FULL CIRCLE AT EMPTY SPOOLS SEMINAR

More than two years ago I was invited to teach at EMPTY SPOOLS SEMINAR held every year at Asilomar Conference Center on the Monterey Peninsula in central CA. I have been looking forward to it since then. This is the 39th year, it began the year I became a quilter.

See my post about the place and the experience here: Empty Spools Seminar Part 1

The class I was asked to teach is FULL CIRCLE, a pattern by Wendy Williams. This is a great project for a 5 day Seminar--it has lots to teach and would keep the students engaged for the entire time. My sample turned out great and the quilting by local longarmer extraordinaire Patty Wilson made it that much better:

I have written several blog posts about this quilt, read them here for more info:

What You Can Learn

See the Quilting

Class Taught Locally September 2023

Each student bought the pattern and my 10 page addendum with tips and clarifications. 

I was thrilled to have 21 students, one of the largest classes that Session. They came from all over the country: OH, WI, HI, WA, UT, CO, and CA. The two from Hawaii had taken Western Sun with me in Houston last fall--I was so pleased they wanted another class. The two from Colorado took class with me in Durango last spring--so great to see familiar faces again. 

This class had to be fast-paced as I had to be sure we covered all 9 of the patterns in Quadrant A as well as how to assemble the outer borders and complete quilt. "We advance for the swift and repeat for the deliberate." Everyone was encouraged to ask all the questions they might have, as frequently as necessary until they "got it". 

The first day was 1.5 hours of instruction before dinner and the evening welcome program. They got right to work drawing their patterns. The first full day, Day 2, we spent the morning on more pattern drawing. After lunch it was time to sew and sew they did. 

Here is what I saw before class began the morning of Day Three:

Wow! I was so happy to see so much progress. Everyone was cheerful, eager to learn, fun to talk to and kept up with what is a pretty fast-paced class. 

A couple showed me quilts they were inspired to make from my blog:

Suzanne made X blogs from Charm Squares from my tutorial

Susan was happy to have the outer road on Color My World, another Wendy Williams pattern that was the 2021 Block of the Month quilt for The Quilt Show

And here are the photos I took at the end of day 5:

And there has to be a CLASS PHOTO. I would be delighted to see any of these students in class again. They worked hard, learned more than they know, and will be able to make the entire quilt now. Although a couple plan to make only Quadrant A. I look forward to seeing their completed quilts sometime in the future:

Empty Spools Seminars is such a magical experience! I will teach there as often as I am invited--it's just that kind of place. I came home with my cup of creativity full to overflowing. I am working on a new sample or two for future class offerings.

AND IF YOU WANT TO LEARN THIS QUILT, YOU HAVE ONE MORE CHANCE: I am teaching this at Southern Charm Quilting in Huntsville, AL as a 5 day SPECIAL EVENT May 6-10, 2024. The fee includes the pattern, my addendum, 5 full days of class instruction, lunch the first day and $100 toward fabric purchases. Don't miss this opportunity. Fifteen students attended the first of these Special Events last September. There is a great hotel nearby if you are traveling from out of the area. I hope to see you there. Register online today.

Let's quilt!

Barbara

WHILE I'M AWAY

As this posts, I am at my Joyful Journey Retreat, #5, at Red Rooster Retreat Center in Crane Hill, AL.

My attendance there is a SECRET--only my friend and co-conspirator Kathy R knows I am going to arrive two days late. From February 29-March 7, 2024 I was teaching FULL CIRCLE at Empty Spools Seminar at Asilomar Conference Center in CA. There will be a BIG post about that next week.

So today I am encouraging you to look at this previous post from 11 years ago about the LESSONS TO LEARN FROM AN OLD QUILT--click on this LINK to find it: 

Antique Ohio Star Christmas Quilt in my collection

AND I would LOVE TO HAVE YOU JOIN ME  at the local class ANTELOPE CANYON DIT DOT EVOLUTION at Southern Charm Quilting in Huntsville, AL, March 19 and April 2, 2024. The fee covers two full days of class instruction full of tips to keep you straight AND THE KIT WITH ALL THE FABRIC! Don't miss this class if you love the design as I do--it will not be offered again. REGISTER ONLINE TODAY:

Let's quilt.

Barbara

WHAT I'VE BEEN UP TO

 I keep busy all year. Winter has less travel so I am sewing a lot. Thought I would show you a few projects in the making. 

A few weeks ago I took an online class with Ricky Tims. Papaw's Choice is the block his dad used almost exclusively to make many quilts. I enjoyed the online format. The block is simple to make and Ricky's pattern is excellent. It will be ready for sale in the future. I decided this was a great time to use a lot of the hand-dyed fabrics I have, many I got from Ricky, and I am happy with the result.

My TOP, before adding borders, this is 72" square:

To enlarge it and use up more fabric, I added a 5" finished border all around, now it's 82" square:

Another project coming along nicely is PICK A PETAL, the 2024 Block of the Month for The Quilt Show. I only have the outer border of fans to finish piecing for the basic sewing to be done. Then we will spend Months 5-10 on the appliques and embroidery added to the Log Cabin inner border:

Next up is preparation for teaching classes soon. Wednesday February 21, 2024 I teach ON THE LILY POND, at Southern Charm Quilting. There are a few openings left, if you are local, don't miss it.

This is my replica of an antique I own and will bring to class. I am teaching this on a New England/Canada Cruise in September 2025--when registration for that cruise opens, I will make an announcement--that cruise will sell out quickly as  my Alaska cruise did, it's August 9-16, 2024.

ON THE LILY POND:

In less than two weeks I will be teaching at Empty Spools Seminar held at the beautiful Asilomar Conference Center on the Monterey Peninsula in California. FULL CIRCLE will keep almost 25 students busy, entertained and learning for 5 and a half days. I am so excited for this true BUCKET LIST JOB, and am pleased to say I am already under contract there again for 2025, with my wonderful TWO FOR ONE class. My supplies are shipped already and all I have to do is pack and get on 3 airplanes February 29, 2024 to get there:

FULL CIRCLE, pattern by Wendy Williams, quilting by Patty Wilson:

Another class I am very excited to teach is ANTELOPE CANYON DIT DOT EVOLUTION:

This class is March 19 and April 2, 2024 at Southern Charm Quilting. Many people have told me how much they love this quilt and want to make it but only a few have signed up. This is one of those quilts I want to say "Don't try this at home". It requires being very organized and I have that all figured out for you--come and join us--this will most likely not be offered again. The shop has the complete KIT available for purchase--even if you can't take the class because you are not local, buy the KIT while you can. When those two Jelly Roll sets needed for this quilt are gone, they are gone.

We have a new grandbaby due in mid-March to our 45 year old son, Joshua and his love, Cait. We are very excited, of course, and I finally knew it was time to dig out the baby/kid stuff I have been saving for 45 years. All has been washed and will go to their house soon. It was so fun to see these amazing things I am glad I saved for so long:

Marine kids get Marine t-shirts

My son is very eager to get these boots, I made the Tooth Fairy pillow for Joshua

Hand made sweaters I loved and a couple favorite items

A great friend made this circus quilt, her first, and a wonderful neighbor made the incredibly soft baby blanket

Every day I walk, rain or shine, except for the week we had an ice storm that shut everything down. Those days I used the elliptical trainer. When it's really cold, I am bundled up:

Most days a sweatshirt does the trick, with hat and gloves if it's below 45. One and a half to two hours a day keeps me happy in the winter when I am not as busy with lots of travel.  

I am easily maintaining the healthy weight I want to be and feeling great. It is fun to know that everything in my closet fits. Pulling outfits together is a joy, not a struggle, any more:

 Seeing wildlife almost every day is partly why I love walking outdoors. Singing along to my playlists is another reason my walk is so important to me each day. I am sure I am considered the "crazy singing woman" as I walk and sing for 6-8 miles a day:

For more information on my joyful journey to health, see my blog from August 20, 2023: 

HOW I LOST 100 POUNDS  (now 110)

There is the usual daily stuff I do for The Quilt Show, checking and answering FORUM questions, writing the monthly blog for the Block of the Month, and preparing and recording or going LIVE on Facebook and YouTube once a month. The next one is a "not so LIVE" as I will be at Asilomar the first week in March. It is already recorded and ready to air March 1, 2024: 

I was amazed to learn that so far 13,000 people have watched the Month 1 LIVE that aired January 1, 2024 and 7500 people have watched Month 2 so far. Our worldwide community is an awesome thing I am happy to be a part of. 

Another quilt idea is swirling in my head. And it is time to start another Feathered Star for that long-running project.

Each day is a new day and I am eager to jump out of bed to get the day started. My motto this year is: BE STRONG, BE PATIENT, and BE HAPPY. 

Let's quilt.

Barbara

UPCOMING LOCAL CLASSES

 Winter is upon us and it's the time of year for local quilt shop classes. I have been working on samples and handouts and all is now ready.

In Chronological Order:

1. Southern Super Star Saturday February 3, 2024 Patches & Stitches call or go by to register. This is my perfect "giveaway quilt", easy to make, not real expensive to "quilt by checkbook", easy to personalize favorite colors:

Southern Super Star, about 75" square

2. Quiltmaking 101 Friday February 9, 16, 23, 2024 Patches & Stitches. I have taught beginners at Patches for 35 years, This is the latest pattern I am using. We no longer do it all by hand! Learn all you need to know from someone who knows how to teach and inspire her students:

A simple border and only 6 fabrics

A more complex border and more fabrics

3. On the Lily Pond Wednesday February 21, 2024 Southern Charm Quilting call, go by or register online. A replica of an antique quilt I own, this will teach you a lot about quilt design and how to make one block easy, not hard:

On the Lily Pond

4. Antelope Canyon Dit Dot Evolution Tuesday March 19 and April 2, 2024 Southern Charm Quilting, call, go by or register online. I love this pattern and it is even better made with Dit Dots fabric. Not hard to sew but easy to get confused. Let me teach you how to stay organized and be successful. A complete Kit is available so you don't have to agonize over fabric selection:

Antelope Canyon Dit Dot Evolutions 74" square

5. FULL CIRCLE SPECIAL EVENT with BARBARA BLACK May 6-10, 2024, Southern Charm Quilting call, go by, or register online. This 5 day workshop will teach you far more than you expect. Learn skills that will carry over into all your future quiltmaking. I am teaching this Workshop nationally and it is a huge success. Don't miss this last chance to take an all-encompassing Workshop locally.

See this Blog post about the happy students who took this Workshop in September 2023: FULL CLASS FOR FULL CIRCLE

FULL CIRCLE 91" square

So there you have it. I hope to see you in classes here in my hometown. Soon I am back out on the road teaching all over the country and on the high seas. Take a class with me while you can.

Let's quilt.

Barbara