Saturday 30 September & Sunday 1 October 2023, Log Cabin Hand Quilt with Sarah Gagnon from Pelican Quilts

16:00 - 19:00 GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)

Online workshop, hosted on Zoom by Sarah Gagnon

Join Sarah Gagnon over zoom from her home studio as she walks step-by-step through making a quilt by hand. She will share tips she’s learned from years of quilting, links to her favorite supplies, and much more. All skill levels are welcome.

Teaching this workshop is Sarah Gagnon, a multidisciplinary designer, artist, writer, and quilter. Each of her quilts is based on a traditional design, but is her own composition. She works with fabrics that she dyes with natural dyes like indigo, madder, osage orange and more. She typically works in linen and hand quilts with sashiko thread. 

Sarah will be teaching four variations of the log cabin block which are perfect for beginners but make room for incredible compositions that will inspire even the most seasoned quilter. The log cabin has incredible potential and allows the designer to decide if they want to stick to precise measurements and careful seam alignment or work more freely. 

This event will consist of free access to the Meet the Maker talk with Sarah Gagnon on her experience as an artist, writer, and quilter. The event will happen online on 29 May 2023.

Outline of the workshop

In this two-part workshop, Sarah will walk you through the step-by-step process of making a quilt from start to finish.

In the first class, you will start learning some basic quilt design principles. Sarah does not work from patterns and will teach you how to work from a classic block style to make your own design.  You will study some of Sarah’s favorite log cabin quilts as well as some of her own. You will learn the basics of design within this block type and learn both the traditional forms and some unconventional.  You will prepare fabric by cutting and then begin to piece together your first blocks. We will start all four blocks in the workshop but they may be completed between the two sessions. 

In the following session, we will  focus on techniques to layer and complete a quilt. You will learn  to baste, handquilt, and bind a sample block. These techniques will prepare you to complete a full sized quilt. Sarah teaches handquilting on the lap without a quilt frame. You are welcome to use a frame if you prefer, but it is not required for this workshop. We will conclude by sharing the unique results achieved by each participant,

Level of experience

This workshop is suitable for beginners as well as more experienced makers.

Materials

Every quilter has their favorite tools. These represent the basic materials required, but you should feel free to use whatever suits you. 

A materials pack will be sent to participants prior to the workshop containing:

• Strips of naturally dyed fabric for 1-2 blocks

• Sashiko thread

• Handquilting needles

• Handmade leather thimble

In addition, participants will need to provide:

• A sewing machine (though sewing by hand is also possible)

• All purpose thread

• An iron and heat proof surface for ironing

• A ruler 

• Fabric scissors

• Seam ripper

• Pins

• Additional fabric. Traditionally log cabin blocks use one dark color, one light color, and 1 red color. You should feel free to use whatever colors you wish. Fabric remnants and scraps work well.

Please note: material packs are shipped on an insured, trackable delivery service. Any customs duties, delays, lost or undeliverable packs are the responsibility of the customer. Once a material pack leaves the workshop tutors' hands with a tracking number, the seller has no further obligation to the buyer.

Workshop recording: 
The workshop will be recorded and the recording will be shared with you after the workshop. Please allow 7 working days for us to send you the recording.

Workshop Cancellation Policy
All places reserved on workshops are non refundable, however, if you let us know you are not able to make a workshop you have booked at least two weeks prior to the event, we will offer a credit note.
If you require additional information about this workshop please contact events@selvedge.org.

Images credit: Anja Marie Nardi