Classes and Workshops

A note to my Clients, please read this important information below in its entirety before viewing class listings. Thank you!

Classes:
I love to teach! Because of the number of hints, knowledge and techniques I share with my students, my one-day (6 hrs) classes are for the most part an introduction or overview of the subject matter. These classes are intended for students who want a taste of the general basic concept or have limited time constraints. There is usually very limited sewing time.

Workshops:
In my 2-day (or longer) workshops, I am able to share much more advanced, in-depth knowledge along with the additional benefits of more relaxation, personal attention to each student and sewing time opportunities. My students will have enough time to assimilate the knowledge and use their creativity and new skills to apply it to a project of their choice.

Workshop Medleys…another option: The classes/workshops I teach are my basic techniques for constructing curves (Crazy about Curves), improvisation, manipulations and dimension, putting openings into quilts and color essentials. Clients may choose to mix techniques in my two day or longer workshops….this option is called my Workshop Medley.

For instance, in Workshop Medley, the client will choose the main focus of the workshop…perhaps the basic technique. The client may then choose to mix in another component, such as manipulations (OR improvisation, OR openings, etc.) to the workshop. With each additional day added the workshop, the client may include another technique. The mix/match two or more-day workshop option is an excellent way to learn my techniques…maximizing the learning opportunities, getting more than just the basic techniques and having more personal attention from the teacher. This option also eliminates the repetition of introductory/finishing techniques demonstrations associated with taking separate 6 hr. classes. These classes are my recommendation for the best possible classroom experience…both for teacher (I get to share more knowledge and oversee my students’ progression) and student (more relaxing/time to create/personal attention)

As always, I will work together with my clients to ensure they can plan and schedule the classes/workshops experience that meet their needs and expectations. If you or your organization are interested in organizing a retreat or multi-day workshop please contact me and I will be happy to work with you to set up a workshop that meets the needs of your clients. Again, I appreciate your consideration of me as an instructor. Please contact me with any questions you may have. My class/workshop offerings are listed below.

With warmest regards,

Vikki Pignatelli

In my workshops, the emphasis is always on self-confidence, a sense of adventure, persistence and inspirational motivation for the student.

Please click here for Information about my supply lists and Pellon stabilizer.


 
Crazy About Curves: The Basics

Basic technique—6 hours
All skill levels
Click for: Supply list

This class is for students who want a general overview of Vikki’s construction technique.

In this class students will quickly master the basic concepts of Vikki’s flexible, “no rules”, “no fear” Crazy About Curves technique using a small, simple teaching pattern (complimentary). With this method, a meld of piecing and machine appliqué, students learn to create even sharp curves and narrow points effortlessly without the hassle. There are NO measuring seam allowances, NO easing together unruly seams and NO matching points. All construction work, color choices and stitching are done on the quilt top surface. This is a very simple, anyone-can-do technique suitable for all skill levels. Workshop emphasis is on creativity, inspiration and self-confidence for the quilter. Students work at their own pace.

Class includes:

Basic construction technique concepts;
How to machine sew using this technique;
Painless mitering;
Splicing seams;
How to finish techniques and ideas;
Vikki’s whole-cloth finishing techniques.

Crazy About Curves: In Depth

Basic and advanced technique —12 hours
All skill level Click for: Supply list

This workshop is for students who want to study Vikki’s construction technique in-depth. Due to the increased time element, this workshop provides more sewing/creative time and personal attention for students.

In this class students will quickly master the basic concepts of Vikki’s flexible, “no rules”, “no fear“ Crazy About Curves technique. With this method, a meld of piecing and machine appliqué, students learn to create even sharp curves and narrow points effortlessly without the hassle. There are NO measuring seam allowances, NO easing together unruly seams and NO matching points. All construction work, color choices and stitching are done on the quilt top surface. This is a simple, anyone-can-do technique suitable for all skill levels. Students begin by using a small, simple teaching pattern (complimentary) and quickly progress to designing their own free-form simple pattern. Workshop emphasis is on creativity, inspiration and self-confidence for the quilter. Students work at their own pace.

Class includes:

Basic and advanced construction technique concepts;
Simple dimensional fabric manipulations;
How to machine sew using this technique;
Hints and suggestions regarding color, contrasts, texture, and creating; movement in your work;
Painless mitering;
Splicing seams;
How to finish techniques and ideas;
Curvy borders and extending the quilt top design into the borders/binding;
Vikki’s whole-cloth finishing techniques;
Student will design and construct her/his own simple free-form design;
Advice for applying this technique to students personal design ideas;
More time for personal attention for students.

 

Improvisation: The Basics

Basic technique—6 hours
All skill levels
Click for: Supply list

This class is for students who want a general overview of Vikki’s simple improvisation construction techniques.

Students begin the class with a short demo to learn the basic concept of Vikki’s Crazy About Curves technique. Then with a play-as-you-go spirit, students apply the fundamental technique to create improvisational “blocks” of any shape (four-sided, circles, ovals, curvy rectangles or teardrops).

Class covers:

Basic (limited) and improvisational construction technique concepts;
How to machine sew using the improvisational technique;
Painless mitering;
Splicing seams (using patterns or improvisation);
How to finish using improvisational techniques and ideas;
Vikki’s whole-cloth finishing techniques.

Improvisation: In Depth

Basic and advanced improvisation technique —12 hours
All skill levels
Click for: Supply list

This workshop is for students who want to study Vikki’s improvisational construction techniques in-depth. This expanded workshop provides more sewing/creative time and personal attention for students.

This relaxing, impromptu approach to piecing curves offers students total freedom in quiltmaking! Students begin the class with a short demo to learn the basic concept of Vikki’s Crazy About Curves technique. Then with a play-as-you-go spirit, students apply the fundamental technique to create improvisational “blocks” of any shape (four-sided, circles, ovals, curvy rectangles or teardrops) and learn to arrange them into a free-form contemporary quilt.

Class includes:

Basic (limited demo) on Vikki’s Crazy about Curves technique;
Basic and advanced improvisational construction technique concepts;
Simple dimensional fabric manipulations;
How to machine sew using the improvisational technique;
Hints and suggestions regarding color, contrasts, texture, and creating; movement in your work;
Painless mitering;
Splicing seams (basic and improvisational);
How to finish using improvisational techniques and ideas;
Improvisational borders and bindings;
Vikki’s whole-cloth finishing techniques;
Student will design and construct her/his own simple free-form design;
Advice for applying this technique to students personal design ideas;
More time for personal attention for students.

Adding Dimension and Manipulations to Quilts: The Basics

Basic techniques —6 hours
All skill levels
Click for: Supply list

This workshop is for students who want to learn Vikki’s basic improvisational manipulations techniques to obtain dimension and texture in their quilting projects.

Using Vikki’s unique techniques from her second book, students will explore unlimited creative opportunities. This fun class is a “no rules” approach to quiltmaking and surface design, so come with a playful attitude and desire to explore the unlimited possibilities. Students begin the class with a very short demo to learn Vikki’s basic improvisational procedures. Each student will choose her/his favorite technique among those presented in class and apply it to a project at her/his own pace.

This class includes:

Short demo on Vikki’s improvisational construction techniques;
Using multiple fabric strips to create a whole-cloth of curvy strip piecing and applications;
Improvisational fabric pleating and applications;
Using contrast strips in improvisational quilt top construction and pleating to obtain dimension, color contrast and balance;
Creating simple tubes for extreme pleating and dimensional design elements;
How to machine sew using these techniques;
Vikki’s whole-cloth finishing techniques.

Adding Dimension and Manipulations to Quilts: In Depth

Basic and advanced improvisation technique —12 hours
All skill levels
Click for: Supply list

This workshop is for students who want to explore Vikki’s improvisational manipulations techniques to obtain dimension and texture in their quilting projects. Because of the number of exciting techniques presented, this is the recommended class, allowing personal attention and some sewing time for students.

Using Vikki’s unique techniques from her second book, students will discover and explore unlimited creative opportunities. This fun class is a “no rules” approach to quiltmaking and surface design, so come with a playful attitude and desire to explore the unlimited possibilities. Students begin the class with a very short demo to learn Vikki’s basic improvisational procedures. There are numerous techniques presented in this class…each student will choose her/his favorites and explore them at her/his own pace.

 

This class includes:

Short demo on Vikki’s improvisational construction techniques;
Using fabric strips in quilt construction;
Using multiple fabric strips to create a whole-cloth of curvy strip piecing and applications;
Improvisational fabric pleating and applications;
Using contrast strips in improvisational quilt top construction and pleating to obtain dimension, color contrast and balance;
Partial and whole facings for construction, design elements and dimension;
Creating tubes for extreme pleating and dimensional design elements;
Improvisational wrinkling and scrunching fabric for individual patches and whole-cloth segments in quilt top construction;
Constructing double surface quilt tops;
Advice and hints on color and design;
How to machine sew using these techniques;
Painless mitering;
Splicing seams (using patterns or improvisation);
How to finish using improvisational techniques and ideas;
Vikki’s whole-cloth finishing techniques.

Putting Openings in Your Quilt

Basic/advanced openings technique using both improvisation and pattern construction
12 hours
All skill levels
Click for: Supply list

This workshop is for students who want to study Vikki’s construction techniques in-depth for incorporating openings into their quilts. This expanded workshop provides more sewing/creative time and personal attention for students.

Learn Vikki’s unique and innovative approach for creating quilts with smoothly finished open holes. This class features techniques from Vikki’s second book. Students begin the class with learning the basic concept of Vikki’s Crazy About Curves technique.

Class instruction includes:

Basic and improvisational construction technique concepts for incorporating openings;
How to machine sew using this technique;
Layering the quilt sandwich for quilts with openings;
Hints and suggestions regarding color, contrasts, texture, and creating movement in your work;
Painless mitering;
Splicing seams;
Curvy/improvisational borders;
Finishing techniques for regular quilts and quilts with openings;
Vikki’s whole-cloth finishing techniques;
Making/inserting webs of thread (using water soluble stabilizer) into the quilt opening;
Student will design and construct her/his own simple improvisational free-form design;
Advice for applying this technique to students personal design ideas;
Time for personal attention for students.

Color Your Quilt Beautiful: Essentials and Guidance For Quilters

Skill level: Beginner and Intermediate 6 hour class (lecture based with interactive discussion) No machine required.
Click for: Supply list

Are you apprehensive when it comes to working with color? In this class students will learn the basic principles of color and design, especially as they relate to fabrics and quilting. We will cover and explore the different types of contrasts, juxtaposition of colors, color symbolism, mood, and some basic rules of design. The rest of the class will be hands-on and devoted to experimenting with color, obtaining contrasts and balance and interactive discussions and problem solving. Students are given the freedom, encouragement and self-confidence to play and open their minds to the joy of color.

Note: Students are encouraged to bring in problematic quilts for gentle, positive critiques. Based on my own experiences, supportive feedback has wonderful benefits for artists…providing artistic insight and enhancing the creative process.

Workshop Medleys

All skill levels

Plan your workshop experience:

I would like to introduce and explain my Workshop Medley options…now with more choices than ever before! You will be able to choose which of my techniques you would like as the main focus for the 2-day (or longer) workshop….

1) Crazy about Curves (The basic technique);
2) Improvisation;
3) Manipulations;
4) Incorporating openings into quilts;
5) Color.

Once you’ve chosen the main technique, you may include a secondary technique. For example, you may choose Improvisation as your main focus, but wish to include some dimension/manipulations instruction as well. Or you may choose the basic technique with manipulations. With each additional day added to the workshop, you may add another technique. Thus, with a three-day workshop you might choose the basic technique, improvisation and manipulation.

With this Workshop Medley option, the student will receive more information on the focus technique rather than just the basic technique class with a healthy dose of the secondary subject…plus additional personal attention from the teacher and extra time to sew.

Because the medley workshops are made to order, the student supply lists for these workshops will be available to the workshop organizer after the class is booked.

Retreats & Multi-day Workshops

Crazy About Curves In Depth And Beyond
All skill levels
(4 & 5 days)
Machine required
Basic to in-depth exploration of all of Vikki’s techniques, with time to finish projects and personal attention.
Click for: Supply list

This class covers innovative yet simple ways to handle fabric manipulations, borders, bindings, mitering, three-dimensional patch additions, incorporating open holes in your quilt, finishing/binding irregular shaped work and other improvisations using this method. In class Vikki discusses color, contrasts, texture, creating movement in quilts and how to apply these techniques to the students' own designs. Students are encouraged to play, to explore their creativity and be free to experiment with their work. Each student works at her/his own comfortable pace.

Class includes:

Basic concepts and construction methods for all of Vikki’s techniques: Crazy about Curves, Improvisation, Manipulations/Dimension, Openings and Color;
Student will have time to choose and explore any subject in depth;
All finishing techniques including Vikki’s whole-cloth facing;
Borders/bindings;
Painless mitering;
Seam splicing;
Personal attention for each student;
Advice for student’s personal designs/ideas;
Time to finish projects

Made to Order

The class information listed here is the basis of what I teach in my classes. If you or your organization is interested in organizing a retreat or multi-day workshop please contact me and I will be happy to work with you to set up a workshop that meets the needs of your clients. Several classes can be combined to form a workshop that is suitable for you in both number of class days and content.

If you are attending one of my 3- hour quilt show offered classes, you can find the supply lists here:

 Crazy about Curves

Very basic technique using a simple pattern

Finally, curves are FUN to do! In this class students learn the very basics of Vikki's easy Crazy about Curves technique…. a combination piecing/appliqué method of creating sharp curves and narrow points effortlessly and with precision but without the hassle of measuring seam allowances or easing seams! All construction work, color choices and stitching are done on the quilt top surface. Students will make a small sample project. Machine required. Introductory technique class-- 3 hrs. All skill levels
 
Click for: Supply list

Scrap The Pattern: Improvisational Curves

This relaxing, impromptu approach to piecing curves offers students total freedom in quiltmaking. With a play-as-you-go spirit, students learn how to create an impromptu curved quilt "block" in her/his choice of shapes (circles, ovals, curvy rectangles or triangles or teardrops). All skill levels. Machine required. 3 hrs.

Click for: Supply list

 
Color Your Quilt Beautiful

 
All skill levels
3 hrs.
No machine required
Handouts included
Design class

Class begins with discussions about the basic principles of color and design, especially relating to fabrics and quilting. Students learn types of contrasts, juxtaposition of colors, color symbolism, mood, attaining movement in quilts and some basic rules of design.

A portion of the class will be devoted to experimenting with color, contrasts, and balance. Students are given the freedom and courage to experiment and open their minds to the joy of color. Hands-on participation.

If time permits, we will talk about color or design concerns you may have encountered with either a finished quilt or one in progress. Please share one or two of these problem quilts in class if you would like a gentle and positive critique.
 

Click for: Supply list

 
 Fast Finishes For Odd Shaped Quilts

 
Have you envisioned creating an exciting quilt with odd shaped perimeters but weren’t sure how to finish it? In this class Vikki offers fast and easy alternatives to the traditional binding finish. Students will make samples of each technique to take home. Machine required. (3hrs)

Discover new ways of binding odd-shaped quilts including envelope, faux-binding, whole cloth faced-bindings, and bindings that can be faced to either the front or the back of quilt. Rhapsody in Pink is an example of a faux-binding.

 
Shooting Star is faced to the front.

Click for: Supply list