Monday, April 13, 2015

Playing with Quilters

Appleseed Quilters in Fort Wayne, IN

Robert and I hit the road right after the Easter Bunny stopped in for a week-long journey through Indiana and Illinois. Our first stop - Appleseed Quilt Guild. The ladies in a Monday evening workshop did a wonderful job whipping up their Seedlings runners made from just one charm pack. We added a few tans for fun to make melons with our KT Melon template. Piece the squares, add borders, sandwich, and layer the melons to stitch & quilt as you go. In just 3 hours, our industrious quilters were stitching melons! Don't you just love the brights, cheerful spring colors in this Seedlings runner?


The next day, we played with the projects in Clara's Garden - the lap quilt, Fresh-Picked runner and pillow topper. Here are some of the Appleseed quilter's own versions.

Black with red is classic but fresh.

Love those ocean blues and greens - so serene.

Got scraps? Awesome!

The pillow topper almost completed in just a couple hours.

Scrappy 9-patches and matching melons give the Raised Bed Garden quilt a new twist.

In just 3 hours, a Fresh-Picked runner is going to be finished. Great job!



The Back Door Quilt Shop, Greenwood, IN

Teri and Linda of Back Door Quilt Shop welcomed us to their shop for an evening trunk show and 1/2 day class. Storms were brewing, but that didn't stop the fearless quilters who came to check out all things KTQ that evening. The next day, their great workshop space was filled with eager ladies ready to make our new Clara's Garden Fresh-Picked Runner. Some were red, some purple, some in cool yellows and blues. All were lovely. By the end of the afternoon, I'd won over even the most skeptical in the group to my unique layered patchwork technique.


Red flowers sing for spring!

Is needle-turn applique your thing? Have it your way.

Bright & cheerful for spring.

The quilters at The Back Door Quilt Shop in Greenwood, IN showing off their projects after just 3 hours! You rock!

Since we've been playing with the Clara's Garden pattern and KT Wedge Template this week, we'll give one away! Comment on why you take quilting classes (or not!) for a chance to win. Check out Wednesday's post to see the rest of our week playing with quilters.
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71 comments:

  1. I take classes to learn new techniques......loved learning about layered patchwork!

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  2. There always seems to be new things to learn!

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  3. I love being with like minded people, learning new techniques, learning tips from new friends and having a great time.

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  4. So many reasons for classes...to learn new techniques, to be inspired by the teacher and other students, to have fun, etc. Sometimes I will finish a project started in a class, but other times I take away useful tips and techniques and the project isn't the main thing for me.

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  5. I haven`t taken too many but love to combine travel with taking a class. I make lots of new quilting friends, learn new techniques and get so much inspiration seeing how others combine colours or patterns in ways I hadn`t thought of.

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  6. I take quilting classes to learn new techniques as well as have fun with my friends!

    Sandy A

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  7. I haven't taken any classes yet but would love to. I would love to learn new techniques and meet other quilters. The Seedlings runners are gorgeous!

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  8. I love taking classes ... there's always something new to learn and maybe even a new friend to meet.

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  9. I love taking classes because I enjoy learning new techniques and because every tutor has something new to teach. It is also wonderful to work with a group of like minded women.

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  10. LOVELY runners! The KT's ones are my fav. Classes are a great way to support your local quilt shop, fabric and pattern designers and of course and excellent way to learn new skills.

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  11. These are beautiful patterns. I don't usually take quilting classes because I am busy and want to buy fabric instead of pay for class and all the supplies. I do enjoy classes just haven't made them a priority right now. Thanks for sharing your pictures and patterns with us. K- lkw2x6-apq@yahoo.com

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  12. I want to take quilting classes, but my local shops only offer them during the day....and I still work 8 to 5. 7 more years and I will be attending them!!

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  13. I take classes to learn new techniques. Mostly though, it's to spend time with other quilters.

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  14. I take classes to be with creative people like you who inspire me with their creative genius!

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  15. Quilt classes: new techniques; new friends; new ideas; new chance to support quilt shops, guilds, designers.

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  16. My schedule is crazy so I don't have much time for classes. I do take online classes, though. They work out well and I can watch them as I have time.

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  17. I took that fabulous class in Greenwood last week and had a wonderful time. Classes are great for learning new techniques! You will learn not only from the teacher but also from the other quilters taking the class. It is like a buy one get one sale!

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  18. I've never taken a quilting class in person but would LOVE to! We live a long way from a quilt shop and with homeschooling my children, I've never been able to get away for a long enough time to make the drive. I have purchased some classes from Craftsy and they have been great---I love learning tips and techniques from the experts!

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  19. I love taking quilt classes because I always learn something new, plus it is just fun to spend time with other quilters.. Even if the class is one that I could make the project without the class, I always pick up a new tip from the teacher or from another quilter.

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  20. Why I take classes - because I love to learn and then take that new knowledge and apply it to my quilting to make it even better and more fun! Thanks for the chance to win!!

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  21. Quilting classes are fun, exciting and inspiring. Never too old to keep learning! Also, I love learning new techniques and seeing new projects. Kansas Troubles is one of my favorite fabrics - and I love your blog!

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  22. I like to take classes to learn new techniques. I love seeing all the color variations of your patterns from your workshops.

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  23. I've watched videos on line but have never attended a quilting class.

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  24. There's nothing like hands-on help from the experts to guide you through a new technique. I enjoy YouTube and Craftsy classes, but they can't correct my mistakes before I box myself into a corner!

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  26. I love the social time but I learn something new in every class. Nancy P

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  27. Love to quilt, sew and talk. So relaxing to be together with ladies and sewing and sharing. Not to mention the food!

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  28. This cold winter we've just come through demands some happy springtime changes! Taking a class always teaches me something new and fun. The best anti-depressant, Lynne!

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  29. I take classes to learn new techniques. Even if it seems like something I may not use in the future, it's fun to spend time with fellow quilters.

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  30. I take classes to connect with other quilters, learn new techniques and get fresh ideas. I love seeing all the machine quilting patterns and designs. Some day I'll be brave and try that too!

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  31. I take classes to learn something new and hands on is the best way...then there is the comradery with the teachers and the class...fun times!

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  32. I generally don't take classes or workshops offered by my guild. Most are projects and I have enough projects already. Wh had a great speaker this month and I would have loved the class but was not able to attend due to a prior commitment.

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  33. What beautiful projects! I take classes for inspirations and to learn new techniques. I hope to never stop learning! I always learn something new in a class that improves my quilting.

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  34. I take classes for this very reason ... beautiful projects! Learning something new, class comraderie, gorgeous fabrics ... what more could you ask for?! Love your quilts, fabrics and colors!

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  35. I take quilting classes to learn new techniques or sharpen my skills. Love those coneflowers!!!

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  36. I take classes to learn new ways, easier ways to make quilts. Always lots of fun taking classes and making new friends.

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  37. if I see a class that has a quilt that I really like, I will take it to get me going on the project. I really like your quilts with the wedge ruler. thank you for the chance to win one!

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  38. Classes are a great way to meet fellow quilters, which, in my opinion are the sweetest people!!

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  39. I take classes to learn new tips and techniques and to be reminded of old tips that I have forgotten to use.. Even the littlest tip can help in the process. Also, there always seems to be someone to make a new friendship with.

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  40. I enjoy the social aspects of taking a quilting class the best - this is such a wonderful block!

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  41. I always like to improve my quilt skills and to become more proficient.

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  42. I take classes for the learning opportunities, you can always learn something new! and the camaraderie of fellow quilters or knitters, as the case may be. Jeannine aka j9knits

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  43. I love to take quilt classes; there's always something to learn! I also love being with quilters and the excitement generated is just too much fun! Another big reason I like classes - it keeps me excited and motivated to try new things, as well as finish the old!

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  44. I enjoy taking classes to learn a new technique from a quilter or designer who can offer helpful tips that would take me trial and error to figure out. I learn best by hands on...see and do!

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  45. I'm a visual learner so I take classes to learn the techniques need for a particular project. I always go home with much more. Italso a great social event with like minded people.

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  46. I love the camaraderie of my fellow quilters. The energy is so inspiring. Just can't get enough of the good vibes.

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  47. I take classes to learn new techniques and have fun. Quilters are the nicest people!

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  48. I LoVe taking sewing classes. I always learn a new tip or technique and make some wonderful friends! Love the pattern the ladies all worked on.

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  49. I took my initial quilting class to learn a wonderful skill. Now, I just keep tweaking my skills on my own time.

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  50. I like taking classes to learn new things. Online tutorials are great but there is nothing like some hands on training!

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  51. I haven't taken any classes because my health won't allow me to right now but as soon as I get a chance I'm going to enroll in one just to learn new things and be around other fun quilters.

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  52. More than anything, I take classes for the fellowship, but also to learn something new. I guess it really just depends on the the type of class I am taking. There is always something new to learn, and a new friend to make!

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  53. I would love to take a quilting class, but unfortunately there are no quilting stores close to me. There was one years ago, and I started to take a basic course with my teenage daughter and my friend. We went to the first two classes and had a wonderful time, but then the store closed suddenly. We were all so sad that the class ended. I haven't done much quilting since, but want to start back into it. Fortunately I have the internet for inspiration and help for any problems I run into! And I just recently found the Kansas Troubles blog and joined for more inspiration. Now I just need to get my sewing area set up properly again and carve out some time to play with my stash that I have been acquiring! slbolderson@hotmail.com

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  54. I have taken one class - and I would like to do more - so fun to be with a group and learn new techniques!

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  55. I love to take quilting classes - its nice to be with a group of quilters that
    enjoy the same hobby that you do and also if you learn one little tip that can help you make better quilts it is worth it

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  56. Classes are a great way to meet new people and learn new skills. It's been a while since I took a class, but I also learn new tips etc from my quilt group which meets monthly.

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  57. I love to take quilting classes. I took an 8 week beginner quilting course back in 2002 and fell in love with quilting. I love to meet new quilters and learn new techniques. Happy stitching!!

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  58. I like to take classes to learn new techniques, or just be in on a group project with the rest of my friends. It doesn't take much to get me to sign up!

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  59. I like to take classes to learn new techniques but mostly it's fun to be with others who love to sew as much as I do.

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  60. I like to tape láser to learn new te hinque and mete new quilters and share our hobbies!.

    Your classes look great and Love those projjects and fabrica,hard to choose my best fav!

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  61. I like to take classes to learn new or different way of quilting and you get to meet some interesting and fun people.

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  62. I enjoyed your trunk show at Appleseed. You have convinced me that your technique with raw edges results in beautiful quilts. I rarely take classes, because I usually end up with another UFO. I learn a lot from online videos and blogs.

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  63. I like to take classes to learn different techniques. Most of all I like meeting new people. Would love to have mire KT fabric and tools

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  65. I am a collector of your fabric and this looks like a fun pattern. I take classes to be inspired.

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  66. I have been a quilter for many years but find the sweet people of the 2 guilds I belong to are continually teaching me new techniques. This past week I learned how to make rouched flowers and 3 different ways to applique. Boy, was I tired afterwards.

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  67. Love those table runners! I've only taken a couple classes, but would like to take more. I like meeting other quilters and learning new tips and techniques.

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  68. Lots of reasons but mainly to make new quilting buddies and learn new techniques!

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  69. I use to belong to a quilting group, but had to move away from Portland, Oregon to central Kansas. I miss getting together with other quilters.

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  70. To learn new techniques and spend time with fellow quilters

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  71. After many years I still enjoy taking a class . Enjoy sewing and talking to the other students, make new friends and of course I always learn something new.

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