Class sample for Stepping Beyond Drunkard's Path by Cheryl Phillips
Stepping Beyond Drunkard's Path Block of the Month Sew Along
I'm over the moon about this class. Everything is right about it, including how it came to be. Soon after I began quilting, I discovered Cheryl Phillips' amazing Cut A Round tool and method for cutting and insetting circles. I must own two dozen Cut A Rounds. It is still my favorite quilt tool bar none.
When I moved to Colorado and began working for Quilters Newsletter Magazine, I decided it was time to meet Cheryl, founder of Phillips Fiber Art. I live in the Colorado Rockies just up the hill from Golden and Boulder. Cheryl lives on the Western Slope on the other side of our state. The first time I headed west to Salt Lake City, I called Cheryl to see if we could meet for lunch when I passed through her neighborhood. Her gracious answer to meeting this stranger was yes, of course.
It was one of the best lunches ever. Not the food. I don't remember it. The conversation was the best ever. We connected at so many levels, all spurred by our love of all things quilting. That was about 10 years ago. We've stayed in touch and seen each other from time to time. Each time we've gotten together, we've talked about finding a way to work together.
Late last year, we got our act together and moved beyond talk. The result: Stepping Beyond Drunkard's Path Block of the Month Sew Along.
This class will make the best of each of our skill sets. Cheryl is a genius in seeing the math needed to create tools that make complicated-looking designs simple to execute and writing easy-to-follow books that explain her methods. I love to teach, including teaching folks to inset circles with the Cut A Round. This is a match made in heaven.
We spent several days together earlier this year brainstorming what we could do together then began work on the class sample. My contribution was minimal. I pulled fabric from Cheryl's extensive batik stash then added a few more from the local quilt shops. Then I assigned fabrics to blocks. Cheryl did the rest with her delightful and talented husband, Gary Phillips, doing the longarm quilting, and her daughter Brooke offered input into final color choices.
In true Cheryl style, she pieced the back using some the extra blocks created when piecing the front of the quilt. This is a two-for-one quilt for sure.
I've gotten wrapped up in the story of this class. I guess I'd better tell you specifics so you'll sign up. Each month, you'll learn one or more ways to use the Cut A Round tool to make Drunkard's Path blocks. You'll quickly master the Cut A Round tool as you discover it is the fastest and easiest way ever to inset circles and sew the curves needed to create the iconic Drunkard's Path look.
Back of class sample by Cheryl Phillips
The class will meet once a month for six months from June through November. Two class times are scheduled toward finding times for those who work outside the home as well as those who can do weekdays.
One session will meet from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. the third Mondays of each month. Classes will be June 19, July 15, August 21, September 18, October 16 and November 20.
The other session will meet from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. the third Saturdays of each month with one exception. Classes will be June 17, July 15, August 19, September 23 (this is the fourth Saturday), October 21 and November 18.
This is an open enrollment class. That means you can enroll from wherever you live. You just need Zoom access.
Come join us for fun stitching times as you make this gorgeous quilt. Register now. Just scroll down to find the sign ups for each of the sessions of this class. Can't wait to Sew Along with you as we Step Beyond to create a Drunkard's Path beauty.
"Circle of Friends" class at Everyday Quilting in Urbana, Illinois
Teaching at Everyday Quilting Company in Urbana, Illinois
Teaching at Everyday Quilting Company in Urbana, Illinois, was amazing, truly amazing. I rarely use this many adjectives but there's no exaggeration here. I taught three classes with each one more fun than the last. Shop owner Zeba Iman has created a space of joy for her customers. You feel you have come home from the time you walk in.
Block designed by Joyce Day in Demystifying Design for Foundation Paper Piecing class tiled
When on the Road
Being on the road usually means my Honda Pilot is packed to the roof with teaching supplies, kits, class samples, my sewing machine and table, quilting tools, several books to read, and, of course, clothes. Heading to Illinois was no exception to this. My car was full.
Often when traveling, I'm pulling my high-maintenance BFF Emma, my small trailer. With snow possible between Colorado and Illinois, March was not Emma's road season. She'll take her first 2023 trip when we head for "sunny?" California next week. I did encounter significant snow along Highway 36 in western Kansas and eastern Colorado. Emma would not have been a happy camper.
Hitting the road usually means an overfull car.
Being on the road without Emma means finding places to stay. My Air BnB in Urbana was lovely, bright and super clean. It was two doors down from a place I lived for a year when a student at the University of Illinois. It looked out on Illini Grove where I remember studying and picnicking. It may sound odd but I enjoy doing my laundry on a day off from teaching because you learn about the community from the folks you meet at the laundromat. Urbana was no exception.
At left, Portillo's was founded in 1963 in Villa Park, Illinois, as the Dog House. It is now a chain with numerous locations. Above, Hardee's in Urbana is my fav breakfast spot.
One last note: I pretty much ate my way through Illinois. Between meals out with family and friends, I had to grab a bite at two of my favorite Midwest fast-food restaurants: Portillo's and Hardee's. Love those hot dogs (Portillo's) and breakfast biscuits (Hardee's). Yes, I'm dieting this week.
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