Workshops and Lectures
Barbara Dann is a passionate quilter with too many ideas and never enough time! She’s a quilting educator, specializing in Studio 180 Design and SEW KIND OF WONDERFUL tools and techniques. She teaches at guilds, quilt shops and quilt shows. Barbara’s workshops are relaxed, informative, and fun. She enjoys teaching quilters of all skill levels and shares many tips and ideas that make piecing easier, faster and more accurate.
For more information or to schedule a lecture and workshop , contact Barbara at barbara@alleycatquiltworks.com
Lectures
Diva Detectives! Become a quilt detective. How is that block made? How can I make it in a different size? How can I make small changes to my quilts for big impact? How do I use the Studio 180 Design tools? Answers to these questions and many more during this fun, lively and informative lecture and trunk show!
"Not Your Average Trunk Show" - Quilters enjoy my stories, my "I wish I'd done it differently" quilts and how I choose fabrics and color. I also share the quilting tools I use and love! An inspiring and entertaining trunk show!
Chic Country
Curves ahead! No stress, no pins, no puckers!
The Chic Country quilt is a contemporary version of a traditional winding ways design. We have taken a complex traditional design and simplified it by using the Quick Curve Ruler to cut the curved pieces, and then use an easy no-stress curved sewing technique.
Check out my Pinterest page for tons of inspiration!
"Sparkle"
Two Day Workshop
This quilt is designed combining two favorite quilt blocks, the Rambler and V Star (also known as the Peaky and Spike/50-40 or Fight Block). If you collect or love Fat Quarters, this is the quilt to make. It makes fabulous use of Fat Quarters, and it's perfect for any color background. For the most sparkle, go with a high contrast between your background fabric and Fat Quarters. And if you can't decide - half dark and half light background looks fabulous!
This class includes step by step instructions for the Tucker Trimmer, V-Block and Corner Pop - great value - 3 tools in one class! Additionally, I'll share lots of hints and tips on organization, machine piecing, cutting and pressing.
Required tools - Tucker Trimmer 1, V Block, and Corner Pop
Finished Quilt Sizes: Throw: 56” x 56”, Twin 68” x 92”, Queen 92” x 104” (your choice for class)
"Diamonds in the Sky" is a brilliant high contrast quilt. The Corner Beam blocks used throughout the design give you an alternating diamond illusion that simply radiates beauty. While we made our Diamonds in the Sky project with a medley of bright fat quarters for our stars, you could use 6” strips or scraps of bright fabric to make this a dynamite stash-buster project.
This class includes step by step instructions for the Corner Beam. Additionally, I'll share lots of hints and tips on organization, machine piecing, matching points, cutting and pressing.
Required for class
Studio 180 Designs Corner Beam
Diamonds in the Sky Quilt Pattern
"Tumbling Triangles"
By combining two contrasting fabrics you will create triangles tumbling down the quilt. This quilt can be made in six (!) different sizes from 13" x 13" mini to a queen size 80" x 80"! It's your choice for the class. The triangles are made using the V-Block tool -what was once a difficult block to make is now super easy. Before class prep is minimal - cutting strips and a few squares. And only two fabrics - this is a great quilt to use that fabulous print you've been saving!
Required for class:
"Jenn's Journey" is a modern play on a Snail’s Trail quilt layout. This design makes excellent use of those 1-yard+ fabric cuts you have been collecting. This class includes step by step instructions for the Large Square Squared and the Diamond Rects tools. Additionally, I'll share lots of hints and tips on machine piecing, matching points, cutting and pressing.
Three project sizes – Throw (68"x 68"), Twin (68” x 92”), and Queen (92” x 116”)
Required for this class
Studio 180 Designs Large Square Squared
Studio 180 Designs Diamond Rects
Jenn's Journey Pattern
"Love Links"
Interlocking chevrons make a fun and unique looking quilt. A difficult looking design is made easy using flying geese, making this a quick and easy quilt to master. Additionally, I'll share lots of hints and tips on machine piecing, matching points, organizing, cutting and pressing.
Eight project sizes from 13” x 14” to 104" x 112"
Wing Clipper
Love Links Pattern
We all have a “Bucket List” quilt or two. You know the ones – you want to make it but don’t really feel like you have the skills or the time. “Storm at Sea” was on my “Bucket List”! No paper piecing, no templates, no stress – making this quilt is fun!!!
Required for this workshop:
Studio 180 Design's Diamond Rects
Studio 180 Design's Square Squared
Pattern is included with the workshop.
See my Pinterest page for more inspiration - https://www.pinterest.com/barbara_dann/storm-at-sea-quilts/
"Constellation"
Finally! A tool and technique to quickly, easily and accurately piece traditional Lemoyne Star blocks in 10 different sizes! The blocks are strip pieced, assembled without “Y” seams, and pieced slightly over sized so each can be trimmed to perfection. In the class you will learn the process and construct several different sized stars that you can use to make your own Constellation quilt. Additionally, I'll share lots of hints and tips on machine piecing, matching points, organizing, cutting and pressing.
Required for class:
Studio 180 Design's Rapid Fire Lemoyne Star - pattern is included with tool
Studio 180 Designs's Tucker Trimmer III - recommended
"Galaxy" is a beautiful alternating block design using two types of blocks, one with a red star and one with a blue star.
Because of the color placement and the different angles in the triangles, the interesting interlocking circles appear and the second star block disappears into the circles. It’s an optical illusion – no curved piecing!! Additionally, I'll share lots of hints and tips on machine piecing, matching points, organizing, cutting and pressing.
This quilt can be made in three different sizes – 6”, 9” or 12’ blocks.
Required for class:
Studio 180 Design's V-Block
Studio 180 Design's Tucker Trimmer
Studio 180 Design's Galaxy Pattern
Create the illusion of stars floating over the surface of your quilt and casting shadows below. All these Flying Geese are made using the Wing Clipper - in my opinion the only way to make Flying Geese successfully (and without cursing!) Easy fabric selections - light, medium and dark and you'll be making fabulous Flying Geese in no time at all! Additionally, I'll share lots of hints and tips on machine piecing, matching points, organizing, cutting and pressing.
Required for class:
Studio 180 Design's Wing Clipper
Studio 180 Design's Star Shadows Pattern
Rangeley Stars Wall Quilt
The Rangeley Stars have a complex look, but are actually very easy to construct. Using the Tucker Trimmer tool and an additional trim, all those complicated star points become simple to make. Just what we like! You’ll learn everything you need to know (and a little more!) about the Tucker Trimmer. And you’ll understand why I call it my favorite “power tool!”
Additionally, I'll share lots of hints and tips on machine piecing, matching points, organizing, cutting and pressing.
Required for class:
Tucker Trimmer
Rangeley Stars Wall Quilt
"Summer Star"
A quick and easy summer Carpenter Star that is a great use for those scraps, fat quarter, or yardage you have been collecting. Six sizes included! All sizes are made with the same number of units; the size of the half square triangle units determines the size of the quilt. Step-by-step instruction and diagrams included for all six sizes.
For the most dramatic effect consider a Split-Complementary color plan, colors opposite each other on the color wheel, picking colors from the warm side (orange/pink) and then across to the cool side (blue/green). If you would prefer a more blended effect, consider a Complementary color plan (colors next to each other on the color wheel such as blue and green).
Summer Star requires Studio 180 Design’s Tucker Trimmer III™ (TT3) or Tucker Trimmer I™ (TT1) depending on the size of the finished quilt.
Finished Quilt Sizes: Baby 51” x 51”, Wall 61” x 61”, Throw 74” x 74”, Double, 87” x 87”, Queen 98” x 98”, and King 108” x 108”
This class includes step by step instructions for Studio 180 Design's Tucker Trimmer I or III Additionally, I'll share lots of hints and tips on organization, machine piecing, cutting and pressing.
Required for workshop:
Summer Star Quilt Pattern
Tucker Trimmer I or Tucker Trimmer III
Holiday Extravaganza
Three Day Workshop for Quilt shops, Retreats or Quilt Guilds!
Holiday Extravaganza is a 3-day Technique Building Class featuring Studio 180 Design Tools. There are 11 different blocks and three different border settings. The Studio 180 Design Tools that are introduced over the 11 Blocks are the Rapid-Fire Lemoyne Star, Tucker Trimmer III, Wing Clipper I, V Block, Quilter’s Magic Wand and (Optional) – Tucker Trimmer I. What a great way to learn (or perfect) these tools and make a stunning quilt at the same time!
Holiday Extravaganza comes together beautifully with Holiday fabric; however, it is just as beautiful with non-Holiday fabric!
Quilters of all levels will enjoy this Technique Building class. Confident beginners with basic knowledge of quilting and a willingness to learn should consider this class. All students will learn four Studio 180 Design tools and many different quilting techniques. These tools and techniques can be used over and over in your quilting projects. Join me for three days of learning, quilting and laughter!
The Studio 180 Design Tools are introduced over the 11 Blocks:
• Rapid Fire Lemoyne Star
• Tucker Trimmer III
• Wing Clipper I
• V Block
• Quilter’s Magic Wand
• Optional – Tucker Trimmer I
"In Flight"
This fun, quick and easy quilt that can be made with scraps, fat quarters, yardage, etc… you pick! The pattern offers 4 sizes and 4 setting options. All sizes are made with the same number of blocks and units, the size of the flying geese units determines the size of the quilt. In Flight comes together easily with the Wing Clipper I tool.
Finished Quilt Sizes: Baby 50” x 50”, Throw 70” x 70”, Double 90” x 90”, & King 110” x 110”
This class includes step by step instructions for the Wing Clipper. You'll be making perfect Flying Geese in no time!! Additionally, I'll share lots of hints and tips on organization, machine piecing, cutting and pressing.
Required for class:
Mod Lights
No need to fear curves anymore! Join me for this educational and fun class - sewing curves has never been easier!
