Quilts, Bibs, Blankies...Oh My! Class Plan

By Kim Schaefer

NOTES TO INSTRUCTORS AND SHOP OWNERS
Quilts, Bibs, Blankies...Oh My! features six adorable collections of nursery accessories for babies and small children. Each collection contains several different projects—crib quilts, soft pictures, security blankies, bibs, growth charts and pillows—and that gives you a great opportunity to offer your customers a variety of classes.
There are so many classes you could offer based on this book! Many of them are great for beginners.  I have developed detailed teaching guides for the entire Zoo Parade Collection. The collection features zoo animals, a theme appropriate for both boys and girls. The five classes outlined here are:

  1. Zoo Parade Crib Quilt
  2. Giraffe Growth Chart
  3. Zoo Parade Soft Picture Totem Pole
  4. Security Blankies
  5. Baby Bibs

USE BABY AND NURSERY CLASSES TO BRING IN NEW CUSTOMERS
Posting flyers with your class schedule in places where parents and babies congregate is an inexpensive and effective way to develop new customers. (What could be less intimidating to a novice than a class on bibs or security blankies?) You'll find potential students in lots of places:

  • Local OB-GYN doctors that specialize in new moms and moms to be
  • Lamaze classes
  • Area child care centers
  • Fitness centers that offer pre-natal classes

Quite often classes offered for baby and the nursery fill with beginning students. For many students, this will be their first experience with quilting. Have a display of basic quilting supplies available for add on sales.

STUDENT SUPPLY LIST (FOR ALL CLASSES)

Basic sewing supplies:

  • Mechanical pencil
  • Paper scissors
  • Fabric scissors
  • Black permanent marker or embroidery floss for eyes
  • Thread
  • Thread to match appliquéd animals
  • Rotary cutter
  • Acrylic ruler
  • Sewing machine capable of zigzag or satin stitch
  • Paper-backed fusible web
  • Iron
  • Ironing board

Class #1: Zoo Parade Crib Quilt

CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Everyone loves the zoo! Bring the fun and excitement right into the nursery by creating this quilt decorated with adorable zoo animals for that special little someone. This crib-sized quilt is perfect for either girls or boys. You will learn simple piecing and construction techniques along with the basics of machine appliqué.

APPROXIMATE CLASS TIME:
6 hours

STUDENT SKILL LEVEL:
Confident beginner to intermediate. 

ADVANCE PREPARATIONS:
Take the time to make a sample quilt, even if it is just the top. Hang the sample in the shop with a sign stating the class date, time, class name and book title and watch your class fill up.

STUDENT SUPPLY LIST:

  • See the materials list on page 40 of Quilts, Bibs, Blankies… Oh My!
  • Basic sewing supplies

IN THE CLASSROOM:
Following the instructions on pages 40-41 of Quilts, Bibs, Blankies….Oh My!, demonstrate how to:

  1. Cut using a rotary cutter and acrylic ruler.
  2. Trace and cut appliqué pieces using paper backed fusible web.
  3. Fuse pieces to the backgrounds.
  4. Secure the appliqué with machine stitching.  Be sure to cover:
    1. Thread choice
    2. Stitch width
    3. Stitch selection—blanket, zigzag, satin or other decorative stitches
    If you have a lot of beginners, have pre-cut circles and squares on backgrounds for students to practice and gain confidence before they begin on their quilt.
  5. Use basic piecing techniques to assemble the quilt.
  6. Discuss quilting and batting options.
  7. Show how to draw eyes using permanent marker or embroidery floss

CLASS #2: Giraffe Growth Chart

CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Kids love to see how much they have grown! In this class you will create a growth chart that is fast and fun. You will learn the basics of machine appliqué, along with simple piecing techniques.

APPROXIMATE CLASS TIME:
3 hours

STUDENT SKILL LEVEL:
Beginner

STUDENT SUPPLY LIST:

  • See the materials list on page 42 of Quilts, Bibs, Blankies… Oh My!
  • Basic sewing supplies

ADVANCE PREPARATIONS:

  • Make a sample growth chart to display with your class schedule and encourage signups. 
  • Copy and tape together sections A and B of the Giraffe growth chart pattern.

IN THE CLASSROOM:
Following the instructions on page 42 of Quilts, Bibs, Blankies…Oh My!, demonstrate how to:

  1. Cut using a rotary cutter and acrylic ruler.
  2. Trace and cut appliqué pieces using paper backed fusible web.
  3. Fuse pieces to the backgrounds.
  4. Secure the appliqué with machine stitching.  Be sure to cover:
    1. Thread choice
    2. Stitch width
    3. Stitch selection—blanket, zigzag, satin or other decorative stitches
    If you have a lot of beginners, have pre-cut circles and squares on backgrounds for students to practice on and gain confidence before they begin on their charts.
  5. Use basic piecing techniques to assemble the quilt.
  6. Discuss quilting and batting options.
  7. Show how to draw eyes using permanent marker or embroidery floss

Class #3: Zoo Parade Soft Picture Totem Pole

CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Create a soft picture totem pole to decorate the nursery. Kids will love naming the animals. In this class you will learn simple piecing techniques and the basics of machine appliqué.

APPROXIMATE CLASS TIME:

  • 2 hours to make one soft picture. The students can complete the remaining soft pictures at home.
  • 6 hours to make the entire totem pole in class.

STUDENT SKILL LEVEL:
Beginner

STUDENT SUPPLY LIST:

  • See the materials list on page 43 of Quilts, Bibs, Blankies…Oh My!
  • Basic sewing supplies

ADVANCE PREPARATIONS:

  • Make a sample quilt to hang in your shop with a sign stating the class date, time, class name and book title. Then watch your class fill up!
  • Copy the bear, giraffe, elephant and trunk, tiger and monkey and tail patterns from the pullout pattern in the back of the book at 50% size for each student.

IN THE CLASSROOM:
Following the instructions on page 43 of Quilts, Bibs, Blankies…Oh My!, demonstrate how to:

  1. Cut using a rotary cutter and acrylic ruler.
  2. Trace and cut appliqué pieces using paper backed fusible web.
  3. Fuse pieces to the backgrounds.
  4. Secure the appliqué with machine stitching.  Be sure to cover:
    1. Thread choice
    2. Stitch width
    3. Stitch selection—blanket, zigzag, satin or other decorative stitches
    If you have a lot of beginners, have pre-cut circles and squares on backgrounds for students to practice and gain confidence before they begin on their quilt.
  5. Use basic piecing techniques to assemble the quilt.
  6. Discuss quilting and batting options.
  7. Hand stitch the closure and attach grosgrain ribbon with buttons.
  8. Draw eyes using permanent marker or embroidery floss

Class #4: Security Blankies

CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Want a super-easy, super-fast gift for baby? This class is for you! Create a security blankie baby will love out of soft cuddly Minkee or Flurr. These fabrics are hard to resist. You may want to make a big blankie for yourself! Once you see how easy these blankies are to finish, you will be making them for all the little ones in your life. This project makes a great baby shower gift.

NOTE TO INSTRUCTORS:
If you haven't worked with Minkee or Flurr before, you will love their irresistible, strokable softness. Both fabrics are messy when cut, but are definitely worth it for the cuddle factor. Quilts, Bibs, Blankies…Oh My! offers 6 different security blankies to choose from. The basic instructions are the same for each, so let your customers choose their favorite.

APPROXIMATE CLASS TIME:
2 hours

STUDENT SKILL LEVEL:
All skill levels

STUDENT SUPPLY LIST:

  • See materials lists on page 13 for Moon blankie, page 21 for Car blankie, page 29 for Starfish blankie, page 44 for Giraffe blankie, page 51 for Bunny blankie, or page 59 for Sheep blankie.
  • Basic sewing supplies

ADVANCE PREPARATIONS:
Make a sample security blankie. Hang the sample in the shop with a sign stating the class date, time, class name and book title. Then watch your class fill up!

IN THE CLASSROOM:
Following the instructions on pages 13, 21, 29, 44, 51, or 59 of  Quilts, Bibs, Blankies…Oh My!:

    1. Show the differences between Minkee and Flurr.


Demonstrate how to:

    1. Cut using a rotary cutter and acrylic ruler.
    2. Trace and cut appliqué pieces using paper backed fusible web.
    3. Fuse pieces to the backgrounds.
    4. Secure the appliqué with machine stitching.  Be sure to cover:
      1. Thread choice
      2. Stitch width
      3. Stitch selection—blanket, zigzag, satin or other decorative stitches
      If you have a lot of beginners, have pre-cut circles and squares on backgrounds for students to practice and gain confidence before they begin on their blankies. 
    5. Use basic piecing techniques to assemble the security blankie.
    6. Discuss quilting and batting options.


Demonstrate how to:

  1. Make bias binding.
  2. Hand-stitch binding to back.
  3. Draw eyes using permanent marker or embroidery floss.

Class #5: Baby Bibs

CLASS DESCRIPTION:
Here's a quick and easy gift that every baby really needs. These cute bibs make a super shower gift! You will learn the basics of machine appliqué while completing your bib. Choose a star, train engine, frog, lion, bunny, or sheep. They're so much fun, you won't make just one!

APPROXIMATE CLASS TIME:
2 hours

STUDENT SKILL LEVEL:
All skill levels

STUDENT SUPPLY LIST:

  • See the materials lists on page 14 for the Star bib, page 22 for the Train Engine, page 30 for the Frog, page 45 for the Lion, page 51 for the Bunny, and page 60 for the Sheep bib, depending on students' choice of pattern.
  • Basic sewing supplies

ADVANCE PREPARATIONS:
Make a sample bib or two.  Hang them in your shop with your class schedule to encourage signups. 

IN THE CLASSROOM:
Following the instructions for the bib your students choose in Quilts, Bibs, Blankies… Oh my!, demonstrate how to:

  1. Copy the bib pattern.
  2. Make a bib template.
  3. Make bias binding.
  4. Trace and cut appliqué pieces using paper backed fusible web.
  5. Fuse pieces to the backgrounds.
  6. Secure the appliqué with machine stitching.  Be sure to cover:
    1. Thread choice
    2. Stitch width
    3. Stitch selection—blanket, zigzag, satin or other decorative stitches
    If you have a lot of beginners, have pre-cut circles and squares on backgrounds for students to practice to gain confidence before they begin on their bibs.
  7. Sew binding to the bib.
  8. Attach hook and loop tape.
  9. Draw faces where appropriate.

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