Frequently Asked Questions
Ahead of the Curve Membership
Q: What is Ahead of the Curve Membership?
A: Membership in "Ahead of the Curve" is an online quilting club. This community of quilters are dedicated to learning and perfecting Rotary Cut Applique using the Leaves Galore and the Hearts and More templates. Membership in "Ahead of the Curve" provides a step-by-step process to master applique skills in a supportive and friendly community of quilters. Membership is an alternative to our larger project based Pre-Recorded Online Courses, providing you with smaller projects, faster finishes and motivation. The smaller projects help reinforce techniques and are great for gift giving! Faster finishes help keep you motivated!
Membership Levels
Q: What is the difference between Gold Leaf and Platinum Leaf membership?
A: Each level of membership gets added benefits. The membership page found here shows the difference between the levels.
Technique Videos
Q: How will I know when there is a new technique video to watch?
A: Technique videos will be added every 15 days, so they come to you twice a month. An e-mail will be sent to you when the video is uploaded to the website and you can check in the Member Area at any time to see new videos. There are a total of 24 technique videos.
Q: Why do each new videos only offer one technique?
A: You need time between sessions to practice each technique to gain the muscle memory for that shape and to embed the process in your brain! The more you practice between new sessions, the easier the process will become.
Q: That is too slow for me, how can we speed this up?
A: If you are ready for more, dive into a workshop or choose a pattern that uses that technique from the patterns and books. Practice by making a project and you could get a project done every two weeks!
Q: How will I know what projects are appropriate for my skill level?
A: During each technique session, I will guide you in choosing an appropriate workshop or a project from the book or pattern that will quickly advance your skills.
Workshops
Q: How many workshops are included in my membership each month?
A: One workshop is included with Gold and Platinum Leaf membership.
Q: How do I find out what workshops are available each month?
A: There are three ways to find the workshops.
1) Workshops are listed under Live Zoom Workshops in our Shop. Find the event details in the online calendar.
2) Sue will show the upcoming workshops (for the following month) on the 4th Tuesday of each month on Facebook Live in the private facebook group, "Ahead of the Curve".
3) In the Member Content area, once you are logged in, you can see the upcoming workshops under the tab that says, Ahead of the Curve Members, Advanced Registration for Workshops.
Q: How much does a workshop normally cost?
A: Two hour workshops are $29, three to four hour workshops are $49, five to six hour workshops are $69.
Q: What if I am unable to attend the LIVE workshop that I registered for?
A: Please let us know if you cannot attend, just in case there is a waiting list. A recording of the LIVE workshop will be sent to all participants approximately one week after the last day of the workshop.
Q: How do I register for the workshop that I choose for my FREE workshop included with Gold and Platinum Leaf memberships?
A: In the member area on our website put the workshop in your shopping cart. When you check out use the coupon FREEXX where XX is the two digit month number. For example, FREE01 is the January Coupon.
We will need 48 hours to get you into the system, please do not wait until the last minute! SPD is closed on Saturday and Sunday, please make your request(s) during normal business hours Monday - Friday, 10am to 5pm EST. Questions? You can reach Penny at penny@suepellanddesigns.com.
Within a day or two you will receive confirmation of your workshop choice, a supply list and the Zoom invitation. Then before the workshop you will get a reminder with the Zoom invitation and a student supplement for you to print (not all workshops have a student supplement). Please contact Penny@suepellanddesigns.com the day before the workshop if you do not get a ZOOM invitation. On workshop day, we often do not check e-mail because we are busy getting ready for the workshop.
Q: What if I change my mind and I want to take a different workshop?
A: Please try to make that decision before you check out. It is difficult to change later. Penny can change your workshop choice as long as there is room in the workshop you wish to take. Send her an e-mail to see if there is room.
Q: What supplies are required for the workshops?
A: We will be using the Leaves Galore and Hearts & More templates in each workshop. If you have the full set of seven templates, you can take any workshop that we offer. A supply list with fabric requirements will be sent to you once you register. This supply list tells you the specific tool(s) you will need. The supply lists are also under the description of the workshop in the shop.
Q: What skill level is needed for the workshops?
A: If you can rotary cut, you can applique using Rotary Cut Applique techniques! We will be diving into fusible applique using Mistyfuse on the back of the fabrics. Fusing your applique is a very simple process. Your machine skills and cutting skills will also determine if you are ready for a challenging quilt. In general, the more shapes in the quilt, the higher the skill level required. Workshops are labeled with Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. Only you know when you are confident enough to take each level.
Q: I’m not a beginner. Will the online workshops still be interesting and challenging?
A: Rotary Cut Applique techniques are pretty unique! There are unique approaches to laying out applique blocks, and using applique to replace curved piecing techniques in quilts such as Orange Peel and Drunkard’s Path. The approach is out of the box, and these techniques truly saves time and fabric when making these traditional designs. There are new and innovative techniques that will satisfy even the most seasoned quilter! Once you learn a wide variety of techniques, you will start to incorporate them into your own quilt designs.
COUPON CODE: Members get an 11% discount on any online orders
Q: Can I share my coupon code with others?
A: No, the coupon code is your member benefit and cannot be transferred. It will not work for non-members.
Q: What is the coupon code good for on the SPD website?
A: The coupon code (11%) is deducted from your order total. Any items in your cart including additional workshops are discounted. SPD carries a wide range of notions, books, patterns, fabrics and thread.
Facebook Community
Q: How do I join the Private Facebook Community?
A: Search out the Private Facebook Community, Ahead of the Curve and ask to join. Only Ahead of the Curve members will be approved to join. This creates a safe environment where members can share!
Q: What can I do in the Facebook Group?
A: Watch the Facebook Live events and the replay if you miss the Facebook Live. Meet other members. Post photos of your projects. Ask questions and get answers. Have access to important files. Leave encouraging comments on other people’s photos. Watch our community grow!
My Account
Q: How do I move up a level or move down, cancel or put my membership on hold?
A: Members who joined after August 2020 have access to their membership subscription in the My Account section of the website. Just log in and you have complete control of your account. You can upgrade to a different level, reduce your membership to a lower level, put your account on hold or cancel from your account. Members who joined prior to that can access their subscription information on PayPal.
Q: Can I make suggestions and how do I resolve any problems?
A: We love to hear from our members! Please make suggestions during a Facebook Live on Tuesdays, or if something is wrong, contact me immediately by e-mail.
Pre-Recorded Online Video Courses: Belle en Rouge, My Magical Garden and Gradations
Q: Are the pre-recorded Online Video Courses included in Membership?
A: The Courses are not included in membership.
Q: What is the difference between membership and Pre-Recorded Online Courses?
A: Pre-recorded online courses: My Magical Garden, Belle en Rouge and Gradations are another way to learn Rotary Cut Applique.
The Pre-Recorded Online Course are self-directed courses for making a specific quilt. The projects are much larger and more complex than the workshops in the membership.
The courses cover only the skills needed to make a specific quilt project. Once you have paid for a pre-recorded course you have unlimited access to the content of the course.
From time to time we may "kickstart" a course to get a group of people that want to make the quilt together. Otherwise, you are on your own to complete the course materials and work on the quilt in your own time frame.
Q: How long do the courses run?
A: Gradations is an introductory level course and runs for six weeks. Belle en Rouge and My Magical Garden are Level 2/3 courses and run for nine sessions that I recommend you space over the course of nine months.
Q: Where can I find out more about the Pre-recorded Courses?
A: Learn more about them here.
Contact Information
Q: How do I contact you?
A: You can reach us via email. Please remember we try to keep regular business hours. We do not work nights and weekends so it may take time to get return e-mails. Please direct your concern to the appropriate staff member.
Technique and quilt related questions, contact, Sue@suepellandesigns.com
General customer service, contact Penny@suepellanddesigns.com
Website issues or account problems, contact Donna@suepllanddesigns.com
