How to Choose your First Workshop 

You have gotten your hands on the Leaves Galore templates and want to know, “What is the fastest way to get comfortable using the tools for Rotary Cut Applique?” You know a workshop would further your applique skills, but you are not sure where to start. Let’s do a self assessment.  

When thinking about my Rotary Cutting Skills:

I have never used Leaves Galore to cut curves before.
I have trouble cutting through 3 or 4 layers of fabric with straight cuts.
I don’t have much experience with quilting in general
If any of these statements is true…Choose Level ONE 

Level One Workshops give you more time to practice cutting a basic shapes, give you firm foundation in fusible applique with Mistyfuse.  The level one classes feature smaller, faster, gorgeous finished projects and you can frequently get that quilt top completed in class.  That is why even experienced quilters sometimes prefer Level One workshops!  They are for EVERYONE!  

Choose Level Two if you can answer YES to any of these statements:

I have made a quilt with Rotary Cut Applique before.
I’m confident in my cutting skills.
I want to see what else the Templates can do other than cut applique shapes! 

Level Two workshops dive deeper into all the uses of the templates, introduce Applique stitching through all three layers and may explore free motion quilting! It is good to have a firm foundation in traditional quilt making, so we can turn tradition upside down and explore creative and unusual quilt making methods.  (I always say, you should learn all the “rules” of quilting so we can break them!) Level two workshops are recommended for confident rotary cutters. The workshops are not harder, just more “outside the box”, they are less project based and are often skill builders.    

The fastest way to get “Ahead of the Curve”
and to feel confident with any workshop
is having me by your side as you learn!!

Here is the breakdown of workshops that are scheduled for the next three months.   

September:

Sept 4 –  Melissa’s Quilt Level 1
Sept 10 – FREE Bonus Workshop for Everyone: Pin Quilt, Level 1
Sept 12 – Skill Builder: Making Fabric Frames, Level 2
Sept 16 & 30 – Christmas Ribbons, Level 2
Sept 28 & Oct 1– Inner Circle, Level 2

October:

Oct 8 –Free Bonus Workshop for Everyone: Mini Mint Chocolate, Level 1
Oct 10 – Hearts & More Techniques, Level 2
Oct 14 & 21– Christmas Baubles, Level 1 
Oct 16 & 23 – Promise Ring, Level 1

November:

Nov 4 & 18 – LG Techniques, Level 2

Nov 6 – Free Bonus Workshop for Everyone – Mug Rug/Coasters, Level 1
Nov 7 – Poinsettia Table Runner, Level 2
Nov 10 – Cork Notebook Cover, Level 1 
Nov 12 – H&M Notions Box, Level 1 
Nov 20 – Clever Clam Shells, Level 1 

Can’t decide which workshop to take?  “Ahead of the Curve” membership lets you choose one workshop a month!  

Kate Pearson is one of our newest members of “Ahead of the Curve”.  She didn’t have much Rotary Cut Applique experience, but she fell in love with Season’s Greetings, a Level 2 workshop.   

Here is what Kate had to say after the workshop… “I must say that you have patience!  Helping each person as needed.  I like how you keep everyone on track.  The slow people like me don’t get left behind.  Those who are going along fast get guidance as the class moves on.” 

So where you are you in your applique journey?  Are you a confident Rotary Cutter who can enjoy both level one and level two workshops?  Are you new to Rotary Cut Applique and the Level one workshops are just what you need to gain confidence?

What does your gut say?  Write back and let me know!  In the subject line, write “Level One” or  “Every Level Two”.