Hooray!!!  Today registration opens at my shop for Handstitched Class at Stitched in Color!  Class begins June 4th.  Oooh, I am so ready to tell you all about it!



We are modern sewists, and we do so love that sewing machine.  But, actually, there are still beautiful effects that are best realized needle in hand.  There's also something simply delicious and inexplicably relaxing about the slow, steady pace of handwork.  I hope you'll consider joining me for some slow stitching this summer, making beauty stitch by stitch, and developing new skills piece by beautiful piece.

I'm pleased to invite you to a 9-week online class, spanning June 4th through August 3rd.   It's 5 weeks of instruction alternating with 4 weeks of "space", allowing you room to enjoy each stitch.  All instruction is delivered via a separate password protected blog that allows you to access the lessons at your leisure, with posts delivered day to day during instruction weeks.

This is the class you can take with you on vacation - both the instructor and the projects! This is the class that doesn't mind if you take a break. This is a class that wants to fit into the nooks and crannies of your life to inspire you to pick up that needle and create.



Handstitched, which caters to both beginner and intermediate sewists, starts at the very beginning discussing needles, knots and threads.  Each week we'll focus on one category of handwork moving from Reverse Applique through Embroidery, English Paper Piecing, Applique and Hand Quilting with full, detailed photo tutorials and many downloadable templates. Each week you can choose from 3 very different projects for one that really fits your experience and interests.  Quilters will love that each week one of those projects is an installment in a handstitched masterpiece, the Modern Medallion quilt.

Here's a bit more detail on what we'll cover each week with a project preview...



Week 1:  Reverse Applique - Think of applique as a simple way to achieve any shape you desire. With reverse applique, the shape emerges by layering two fabrics and cutting away the top fabric to reveal what's underneath. Much easier to master than patchwork piecing, applique also allows for unbroken backgrounds and unbroken prints with no distracting seams (see the Dogwood Blossom at the center of our class quilt).  I love that!  This week we'll be using felt, knit jersey and quilting cottons for reverse applique.  Projects will cover raw edge and turned-under edge reverse applique.  And, no, it's not needle-turn applique. I'll show you an easier way!



Week 3:  Embroidery - Throughout the entire class you'll be learning basic skills essential to hand sewing such as which needle to use, what threads to consider, and basic stitches including the back stitch, running stitch, French knot, blanket stitch and whipstitch.  In this week we'll focus on techniques unique to embroidery such as options for transferring patterns, as well as experiment with alternative embroidery materials.  You'll also be taught a bunch of special embroidery stitches such as satin stitch, chain stitch, split stitch, herringbone and Pekinese stitch.  I have some fun ideas for "stitch sampler" projects that are designed to be used, rather than hung on the wall.  Plus, it's your chance to finally try Sashiko embroidery!

 

Week 5:  English Paper Piecing - Patchwork addicts, like myself, are always charmed by the perfect points and difficult seams made simple by English paper piecing.  This method of patchwork is entirely handstitched with the use of paper printouts that establish perfect geometric shapes.



I've designed an original English paper piecing motif, my " Star Blossom", which makes a large hexagon block.  There's also one project that combines this technique with embroidery and applique! Fun, fun.



Week 7:  Applique - In "regular" applique, as opposed to reverse applique, the desired shape is layered over a background fabric.  I'll show you how to use fusibles to simplify applique and make it more durable.  In addition to applique with fabrics, the Loop de doo project works with continuous lines.



Ok, I'll confess, I'm entirely smitten with this skirt.  You can use this simple technique to embellish any hem (skirt or dress) or even a tablecloth.  Oh, the possibilities!



Week 9:  Hand quilting -  Learn all the ropes to hand quilting, from hiding those knots to using a thimble.  I'll be demonstrating all hand quilting with pearl cotton, that chunky, luminous thread that we modern quilters love.  One project is designed to hone neat, even stitches.  Otherwise we'll be experimenting with how to use hand quilting to add beauty to your quilts and patchwork.   My Modern Medallion quilt is not hand quilted... yet.  But, I've included a generously sized solid frame (shown in gray) that's ripe for the quilting!

Choose your class!  June 4th class begins on several distinct private blogs where I can answer questions in the comments.  The super affordable Handstitched Class includes everything you're used to seeing from me in the way of detailed, step-by-step picture-packed tutorials and access to all projects (15 total, including all 5 installments on the Handstitched class quilt) at $35/$45.  Handstitched {Premium} adds extra helpful (and time-intensive) features like numerous video tutorials (including videos for most stitch techniques) and an eBook of the class for your reference at $55/$65.  And then there is a smaller, more exclusive Handstitched Camp for folks that want it all, plus lots of interaction, more of a community feeling and the give and take encouragement you'd experience in a real in-person class.  Each Handstitched Camp ($85) is limited to 20 campers and will enjoy (5) live community chats, each an hour in length, where we'll have a blast getting to know each other.  Campers also earn "merit badges" for completed class projects.  Yep, it's corny, and I love it!  If you earn 5 merit badges (one from each week of class) for projects completed by August 31st, I'll be sending you a little something handmade by me as a souvenir of Handstitched Camp.  I hope I get to make one for each of you!

There is an early registration discount of $10 for Handstitched Class and Handstitched Premium, only applicable during the week of May 10 - May 16th.  Prices are live and accurate at my shop.

Class runs June 4th through August 3rd.  Your access to the class blog will remain open through September 15th, during which time I will continue answering questions.  After September 15th the blog will be closed and you will no longer be able to login.  This provides much-need motivation for us to get everything we can out of the class in real time, rather than leaving it open ended for "someday."

FYI, I do not currently plan to sale the eBook separately in order to protect the value of this class.  I may, however, sell a few individual patterns separately.

I hope that every single one of you who are interested in learning the art of hand sewing will find a place that meets your needs and your budget.  Registration also includes access to the Handstitched Student Kit.  The kit is free, but you must cover shipping and handling costs.



So, Ta Da!  Please join in.  We're going to have a blast!