Ruler Free Strip Piecing

I'm debuting new workshops and presentations this fall and in 2017. One of them is Ruler Free Strip Piecing. Check out this video to see how much fun it is to cut ruler free!https://vimeo.com/68987276 

Ruler-Free Strip Piecing, 1-day, 6hr

Participants will explore intuitive color and experiment with three methods of choosing -random, spontaneous and planned- as they create expressive and dynamic strip pieced foundation fabrics without using a ruler. The results can be utilized with stunning effect in either fixed or flexible pattern compositions. Participants will leave with multiple string sheets created in the half-day workshop. Composition options will be fully explored during the second half of the full day workshop.

I will be teaching half-day versions of this workshop, which will focus on different ways of choosing and the technique of making the string sheets, at Glamp Stitchalot, November 10-13, 2016 (there is still time to register for this all improv Glamp), at QuiltCon East February 2017, and at the Broward County Quilt Expo in Florida March 2017 (registration is also still open). In the full day workshop the second half is focused on improvising a composition with the string sheets.I'm now accepting teaching inquiries for 2018.Contact me!

Pre-Prep for Glamp Stitchalot Attendees

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Watch the video above. Although it shows me cutting 44"  strips from folded selvage to selvage yardage, due to time limitations, I'm going to recommend that you pre-cut your strips at 22" long for our Glamp Stitchalot class.Go ahead and cut  1 to 1.5 yards worth of 22" long strips from fat quarters or pieced scraps. You can piece some of your yardage from scraps, as seen in the first part of the video to make the 22" length of your strips. Piecing your length from two or more fabrics will allow you to introduce additional colors and fabrics into your string sheets.Cut your 22" long strips without using a ruler. Be sure that your rotary cutter is sharp, get centered, and with a firm but flowing and swift hand make your cuts, which can vary in width from 3/4" to 3+"Your strips do not have to be cut perfectly straight and can even be slightly wavy (but not too curvy). We will have more time to cut in class but I wanted you to bring some precut strips to start with and to share. We will be sewing the strips into string sheets in class.Curate your fabric selection for your strips with an emphasize on unusual, unexpected combinations and contrasts of all sorts in value, color, scale and of print, neutrals and vivid hues, solids and types of prints, etc. Fabric selections should not be matchy-matchy. Please don't over coordinate around a central fabric or color scheme. Throw in a few zingers!See you in class!