2013: July 25 – August 1 (Course runs July 26 to July 31)

Free-Form Symmetry – Fast, Fun and Fusible – a new and simple art concept that lends itself to teaching all levels from beginners to experienced students. Students work with free-form cutting of mirror images and no piecing to create an original medallion quilt. By the end of the week you will have learned how to design a fabulous art quilt without knowing how to “draw” -  a technique that banishes the “fear factor” and gives immensely gratifying results.

Each student will receive a kit containing:

1-1/4 yards background fabric to create a 36″ square
Contrasting threads 6
6 Fat quarter fabrics for fused elements
3 yards of fusible material
White chalk pencil and/or marker
Scotch tape = free
Mechanical pencil with good eraser
Each student should bring:
2 pieces of template plastic – size 12″x18″ Rotary cutter
Pair of 4″ needlecraft scissors for fine cutting
24″ ruler
Extra bobbins
Your choice of quilting thread, i.e., plain, metallic, etc.
10-20 sheets plain white copy paper
Border fabric = purchase 1 yard – color of your choice
Backing fabric of your choice- large enough for a 54″ square
Batting – size same as backing fabric

We will have the following items available at Daku Resort:

Iron and Ironing board.
At least 2 sewing machines for zigzag stitching with foot to use with machine appliqué
Cutting boards

The week’s schedule: Morning workshops followed by a mixture of afternoon excursions and free time to enjoy a massage, snorkel on the reef, or laze by the pool with a book.

Patti Hempen is a National as well as an International quilting instructor now residing at Canyon Lake, Texas. Quilting adventures all began after seeing a beautiful “Trip Around the World” quilt her sister-in-law, Michelle, made and it has been Patti’s passion ever since 1998, having created 100+ quilts. Colours, the brighter the better are her love and you will see this in her favourite quilt pattern, the kaleidoscope. Over the last 6 years, she has won 22 ribbons and awards, also has had her quilts juried into multiple shows including the American Quilter’s Society Expo at Nashville, the American Quilter’s Society’s first show in Lancaster, PA, the AQS show in Paducah, Kentucky, the Mancuso Denver National, and the Mancuso’s Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza XVII.

She has owned “End of The Rainbow Quilts” in Texas since 1998 and began teaching

professionally at that time.  Since then, she has become a designer and a quilt show judge as well as an author of a new quilting book.  She continues to do lecturing, trunk shows, teaches piecing, hand and machine applique and fabric selection as well as her wonderful new design techniques.

Patti continues in her quest to share her knowledge and expertise to create art, teach and share with others to be the best they can be and has expanded her horizons while teaching on cruise vacations and abroad.  Having tried to grasp every aspect of the quilting world she possibly can, she is truly delighted and pleasantly overwhelmed with the creativity this art brings to all of us.

INSTRUCTOR EXPERIENCE:  World-wide instruction, cruise ships, quilt guilds, fabric shops, and private groups.

Cost: US$1870:  includes course fees, special quilting kit from Patti, 7 nights’ twin share accommodation, all meals. Single room supplement: $350. Partners welcome.

Travel not included.

Additional materials list will be supplied – most of this you will probably have a lot of this at home.

Daily programme

Thursday 25  July: Arrive in Savusavu

Day 1: Friday 26 July
Meet and greet – introductions.
Show samples. Give handouts and explain the process. Pass out kits.
Short question and answer period. Set up table spaces. Make background ready.
Afternoon: visit to Savusavu town.
7.30 Dinner

Day 2: Saturday 27 July
Begin design process of 40 x 40 ” wall piece.
Assist students in paper motif design methods to create a pleasing visual.
Transfer chosen motifs to re-usable plastic templates.
Afternoon: beach trip.
7.30 Dinner

Day 3: Sunday 28 July
Students will choose provided fat quarter fabric to be used for repeated motif layout.
Transfer designs from plastic templates to fusible material.
Cut out identical units and work on correct placement on background to give best visual.
Adhere pieces to background.
4.30 Tapa making demonstration.
7.30 Dinner

Day 4: Monday 29 July
Instruction in use of stabilizer and outline blanket stitch for finishing.
Fun sew day.
Afternoon: free – have a massage, visit the local black peral farm, relax
6.30pm: Drinks at Savusavu Yacht Club. Informal dinner at Daku.

Day 5: Tuesday 30 July
Fun sew day.
Afternoon: village visit – see  a local Fijian village and watch a traditional meke (dance)
7.30 Dinner

Day 6:  Wednesday 31 July
Finish any sewing, Show and Tell and it’s a wrap!
Afternoon: free
7.30 Final Dinner

Travel summary
Travel to Savusavu Thursday 25 July
Course runs Friday 26 July – Wednesday 31 July (6 days)
Depart Savusavu and Fiji: Thursday 1 August 2013

You should arrive in Fiji (Nadi airport) in time to take a flight to Savusavu on July 25.  Flights depart at o650 and 1430; at the time of posting this (May 2012) we are hoping for additional flights next year so please stay in contact with us for the best options. Students arriving from LA will depart LA on Tuesday July 23 and cross the International Date Line, thus losing a day, and arrive on Thursday July 25 at 0515 (actual flight time: 10hrs and 40 mins). They will then be able to take a flight to Savusavu later in the morning. At this stage the exact schedule is not confirmed as airlines do not confirm over 11 months in advance. Students arriving from Australia/New Zealand should arrive on July 25 in time to catch a flight to Savusavu that day.

On the return, you will leave Savusavu on August 1 and catch return flights later that same day.

Please let us know if you need help with planning your itinerary.

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