28 May 2013

Camp Stitchalot

Won't you join me on a quilting retreat this summer? I'll be teaching at Camp Stitchalot in Ann Arbor this August 9-11, hosted by Pink Castle Fabrics. There will also be three more amazing teachers: Jacquie Gering (Tallgrass Prairie Studio), Amanda Jean Nyberg (Crazy Mom Quilts), and Rossie Hutchinson (Fresh Modern Quilts).


I'll be teaching curved piecing techniques, starting with curved improv. This is the 20" block I made for the retreat sample quilt. The idea for the retreat is we'll have focused instruction time with each teacher, then mentored studio time to explore the new techniques individually and together.


Brenda and Rossie sent out four solids to each of the teachers, with instructions to stick to the palette so all our blocks would work together for the sample quilt. Not very good at following directions, I added four additional fabrics in equal measure, including two prints, naturally. Hopefully it won't get me in too much trouble.









I love quilts where improv and traditional precise piecing bump into each other, and that's what I was exploring in this block. I used the same approach in my recent Sunrise and Orb quilts.


I'll have more photos and discussion soon of the quilt beneath the block in this photo. It's another use of improv curved piecing, here in a (perhaps) more approachable rectangular setting.

I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to Summer Camp Stitchalot. Brenda's (Just a Bit Frayed) spring retreat came off as a mad success. You can read full reports, including descriptions of the idyllic rural B&B venue, from Katy Ginger Monkey Jones here and here, and more from Rossie Hutchinson here.

Hope to see you at camp!

13 comments:

  1. oh boy, now i'm super jealous of anyone who gets to go to camp stitchalot. wish i could be there.

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  2. Here's me jumping up and down that I'll get to learn how to do this! Camp was fantastic and I cannot wait to return. See you in August!

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  3. Sounds sooo wonderful, I'm jealous. I'm so glad to hear I'm not the only one that doesn't follow directions all that well. Your blocks look amazing!!

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  4. Jealous? Moi? *sob* Your blocks are of course stunning!

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  5. I'm so looking forward to learning from you! See you in August!

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  6. I love this block! I'm glad you didn't follow instructions - the print fabrics really bring it to life.

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  7. I would love to be there!!
    that block is amazing Dan!

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  8. I just discovered your blog via Jacquie Gering and I'm so glad I did! Wish I could go to camp too, but not this year. I just started piecing some curves, and it is so nice to see what you are doing with yours . . . Take care, Byrd

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  9. Was just over at the camp stitch a lot page and then jumped over here, wow you are amazing! Enjoying your blog this evening, love your work. Fingers crossed I can go to the camp, would love to take a class from you!

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  10. I thought hard about buying a ticket to camp so I could fawn over you in real life. But I'm too cheap. I love how you refused to follow the fabric rules. Did they put you in time out? Make you wear a dunce cap? Bad Dan, no biscuit.

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  11. I love the block on the photo! Nice colors and interesting pattern! It reminds me of the ocean.

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