Proverbial Quilt Workshop with Denyse Schmidt - May 12, 10 am - 4 pm

Join Denyse Schmidt in Fiddlehead's sunny new classroom space for a day of exploring the art of "talking" quilts with her pattern, The Proverbial Quilt! Workshop description and supply list below. Lunch provided by Fiddlehead's - please let the shop know if there are any dietary considerations.

***Please include your email and phone number at checkout so that we can stay in touch as the day of the workshop approaches.***

The Proverbial Quilt Workshop :: Sunday May 12th, 2024, 10 am - 4 pm

The Proverbial Quilt is inspired by early “talking” quilts. These quilts often featured quotes from the Bible, or commemorated public events. My version is an amalgamation of proverbs and fortunes from cookies, and the original pattern includes the entire alphabet so you can “customize, personalize, editorialize, or memorialize. You can even (if you must) dispense advice. And they can sleep on it.

Long before I created this pattern, I made my first Proverbial Quilt and improvised all my letters. During this workshop, I’ll show you how easy it is to create your letters this way. It’s so much faster, and tons of fun! Come prepared with an idea of what you want to “say” with your finished project, and I’ll get you started! Or, create the phrase as shown on my pattern: “When we are flat on our backs, the only way to look is up. Find release from your cares, tomorrow is another day”.

What You Need

For the letters: I used a selection of several prints in warm colors for my letters, and prints and solids in cool colors for the letter backgrounds and spacers, offset by solid white in between the letter rows. This creates a quilt that at first glance looks like alternating rows of color – the words themselves are slightly obscured. You can choose a range of prints and solids that replicate this effect for a subtle message, or use your background fabric for the letter backgrounds and spacers for a bolder statement.

For the Background: Choose a solid color to offset your letter fabric choices. Use the fabric requirements list below for background and binding yardages. For the workshop, you’ll only need to bring 2 yards of the background fabric. For the workshop, you will only need a yard or less of background, and enough of your scraps or letter fabric for a few words or lines.

Tools & Equipment:

* Sewing machine and the usual accompanying supplies like needles and thread

* Fabric shears/snips

* Cutting mat/rotary cutter/acrylic ruler

* Sketchbook/pens or pencils

* Digital camera or phone

* Masking tape or pins for hanging blocks/design wall

* A printed copy of PDF pattern will be supplied at a cost of $15 per student.

The Proverbial Quilt Fabric Requirements

(Based on 45" wide fabric)

Twin 70" x 90"

Letters: 1⁄4 yard each of 8 – 16 fabrics (or your choice) Background and binding: 5-3/4 yds

Queen 86" x 94"

Letters: 1⁄4 yard each of 8 – 16 fabrics (or your choice) Background and binding: 7 yds

King 103" x 93"

Letters: 1⁄4 yard each of 8 – 16 fabrics (or your choice) Background and binding: 8-1/8 yds • Use your favorite batting in the appropriate size.

• Sizes are based on US mattress size plus a roughly 13” drop on three sides.

• To customize your quilt size, add more words or borders, and adjust your fabric requirements accordingly.

• Binding yardage is based on cutting 2-1/2" selvage-to-selvage strips sufficient for a double-fold, crossgrain binding with mitered corners. Adjust for your preferred binding method.