Audubon’s Christmas Tutorial

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Each quilt block is thoroughly explained and features a wide range of techniques. Kathy McNeil’s tips on selecting fabric, various appliqué methods, and fabric painting will make each block a joyful adventure.

Unsure if you’re going to be able to duplicate Kathy’s process? Never fear–with the purchase of this class you will receive the free owl block to practice the skills you learned. Take the time to master the craft so at the end of the day, whether you want to make the entire quilt or just a few blocks, you’ll be able to create it with ease.

With the purchase of this class, you will receive the free owl block. Note: Your purchased pattern will include a complete supply list and pattern pieces to use in this online class.

Course Curriculum

Audubon's Christmas Tutorial by Kathy McNeil - 3hr 45min

Lesson 1. Introduction 0 Hours 8 Minutes00:08

Lesson 2. Understanding the Pattern 0 Hours 8 Minutes00:08

Lesson 3. Selecting Fabrics 0 Hours 9 Minutes00:09

Lesson 4. Block-by-Block Review 0 Hours 59 Minutes00:59

Lesson 5. Appliqué Techniques 0 Hours 46 Minutes00:46

Lesson 6. Constructing a Block 0 Hours 8 Minutes00:08

Lesson 7. Playing with Paint 0 Hours 16 Minutes00:16

Lesson 8. Depth & Visual Effects 0 Hours 24 Minutes00:24

Lesson 9. Machine Appliqué 0 Hours 14 Minutes00:14

Lesson 10. Free-motion Quilting Tips 0 Hours 23 Minutes00:23

Lesson 11. Prairie Points 0 Hours 9 Minutes00:09

LIST PDF

Pattern:

Audubon’s Christmas pattern set by Kathy McNeil. See pattern for complete supply list.
ePattern Audubon's Christmas Pattern Set of All 7 Patterns
ePattern Audubon Christmas Blue Jay Block Pattern
ePattern Audubon Christmas Chickadee Block Pattern
ePattern Audubon Christmas Bluebird Block Pattern
ePattern Audubon Christmas Goldfinch Block Pattern
ePattern Audubon Christmas Quail Block Pattern
ePattern Audubon Christmas Cardinal Block Pattern

Fabric for Owl Block:

Background: 12½" x 16½"
Fence: 12" x 12" wood grain
Snow: Scraps of white, preferably frosted or satin
Reeds: 14" x 12" greens or golds, or a combination of both
Owls: Multiple scraps of light beige and brown prints in a variety of darkening values
3 yd. pkg. Pearl Essence White on White Glistening Fabricfor quilt background

Thread:

White cotton embroidery floss

Finishing Option:

To use this block as a wallhanging by itself, add a border, backing, and binding of your choosing. You will need approximately:
Border (1" finished): ⅛ yd. Cut 2 strips 1" wide.
Backing: ⅝ yd.
Binding (¼" single fold): ⅛ yd. Cut 2 strips 1" wide.

Other Supplies:

Spray sizing
Micro point black permanent marker
Transparent overlay

Optional:

Small amount of batting for fence posts
Fabric paint
Iron
Ironing Surface
Electric Quilt® 8 quilt design software (EQ8)
Inktense Ink Blocks
Inktense Ink Pencils

What if I want to make the complete quilt?

The Audubon’s Christmas pattern set is available at a reduced price of $49.95 when purchasing this class. Whether you make just the owls or the complete quilt, do us the favor of sharing your piece with us by posting it on this website!
What can I make in this class?

With the purchase of this class, you will receive the owl pattern. With Kathy’s instruction, you can make these adorable creatures.
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 Kathy will get back with you.
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

Jamie Huston – June 29, 2020:

I have watched Kathy’s Iquilt class at least 20 times over the past year because I am designing a paper pieced quilt with additional appliqué. I am new at this technique and have applied all of her different techniques to my quilt! The training has given me ideas to create the perfection I need for each section of my quilt. I also considered the painting technique which I also like but have fou…

nd my best medium with the sizing method, fusible and appliquik process! Love this class and highly recommend to beginners and experts for excellent tips.

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Patricia Stratton – April 3, 2017:

Kathy's Audubon quilt made my heart sing the first time I saw it. I was thrilled when AQS made the patterns available, but I did not have the confidence to even attempt making it. Then, I found this class! Kathy gives very clear instruction and tips for each block. With the resource of this class, i was able to accomplish several "for the first time I ..." : painted fabric to get just the righ…

t color, used thread work to embellish, added additional details to the scene n the background quilting. I am so very proud of my "Birds of Winter, A Tribute to Kathy McNeil". I could not have done this quilt on this level without the I-quilt class. Thank you, AQS.

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Anne Blount – April 2, 2016:

I am so happy I stumbled on kathy s landscape quilt class.I was pleasantly surprised with her teaching methods ,having taken other landscape quilt classes.We get to see her thought prosses as to how and why ,she adds elements to her quilts ,other teachers tell you what to do but don't make you think why. I have learned so much from her landscape class, that I signed up for her Bird aplique class .…

look forward to doing more of her on line classes , and hope one day to see her in person at a class.

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Nancy Howell – February 8, 2016:

Having seen Kathy's work in quilting magazines and then on "The Quilt Show" I knew I had to sign up for her iquilt class. I must admit that I've been a little skeptical about the quality of content from the instructors/teachers left an unpleasant taste, however, loving applique as much as I do I had to give Kathy's class a chance and I have to say that I am so happy I did. Kathy's class was beyo…

nd my expectations, she is an excellent teacher and her techniques and tips throughout the video are well worth the class fee. I have taken classes from some of the traveling teachers in our area (AZ) and did not feel that I got my monies worth. I can't say that about Kathy. Superb, concise, very knowledgeable. I hope that she will do another iquilt class in the future, I will definitely be signing up.

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Faith McLeod – January 2, 2016:

I have had the opportunity to take a class in person with Kathy McNeil, but when I saw the opportunity to take this class I was thrilled. I have admired this quilt since I first saw it, and this step by step course did not disappoint. Every lesson is packed with tips. She has left nothing on the table, and is so generous with the knowledge she shares. With her mentoring, each and every one of …

us can replicate this quilt and learn the skills to make a one of a kind masterpiece of our own. Kathy, I am forever a fan. Thank you so much for all you do!

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Millie Shenton – December 26, 2015:

Saw this lovely quilt at the Lancaster show and bought the kit. I have to admit I was afraid to tackle it but then I saw Kathy McNeil had a online class for it and I signed up immediately! This class is well worth the money and I have it forever so I don't have to rush into starting the quilt. Kathy is an excellent instructor, very clear on directions and very generous with information. The vi…

deo was of excellent quality for seeing what she was doing. This video contains some really awesome techniques that I can use on my other projects, too. I had a quick response to email questions submitted - she doesn't hold anything back! If you have any reservations about applique or "upping your game" on your next project - get this video! Thank you, Kathy, well done! I look forward to whatever you have coming next!

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Janet Wachter – November 21, 2015:

I will take any class Kathy McNeil teaches. This video amazed me! Kathy is a high achiever in general and she has done it again! This film is a 10 out of 10 in the skillful communication of how to compose an applique quilt from start to finish! With her great range of experience and stunning store of knowledge, she shares a vast amount of material. Her lesson planning is flawless. She obviou…

sly spent many hours preparing detailed samples of each step of construction, including the ghost trapunto shapes and bits of embroidery, which she works through on film.

I expected I would love this video because I am familiar with Kathy's teaching. She taught a 2 day Landscape Quilting workshop in Tampa, Florida in January of 2015 at the Feather Princesses applique guild. Her warm and polished teaching style with her positive and encouraging nature, won her many fans in our guild. She truly dazzled 18 students with her superior instruction. Just like our guild members, I believe you will be delighted with what Kathy teaches you. Her techniques may be applied to all your applique quilts whether folk art, traditional needle turn, or art quilt.. You will gain the skills to make your quilts more visually interesting with better fabric choices, more skilled color blending with the use of paint crayons, attention to creating depth, better transitions in layering, and many more topics. The paint crayons she demonstrates will stretch your stash. Learning to use them from Kathy and practicing on your own will save you money in fabric as well as saving you time shopping.

Just like in class, in this video, Kathy pours herself into teaching her students. It is a dream come true for me because I now own on video some of her vast knowledge about creating stunning applique quilts. I don't have to rely on my memory and the notes I took at her workshop. Each chapter is crammed full of information. All of the information translates easily for use in other applique projects.

I am as impressed by the quality of AQS's iquilt production team as I am by Kathy's talent and teaching skill. They make a great partnership. I enjoyed watching this film. The video is clear and crisp, just a lovely film to watch. Each demo is perfectly captured on film. And, the audio is easy on the ears too. Navigating through the entire class is a breeze. I give it a 10 in all areas of production, design, and ease of use.

I fell in love with Audubon Christmas, as many people did, the first time I saw it. Like Kathy, I have always loved the white embossed Christmas cards. I purchased the pattern in January 2015. As expected, it is large, detailed, and well made.. As I reviewed it, I began to problem solve how I was going to approach starting, and began to gather the necessary fabrics. Over the months, studying the pattern, and looking for the right bird colors and textures in fabrics, I wished I had Kathy at hand to guild me through it. Boy was I was impressed to learn that for $35.00, Kathy was available by video, to shepherd students through both the planning and construction of this quilt. She covers each step so completely, explaining each aspect of the choices she made in all of the blocks that I feel confident I can do this. Additionally, she includes instruction about the larger more general subjects of hand applique, machine applique, and free motion machine quilting. And, she demonstrates how she accomplished each on sample blocks of this quilt and not on an unrelated or overly simplified version of these blocks. I believe even the most hesitant student can be a success using this video! You get a real bang for your buck working with Kathy.

I look forward to watching this video again! It offers so much, I believe I will learn more each time I see it.

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Lynn Wiltzius – November 4, 2015:

Highly recommend this course. Even if you don't buy the pattern, Kathy gives you all kinds of tips for every kind of applique. She knows her stuff. I learned a lot from this course. I plan to use a lot of her ideas and techniques in my future quilts. She walks you through each step and makes it look easy. She shows what she uses and tell you why she uses them. I love the work she did on this! I'm …

going to be referring to this course often. I love the work she did on the quilt and was thrilled to see the process. I'm going to do the Owls that come in this course while learning a new technique. If you have the pattern, it's well worth this course to go with it. She recommends you use your own ideas for the quilts as well. Check it out, I know you'll be thrilled with the purchase. I am. I'm a visual person, and this was perfect to learn from. Each step by step way, at my own speed. Humor is also in here. I love the fact she names all her birds. Kathy has showed me her painting tools, which I've been trying to decide what will work for me. Watching her use her paint tools has answered the question for me. I would rather use what she uses then crayons. She is making the quilt to last, and explains why she does what she does. I've always wanted to know how applique-rs put pieces together before appliqueing them down. Love the technique and am going to use it.
Each shot in this course is great. Details are there and awesome to see. She's good at what she does. I enjoyed watching her, and felt like I was in the room with her. Again, Highly recommend.

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Jan Magee – November 3, 2015:

This class is like a private lesson with virtuoso quiltmaker Kathy McNeil, who explains in great detail the techniques she used to create her award-winning Audubon Christmas. Heirloom quilts such as this are sometimes beyond the skills of those who purchase the patterns, but this class in this format changes all that for this beauty!
I like how Kathy covers the technical aspects: block constru…

ction, how to applique two different ways, and working with paint, for example. But I love the chapters that provide a peek into Kathy’s thought processes in the more subjective areas of quiltmaking, like fabric selection and enhancing the realism of the images with depth and visual effects. She even talks about how to come up with your own free-motion quilting designs using some of the applique elements. After viewing the class, I feel confident I can do a good job making the quilt and even make a few customizing decisions to make it personal to me. And if you have other challenging patterns in your stash awaiting your attention, the information in these lessons is applicable to other projects as well. Go for it!
Kathy is an excellent teacher, with a relaxed manner and a wealth of experience to share. The navigation through the various chapters/lessons is clear and robust. Stop where you like, repeat when you need to, or skip ahead; the format puts this talented, friendly artist right by your side every step of the way.

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Patti Ives – November 3, 2015:

I have long admired Kathy McNeil’s work. Her quilt “Audubon’s Christmas” has been one of my favorite pieces. I jumped at the chance to learn more about this quilt and appliqué using Kathy’s techniques here on Iquilt.com. Kathy’s method of teaching is so inspiring and as I watched each lesson I became more and more excited to start implementing her methods into my own work. The quality…

of the video lessons on Iquilt is fantastic. They are very well lit and quite clear. The close-up shots are just perfect; you can see every nuance of the piece she is working on. There are 11 lessons in Kathy’s workshop. Each lesson covers, in detail, an aspect of the quilt making process. She shares all her knowledge and experiences in a warm and inviting way. If you are new to appliqué you will appreciate the time she takes to explain how the pattern actually goes together and what fabric to best use. Kathy has a unique way of making the fabric do the work to create realistic images. She freely shares her own experiences as she explains why she chose one fabric over another to create visual layers with texture, depth and color. In lesson 4, the Block-by-Block Review, you will learn so much as she discusses each block in the quilt and the reason behind the designing and stitching of the block. Lesson 7, Playing with Paint, will give you all the confidence you need to pick up some paint crayons and start painting on your quilt. The next four lessons cover all areas of creating the quilt from adding visual effects with paint and stitching to actually quilting the quilt. These lessons include where she finds her quilt patterns and what threads she recommends. Machine appliqué, free motion quilting hints and tips and adding the Prairie Points border are all covered. Class materials include the “Owl” block pattern from the quilt along with a list of recommended supplies. I can’t wait to try these methods and finish up the “Owl” pattern!

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