I signed up for two classes with Pat Sloan... a background class named "Wild and Free" and a machine applique class named "Little Bluebird". I'd met Pat online and drove over to Pigeon Forge for thier quilt show and to meet her in person 2-3 years ago. So I was familiar with her work and looked forward to loads of fun!
One of the class directions was to bring a laundry basket full of fabrics to play with. My problem... I have all my fabrics sorted by color. If I pick some of each and put them in a basket to bring, inevitably I would want the one I left behind. So what choice did I have but to load everything into my trunk!
Pat's background class started with her discussing her quilts and showing us the difference between her light and dark backgrounds. I believe she named this one "Ma-Ma's Garden". It was one of her first experiments into pieced backgrounds and she used mostly light neutrals.
This next quilt, named "Walk in the Moonlight" shows a pieced dark background with light/bright color applique for a unique look.
Then Pat worked with each of us individually, helping us audition and choose the right fabrics that "played well together". I'm sorry to say I can't give credit to the owners as I forgot to take notes, but here is a sampling of backgrounds being auditioned.
First was this purple print with orange... she added other purples, a bit of orange and a black and white for interest. Applique a black/white flower pot and some yellow or orange flowers!
Next up the main fabric was a coral/pink/black white print. Add a variety of black and white and coral prints and Voila!.
I believe that gold and silver print is a fabric she auditioned for the flowerpot applique
This next lady had a variety of Wizzard of Oz fabrics that she wanted to use up. Instead of appliqued flowers, she is going to add a house with the ruby slippers peaking out from underneath and was deciding on how to make a tornado cloud swirling around beside it.
Here are two others. Can you believe I forgot to take a pictue of my own before laying down any applique??
At the end of the day we all had most or all of the background pieced and ready for applique.
The next day's class topic was machine applique. Pat demonstrated different stitches, stitch lengths, and techniques for machine applique. Unfortunately, the gears on my old singer are worn and I couldn't get a decent zig zag stitch much less a blanket stitch. So while the others were playing with their machine applique, I began to pin and hand stitch mine.
But that's ok... I'll get mine done a bit slower, but it will get done. I still have to add the leaves and berries, but here is a sneak peak...and I'll post a picture later when it's done... or come and see it hanging in my living room!
Hugs and smooches to Pat. Thanks for a great time!
