Night Roost Class Plan
From Scrappy Wonky Quilt Block Extravaganza by Shannon Leigh Roudhán and Jason Bowlsby
Type of Project: Wall Hanging
Type of Workshop: Series of workshops – could be taught over a weekend or make-along style over the course of a month
Benefits to Participants
Those who take this workshop will learn a new style of piecing as well as how to create a finished piece with a variety of fabrics that they may not have previously thought of using together. This style of piecing is fun and lends itself to individual expressions of color and scale with just enough guidelines to keep them moving without becoming lost. This style of blocks and panels are relaxing and enable new quilters to make their first project successfully without stressing about exacting piecing and sewing. Experienced quilters will love the freedom and expressiveness of going with the flow of their colors, patterns, and piecing. As a group, this lends to a party atmosphere of interactions.
Benefits to Shops
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Book sales
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Sell special fabric packs
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Throw a pre-workshop shopping party! Extravaganza is right there in the title of the book.
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Sell “last year’s” fabric and packs
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Sell flat folds and ends of bolts
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Sell special scrap packs from small cuts from previous workshops or shop projects and cutting table cast offs.
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Inviting new folx in to learn quilting opens up the opportunity for sales of tools, fabric, and machines to a whole new set of customers.
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Did we mention the opportunity to throw a party? Because there could be a party, just sayin’
Skills to Emphasize in the Workshop
- Directed Improv – While there is a pattern providing guidelines and measurements, the blocks and panels involve piecing strips that are of no particular width but, rather, what we call “ish” measurements. This is a new experience for most quilters who are used to having instructions that say to cut X number of strips X” wide and X” long. Using “ish” measurements and building each block and panel as you go is freeing and relaxing for both experienced quilters and for those who might be intimidated by the thought of perfectly measured and placed pieces.
- Color – This block and the overall project is designed to look FAB whether it is created from a mix of random colors and prints or if a chosen color palette is followed. Either way, this is an opportunity to explore how colors work together or against one another. The addition of the sashing and border color works to tie everything together and frame the seeming randomness of the blocks and panels.
- Strip Piecing – How to cut and sew strips that may or may not be perfectly on grain to prevent buckled and warped finished fabric.
- Machine Quilting – Choosing a quilting plan that will complement the finished piece without distracting from it. Also, since this piece is a smaller wall hanging it is the perfect project for learning how to quilt on a domestic machine.
- Facing – Facing is often overlooked as a perfect, clean finish for quilts and is ideal for wall hangings or smaller projects. The final step of hand sewing or machine finishing the facing is the perfect opportunity to teach these skills as well. Again, the project is not too large and gives folx the opportunity to try a hand-finished facing for the first time without becoming frustrated with the new experience.
Class Supply List
- Scrappy Wonky Quilt Block Extravaganza by Shannon Leigh Roudhán and Jason Bowlsby
Scrap Fabric
This is a great opportunity to sell end-of-bolt, fat quarter packs, out of season collection packs, and to clear out flat folds. In addition, special packs of small yardages or quarter packs could be sold as a choose-yourown pack or by-the-pound sale in preparation for making the projects in Scrappy Wonky Quilt Block Extravaganza. Students who sign up for the workshop or purchase the book could set up an appointment to work with someone from the shop to help them pick fabrics that work together and purchase them as part of a special Scrappy Wonky Pack. This could also be set up as a single day or evening (or both) with a party atmosphere (an Extravaganza!) where folx come in to the shop to select fabrics and tools.
Tools
- Sewing machine
- Medium and small fabric scissors
- Rotary cutters
- Cutting mats
- Quilt rulers: various sizes; squares and long. For Night Roost, we used a 6.5” (16.5cm) wide long quilting ruler to line up the Fly Away Home panels during construction and a 3.5” (8.9cm) wide long quilting ruler to line up and square the Fly Away Home blocks.
- Seam rippers
- Tweezers
- Curved tailors awl (optional)
- Pins
- Wonder Clips
- Thread: We use Aurifil thread for all of the projects in Scrappy Wonky Quilt Block Extravaganza
- Pressing mats and irons
- Dowel rod for hanging (optional)
Prep and Suggested Classroom Time
Pre-workshop appointment to select all the colors and prints to make a fun piece with lots of colors or follow a color palette of their choosing; could be individual shopping appointments, open-ended special, or a big group party. The name of the book is Scrappy Wonky Quilt Block Extravaganza so make it an extravaganza with party clothes, hats, and feather boas. The feather boas are just because we like feather boas... completely optional...but why not??
Suggested breakdown and where to find related reference material and instructions in Scrappy Wonky Quilt Block Extravaganza
- 3 – 4 hours: initial construction of Fly Away Home blocks (pg 55): Work on your own to complete blocks and panels.
- 3 – 4 hours: assembly of finished blocks and border (pg 87): Work on your own to complete quilt top.
- 3 – 4 hours: Sandwich and quilting plan; how to use a domestic machine for quilting (pg 74): Work on your own to complete quilting.
- 2 – 3 hours: Facing (pg 83)
About the Authors
Shannon Leigh Roudhán and Jason Bowlsby are the dynamic DIY duo from Seattle, Washington. Their award-winning designs have been featured in and on the covers of domestic and international publications and their craft, portrait, and fashion photography has appeared in books and magazines around the globe. Shannon & Jason have published 13 books including Complete Crochet Course–the Ultimate Reference Guide, and Designer Crochet. Their latest books Boro & Sashiko: Harmonious Imperfection and Contemporary Kogin-zashi: Modern Sashiko Beyond Filling in the Gaps, are both available from C&T Publishing. Their NEWEST book, Scrappy Wonky Quilt Block Extravaganza is available June 2024.
