Quilt Workshops and Classes by Laurel Anderson
Whisper Color is the crafter’s and quilter’s creative haven, providing everything you need for beginning, continuing, or finishing your beautiful project. In addition to a complete array of quilting patterns and supplies to aid and inspire you, Laurel Anderson also provides quilting workshops, quilting retreats, and quilting classes. Fun new ideas, stunning completed quilts, fresh new patterns, fabrics, 3D appliqués, and much, much more are always being added to the Whisper Color collection, bringing fantastic new beauty to a time-honored tradition.
Friends old and new gather with Whisper Color for quilting in Sacramento, CA, and surrounding areas to discover and share ideas, techniques, supplies, fabrics, and more. Many expert quilting artisans share their skills through Laurel Anderson’s quilting seminars and workshops. Learn to master the delicate stitching, precise placements, intricate appliqué methods, and time-saving shortcuts you always wondered about and learn to apply them to your very own quilted masterpiece.
Take a look at the latest patterns to get inspired for your next quilt and see the new 3D fabric designs to make your very own quilt bouquet. Explore more online and visit WhisperColor.com for exceptional creativity, conversation, and company.
Seminars
Currently offering lectures on the topics below:
Laurel’s Search for Perfect Appliqué
This seminar traces the progress of Laurel Anderson’s quilting skills. A wide variety of quilts will show her progression from beginner to award-winning appliqué artist.
2 quilt stands are required. If shipping is not cost-effective, please provide a screen, power point projector, and someone experienced with set-up.
The History of Appliqué
This lecture includes an 1850s style appliqué quilt and many of Laurel Anderson’s own appliqué quilts. She will discuss the changes in styles and how they evolved with the fortunes of our country. Included are the progression of appliqué methods and her personal exploration of appliqué techniques.
2 quilt stands are required. If shipping is not cost-effective, please provide a screen and power point projector and someone experienced with set-up.
The Power of Color
The color ideas and sources presented in this lecture are welcomed by beginners and advanced quilt artists. This is a small “snack” of the tools presented in the color workshop including the emotional message of colors, how to crown VALUE king, and where to search for inspiration. Most of this lecture is a PowerPoint presentation.
Workshops
Workshops and classes currently being offered by Laurel
New!
Rogue Quilt Design
Do you like Cosplay, computer game graphics, tattoo, graffiti art, Manga, Anime, or other extraordinary art forms? You can turn these designs into a wall hanging or a bed quilt. This can be a 2-5 day workshop.
Cheat at Modern Appliqué
Explore the world of appliqué techniques and find the perfect methods for your creative life. Bring a pattern of your own or use one of the teacher’s designs to try each notion, product, or shortcut. This class includes lots of handouts.
Egg, Egg, Chick (Survey of Appliqué)
Behind this adorable pattern is a Survey of Appliqué class. The chick is fused. Each egg can be a different type of machine or hand appliqué. The deviled egg teaches reverse appliqué plus perfect circles. All these appliqué techniques include a selection of notions for accuracy and speed. Make yours in your favorite colors.
How to Cheat at Appliqué; Hearts and Teacups
This class is perfect for all of you who want to explore the world of appliqué techniques. We fit as many different shortcuts and time-saving methods into the time allotted. We cover template management, machine appliqué, managing fusible web, curves, points, stems, and some hand appliqué techniques. Everyone loves the scallop shortcut. If you love tea sets make the quilt for yourself. If not, make squares for samples in your notebook to illustrate the hand-outs included in the class.
I taught a MODERN version of this class at Quilt Festival in Houston.
How to Cheat at Color: Color Workshop
This class is filled with ideas for color selection using traditional and innovative tools. A syllabus is provided to fill with years’ worth of color ideas. A PowerPoint presentation is combined with small projects. No sewing is needed. The short version can fit into 3 hours without all the small projects. The 9-hour class allows for 2-3 sessions in a shop with “field trips” into the shop to select and discuss fabric colors. This workshop can last 2 days with lots of hands-on exercises and time to create your personal notebook.
Showcase Fabric
The Showcase patterns are large blocks with sashing, fast and easy to assemble. Any of the Showcase patterns are a wonderful way to use your large prints or your favorite colors. Four quilt sizes are offered in the Showcase Fabric pattern.
These patterns are great stash busters.
Geraniums
This workshop needs 2 or more days. There is some piecing to make the background. The doily shapes are fused. The leaves may be fused or hand appliqued. Sheer fabric is the shadow. The blossoms are three-dimensional and shaped and stitched after the quilting is done.
Tulip Panel Quilts
Choose among 12 tulip designs for this appliqué class. Finish the top in 6 hours or get a good start in 3 hours. These are great stash busters and are fat quarter friendly.
Machine Appliqué; Mount Diablo
It is easy to stitch curves when you learn to machine appliqué using freezer paper. Make a tulip quilt that is filled with curves and learn how easy it can be. This is a turned edge method similar to hand appliqué but done by machine.
Iris Cameo
Learn a wonderful template technique using Scotch Restickable Glue and 2 machine appliqué methods. Finish your iris cameo quilt with a facing frame. A bargain in a 6-hour class.
I really enjoyed the workshop yesterday – more than I anticipated. I rarely applique – I hate the prep work & I’m not confident in my needle turning abilities, so I mostly do raw edge, if I want to incorporate applique. Thank you for showing another option!
Thanks,
P
Survey of Fusibles; Wild Roses, Calla Lilies, Leaf quilt or table runner
Fusible appliqué is easy and fun. In this leaf or wild rose quilt class, you will test multiple fusible products and try a variety of methods for fusing. You will explore edge stitching techniques and decide on your personal favorite fusible product.
Iris Garland or Iris Wreath
Learn machine appliqué while creating either an 18″ square wreath or the stunning 88″ x 29″ wall hanging. The techniques are easy to learn in a 6-hour class. If offered as a 2-day class the second day includes turning the 18″ wreath into a pillow and gives additional time to work on the garland. Kits are available for the Iris Wreath.
French Doors
French Doors is the most difficult of all the Whisper Color patterns. But it is well worth the work. You will learn Y-seam piecing, hand, and machine appliqué, plus 3D appliqué for the hydrangeas. This class can be taught in 2 or 3 days.
Winter Amaryllis
The Winter Amaryllis quilt will delight you with its dramatic colors. Remember, it is less expensive to quilt a window than to install one. The pattern instructions include two methods of appliqué and suggestions for embellishing the quilt.
Quilt Pattern Design
This is a quilt pattern design class for those who want to use the traditional tools of paper and pencil. If you want to learn computer drawing choose Quilt Design. Bring photos, sketches, and ideas and we will work them into full-sized quilt patterns. Laurel specializes in appliqué but will cover geometric designs and ideas for combining curves and straight lines. The class includes information on the principles of design, color schemes, visual storytelling, problem-solving, and how to prepare a pattern for sale. Each day will include time to use the new information to create a small quilt.
(Email for supply list)
Digital Quilt Pattern Design
This class combines computer vector design, color theory, and design principles. It takes a little practice to master vector designs, but you will love how the pattern outlines can be re-sized and easily recolored, (great for appliqué). We will create new designs each day and choose colors and fabrics. The class includes lots of handouts and a class “geek” to handle computer difficulties.
Hand Dying Cotton for Flowers & Leaves
Did you like finger paints in Kindergarten? Do you like the natural look of hand-dyed fabric? This hands-on class will teach you to dye fabric for flowers and leaves, plus a few fun extras, (silk scarves and bamboo batting) if we have time.
Silk Scarf Dyeing
Silk scarves are beautiful, washable, and easy to dye. An outdoor setting and old clothes allow for spills. After the dye is set into the silk, each scarf is twisted to give it a crinkle texture.
Thank you for the great class you had last Wed. in Folsom. I really enjoyed the day. I asked you if you ever have any additional classes on dying material and you mentioned a class with silk. Please add me to your list of classes or if you are dying material at home and need any help, I would love to do so. You are a great teacher and I loved “playing” with you.– Thanks again,