Quilting Boot Camp

Good morning everyone!  I’ve spent this week taking quilting classes from Linda Taylor and I had so much fun.  I’m not going to lie…I’m exhausted and I think my brain is scrambled, but I learned so much.  If I can find a little energy I might even load a quilt and try out some of my new skills.

I just have to say that Linda is a wonderful instructor and I really enjoyed the classes.  I will definitely take more classes from her if the opportunity arises.  I want to be just like her when I grow up.  Sigh.

I thought I would share some pictures of what we did in class.  Day 1 was all about background fills and different quilting ideas for blocks in general.  A lot of the techniques can be applied to sashing or borders or even used in place of stippling.  I did not stitch out the fan.  Everything stitched in green was provided as a template for us to practice on.

I had a lot of fun with those.  Some of them were pretty easy for me and some made me want to poke my eyes out.  Seriously.

On day 1 I used an 18″ Gammill which is very similar to Roscoe {my machine} except it had a stitch regulator.  I actually found the stitch regulator difficult to use but I think that’s because I’ve never used one.

Day 2 was a different story…they put me on a 30″ monster Gammill with the Statler Computer System.  Talk about intimidating.  And I had to make feathers with this thing.

This thing was ginormous!  I was so far outside my comfort zone…what were they thinking letting me operate this thing?!?!?  Okay, it was actually a lot of fun once I got over being scared.  Now who wants to buy me one of these bad boys?  It only costs an arm, a leg, your first born child and maybe another arm and leg.

Anyway, here’s a look at my feathers.  Remember, I didn’t do any of the green stitching {dream catcher outline and flower outlines}.

 

The last two are my favorites.  The peacock feathers {left picture} are so cool.  Hmmm…can I put peacock feathers on every quilt?  I hope.

Overall, I had a great trip and I learned so much!  I can’t wait to start quilting.

By the way, I’ve been terrible at responding to comments over the past week.  I had terrible internet at the hotel.  But, I have read each and every comment and I’m trying to get caught up.  I’m just behind…as usual.