quilt top and you can finish the quilting and binding in your own time at home. You should be confident sewing accurate 1/4-in seams. The finished quilt is approximately 57 x 57-in (145 x 145cm).

A note on choosing fabrics. This quilt is a really good exercise in choosing low volume prints, smaller tone-on-tone patterns, or even plainish fabrics, such as Linen Texture, Grunge, Cottage Cloth etc. However, if you fancy working in more patterned fabrics, such as batiks, that would produce a stunning quilt too. Just remember to choose close tones in two colour groupings and have a contrasting background to accentuate the star blocks.

Materials and equipment required:

• Sewing Machine. A basic sewing machine is fine for this workshop. Don’t forget your 1/4-in foot, pedal and lead. Alternatively, hire a machine subject to availability (add to your basket with your booking).

• Total of 2m of cream / low volume background fabrics. Use a variety of different patterns and colours (eg 2 half metres and 4 FQs)

• 50cm fabric for star/centre square (shown in gold)

• 25cm (long quarters) of four fabrics for stars and four patches (shown in turquoises)

• Week 2: 25cm (long quarter) for inner border

• Week 2: 25cm (long quarter) for middle border

• Week 2: 75cm of 2 toning fabrics for outer border (shown in creams)

• 100% cotton thread in a coordinating or neutral colour

• Basic sewing kit - fabric / thread scissors, pins, stitch ripper

• 4 1/2-in square ruler - this can be preordered to ensure we have sufficient stock

• (Optional - Quilt-in-a-Day ruler available from Creative Grids), or a piece of template plastic)

• Fabric marking pen, chaco liner

• Rotary cutter, mat and ruler

To finish your quilt at home

• Wadding and backing fabric 155 x 155cm (61 x 61-in), 50cm fabric for binding, quilting thread.

Note: before the class, to make the best use of workshop time, it’s a good idea to pre-cut fabrics as follows:

Backgrounds - cut four strips 5-in x Width of Fabric (WOF). Backgrounds - cut 14 strips 2-1/2-in x WOF. Centre (Gold) Stars - cut three strips 6-in x WOF, then cross cut into 16 6-in squares. From long quarters (Turquoise) - cut a 2-1/2-in strip from each of the fabrics

Refreshments will be provided each day. There will be a break for lunch. You’re welcome to bring your own lunch, or there are a wide variety of coffee shops, tea rooms and delis in the high street.

It’s advisable to sort out your materials beforehand to make best use of the workshop time. If you’d like toHowever, if there’s anything you’re missing, you can buy supplies in store during the day.

If you have any questions, please phone us on 01634 838880 before booking. If you would like to pay for this course in 2 instalments of £45, please book instore, not online. Please note that we do not send out reminders before workshops, as all the information you need is here! For location and car parking info, please see our Visit Us page.

Please check dates carefully before booking as we do not offer refunds on workshops. For full booking terms, please read here.