Leigh E. McDonald - fiber artist & quilting instructor
adventures
in quilting.com
Workshops & Classes that stretch the imagination.
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Workshops
Lectures and Demonstrations
(Between 1 to 2 hours in length)NEW for 2011! Small Space Studios--Lecture/power point presentation with photos comparing some of Leigh's past and current quilting studios. Tips will be presented for storage of tools, fabric and quilts as well as how to make a multi-purpose small space work. Leigh's new studio is located in her apartment home and every inch of space is utilized!
NEW! 2011! Using Your Photography for Inspiration--Lecture/power point presentation. Leigh's photographs of landscapes, nature and Florida wildlife will be shown and then some of the art quilts that were inspired by these photos will be presented. The art quilts use a variety of techniques which will be discussed in the lecture.
Circlemania--Lecture/demonstration showcasing drawing, cutting, and sewing techniques for the circle quilts in Adventures in Circles: Quilt Designs from Start to Finish. Using everything from a variety of compasses to cutters; these are quick and easy ways to work with circles.
A Writer's Journey --A short lecture and book signing revealing the inspirations behind the book on circle quilts, and a slide show or trunk show of some of the quilts featured in the book.
Color Trunk Show--Lecture using a color wheel and Leigh's quilts to demonstrate color strategies used in quilts. Can also be a slide presentation.
Nature Quilts Trunk Show or Slide Show--Lecture revealing the inspiration behind Leigh's nature quilts, the techniques used and how to become inspired to try a nature quilt.
Machine Embroidery on Fused Collage--a demonstration of the embroidery techniques used in the Tiny Jewels series of quilts.
Beading and Embellishment Tips & Tools--a trunk show of tools and tips to make beading and embellishment a breeze. Quilts from my new book are used to illustrate the techniques discussed.
Note to Program Facilitators: For your convenience some of the new workshops have a link to a pdf file containing a photo, description, supply and cutting lists. Just click on the title of the workshop.
Click on any image to see a larger view. Use back button to return.
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Learn
cutting and machine applique techniques for four patch circles.
Two machine applique techniques will be demonstrated. From
Leigh's new book!
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A fast, fun
way to combine stripes and circles. The blocks will be finished
in class; sashing and borders will be completed at home. Drawing,
cutting and appliqueing circles will be taught. From
Leigh's new book!
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 Photo by Brent Kane |
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Teaches quick
tricks for invisible machine applique circles and combines them
with pinwheel blocks to make a 45 1/2" x 45 1/2" patriotic
or summer themed wall hanging. Speedy cutting, piecing and applique
techniques are demonstrated for the circle/pinwheel blocks. From
Leigh's new book! |
 Photo by Brent Kane |
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This
workshop teaches curved piecing and machine appliqued circles.
Demonstrations of several machine applique techniques will be
given. |
Photo by Brent Kane |
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Learn quick
ways to cut circles and donuts and fuse them to rectangular blocks
to make this wall hanging. Pre-fuse all pieces to speed up the
process in class. From
Leigh's new book! |
 Photo by Brent Kane |
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Basic
workshop in using color in quilts. Color terms such as value,
tone, tint, shade are explained as well as how to use the color
wheel. Paper and fabric quilt blocks are made using color theory
learned in the morning. |
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New! Sketchbook Basics for Quilters A basic class
teaching quilters how to use their sketchbook as a starting point
for creativity. Combines exercises in journaling your ideas, working
with color, using photographs, and getting past the blank page.
Instructor will bring examples of sketchbooks. Drawing experience
is not required! 6-hour workshop will also teach gelatin printing
and collage while decorating cover of sketchbook. |
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Nature Quilting Using
Leigh's quilts as inspiration, fabric choices & techniques
for nature quilts are discussed. Afternoon presents the nitty
gritty of drawing a design, labeling it and a demonstration of
curved piecing by machine. In 2- and 5- day formats, students
begin drawing or piecing their own nature quilt. The longer the
class format the more techniques taught. Lots of short demonstrations
throughout a 5 day class. |
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Adventure in Curves Using
Leigh's new pattern, learn quick and easy curved piecing with
no pins. All curves cut with rotary cutter, pieces mixed, sewing
and cut again. Pattern available. |
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Fabric Collage with Free Motion Machine Embroidery Design a fused fabric collage and learn free-motion machine embroidery.
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Tiny Jewels Similar to Fabric Collage with Machine Embroidery with additional
techniques taught. Additional techniques include: couched yarns
and decorative threads, bobbin darning, collage design techniques
and hand beading. |
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Beading and Silk Ribbon Embroidery for the Art Quilter Learn contemporary beading techniques and silk ribbon embroidery stitches while working on a small sampler. Silk ribbon embroidery and beading bring texture and a touch of glitz to any art quilt. (Beg/Adv, 1-day) |
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Stained Glass Hummingbird or Trillium Using
Leigh's stained glass patterns, this class uses fused bias tape
with twin needle stitching. Quick and easy even the Beginner will
be almost done in a day. |
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The Art Quilt: A Layering of Techniques Opportunity to explore a variety of hand and machine techniques while
making one or two small art quilts. Free-form piecing techniques,
collage, machine embroidery, bobbin darning, couching, hand embroidery
and beading are all taught. |
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Contact information: home | about Leigh | workshops | gallery | patterns | studio | links Copyright © 2005 Leigh E. McDonald. All Rights Reserved. Site last updated January, 2012. |
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