Resources to bring:
1) Clean vintage blocks, embroideries, linens, tea towels, tablecloths, handkerchiefs, cross
stitch pieces, clothing, fabric and/or any other item that you would like to consider
repurposing into a new quilted item. I will discuss cleaning at the lecture, but you may
want to purchase Retro Clean before that night so that you can clean your pieces before
class. Many stains and brown discoloration can come out using Retro Clean.

2) Ideas to keep in mind while choosing your items: make do, embrace scarcity &
limitations, stains & holes are part of the textile’s history, negative space is good,
choose a unifying design element such as color, size, block elements.

3) Additional fabric that you might want to play with for coping strips, borders, setting
pieces, block construction, block layering, or improv sewing. To make one of my sample
wall hangings approximately 21 inches square, I limited myself to 1 block and 2 pieces of
fabric for the top. One piece was about a fat quarter and the other just over 1 yard. For
another, I used 1 block and small scraps of circa 1930s fabric. Some were only 1 inch,
others larger.

4) Pencil, paper, notebook, graph paper, calculator for doing layout and sizing calculations.

5) A piece of flannel, batting, or flannel backed tablecloth to use as a design wall. Having
and using a design wall is important for all projects as is letting the design develop as
you go.

6) A camera is also very important. A cell phone camera works great to save layout ideas.
In addition, a camera helps to give you a view that is farther removed from the project.

7) Sewing machine, machine sewing thread, cutting mat, rulers (a variety of sizes will give
you flexibility for squaring up and cutting strips but at least a 6.5” x 24.5” and a 12.5”
square), rotary cutter, cutting mat, pins etc. The normal workshop/sew in supplies you
think you might need. A small pair of quality scissors for trimming threads off the back
of embroideries.

Resources not to bring (In my opinion)!

Your much cherished inherited or purchased textiles that you would be devastated if they did not come out perfect in your first vintage project.

Why? No one needs that kind of pressure for their first attempt at working with vintage.

Yes, this workshop is designed for you to do something that you have not done and to challenge you to think outside your norm, but I do not want you to stress over having a fabulous, finished project. Focus on the process, not the finished project.

Resources I will bring that you can purchase to add to your project if you want:

1) Clean vintage quilt blocks, embroideries, linens, & cross stitch.

2) Fabrics that I have purchased from other quilters’ stashes that I think will work well with the blocks and other items that I will be bringing. These fabrics will vary in size/yardage and be priced at either $4 or $6 per yard.

3) Lightweight fusible interfacing to stabilize a block before using.