A Full Weekend of Classes- Kate's Curved Ruler Table Runner Workshop

We have a full weekend here at Cynthia's Ark. A class on Saturday and Sunday, unfortunately due to the heat on Friday I did cancel Friday nights Summer School session and reschedule it for this coming Friday. In a way that was a good thing as originally when I planned the class schedule the Summer School Placemat class was to run after the Beginner's Class On Ruler Work Quilting, so those who wanted to play more with the ruler work could have a follow up class and actually work on a project.  Due to the extreme  heat a few weeks ago that class was cancelled and rescheduled for this weekend. It is Sunday class. So now everything is back in the right order. Spots  are still available for the Placemat workshop.


Now on Saturday we had Kate's Curved Ruler Table Runner workshop. A full day workshop on learning how to cut curves and then sew them correctly.

Kate's Class Sample.

Here are some progress shots of everyone's blocks being made.

Plus by the evening we had one table runner completed by Shelly who went home and finished her table runner.

You will find all our workshops listed under the Events/ Workshop tab here on my blog or sign up for my newsletter and you will receive it in your inbox when I release the schedule. Our classes are small due to the size of our Classroom so book early to secure your place. It also mean you get quality time with the teacher. All workshops are held in store at Mallala, unless stated elsewhere.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Desert Sky Workshop

On Saturday we had the Desert Sky workshop on in store. It has been an eagerly awaited workshop, with a stunning pattern and a new teacher. There was four of us in class to learn the best ways to foundation paper piece. It is something I really needed help with. I have tried it a few times some with ok results and some with I am going to throw this in the bin if I have to unpick it again.

It was  a hot day and I had all the fans with the air conditioner going trying to keep us cool. It was an enlightening morning session and we were amazed we cut all the quilt blocks ready to sew. Preparation is the key she told us.

We had a great day learning, playing with fabrics, cutting, sewing, and enjoying each others company. We made plans for future workshops. Three of us did complete 4 blocks each and started on the next batch. So hopefully we will cruise through the rest of the blocks since they are cut. I will be working on mine during Sunday session of Project Uninterrupted. Why not since everything is laid out in sewing order.

Watch out for more details on the Fractured Paintbox Workshop with Elizabeth which will be held on the 11th March in store. This workshop uses precut 2 1/2" strips, so maybe you have some jelly rolls in your stash that you would like to use, this may be the workshop for you.

Until Next Time 

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Cushions and Ruler Quilting Together

We had the Zipper and Piped Cushion Workshop on in store. With only one student doing the workshop we took the opportunity to do some quilting  using the Westalee Rulers. It is something we have trying to schedule in. With the Beginner's class in a couple of weeks I can see a need for more of these sessions. Once you have your machine worked out you want to quilt quilts, not keep doing practise samples. There is a lot out there on using the rulers but not too much on how it use the rulers on pieced tops. So that is what I want to focus on. How to quilt pieced tops. So watch out for those workshops once you have done a Beginner's Class.

Joy's managed to finish her two cushions in the one session. They have worked out beautifully.

While Brenda  was quilting her Sands of Time Quilt from one of my workshops from last year.

I was quilting my table runner which was created from my Dresden plate English paper piecing demo pieces from last year fairs and shop demos. It is my project selected in our Project Uninterrupted challenge and One Monthly Goal for January.

It was a lovely day of sewing. There is always something to learn that makes life exciting.
Next weekend's Desert Sky workshop is going to be an exciting learning experience on foundation paper piecing. If there is a spot I plan to join the class myself , at the moment there is a couple of spot left. If you want more details click of the Event/Workshop page here on my blog.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Cynthia's Ark Classes and Workshops for 2018

I have been busy behind the scenes working on the class/workshops for 2018. I am hoping there will be something for most people from the beginners to the experienced.  You will find all the details on our 2018 Workshop/Class page here and at the top of the blog so you don't need to find this post. With that said, this post will have the projects pictured to give you a better idea what each workshop is. A picture can say things easier than words sometimes.

 Sat 10th February- Curved Ruler Table runner

 Saturday 10th March - Circles Table Runner

 Fractured Paint Box Quilt -Date hasn't been set yet. It will be a Sunday workshop.

 Desert Sky Quilt- Date hasn't been set yet. It will be a Sunday workshop.

 Saturday 31st March- Bargello Table Runner.

Double Wedding Ring Quilt Workshop Date not set yet but will must likely a Sunday workshop.

Also new will be our Summer School on Friday evenings. Each session will be a small different project featuring different techniques. The first session on the 29th December will be focused on English paper piecing and a set of mug rugs. This is the perfect class to try English paper piecing if you haven't tried it yet. It is addictive.

 As you can see the workshop list isn't quite finished but I felt I needed to get out what was set so you can book for those workshops.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia

Weekend Classes

We had two different classes on over the weekend. On Saturday I spent the day with the Jubilee Quilters who were having their Open Day. Saturday class was on the Westalee Rulers, setting up the machines and having a play with the basic ruler before moving on to the Sampler set for some. Some of the creative playing that happened during the class.

Then on Sunday we had part one of the Bargello Workshop on in store.

I got to sit back and supervisor rather than teaching. That didn't mean I don't do anything. I did assist with some reverse sewing in between some class planning for next year. They all did fantastic and will be back next Sunday to complete the other half of their table runners.

All the ladies that participated over the weekend were great and willing to learn. I hope they all enjoyed themselves.

Until Next Time

Keep Stitching

Cynthia.

Piping and Zipper Cushion Workshop

On Saturday we ran our Piping and Zipper cushion Workshop for the second time. We are looking at teaching people different techniques with a range of projects in our Expand You Knowledge workshops. This one is beginner's workshop so if you only have some basic sewing knowledge this one is perfect for you. In this one we are focused on learning how to make piping and insert a zip in a cushion.

Theses are the shop sample cushions.

This time I actually got to sit in the class myself. The first time we ran the class it was full, this time there was a spot if I was free. I wanted to learn how to make piping. It doesn't hurt for me to expand my knowledge too.
We all had fun learning these techniques and we finished one cushion each easily in the allocated time. As Pat  had made a couple of beautiful applique panels for her cushion fronts, she had a head start allowing her to finish both her cushions.
 The aim of the workshop is to learn the two techniques and finish one cushion in the one day workshop with the kit having enough fabric to make 2 cushions. That way if you finish earlier you can continue on the second one, as we did. We nearly finished the second cushion. It won't take long to finish them at home.
Really you need a pair of cushions.

Here are the finished cushions.

I

Now if you are interested in do this workshop or want to see what else we have on offer pop over to the workshop page and have a look. New workshops are being added all the time and I am open to suggestions for future workshops.

Now the benefit of me being the shop owner allows me to stay and keep sewing if I choose, which is what I did and I only had to sew the front and back together to finish my second cushion.

   Here are my pair.

Until Next Time 

Keep Stitching 

Cynthia

Felt making Workshop

Today we had an Expanding your Knowledge workshop here at Cynthia's Ark. Today workshop featured felt making. The plan with these workshops is to try something new, may be a little different. Challenge ourselves, you just don't know what value we may learn.

We had a go at two felt making techniques today. In the morning session we made a funky scarf which also gave us a taste of making flat felt that can be used in all sorts applications across a number of crafts.

Following our lunch break we had a go at making pin cushions which use a slight different technique from the flat felted scarves.

You end up with two pin cushions from a ball of wool rovings. It is surprise when you cut the ball in half.

It was fun day and hopefully inspiring to the ladies who joined me today.

 Next month Expanding your Knowledge workshop is learning how to make piping and inserting zip workshop while making a pair of cushions.
Until Next Time
Keep Stitching
Cynthia