By Maxine Rosenthal & Joy Pelzmann
Making Solid, Hollow and Open Cubes
EVERY QUILTER CAN BE A CUBIST!
Many quilters who were captivated by the kaleidoscopic effects of the original One Block Wonders have clamored for a class that teaches them how to make cubes. You will surely find these One-Block enthusiasts among your quilting customers. But anyone with basic quilting skills can make the cubes taught in this class.
CLASS DESCRIPTION:
In this class, students will learn how to make cubes that are hollow and open in varied ways, and how to include them in a One-Block Wonder quilt. They will leave class with the techniques to create stunning cubes that are solid, hollow and open in varied ways. These dramatic blocks can be incorporated into One Block Wonder quilts, or will stand alone as dynamic wall-hangings.
Students will be amazed to learn that they can create these powerful dimensional designs by sewing nothing more than straight seams, using simple construction techniques they already know.
APPROXIMATE CLASS TIME:
This class requires six hours to cover all the varied cubes that are detailed in our book.
WHAT EACH STUDENT WILL GET:
Each student will come away with one cube of each design. This will be enough to create a small wall hanging when background and borders are added. These cubes can also be inserted in a One Block Wonders quilt.
PROJECT SUPPLIES:
- Required text: One Block Wonders, Encore! By Maxine Rosenthal & Joy Pelzmann
- 60-degree Clearview Triangle ruler
- At least 12 fat quarters, with a mix of light, medium and dark fabrics. The fabrics must read as solids to maintain the illusions. Batiks work particularly well for this.
- Design wall
- Rotary cutting equipment: mats, straightedge ruler and rotary cutter
- Sewing machine
- Irons and ironing boards
- Basic sewing supplies
ADVANCE PREPARATIONS:
Prepare a small wall-hanging using Cubes, Hollow and Otherwise. Display it with your class schedule to encourage signups. You will also need to prepare sets of teaching tools which include the pieces needed for each type of cube as well as a completed example. Put both a completed sample and the pieces necessary to complete each particular cube in a plastic bag. Label this, and you will avoid that last-minute scramble for appropriate pieces when you teach.
DURING THE CLASS:
Following the instructions in One Block Wonders, Encore!, page 14, demonstrate how to make a:
1. Solid cube. This will orient the student as to light source.
2. Explain the shapes that compose these cubes and how to cut them.
3. Cube in a corner.
4. Solid cube open at one side.
5. Hollow cube, including the Three Rules of Hollow Cubes.
6. Hollow cubes sliced open, to the left, to the right and in the front.
7. Cube within a cube.
8. How to finish your piece, using some of the techniques in chapter 9.
