I offer talks on my career as designer and writer. These are illustrated with a host
of patchwork quilts that will, I hope, inform and inspire you. Talks last about one hour,
they are informal with opportunities for questions and answers.

Click Quilts for Bookings and Useful Contacts.

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1. A Quilters Journey - a 'hands on' tour of quilts made over the last 20 years with related stories and tips. Mostly Scrap Quilts representing Katharines progress as a quilter, from the early use of dressmaking offcuts to designer fabrics custom made for quilters.
2. Small and Miniature Quilts. Demonstration and talk. A collection of small and miniature quilts in a variety of styles and techniques, ranging from traditional blocks such as 'Roman Stripe', 'Churn Dash' and 'Broken Dishes' to 'Modern Art Minis'

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Katharine's Workshops.

House Blocks With Attitude Liberated piecing techniques are applied to house blocks to give your quilts that contemporary look. This is an improvisational way of working without templates and no two house blocks turn out the same. Quick pieced flying geese units are adapted to make pine trees, then a border of irregular sawtooth sashing and simple blocks completes your quilt or wallhanging which can be made any size from small wallhanging to king size. You will learn a variety of piecing techniques including how to fit all these separate pieces together into an effective and individual quilt. All template free. A relaxed day when you don't have to worry too much about precision piecing. Ideal for scrapbag quilts to use up those bits. Students will need to be familiar with the rotary cutting set and straight stitch on the sewing machine
Colour Blocks and Wacky Stars No need for templates or any measuring when you make the colour blocks in this technique. You select a set of fabrics to work with, which can be arrestingly bright, or a co -ordinating colour scheme,depending on your mood, then cut and sew. It's as easy as that! Minimal measuring or marking makes this a relaxing day when you can let go, enjoy yourself and create surprisingly fast results. The second block in the workshop combines well with 'colour blocks' and is totally liberated piecing - a technique found in the book of the same name by Gwen Marston. No two stars turn out the same and you can make them in any size, which can be made to fit alongside the colour blocks using Katharine's fiendish fudging methods.The blocks can be used in a number of ways and are suitable for quilts, cushions or bags.Students must be familiar with the rotary cutting set and sewing machine. A recent addition to this workshop is the 'tilted pinwheel' block which also combines well with the previous two.
Cropped Pinwheels The quilt which forms the basis of this workshop was in the Quilters Guild exhibition at Dean Clough in Halifax (1996) and was subsequently accepted for the A.Q.S. show in Paducah. U.S.A. in 1997. The technique was recently featured in 'Patchwork and Quilting' magazine with additional samples. The idea of cropping a simple block gives any piece of work movement and can be used in a variety of ways to produce a unique and original piece of work. Suitable for quilts and smaller items such as cushions, bags etc. Students will need to be familiar with the rotary cutting set and basic machine piecing.
Stars and Scraps:Scrap Quilt Stars and Scraps: Scrap Quilt Based on the quilts 'Stars and Scraps' which won a first prize in its category at the Festival of Quilts at the N.E.C. in Birmingham 2003 and featured in 'Fabrications' magazine, this workshop will show you how to make effective scrap quilts from a number of simple star blocks combined with scrap fabrics. Quick piecing and rotary cutting techniques cut out the need to use templates and speed up the production process. Students must be familiar with the rotary cutting set and the sewing machine as this method of working requires precision in both the cutting and the sewing of an accurate ¼-inch seam.
Scrap Quilts for the fabric collector. Forget 'Formula' quilts which use blocks, strips or repeating patterns. This workshop will teach you how to manipulate simple shapes using quick piecing techniques to create a unique piece of work. Using as many fabrics as you have in your collection you will combine triangles and squares in a variety of sizes to make a rich pattern and suface texture for your quilts. The workshop will be illustrated with examples of the technique to inspire you but at the end of the day each piece of work created will be different. Most effective for quilts but could be used in smaller items such as bags or cushions.
Mix and Mash Minis What are 'Mix and Mash Minis?!' These are little quilts which incorporate a number of different piecing techniques. Because they are quick to make, and economical on fabric you can afford to be more adventurous with colours and the way you put the different elements together. They can be treated as a 'sketch' for a larger quilt or as little works of art in their own right. Inspirational samples to study on the day which you will be welcome to photograph. What will I learn in a day? Quick piecing techniques combined with rotary cutting, no template methods of making the basic units needed on a small scale. Joining strips with curved seams but without templates, tilted blocks, wavy borders, prairie points and more. Confidence in handling colour and combining geometric shapes. In addition, its fun, experimental and will give you ideas to incorporate into larger pieces of work. Students should be familiar with the rotary cutting set and sewing machine.
Creative Snail Trail Snail Trail is an intriguing block which relies for its effect on the correct placement of dark and light fabrics. Although the design gives the illusion of curves all the seams are straight making it fairly simple to contruct in any size, either by regular or foundation piecing methods. Both techniques will be explained. Once the blocks are made there are a number of ways to put them together giving a variety of options for the finished quilt. Snail trail blocks can also be used for smaller items such as cushions or bags if you don't want to embark on another major project.
Patchwork Postcards and Pinboard Quilts Learn to manage composition with shapes and colours on a miniature scale of 6½" x 4½" Piecing techniques include curved seams, strips and prairie points. Each 'postcard' is interlined with 'stitch 'n' tear', backed with handmade paper, then machine quilted ready to frame or mount onto a small canvas. A miniature 'Art Quilt' They are also ideal for individual greetings cards. In a one day workshop you will have time to make several finished postcards to explore the principles of abstract shapes, line, form and colour. Another option is to make a 'Pinboard Quilt' a small quilt using similar techniques which is finished with wadding and quilted by machine. Lots of samples to inspire you on the day.
The Versatile Goose Learn a quick method of making the Flying Geese units, which are made from two sizes of triangle - one larger one (the 'goose') and two smaller ones (the background or 'sky') and then make a selection of blocks using this unit. 'Dutchman's Puzzle', 'Eight Pointed Star' and a 'Sophisticated Pinwheel' as well as Flying Geese itself are all possible in a short time. Very versatile for blocks, borders, sampler quilts and smaller items such as cushions bags and wallhangings. Lots of samples to inspire you. All skill levels. Sewing machine required.
Beside the Seaside In this workshop, students will learn how to piece miniature patchwork blocks on a seaside theme: Beach-huts, Sailing Boats, Fish and a Lighthouse using the foundation method. This involves stitching the patches to a lightweight fabic foundation onto which a design has been stamped or drawn. Blocks can be used to make an individual greeting card or as the beginning of a small wallhanging, cushion or bag. There will be a collection of miniature quilts to study as examples.