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**************** Rita Collen has been doing needlework since she was three years old and sewing since her father taught her to use sewing machine at the age of 10. Since then she has experimented with nearly every form of needlework and sewing. The quilting “bug” settled in back in 1984 with her first attempt at a log cabin “Quilt in a Day” and has since expanded to include machine piecing, hand and machine applique’, miniatures, paper piecing, hand quilting, hand piecing and most recently, collage-style quilts. In her almost 15 years of teaching quilting techniques at guilds, community colleges and quilt shops, she has specialized in breaking down quiltmaking techniques into easy-to-understand components that encourage rather than frustrate students. Rita’s classes emphasize fun, creativity and possibility and are suitable for beginners desiring to learn basic techniques to more advanced quilters seeking to expand their experiences. Workshops are delivered in an upbeat style that incorporates humor and encouragement, making your quilting conference, guild meeting or shop classes a positive experience for participants.
Contact Rita at: I am always adding new classes to my line-up, so if you do not see what you are looking for, please contact me. Current Workshops: The class formats described below are those used in a conference or workshop setting. All of these classes can be adapted for presentation in one or more sessions in a quilt shop or community education setting. Scrapbook Quilts Suitable for all levelsHalf-Day Class Introduction to the Scrapbook Quilts concept and techniques, with participants beginning to design and construct their project. Full-Day Class Introduction to the Scrapbook Quilts concept and techniques, with participants experimenting with techniques and designing their own quilt in the morning, with construction talking place in the afternoon.Project: Small wall quilt that incorporates photo transfer and resembles a completed scrapbook page. Scrapbooking has become one of the fastest growing hobbies today. The combination of family memories, colors, textures and materials in photo scrapbooks hold a special charm that brings joy to those who browse the pages. Combine your love of fabrics and quilting with your passion for preserving photo memories in this class which brings scrapbook-like designs out of the scrapbook and onto a wall or pillow. This class uses an original pattern designed by the instructor, easy sewing and appliqué techniques, simple photo transfer and a variety of beautiful embellishments to create a stunning quilt that is sure to inspire many happy memories. Redwork Embroidery Quilts and MoreSuitable for all levels Half-Day Class: Redwork embroidery only, with examples of how redwork blocks can be incorporated into pieced work Full Day Class: Redwork embroidery in the morning, followed by pieced blocks using redwork in the afternoon Project: Wall quilt that incorporates redwork embroidery with simple pieced blocksRedwork, a needle art that was very popular from 1885 to 1935 is making a huge comeback. Characterized by red stitches on a white or ivory background, this fun, easy and beautiful style of embroidery can be used to embellish clothing, household linens, quilts, and pillows. Best of all, it is easy, inexpensive and fun! In this hands-on class, you will learn to transfer patterns and practice the four basic stitches used in redwork. We’ll also add a few simple quilt blocks and settings that will make your embroidery work really shine. Strip-Pieced Water Color Quilts Suitable for all levels Full Day Class: Fabric selection, principles of watercolor design and layout, rotary cutting and chain sewing techniques and tips, cutting and beginning to sew the class project Project: “Watercolor Rails” quiltIf you love the look of beautiful watercolor quilts but are hesitant to try one because of all those little 2” squares, this class is for you! In this class, we will explore the basic principles of watercolor quilting with a twist. Instead of creating the color wash designs with 2” squares, this method, developed by quilter and designer Deanna Spingola, uses easy strip piecing techniques and tools, but with a stunning result. Quick and Easy Quilts – Watercolor StyleSuitable for all levels Half Day Class: Fabric selection, basic principles of quick watercolor quilting, layout using 2” grid, tips for sewing on grid; cutting and some layout in class – no sewing Full Day Class: Fabric selection, basic principles of quick watercolor quilting, layout using 2” grid, tips for sewing on grid, cutting and layout in class beginning to sew the class project Project: “Heart Wreath” wall quiltThis quilt only looks difficult! Using the methods presented in this class, you will be on your way to creating stunning quilts with the look of watercolor in no time. With only 2 or 3 fabrics (instead of hundreds) and no small pieces to handle, this may become your favorite technique. The secret to this quilt is in the fabric selection and the use of a lightweight fusible grid that eliminates the need to sew all of those 2” squares. Versatile, quick and easy! Ideal for last minute gifts. “Featured Fabric” QuiltsSuitable for all levelsFull Day Class: Fabric selection, tips and techniques for selecting and using novelty fabrics, cutting and sewing in class on class project Project: “Featured Fabric” quilt in participants’ choice of sizeIf you’ve been admiring those adorable “I Spy” quilts but hesitate because of the fussy template cutting and weird shapes – or even if you just love novelty fabrics, and want a quilt that is quick to make, the “Featured Fabric” quilt is just your style. Using your collection of fabrics and only simple shapes (no templates!) you can make a quilt that will delight young or old! This original pattern, designed by Rita Collen is great for showcasing a favorite fabric collection, theme-related design, novelty fabrics and even your collection of 5” charm squares. Simply Charming - Charm QuiltsSuitable for all levelsHalf-Day Class: Overview and history of charm quilts, trunk show of miniature charm quilts, popular patterns and themes, template and strip cutting, construction tips and techniques appropriate to the design– some sewing time Full Day Class: Overview and history of charm quilts, trunk show of miniature charm quilts, popular patterns and themes, template and strip cutting, construction tips and techniques appropriate to the design– ample sewing time in class Project: Class offers a choice of the “Apple Core” quilt or the “Thimble” quilt in either miniature or “regular” size.Collecting fabrics and sewing them into charm quilts was very popular during the Victorian era, but these simple quilt designs are every bit as beautiful in today’s fabrics. Charm quilts are a great way to polish your basic skills and use up your scraps. In this class we will share techniques for rotary cutting using templates, fabric selection and tips for sewing accurate seams. Participants who choose to make the “Apple Core” quilt will have the opportunity to learn to sew curved seams by hand and with their sewing machine. Those who prefer small-scale designs will learn to piece an “Anniversary Thimble” quilt with accurate seams. You Can Hand Quilt! Suitable for all levelsHalf Day Class: Overview of products and materials that help to make the hand quilting stitch easier and more successful, demonstrate and facilitate participants as they learning the hand quilting stitch, some practice time Full Day Class: Overview of products and materials that help to make the hand quilting stitch easier and more successful, demonstrate and facilitate participants as they learning the hand quilting stitch, ample practice time with one-on-one instructor coaching Project: Small quilted whole cloth wall hanging or table matNow you can finish your quilt like a real heirloom. This class will take the “mystery” out of making even, fine hand quilting stitches. It’s not as hard as you think. Learn about the tools, tips and techniques that can help you finish your quilts with beautiful hand quilting, along with some one-on-one coaching to help you improve your quilting stitch. ************************************ |
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