Professional fiber artist Karen Linduska invites you to discover new ways to use the stitches on your sewing machine while making her Fun and Funky Tree pattern. Creating this art piece, you’ll discover features on your sewing machine that may be new to you as you make the background, tree trunk, flowers, ferns, and petals. Learn techniques for surface design and finish the piece by framing it, making it a pillow, or putting it on a tote or jacket. And, you don’t have to have a sewing machine full of decorative stitches to do this class because Karen also shows how to do the same techniques using simple utility stitches found on most basic machines. Gather your beautiful threads and yarns and have fun making your own fun and funky tree!
Course Curriculum
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Fabric:
- Sky: (1) 12" x 16" sky blue batik or small patterned fabric
- Ground: (1) 3" x 16" medium green batik or small patterned fabric
- Tree: (1) 10" x 10" dark brown batik or small patterned fabric
- Tree layers: (3) 4" x 3" medium to dark reds and purples with varying patterns
- Heavy weight stabilizer: (3) 14" x 18"
- Batting: 12" x 16" low loft
Thread:
- Polyester, rayon, or cotton, 30 – 40 wt., in a variety of colors. A few colors can be metallic and variegated. Suggested colors: chocolate brown, sky blue, light green, medium green (30 wt.), dark green, florescent orange, peach, violet purple, dark purple, sea foam green or aqua
Yarns:
- Fun, wispy, knobby yarns in three colors: brown, dark red, and purple
Sewing Foot:
- Open toe presser foot
- Wide zigzag throat plate
Quilting Supplies:
- Rotary cutter
- Cutting mat
- Fabric scissors
- Thread snips
- Pins
- Pushing tool
Other Supplies:
- Several bobbins with black or white thread
- Sewing machine manual
Optional:
- Glue stick
- Your Machine's Decorative Stitches
- Iron
- Electric Quilt® 8 quilt design software (EQ8)
- Ironing Surface
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I love threads, yarns, and lots of texture. Can I use my collection in this class?You sure can! Part of the fun is layering and Karen shows how to do that and still pull the project together so that the layers result in a cohesive finished piece.
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This looks very “artsy.” Is it a difficult technique?Karen teaches this class in such a way that you learn on quilt sandwiches, giving you the opportunity to practice before you begin stitching directly on your project. You will learn so much about how to use your sewing machine in ways that you never imagined. At one point, Karen says, “It’s OK to let the stitches distort.” There’s a lot of freedom in that single statement. This is a class that allows for creativity and discovery.
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Do I need a sewing machine that has lots of decorative stitches to do this technique?You can have a sewing machine that has only utility stitches or one that has a large assortment of decorative stitches. Karen shows you how to do her techniques on either type of machine.
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What if I have questions?We recommend that you watch the class in its entirety and become familiar with the downloadable materials. At that point, if something is unclear, go to the tab that allows you to ask a question and Karen will get back with you via email. Please do not contact iquilt instructors by telephone.
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When can I start the class?We know you are excited to get started. After you have purchased the class, you can enjoy it anywhere and anytime you have the Internet. The class belongs to you, so watch it as many times as you like!
Instructor Gallery
Student Gallery
sharon cason – :
Joan Wells – :
Brigitte Dimock – :
Barbara Wood – :
Frances Moore – :
Lori Boyter – :
Penne Jefford – :
Lois Taber – :
Thank you for offering this class! I've told others about this fun way to design and recommended the class.
Mindy Burch – :