3-1/2-day Retreat. Creative Studio Stand Alone Mode Retreat
Date: Thursday – Thursday June 8 – Sunday June 11
Location: Bridge Creek Cottage in Augusta Wisconsin
Cost: $400.00 (includes meals and 3-night stay)
This is an Intermediate to Advanced CreativeStudio focused the event. We will focus on the unique capabilities of CS7 and discuss how to make the most of the program. There will be structured class time to show techniques. Then your work will be at your own pace and on your project. Help is always there if you get stuck. Final topics will depend on the needs of the attendees.
Everyone will be working with their own quilts. Bring the actual tops or detail pictures along with measurements of the piecing segments. You will need a laptop with Creative Studio loaded (Version 7) a wired mouse is suggested. You will want access to all your patterns either on your laptop or an external drive. You may want a jump drive to save projects to bring to your Statler.
Please send a deposit of $50 or the whole amount of $400 to hold a spot.
2023 Anything Log Cabin
The Quilting Page Challenge for 2023 is a Log Cabin quilt.
Make it simple or more intricate. Make it all Log Cabin Blocks OR Used as Setting Squares OR On Point OR....
Longarm Rental
. Class for Overall Quilting 3 days
This class is intended for quilters who do NOT own their own machine and want to complete their quilts with an overall computerized design. (This is NOT the class for those who want to complete a custom design or work in free motion quilting.) Overall Quilting classes start with design choices, thread color, backing prep and loading the machines. There will be an orientation/review of the quilting process. The rest of the time is yours to complete as many quilts as you can. (Cost $500)Rental time is available on our longarm machine (Freehand Or computerized) There will always be someone here to work with you if you have a question or problem. Cost is $200 per day or $500 for 3 days.
Call 651-340-6503 (cell 651-214-4545) to schedule time to complete your quilt.
Custom Hands-On Classes are Back Top
Custom Classes are back and are limited to a single person or (2 if you are traveling together). Students must have a working knowledge of CreativeStudio 7 and a comfort level with using Statler Designs. This is an “Intense Hands-On Custom” experience. Take as many days as you like. You will have your own machine and work on your quilts.
This class is NOT for beginner quilters. Prior CS experience is required. This workshop will include advanced pattern design and alteration work and is intended for owners who want to explore Creative Studio 7 Features. A laptop with CreativeStudio loaded is required.
We suggest you bring quilts which will facilitate your learning. Maybe something “special” you have been putting off. Several possible topics include “Page Turner” technique, custom Overall, Cascades, concatenating, point to point, free- motion and stitch in the ditch. The topics covered will be what you want to learn. Depending on the size and complexity, you will go home with finished quilts. Or you may learn several new techniques you started on quilts that you can finish on your machine at home. Design dilemma will be part of the fun, bring additional quilts and learn concepts to select the best quilting designs for them. Create Blueprints with “TO SCALE” designs, and imported images. Digitize new designs or alter your current patterns for 2 or more tops. Bring the actual quilts or pictures. (Classes are scheduled individually. Call for available times) (cost $200 per day or save with 3days for $500)
Backing Fabric
The guidelines for the backing fabric for longarm quilting are:
- The backing needs to be at least 3 inches larger all the way around the quilt (or 6 inches longer and wider than the quilt top so if your quilt top is 60 by 70 you need backing fabric that is at least 66 by 76)
- We prefer to load the back using the selvage edges along the rollers
- Do not cut off the selvages along the outer edge of the backing - they help keep the back square during the loading process
- Unless the quilting motif is a directional design where the top has to be at the top of the machine AND the quilt top or back have to match the top, we load the backing using the selvages which may or may not match the top of a printed fabric design
- We prefer any backing seams to run parallel (the same direction) to the selvages
- Sew the seams at 1/2 + inch and then trim off the tightly woven selvages leaving 1/4 inch seam allowance
- Do NOT press the backing seams open - press to one side
- When pressed open (like what you would do for Hand Quilting) there is only the tread holding one side of the backing to the other side
- If you press the seam and seam allowance to one side, then the longarm quilting will stitch through all layers of the fabric and hold the two sides of the backing together with greater security
- Often pieced backs have multiple seams going in a variety of directions
- In this case just try to have the majority of seams, or any particularly long seams, run parallel to the selvages
Another option is to purchase the wide backing fabric that is 108" wide. Right now we have 220 different wide backs in stock for you to select from. We do sell the wide backing fabric by the inch to meet your needs. Keep in mind that 1 yard of 108 wide fabric is about 2 1/2 yards of the traditional bolt fabric (at roughly $16-17.50 per yard it is a great deal). Often customers will buy their backing fabric before completing their quilt so they can incorporate some of the fabric in the top either in the blocks or as the border.