Lectures and Workshops

LECTURES • WORKSHOPS • FEES

LECTURES

FROM THE BEGINNING: ALBUM OF A QUILTER – (1 hour) – Karen will take you on a journey through her growth as a quilter.  You will see how the journey started with her first quilt to her most recent work.  She will share the important things she has learned along the way.  You will also see how a project develops and comes to fruition.  Included in this presentation is a tour of Karen's home and studio. 
Limit: Unlimited

TO BORDER OR NOT TO BORDER, THAT IS THE QUESTION – (1 hour) – During this lecture I will discuss if a quilt needs a border and how to select a border for your quilt. I will also explain how I design many of my borders. My hope is that this will inspire you to think about how to enhance your quilt with the right border.
Limit: Unlimited

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WORKSHOPS

Oriental Expressions - Leaves and Berries - (6 hours) - Machine Applique In this workshop you will learn all of Karen's tricks for machine applique including perfect circles, perfect stems, sharp points and smooth curves.  We will also learn to turn under the edge on what Karen calls the "tricky" shapes.  In addition you will learn to use a fabric overlay.  To add even more interest to this project we will make a covered cording and add it to the edge of the circle.  This class is loaded with lots of great ideas.  This block is taken from Karen's quilt "Oriental Expressions". Limit:  25 students Supply Fee Additional

Around the Garden - ( 2 or more days) - One of my favorite pastimes is walking through flowering gardens. They are a delight to sight, smell and sound. The bursts of color, the aroma of rich soil, flowering plants, and the soft flutter of pollinating insects are the inspiration for this project. As you appliqué each piece, think of spring and the beauty of nature. We will cover several different methods of appliqué in this workshop including needleturn and the “Templar and Sizing” technique.  You will learn how to achieve perfect circles, smooth curves and sharp points.  In addition to all of the beautiful flowers we will make dimensional insects, a yellow jacket and a dragonfly.  This 23.5” x 58” project is a fantastic addition to any room. Limit:  25 students Supply fee additional

EXPLORING MORE MACHINE QUILTING - (6 HOURS) - This workshop is for those who have experience with machine quilting but would like to learn more. We will be discussing the use of different threads and different needles. You will learn about adjusting tension, and you will sew lots of samples including trapunto, feathers anad so much more. If you would like to expand your basic knowledge of machine quilting then this workshop is for you. Limit: 25 Students Supply fee additional

DRAFTING APPLIQUÉ PATTERNS – (3 hours) – You will learn to draft traditional applique blocks such as the Rose of Sharon and Harrison Rose, as well as blocks that are more free form like those on my Flowers and Friends quilts.  Designing applique borders will also be discussed.  It is much easier than you think.
Limit: 25 Students
Supply fee additional

FREE-FEELING FUN DRAFTING FRENZY – (3 hours) – And you thought drafting was difficult! After this class you will feel comfortable drafting your own patterns. The freedom to draft your own patterns will open a lot of opportunities for you. Limit: 25 Students Supply fee additional

BORDERS BY DESIGN - ( 3 hours)
Have you ever wondered how to create the perfect border for your quilt?  This class will make it easy for you to choose a border to compliment any quilt.  Karen has combined her lecture “To Border or Not to Border, That is the Question” with her easy approach to hands on designing.  Participants will be amazed at the ease in designing pieced and appliqué borders to fit any quilt.
Limit: 25 Students
Supply fee additional  

KANSAS ROSE (6 hours) Wow, this is a fun project.  You will be amazed how easy it is to get smooth curves and sharp points as you machine appliqué using an invisible stitch.  This project also includes reverse appliqué and a fabric overlay for some added excitement.  Come spend a fun packed six hours and learn lots of tips and tricks. Limit: 25 Students Supply fee additional

MAGICAL MEDALLIONS - BLOCK 1 - (6 hours) I have been fascinated with medallion style quilts for a long time. I have created one large quilt using 13 different designs adapted from early European architecture. In this workshop we will hand applique on just one of those blocks in order to learn many of the techniques used in the "Magical Medallions" quilt. You will learn how to make smooth curves, sharp points and perfect circles. Come have a fun time while we hand applique the day away. Limit: 25 Students Supply fee additional

MAGICAL MEDALLIONS - BLOCK 3 - (6 hours) While you hand applique on this 19" square block you will learn to make bias stems, perfect circles, use an underlay fabric and an overlay fabric and create smooth curves and sharp points.  (Some sewing machines will be required to make the stems.) Limit: 25 Students Supply fee additional

GARDEN MEDLEY – (6 hours) – You will receive the pattern to complete this 3-panel wall quilt, but in class we will work on the center panel. While sewing on this panel you will learn how to achieve smooth curves, wonderful points and perfect circles. Karen will teach you her fun and easy tips to make your hand appliqué look great. Some sewing machines will be needed for this workshop.  SPECIAL NOTE – This class is also offered as a 3-hour workshop. Limit: 25 Students Pattern and supply fee additional

BASIC HAND APPLIQUÉ: FOLK ART FANTASY – (6 hours) – Folk Art is an American tradition and this design reminds me of times gone by. The simple, elegant and flowing shapes create a wonderful quilt to hang on the wall or give to a loved one. The smoothness of the curves allows you to easily hand appliqué this 38” x 22-1/2” wall quilt. There are a few small areas which include reverse appliqué, just for a little more fun. Keep the Folk Art tradition alive as you stitch this wonderful little project. Limit: 25 Students Pattern and supply fee additional

HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE – (6 hours) – While starting to sew on this 14” square block you will learn to make stuffed bias stems, perfectly round flat grapes, stuffed grapes, dimensional leaves and dimensional flowers. (I’ll expect you to be humming the song during class and dancing like the California raisins!) SPECIAL NOTE – This workshop can be condensed into a 3-hour, half day class. Each technique will be demonstrated and students will have time to try a small sampling of each technique. Limit: 25 Students Pattern and supply fee additional

FLORAL BOUQUET – (6 hours) – While sewing on this block you will learn to make stems, dimensional daisy flowers, pansy flowers, peonies, a ribbon rose and thistle flowers. You will learn Karen's favorite way to turn an edge. The results will give you great looking points and nice smooth curves. You will learn Karen’s tips and tricks of hand appliqué. Come have a fun day and get lots of new ideas. SPECIAL NOTE - This is also offered as a two day workshop.  In the one day workshop students make many of the flowers, etc. but do not have time to sew them to the background.  In the two day workshop they will have most of the dimensional flowers and leaves attached to the background. Limit: 25 Students Pattern and supply fee additional

VEGETABLE GARDEN – (6 hours) – This wonderful wall quilt consists of 6 blocks, each with different vegetables, including carrots, eggplant, onions, radishes, tomatoes and peas. You will work on one of the six blocks in class and you will have detailed instructions to finish the remaining blocks. While sewing on this project you will learn mock hand appliqué on the machine and machine piecing. Limit: 25 Students Pattern and supply fee additional

OCEAN SUNRISE – (6 hours) – This wonderful wall quilt is paper pieced and machine appliquéd. You will be thrilled at how sharp these skinny points will be and how quick and easy it is to machine appliqué these curves. You will have several blocks completed in class with detailed instructions on how to finish your quilt top. Limit: 25 Students Pattern and supply fee additional

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS – (2 days) – In this workshop quick piecing, some paper piecing and hand appliqué will be taught. Most of the piecing will be completed the first day. The second day we will complete the piecing and begin to hand appliqué. Mitering of borders and binding will also be taught. This is a great little project to learn a lot of different methods and techniques. Limit: 25 Students Pattern and supply fee additional

DOWN THE GARDEN PATH – (2 days) – The first day will be spent quick piecing. The second day we will MACHING APPLIQUÉ. You will learn to cut accurately and sew an accurate ¼” seam allowance. The appliqué blocks will be completed with quick and easy machine appliqué methods. You need to be able to do a zigzag stitch and adjust your stitch width and length on your sewing machine. Mitering borders and binding will also be taught. SPECIAL NOTE – This can be taught as a one-day class with the students completing one pieced block and starting on the appliqué block. Limit: 25 Students Pattern and supply fee additional

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Fee Schedule for 2006-2007:

	2009	2010
1 hour	$ 400.00	$410.00
3 hour	475.00	480.00
6 hour	650.00	675.00
2 day workshop	1300.00	1350.00
Judging (6 hours)	650.00	675.00

If the lecture or workshop requires an overnight stay, meals and lodging will need to be provided. In addition to the class fee, if driving is required, the standard mileage fee will be charged. If airfare is involved, you will be responsible for the full fee and transportation to and from the airport and airport parking.

My preference for lodging is a hotel.

If you are located more than 1 ½ hours from my home and are interested in a lecture, the lecture must be combined with a workshop.

Learn more about Karen Kay Buckley ...