by Kathleen Barkley
On May 20 & 21, the Kenai Peninsula Quilting Guild sponsored a two-day Workshop, "Beasts in the Jungle," by renowned Quilt Artist, Susan Else. The class explored techniques for making 3D forms in fabric including flowers, vines, and whimsical animals. Susan's Friday night Trunk Show & Lecture was also well attended with 38 participants. A big thank you to Barb Steckel for making the original contact with Susan Else.
Quilt Instructor, Jacquie Gering, who was originally scheduled to teach a two-day class on August 26 & 27, 2016 is not able to come to Alaska at this time due to family medical issues. Jacquie asked that we reschedule her at a later date.
I have been in contact with Joan Shay who is interested in coming to Soldotna next June to teach her dimensional technique known as Appli-Bond. Joan has taught classes on three cruises to Alaska but has never visited other than in the inland waterway. She has written six books and has over 60 patterns using her technique. Joan, who resides in Florida, has taught extensively in the United States (she is currently teaching a class in North Carolina), on quilt cruises, and in England, Ireland, Scotland, France, & Canada. To quote Joan, "I love to teach and my students enjoy not only learning a new technique but many quilting tips along the way. Appli-bond appeals to beginners "because they are very successful and to experts because they can design with it."
Class participants do not need a sewing machine in class and the quilts, even though they are dimensional, can be washed in the washing machine. Clothing can also be embellished using Joan's Appli-Bond technique. Her lecture consists of about 50 quilts. You can visit Joan's website at www.petalplay.com to view her work.
I have also been in contact with Deb Tucker, https://www.studio180design.net/aboutus/. Deb will be teaching a class in Canada in the summer of 2017 and has indicated an interest in coming to Alaska. Several KPGQ members has taken a class from Deb and highly recommend her as an instructor.
Other instructors that have expressed an interest in coming to Alaska and teaching our Guild new classes & techniques are: Cynthia England, www.englanddesign.com, Maggie Ball, www.dragonflyquilts.com, & Gudrun Erla, www.gequiltdesigns.com.
If anyone has any suggestions for instructors/classes they would like to see the Guild sponsor, please bring it to the attention of the Education Committee. Your Education Committee members are Sue Magyar, Barb Steckel, Alice Krivitsky, Cathy Howlett, Donna Glenz, Lorna Cramer, and Cheri Worley.
