New! Grow Your Garden Applique Class

Raw-edge Applique’ Workshop beginner to advanced; domestic machine; 3 hours; $30 per student with 12 student minimum. Full day (6 hours) for $45 per student with 12 student minimum

This beautiful wall-hanging is a fun way to learn about raw-edge applique. The gorgeous garden scene will be uniquely your own despite using the same patterns as other students because you choose the colors and locations of the pattern pieces.   

You’ll learn techniques for using Steam-a-Seam 2 fabric adhesive to create quilts that are uniquely your own. You will “grow” your flower garden using the stems, leaves, and petal patterns in your pattern kit. Though you may not get through all of the patterns, you’ll learn how to apply the theories of creating a variety of flowers, and then let your imagination blossom. If time permits, students will sandwich the quilt and delve into ideas for quilting and thread play.

You Will Learn:

1. basics of applique—how to apply and use (Steam-a-Seam 2) adhesive
2. order of applique—farthest to nearest design
3. color theory and odd numbers concerning flowers
4. using pattern pieces to create stems, leaves, and a variety of flowers
5. using free-hand cutting to create flowers
6. using straight, zigzag, and decorative stitches in applique

Supply List:

• Your favorite sewing machine with a zigzag stitch (petal, wires, extension cord, etc.)
• Fat quarter (18” X 22”) of solid white, black, or green for background fabric
• Backing fabric 4″ larger than background fabric
• Batting scrap 4″ larger than the size of your background fabric
• Zigzag foot
• 3-4 sheets Steam-a-Seam 2 adhesive (available through Amazon in packs of ten)
• Variety of fabrics—your choice of solids, small prints, tone-on-tone, or batiks; 5” and 10″ squares are great, but this quilt is also scrap friendly. Note: fabrics that have no right and wrong sides, such as solids and batiks, can be less frustrating at the beginning.
  • several greens for stems and leaves
• • three or more colors for flowers
• Thread—medium green and colors to match flowers and backing fabric
• Pen or marker for copying pattern onto Steam-a-Seam (Make sure it marks before leaving home. Not all inks are the same.)
• Fabric scissors and paper-cutting scissors, short straight pins (such as applique pins)

Original pattern ($5.00) required; purchased from Mary before class (cash preferred)

Student Testimonials

I loved this class! Mary is so encouraging and positive, and she’s crazy energetic! She walked around keeping tabs on us, encouraging us, finding something good in everything we did. I’ve never had a teacher so happy to have me in class. Plus, she walked us through making our own flowers, like her patterns were enough. I would gladly take another class with her! –Suzi

A fun class, Mary. You said I could “grow” my own flowers, and I believe it now. Really, there was such a surprise to find flowers in all those little scraps. I love your enthusiasm and love of teaching. Thank you for sharing your talents with us. –Deanna