Girlz Stuff
Girlz Stuff Teaching Notes
* Demo each block slowly and extensively. Give students time to
make at least one block before moving on. As the class progresses,
and whilst each block is explained, you will find that students
are planning their project and often asking questions accordingly.
Each will move their work in a slightly different direction.
* Encourage students to leave the blocks with untrimmed edges.
It makes it easier to join creatively later. The ‘overlap
cut’ explained on the Samplerz leaflet works best with rough
edges.
* I usually start off with Hatz as it is usually placed in a place
of focus - often on top of a Hatz Stand. It is a simple process
making a hat, easily understood yet with enough variation in style
for those who are immediately forming there quilt plan.
* Handbagz is a good second block. Everyone loves these, they
are easy to understand and quick to make. The process is very similar
to Hatz so it reinforces the major processes. The blocks may need
to be made leaving off the top and bottom backgrounds if students
want to have them swinging off the pole. I demonstrate the block
in entirety to give students full understanding.
* The last block to be demonstrated is Shoez. The processes are
different from the previous two blocks. Shoez may be paired and
put in a Shoez Box like I did, or kept separate and hung off polez,
leaned against polez, stacked across the base or left off completely.
* The polez and Hat Standz require separate instruction. I like
to use the sample blocks that I have made (at least the Hatz and
Handbagz) to quickly demonstrate the principle idea behind the process.
* Just because I have made a pictorial sample doesn’t mean
other, more geometric settings should be discounted. Think of regular
block settings as a different starting point. Also think of other
ways to arrange them eg. Shelves or a stack’o’hatz.
* Embellishments, embroidery, fancy threads, trims and fabrics
are wonderful with these patterns. Think lush and luxurious or delicate
and ethereal! My fabric rosez and bowz really added life to the
quilt.
* My quilting is usually a background feature. Here I filled the
background and extended the theme with some black text and starz.
The Polez do create a bit of blank space this is just one way of
filling it.
* Make sure that there is fabric available for sale. Often extra
prints are needed to bring variety and interest in a creative piece
like this.
* My backgrounds were one separate print per column yet quite
close in colour. I suggest that these type of small prints are the
most suitable choice as the featured images then easily dominate.
* A one column version would make a great class sample. It would
be an achievable project and other columns could be easily added
if time or desire allows.
* Refer to the five individual patterns for extra notes.
Four Week Class/ Two Day Intensive Class / B.O.M.
This quilt works brilliantly as a four session class. Hatz, Handbagz
and Shoez for week 1, 2 & 3. The last session is spent demonstrating
Polez and Hatz Standz, Rosez and Bowz for decoration.
If you start off the last three sessions reviewing the blocks made
and how setting ideas are progressing you may find that other techniques
may need to be included - perhaps make ribbon roses, perhaps demonstrating
machine quilting or use of thicker threads etc.
A six month Block of the Month program would work well for this
quilt.
1. Hatz pattern and fabrics, Samplerz #5 plus some background fabrics.
2. Handbagz pattern and fabrics plus some background fabrics.
3. Shoez pattern and fabrics plus some background fabrics.
4. Polez Fabric plus some background fabric.
5. Border Fabrics
6. Binding fabrics, Rosez & Bowz fabrics, Thick Black quilting
thread, green quilting thread. Optional backing and batting.
A two day class.
Broken into four sessions - Hatz, Handbagz, Shoez and Polez/Setting.
If one column is worked on it is an achievable project. |
