I have been waiting nearly 2 years to attend classes with Bonnie Hunter and have finally done so! I spent Monday and Tuesday in class.
Helping Hands Quilt Guild in Dover Delaware hosted the class. Several of my “other guild” friends from Ocean Waves Quilt Guild in Lewes, DE attended. In fact, there were people from New York, New Jersey, California, Maryland and even a lady from Germany in attendance. We were in a beautiful church facility in Wyoming Delaware with great lighting and LOTS of space. That was a good thing as there were 50+ students each day.
Day One was the TALKIN’ TURKEY class; from Bonnie’s book – STRING FLING . Bonnie had her quilt hanging on the stage and it was nice to be able to go take a look at the elements that made up the quilt.
I was so busy I didn’t take many photo’s. The block for the quilt had MANY elements, and we were using the Companion Angle ruler and the Easy Angle ruler for much of the cutting. I took this class specifically to learn how to use those rulers. Bonnie teaches you to use the Easy Angle ruler for half square triangles; and both of the rulers for making flying geese. The main focus was in getting your finished units to “measure up” properly. Well, I spent a lot of time arguing with my sewing machine about “scant” quarter inch. This is why I have NOT used those rulers for that type of unit in the past. (Remember those HEADLESS GEESE from the Allietare Mystery Quilt last winter…..I do!) Of course, she offered the suggestion to make either unit in your favorite method, but she was teaching these specific rulers. I found it very helpful and absorbed lots of tips & techniques. Meanwhile….that scant quarter inch eluded me all day and my progress was SLOW. I did however get nearly all the string blocks completed. One of the guild members, Kate Ruper, was wandering around helping people, and she sat and visited with me while she “de-papered” about 40 string blocks for me. It was nice getting to know her a little bit. Visiting with her helped me become a little “less stressed” over that darn SCANT quarter inch!
The evening of Day one was the Helping Hands Guild meeting where Bonnie Hunter did a lecture & trunk show. Rather than repost all the photo’s, hop on over to my Flickr page – Bonnie Hunter class album. The descriptions tell you which book the quilt pattern is from.
Day two was the MY BLUE HEAVEN class. This pattern is available for free on – Bonnie’s blog
I did SO much better with the specialty rulers on the second day! I solved my “scant quarter inch” problem. I removed my quarter inch foot, and put the standard foot on, stopped using the default settings, used the little yellow seam guide ruler that you put your needle through, and set a “card” stop on my machine. PERFECT after that. (The lady to my right was fighting the same issue). I also bought a 2nd seam guide ruler from Bonnie to “always” keep in my travel bag. Anyway, the blocks we were making for MY BLUE HEAVEN used those 2 rulers again. So, more tips & techniques and MUCH success. I wasn’t fast, but I learned a lot. I think I look happy here –
I got 4 blocks done…and I was thrilled! My friend Edna was too!
Bonnie has done a much better job describing and sharing pictures than I could possibly do, so I will share a link to her blog for each class I was in. Be sure to check out her picture links!
Talkin-Turkey on Bonnie’s blog
My Blue Heaven on Bonnie’s blog
I was tickled to meet Bonnie Hunter. I have made several of her quilt patterns. Also pleased that she signed a square for me for my Allietare label. She also signed every book ! She was energetic and gracious. Check off one from the “bucket list” ! 🙂 NOTE TO SELF – 2 days of classes in a row with 2 different projects is insanity. I now have 3 giant bins of project fabric to deal with…meanwhile the rest of my quilt life/real life goes on! More tomorrow! Happy stitching.
Stitching Grandma 