Wool Applique and Embellishment Class with Sue Spargo

class sample by Sue Spargo

Using lightbox to trace applique on freezer wrap

wool pieced background with aqua dot cotton print 

part of our class taking notes

another cute example by Sue

Quilt from Sue's trunk show

a different view of quilting class

luncheon table setting ~ simply beautiful

A very big thank you to Diane and Monica for the most delicious lunch.  It included fresh salads with many toppings and the piping hot wild rice soup served in bread bowls.  What a creative way to serve up the salads ingredients and the tea.  Did you see the crocks?  Those crocks held the salad.  The mason and jelly jars were used for all the fun toppings of the salad.  Everyone appreciated the beautiful runner down the center of the table.  Lunch was a special treat!

awesome leaf sampler

2nd leaf sampler

detail of leaf sampler

After lunch the focus was on more embellishing and stitching.  Sue demonstrated stitches to small groups upon request.  I believe she did the bullion stitch several times.  It was a popular one.

note the pebble stitch quilting on the wool background

work by classmate, Diane of La Crescent, MN

berry sampler details

berry sampler

handwritten label using pigment pen

Sue spoke about the importance of having a label on each quilt.  She feels very strongly about this.  She has been providing labeling suggestions with all of her patterns.

Sue and me near the end of class

my layered and stitched leaf

As Sue suggests, " This type of hand work is very enjoyable and it is meant to be a journey."  It will take many hours to work on all the components of this quilt.  I will take my time and enjoy the process!

Quilt Show and Special Class

I attended the Quilt Fest on the Mississippi today at the Omni Center in Onalaska.  Forgot the camera, and was disappointed by that, because there were many beautiful quilts.  Perhaps if there is time, I may run back tomorrow. 

A friend's daughters (twins) even had their special 30's print  raw edge bulls eye quilts in the show.  Of course, their experienced quilter Grammy and Mom assisted them in the construction!  The quilts were just beautiful and Abby and Emma made many of the fabric selections themselves.  Since the 30's prints are layered and loosely appliqued they have such an antique look already!  Both quilts looked like they came right out of a great grandma's trunk!  I loved the worn look.

It will be a busy day however, because I have signed up to take an Altered Texture class with Sue Spargo!  Yes, she is in town and teaching at Olive Juice Quilt shop all day tomorrow.  A friend and I attended the meet and greet party this evening over at the shop.  We loved her beautiful wool quilts, so we went ahead and signed up this evening and took our sweet little kits home.  Now, I have homework to get done before the class starts Sunday morning at 9AM.  

Here's part of what was in my kit.  I am now stitching the aqua dotted fabric to some wool to get the pieced background together.  I'd like to make the blue wools in a crazy patch, but I hate to run out of time.  It is getting late, so I'll most likely piece it in rectangles as it shows in the pattern.  



sample block



Notebook with design photo

Once the wool applique pieces are attached we will be learning to layer other cotton fabrics on top of the leaves, flowers, and birds to add more pattern and depth.  Sue will be showing us some decorative embroidery as well.  I know I like the techniques already, because it reminds me of crazy quilting!  I have been wanting to know more about working with wool and now is my chance to learn from one of the very best stitchers, Sue Spargo!