I will start off by saying that I've never taken a workshop/class...ever. And, I wasn't going to miss out on this chance to take two. I took full advantage of the opportunity! We had full classes, amazing company, lots of snacks and the chance to meet quilters from not just Nashville, but Memphis, Chattanooga and Knoxville!
Meet Latifah, formerly known as 'The Quilt Engineer'. The lady behind the Glam Clam Quilts and templates. I've admired her for years and years. I believe my daughter steered me in her direction a long, long time ago!
I was impressed with her warmth, humor, skills along with her her endless patience throughout the classes. She was just as I had hoped she would be and more. If you ever get the chance to meet her or take her workshops, you won't be disappointed!
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| Latifah Saarif and Me! |
Our first workshop was all about Bias Tape. We got to pick a small project, sketch ideas and and attempt to execute them. This was a three hour class that flew by! I should have paid better attention to how to finish up ends in a pretty way...but I was to fixated on my table runner idea!
My idea was paisley and circles. You can see I didn't get very far with the bias tape part of the class! The good news is I just need to quilt the runner and I can share it!
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| Medallion, No Latitude, Air Show |
The next day was our full Glam Clam Day! It was an amazing day! I'm so glad I decided to take this class!
Take a look at these Clams! The bottom left is the only 8" quilt out of these four. I'm loving the 12", even though the 6" clam caught my eye big time!
We all got set up pretty quickly at our tables. Irons were heating...more snacks...fabric flying everywhere!
Latifah demonstrated how to cut the side pieces. I over achieved and had mine cut before hand. You would think that should have allowed me to make more progress on my quilt, but it didn't!
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| Check out her dress! It's from her fabric line 'Graphic'! |
Believe it or not, someone actually finished their quilt top! I know! They used the 12" template, which I thought was huge when I first saw it. Ummm...I should have gone with the 12"! Piecing together the clams is not a quick process. It was super awkward to me. The alignment of each clam confused me more times than I care to admit. That being said, don't shy away from it! If we don't push, we don't learn. This seriously pushed me!
I completed the top row and six rows of clams! Like I said, it isn't fast! Once you get the hang of it, it does go a little faster. My clams are 8" and I'm doing a rather large (IMO) throw quilt. I am determined, dead set, serious as a heart attack going to finish this quilt! I'm afraid if I don't keep working on it I'll forget how to do it! And that would be tragic!
Here's a few more Latifah originals! Gorgeous...amazing...inspiring!
| Log Cabin (amazing), The Big Log, and Two versions of Mole Hills. I loved seeing all her quilts and hearing the stories and thoughts behind them. When I grow up... Notice the bindings on many of these quilts. It's a one inch binding that Latifah does on many of her quilts. Take her class...she shows you how she does it!! I will be giving it a whirl on my Clam quilt! Thank you Debbie @ A Quilter's Table for telling me to ask about the 'demo' of the binding! Let's just say this was a two day extravaganza for me!! It most likely won't happen again anytime soon!
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Oh, that photo of you and Latifah brought a big smile to my face. How awesome to get to take your first classes this weekend. Keep going - I know you can do it! :)
ReplyDeleteIt was a blast! Even though The Glam Clam quilt was never on my radar…I couldn’t not take the class! I’m thrilled that I did because I learned so much! You can teach this old dog new tricks!
DeleteSounds like you had great fun. I like the look of paisley and circles, it has the openness and freshness I associate with much of your work. It's great to learn something new, and no matter how much we have done in the past with quilting there is always something new to learn. That's one reason I love it so much.
ReplyDeleteI think thats a universal, across the board consensus on quilting! Learning something new and the evolution of our journey! The more time that passes we tend to change our style or aesthetics and with that we have to learn our next phase! I sound so serious! I can’t wait to quilt the runner…hopefully today!
DeleteI never cared about making a clamshell quilt either - until I had the chance to do it with Latifah! Yours is looking SO good!
ReplyDeleteOther than my very first how to quilt class, I have never taken any classes either! It looks like you all had a blast!!
ReplyDeleteOh wow! I would have loved both of those classes. So fantastic!
ReplyDeletelucky girls!!! These classes seem fantastic!
ReplyDeleteThey were really wonderful classes. Latifah was amazing and learning from her is a dream come true!
DeleteI'm glad you had a great time. I enjoy taking classes/workshops. It's a great opportunity to socialize with other quilters, and I always learn something new.
ReplyDeleteThat looks a real fun day . I have clamshell templates but have never braved them
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy for you! The workshop looks like it was a lot of fun, and one I'd love to take. I attended Latifah's schoolhouse lecture yesterday at market and she shared many of her beautiful quilts. That glam clam quilt is amazing and I *need* those templates! Keep going on your top - I'm excited to see it. :)
ReplyDeleteWOW - it sounds like those two days were fabulous. A one inch binding!!! Wowee - that would be cool to see how she does that . . . perfectly, I'm sure. I'm glad you had fun ~smile~
ReplyDeleteRoseanne
Sounds like you had lots of fun, I love the colors you chose for both the runner and the clams.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a lot of fun. Nashville is not too far away -- maybe I need to start looking for workshops there.
ReplyDeleteWhat progress! Looks like ya'll had a blast!
ReplyDeleteThis looks like SUCH a great time!!!! Ack it's so fun to see, and I'm loving your makes so far! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteI love taking classes on new techniques. I look forward to seeing your runner. I haven't played with bias tape in years. Thanks for sharing with TGIFF!
ReplyDeleteLooks like you had a real happy day! Love how your 8" clams are looking, great colour combo!
ReplyDeleteI have always been intrigued by the Glamshell; it looks like it would come together rather quickly, maybe I should put this one on my list. How lucky to have a chance to take classes with "A Quilting Celebrity," I wish some of them would come to FL. :-)
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you had a great time ! You made a lot of progress on your projects and I'm looking forward to seeing them finished.
ReplyDeleteOh, I love that new (up left) design. If I weren't so afraid of the clamshells... Your quilt looks fun, keep on going!
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