Workshops and Lectures
Barbara Dann is a passionate quilter with too many ideas and never enough time! She’s a quilting educator, specializing in Studio 180 Design and Sue Pelland Designs tools and techniques. She teaches at guilds, quilt shops and quilt shows. Barbara’s workshops are relaxed, informative, and fun. She enjoys teaching quilters of all skill levels and shares many tips and ideas that make piecing easier, faster and more accurate.
For more information or to schedule a lecture and workshop , contact Barbara at barbara@alleycatquiltworks.com
Lectures
Diva Detectives!Become a quilt detective. How is that block made? How can I make it in a different size? How can I make small changes to my quilts for big impact? How do I use the Studio 180 Design tools? Answers to these questions and many more during this fun, lively and informative lecture and trunk show!
Stress Free Storm at Sea! - You can make a Storm at Sea quilt - no paper piecing, no templates, NO STRESS! We will deep dive into the parts of a Storm at Sea Quilt and how to make them. Featured in this lecture will be the Square Squared tools and the Diamond Rects. But that’s not all – These units can be used in many other quilts. Also includes Snails Trails and Economy blocks - the design options are endless!!
Fire Away!
Lemoyne Star Quilts and Hunter’s Star Quilts were traditionally made with “Y” seams, inset seams and lots of stress. Not anymore! Both quilts can be made with our Rapid-Fire Tools – Rapid Fire Lemoyne Star and Rapid-Fire Hunter’s Star tools. Using strip piecing methods both these quilts go together quickly and easily.Hunter’s Star blocks can be set in many ways – the choices are endless! Lemoyne Stars are fabulous but wait ‘til you see all the variations of this 8-pointed star!
Workshops
"Sparkle"
One or Two Day Workshop
This quilt is designed combining two favorite quilt blocks, the Rambler and V Star (also known as the Peaky and Spike/50-40 or Fight Block). If you collect or love Fat Quarters, this is the quilt to make. It makes fabulous use of Fat Quarters, and it's perfect for any color background. For the most sparkle, go with a high contrast between your background fabric and Fat Quarters. And if you can't decide - half dark and half light background looks fabulous!
This class includes step by step instructions for the Tucker Trimmer, V-Block and Corner Pop - great value - 3 tools in one class! Additionally, I'll share lots of hints and tips on organization, machine piecing, cutting and pressing.
Required tools - Tucker Trimmer 1, V Block, and Corner Pop
Finished Quilt Sizes: Throw: 56” x 56”, Twin 68” x 92”, Queen 92” x 104” (your choice for class)
"Diamonds in the Sky" is a brilliant high contrast quilt. The Corner Beam blocks used throughout the design give you an alternating diamond illusion that simply radiates beauty. While we made our Diamonds in the Sky project with a medley of bright fat quarters for our stars, you could use 6” strips or scraps of bright fabric to make this a dynamite stash-buster project.
This class includes step by step instructions for the Corner Beam. Additionally, I'll share lots of hints and tips on organization, machine piecing, matching points, cutting and pressing.
Required for class
Studio 180 Designs Corner Beam
Diamonds in the Sky Quilt Pattern
"Tumbling Triangles"
By combining two contrasting fabrics you will create triangles tumbling down the quilt. This quilt can be made in six (!) different sizes from 13" x 13" mini to a queen size 80" x 80"! It's your choice for the class. The triangles are made using the V-Block tool -what was once a difficult block to make is now super easy. Before class prep is minimal - cutting strips and a few squares. And only two fabrics - this is a great quilt to use that fabulous print you've been saving!
Required for class:
"Jenn's Journey" is a modern play on a Snail’s Trail quilt layout. This design makes excellent use of those 1-yard+ fabric cuts you have been collecting. This class includes step by step instructions for the Large Square Squared and the Diamond Rects tools. Additionally, I'll share lots of hints and tips on machine piecing, matching points, cutting and pressing.
Three project sizes – Throw (68"x 68"), Twin (68” x 92”), and Queen (92” x 116”)
Required for this class
Studio 180 Designs Large Square Squared
Studio 180 Designs Diamond Rects
Jenn's Journey Pattern
"Love Links"
Interlocking chevrons make a fun and unique looking quilt. A difficult looking design is made easy using flying geese, making this a quick and easy quilt to master. Additionally, I'll share lots of hints and tips on machine piecing, matching points, organizing, cutting and pressing.
Eight project sizes from 13” x 14” to 104" x 112"
Wing Clipper
Love Links Pattern
We all have a “Bucket List” quilt or two. You know the ones – you want to make it but don’t really feel like you have the skills or the time. “Storm at Sea” was on my “Bucket List”! No paper piecing, no templates, no stress – making this quilt is fun!!!
Required for this workshop:
Studio 180 Design's Diamond Rects
Studio 180 Design's Square Squared
Pattern is included with the workshop.
See my Pinterest page for more inspiration - https://www.pinterest.com/barbara_dann/storm-at-sea-quilts/
"Constellation"
Finally! A tool and technique to quickly, easily and accurately piece traditional Lemoyne Star blocks in 10 different sizes! The blocks are strip pieced, assembled without “Y” seams, and pieced slightly over sized so each can be trimmed to perfection. In the class you will learn the process and construct several different sized stars that you can use to make your own Constellation quilt. Additionally, I'll share lots of hints and tips on machine piecing, matching points, organizing, cutting and pressing.
Required for class:
Studio 180 Design's Rapid Fire Lemoyne Star - pattern is included with tool
Studio 180 Designs's Tucker Trimmer III - recommended
Hunter's Star Quilt
Have you always loved the look of the Hunter's Star quilt but were a little intimidated by the block?
Then this workshop is for you. No inset seams, no appliqué, no paper piecing! Learn to make one block and the designs are unlimited! Most students get 16 (!) blocks completed in class.
The Rapid Fire Hunter’s Star tool and technique allow for streamlined construction and precision trim down.
Additionally, I'll share lots of hints and tips on machine piecing, matching points, organizing, cutting and pressing. Get ready for a fast paced, fun and informative class!
Fro more Hunter's Star Quilts follow me on Pinterest!
Required for class:
Studio 180 Design's Rapid Fire Hunter's Star Petite ( pattern is included with tool)
"Galaxy" is a beautiful alternating block design using two types of blocks, one with a red star and one with a blue star.
Because of the color placement and the different angles in the triangles, the interesting interlocking circles appear and the second star block disappears into the circles. It’s an optical illusion – no curved piecing!! Additionally, I'll share lots of hints and tips on machine piecing, matching points, organizing, cutting and pressing.
This quilt can be made in three different sizes – 6”, 9” or 12’ blocks.
Required for class:
Studio 180 Design's V-Block
Studio 180 Design's Tucker Trimmer
Studio 180 Design's Galaxy Pattern
Create the illusion of stars floating over the surface of your quilt and casting shadows below. All these Flying Geese are made using the Wing Clipper - in my opinion the only way to make Flying Geese successfully (and without cursing!) Easy fabric selections - light, medium and dark and you'll be making fabulous Flying Geese in no time at all! Additionally, I'll share lots of hints and tips on machine piecing, matching points, organizing, cutting and pressing.
Required for class:
Studio 180 Design's Wing Clipper
Studio 180 Design's Star Shadows Pattern
Rangeley Stars Wall Quilt
The Rangeley Stars have a complex look, but are actually very easy to construct. Using the Tucker Trimmer tool and an additional trim, all those complicated star points become simple to make. Just what we like! You’ll learn everything you need to know (and a little more!) about the Tucker Trimmer. And you’ll understand why I call it my favorite “power tool!”
Additionally, I'll share lots of hints and tips on machine piecing, matching points, organizing, cutting and pressing.
Required for class:
Tucker Trimmer
Rangeley Stars Wall Quilt
NEW!
"Periwinkle Swirl"
Periwinkle Swirl is inspired by Michelle’s spring gardens, where periwinkle blooms can be found here and there, swirling around in the early April winds. The Swirl blocks create wonderful movement around the Periwinkle Blocks, generating a light and lively vibe, mimicking that fresh feeling of spring! Whether you go with pastel or bright fabric, this quilt will look fabulous! Feel free to alternate the colors to make your own personal version, however be mindful of the suggested values to insure you obtain the fabulous movement. Periwinkle pattern offers four great quilt sizes and settings!
This class includes step by step instructions for Studio 180 Design's Diamond Rects and Corner Beam tools. Additionally, I'll share lots of hints and tips on organization, machine piecing, cutting and pressing.
Required for class:
Periwinkle Swirl Quilt Pattern
Studio 180 Design's Diamond Rects
Studio 180 Design's Corner Beam
NEW!
"Summer Star"
A quick and easy summer Carpenter Star that is a great use for those scraps, fat quarter, or yardage you have been collecting. Six sizes included! All sizes are made with the same number of units; the size of the half square triangle units determines the size of the quilt. Step-by-step instruction and diagrams included for all six sizes.
For the most dramatic effect consider a Split-Complementary color plan, colors opposite each other on the color wheel, picking colors from the warm side (orange/pink) and then across to the cool side (blue/green). If you would prefer a more blended effect, consider a Complementary color plan (colors next to each other on the color wheel such as blue and green).
Summer Star requires Studio 180 Design’s Tucker Trimmer III™ (TT3) or Tucker Trimmer I™ (TT1) depending on the size of the finished quilt.
Finished Quilt Sizes: Baby 51” x 51”, Wall 61” x 61”, Throw 74” x 74”, Double, 87” x 87”, Queen 98” x 98”, and King 108” x 108”
This class includes step by step instructions for Studio 180 Design's Tucker Trimmer I or III Additionally, I'll share lots of hints and tips on organization, machine piecing, cutting and pressing.
Required for workshop:
Summer Star Quilt Pattern
Tucker Trimmer I or Tucker Trimmer III
NEW!
"Diamonds and Pearls"
Is it diamonds or pearls that are a girl's best friend? Well, why not both! Use the Split Rects tool to make faceted diamonds that intermix with pearl-like Square Squared units to create elegant strands of diamonds and pearls across your quilt top. The pattern is designed to work with precuts (10' squares and 2 1/2" strips), so your quilt will be loaded with color variations.
This class includes step by step instructions for Studio 180 Design's Split Rects and Square Squared tools. Additionally, I'll share lots of hints and tips on organization, machine piecing, cutting and pressing.
Required for class:
Diamonds and Pearls Quilt Pattern
Studio 180 Design's Split Rects
Studio 180 Design's Square Squared
NEW!
"In Flight"
This fun, quick and easy quilt that can be made with scraps, fat quarters, yardage, etc… you pick! The pattern offers 4 sizes and 4 setting options. All sizes are made with the same number of blocks and units, the size of the flying geese units determines the size of the quilt. In Flight comes together easily with the Wing Clipper I tool.
Finished Quilt Sizes: Baby 50” x 50”, Throw 70” x 70”, Double 90” x 90”, & King 110” x 110”
This class includes step by step instructions for the Wing Clipper. You'll be making perfect Flying Geese in no time!! Additionally, I'll share lots of hints and tips on organization, machine piecing, cutting and pressing.
Required for class:
