Big Sky Quilt Retreat 2009
Threads That Bind
March 11 - 14, 2009
Shrine Auditorium
1125 Broadwater Avenue
Billings, MT
Click Here For Directions!
Featuring: Debbie Caffrey(www.debbiescreativemoments.com),
Laura Cater-Woods (www.cater-woods.com),
Kim Diehl (www.kimdiehl.com), Melody Randol
(www.melodyquilts.com), Barb Cribb (www.wildthymespatternco.com),
Laura Heine (www.fiberworks-heine.com),
Cheryl Wittmayer (http://sew-be-it.biz)
Choose an item to download:
Complete Brochure
Registration Form
Quilt Entry Form
2009 Raffle Quilt
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Debbie Caffrey |
POWER CUTTING & POWER CUTTING, TOO
Thursday, March 12th
Based upon books of the same title, Power Cutting is a fast and efficient
approach to rotary cutting. You will learn a wide array of cutting techniques
that allow quilters to choose the one that is best for the task at hand. For
instance, making a few large half-square triangle units for a quilt should
employ a different approach than making many small units. Working with scraps,
strips, and charm squares requires different techniques than working with
yardage of a few fabrics. Quilters will bring fabrics to use for exercises to
learn the various methods of power cutting in this process class. By using what
you learn in the process exercises, quilters will approach the construction of
future quilts in a much more efficient manner. Skill Level: All Levels |
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OPEN A CAN OF WORMS & ANOTHER CAN OF WORMS
Friday, March 13th
Based upon books of the same title. This workshop is designed to show you how
many different ways you can dice a worm (a 2 1/2” wide strip of fabric) to
create fast and fun quilts. This class allows enough time to make samples and
learn techniques so the blocks you will make are various sizes, but with some
creativity, they could be combined into one quilt. More likely, these will be
samples for you to learn the skills for making dozens of quilts. Don’t let the
fact that the quilts are based upon strips fool you. There are a few
strip-pieced projects, but there are many more that have triangles, trapezoids,
and other shapes. It is a wonderful class for introducing scrap or multi-fabric
quilts, and a variety of skills and techniques. There are no templates for any
of the quilts! By the end of this workshop, you will agree that we have really
“Opened A Can Of Worms”. Skill Level: All Levels |
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MYSTERY QUILT
Friday Evening, March 13th (6:30 pm to 9:30 pm)
Don’t miss out on the fun of doing this Mystery Class as Debbie Caffrey has
designed and published mystery patterns for 15 years! You will be making a table
runner from the “Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner” series and the rest is, well, a
Mystery!
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SURROUNDED BY MONKEYS
Saturday, March 14th
How did this quilt get such a name? This pattern was originally designed as a
mystery quilt for a retreat that had an "On Safari" theme. The circles in the
setting reminded Debbie of the traditional Burgoyne Surrounded Block. Lastly, as
she was proofreading the pattern during commercials while watching the Super
Bowl, she thought the commercials showing a man working in an office with a
bunch of chimpanzees were hilarious. All these things came together to give this
quilt its odd name. This unique setting gives the illusion of circles, but uses
simple strip piecing techniques. Pattern included with class fee. Skill
Level: All Levels |
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Laura Cater-Woods |
THE COLOR OF LIGHT
Thursday, March 12th
Great for anyone who wants to learn more about working with color. Work with
color in cloth to explore different light effects including transparency,
translucence, back light, side light and inner glow. No color wheels, no
conflicting color theories. This is a totally visual learning process and a
great deal of fun with no sewing. This is not a project class but participants
will have some small color studios at the end of the day.
Skill Level: All Skill Levels |
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OFF THE WALL / ONTO THE PAGE
2 Day Class—Friday, March 13th & Saturday, March 14th
Create three dimensional, folding “mixed media” books. These may be landscapes,
memory books, or collections of techniques; the possibilities are endless!
Explore new materials, multiple techniques and create a unique and personal
book. Sewing machines optional. Skill Level: All Skill Levels
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Cheryl Wittmayer |
WANDERING GEESE
Thursday, March 12th
She’s at it again! Learn to make any size geese in no time at all. It is just
too easy to have these geese wandering back and forth across the quilt! Cheryl
will have more samples in class to show you that the possibilities are endless.
Skill Level: All Skill Levels |
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NEW CLASS!
CURVES! CURVES! CURVES!
Saturday, March 14th
There’s no stopping her! In this class, you have the choice of three different
patterns to choose from. All three quilts are scrappy with slightly different
technique for the free-hand cutting of the curves. Shallow curves make the
piecing fast and easy! Curvaceous is medallion style. Curvalishish is strippy
with ribbon trim or rick rack on the block seams. Dots and Dashes is simply
sashed to let the blocks sing. Join in the fun!!
Skill Level: All Skill Levels/i> |
Curvaceous
Curvalishish
Dots & Dashes |
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Kim Diehl |
FRONT PORCH POSIES
Thursday, March 12th
Ideal for learning Kim’s easy invisible machine appliqué technique, this
lap-size quilt combines simple yet striking patchwork with gently curved vines
and colorful appliquéd posies. Class time will begin with the center patchwork
portion of this project, and then you’ll learn Kim’s tips and tricks for easily
centered appliqué designs, time-saving methods for pattern piece and appliqué
preparation, and how to use your sewing machine to achieve finished appliqués
that truly look hand stitched. Frame your center block with the middle Churn
Dash border for a stunning table topper, or make the center block alone for a
wall hanging that’s long on charm without the long-term commitment. Skill
Level: All Skill Levels
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MOCHA STARS
Friday, March 13th
Create these sparkling stars using a fun and unique freezer paper piecing
technique, and then recycle your paper pattern pieces as you machine appliqué
them into place. All aspects of Kim's easily mastered methods will be covered in
this class, including design placement, tips for preparing appliqué with smooth,
flowing edges, and using your sewing machine to achieve finished appliqués that
look hand-stitched. Large-scale stars and simply-shaped flowering vines make
this a perfect learning project for beginners. If you've been hesitant to try
appliqué, this class will open new avenues of quilt making for you! Skill
Level: Advanced Beginner & Beyond |
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OCTOBER MORNING
Saturday, March 14th
Spend the day with Kim while discovering just how simple it can be to prepare
machine-stitched appliqués that closely resemble the look of traditional hand
stitching. Reserved just for Kim’s classes, this unpublished design features big
and bold blossoms in burnished shades of autumn with meandering vines of
bittersweet – a perfect project for learning all aspects of this modern
time-saving technique! Skill Level: All Skill Levels |
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Barb Cribb |
CUSTOM WOOL SHOULDER BAG Friday, March 13th Bags are so popular right now! In
this class Barb will help you customize your bag to match your inside lining
fabric. The main part of the bag will be wool but the lining will be a cotton of
your choice that you will bring to the class. From that lining Barb will draw an
inspiration for your wool appliqué designs. Kits will be available at a reduced
price of $40 and will include all the felted wool you will need to finish your
bag. Each bag will be one-of-a-kind! Skill Level: All Skill Levels
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Melody Randol |
FREEFORM CONTEMPORARY PIECING
Thursday, March 12th
There’s much more to quilt making than perfect points and quarter inch seams.
Toss those templates and patterns and try your hand at improvisational piecing.
Students learn numerous ways to piece fabrics in artful, fun and fascinating
ways without measuring or marking. You’ll play with techniques like Gentle
Curves, Slice-n-Dice, Crazy Cabins, Random Geometric Design, Freeform Stars, and
more. This workshop gives quilters techniques and strategies to break out of the
box and into creating art quilts. Skill Level: All Skill Levels |
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STENCILS AND SPONGES
2 Day Class—Friday, March 13th & Saturday, March 14th
Create a quilt like those featured in the October 2006 issue of Quilter’s
Newsletter Magazine using Melody’s stencil and sponge paint technique. In this
2-day workshop, you’ll create a quilt top unlike any other you have made. First,
you will create a background for either a TREE or TIGER. There will be several
tree and tiger stencils offered, and you’ll choose one for your project. On the
second day, you’ll stencil your tree or tiger onto your quilt top. Skill
Level: All Skill Levels |
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Laura Heine |
FLOOR CLOTH QUILT
Saturday, March 14th
Floor quilts are the rage! Turn your favorite fabrics and quilt patterns into
durable, washable floorcloths! Laura will teach you step-by-step how to have
no-sew fun with fabric decoupage floor cloths in this one day class! Book & kit
purchase is required. Some additional supplies are also required so be sure to
pick them up well before the class date! Skill Level: All Skill Levels |
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