Lecture: Finding Pride & Joy in Quilting – My Journey Through Fabric & Foundation Paper Piecing

Duration: 60 minutes

Join me for an inspiring and interactive lecture that traces my personal journey through the vibrant world of quilting. “Finding Pride & Joy in Quilting” explores how I began with traditional techniques and gradually evolved into designing large-scale, intricate Foundation Paper Pieced (FPP) quilts that celebrate both technical precision and artistic expression.

During this 60-minute presentation, I share foundational insights into FPP, covering everything from design experimentation and pattern drafting essentials to avoiding common pitfalls and refining your technique. I also dive into modern approaches to color theory, fabric selection, and strategies for minimizing bulk to achieve polished, high-impact quilts.

This lecture is not just about my story, it’s about equipping and inspiring others. The format is highly interactive, with opportunities for attendees to ask questions throughout. I include live demonstrations to illustrate key concepts, and a curated trunk show featuring some of my favorite quilts that highlight the heart and joy behind every stitch.

Explore the art of storytelling through fabric in this immersive landscape quilt workshop, where Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP) takes center stage.

This class guides students through every essential element of creating a high-detail quilt—from managing bold, large-scale sections to precision-driven micro piecing—all while working within the thoughtful constraints of a limited color palette. You’ll learn how to balance color value, simplify complex forms into angular templates, and achieve clarity and depth using minimal hues.

Whether you're navigating sweeping skies or intricate architectural elements, this class equips you with the technical tools and creative strategies needed to bring expressive, layered landscapes to life through paper piecing.

This Workshop focuses on One of the Landscapes blocks within this series.

In this captivating one-day workshop, students will create a striking optical illusion of a beautifully detailed eye—crafted entirely from a single Foundation Paper Pieced (FPP) block using the classic log cabin structure in a bold, modern way.

Though deceptively simple in form, this design packs in a wealth of technique: students will learn how to control visual flow using color placement and value, achieve radiant contrast with intentional fabric gradation, and master clean, precise piecing even with sharp angles and tight turns. We’ll cover how to pre-sort and label fabric for efficient construction, use directional piecing to mimic curvature and depth, and troubleshoot common FPP challenges such as paper tension, bulk management, and alignment.

By the end of the day, students will walk away with a compelling eye motif that blends traditional structure with contemporary artistry—all from one seamless block