When my aunt was here (sorry, I warned you!) our local quilt guild had a quilt show and the guest teacher was Kim Diehl. On Thursday, we took a 6-hour class from her to learn her machine applique technique. Here is the project that we worked on:
I have to warn you that I’m not really much of a class-taker, but I do think that something can be learned from every experience. Having said that, my aunt and I had a lot of fun and I did pick up a few tips from Kim’s techniques that I’ll be using from now on. I didn’t get any great pictures of Kim (hey — I was busy sewing!), but here’s one of her doing a demo for some of the class.
Kim is a very nice woman and her instructions are impeccable — very clear and easy to understand. And I think her machine applique is beautiful and darn-near invisible. Her quilting is beautiful too. I found it amazing that she doesn’t use a hoop and she uses a size 5 embroidery needle — put that up next to a size 10 or 12 between — it’s a big needle! I really think I might enjoy hand quilting that way and I might give it a try. Here’s a little sample that she was preparing for a hand-quilting class that she was teaching the following day:
On Saturday, we attended a trunk show/luncheon and MeMum came along with us. I loved seeing all of Kim’s quilts.
I’ve always loved the combo of applique and piecing and that’s Kim’s forte. I was amazed at the number of quilts that Kim has completed in the last 10 years. I’m only showing a few of the many here.
I liked that Kim had a few quilts in pastel/brighter colors. I love all colors but I seem to be gravitating to pastel/brights more lately. I blame it on blogland! (And like noblogsorta Brigette, I’m loving pinwheels now.)
In general, we really had a wonderful time. I’ve done a lot of quilt shopping with my Aunt, but I don’t think I’ve ever had the privilege of taking a class with her, so just being able to spend class time together was the best part for me.
I think we both enjoyed Kim’s style and techniques, although we were a little disappointed that the class didn’t focus entirely on the machine applique technique. The first three hours were spent piecing the background for the applique and we both felt we could easily have done that before the class. I’m sure it’s hard to know the different skill levels of all your students, so Kim was probably just trying to be sure that everyone started out on the same page.
The problem was that we were only left with 3 hours to work on the machine applique technique which meant only completing a sample leaf. It would have been nice to get more of the project completed. And for me, it’s sadly a project that might end up in the UFO pile, at least for now, because there are too many other projects that I REALLY want to work on — life’s just too short and our project still needs a LOT of work before it’s finished.
But, that’s ok. I still learned something, so it was very worth it. I would highly recommend a Kim Diehl class if you have the opportunity to take one!
After the luncheon, we walked around our local quilt show. Um….how to say it? One thing we DON’T do well around here is quilt shows. They’ve just NEVER had much to look at. Ever. Maybe I’ve been to too many big shows and I expect too much. I don’t think so though — I’ve been to other small shows that have quality work. Needless to say, I was REALLY disappointed at the quality of the quilts being displayed and almost embarrassed for my Aunt to see what we didn’t have to offer.
Among the small handful of decent quilts that I liked, was this pretty Baltimore album:
This was called the ABCs of Life.
Each block had one or more of the ABCs of life penned in small letters on the quilt. Can you see them?
I loved this idea and I took a picture of the label on the back of the quilt so that I’d be able to remember the ABCs in case I decide to ever do something like this. These ABCs would also be cute in other mediums…embroidery, paper crafts, etc.
So now, you’ve been to see Gene Stratton Porter, been quilt shopping, been to the quilt show and met Kim Diehl with my Aunt and I …. next up, Auntie will be making something yummy!!!
XOXO,
Anna
okay, i LOVE that pinwheel quilt. i have to look this kim person up and see if she has a pattern for it. LOVE that quilt. and what did you freakin’ call me? :) i don’t sortablog. i’m a blogger. i’m just a closetblogger. it’s because my blog looks like i’m FIVE. no cute clocks on the side. no polka dotted background. no links to other bloglands – no special area for projectsmyfriendsaren’ttalentedenoughtoendeavor none of that. so i’m basically just talking to myself i guess, oh, and you of course. i have one blog reader. but at least she’s a good one!!!
b.
Beautiful quilts! Love those ABC’s of life – so true!
I’m with you…even if a class doesn’t meet all my expectations I always learn something and just being around other quilters sewing is a very wonderful thing. Kim’s quilt sare great and the ABC’ of Life is spectacular…I think the label is just wonderful. Thank you for the show and can’t wait to see what your Aunt is going to make that’s yummy!
I am sooo green. I wanted to take a class from Kim at NQA in Columbus but I couldn’t go because my hubby was headed to JApan. You are so fortunate. Someday I will get to meet her. I love her quilts, her use of colors and her borders. I wonder if she’ll ever do a book on borders?? Anyhow, thank you for the pictures..I can live vicariously through you! LOL
Looks like a fab class Anna, those quilts are beautiful. I’ve got my fingers crossed that Aunty doesn’t make anything yummy containing mash potato!
Kimx
Thank you for sharing your class experience with Kim Diehl. I dream of taking a class or two from her one day. Sigh!
Wonderful, wonderful pictures..thank you for sharing. I knew the name Kim Diehl but I don’t think I had seen her work. Now I want to see more and oh how I would love to take a workshop.
the abc’s of life
Animosity
wouldn’t it be a *little* funny to come up with abc’s that were a little off? okay, so i’m a little off! i emailed kim diehl and asked her if that pinwheel quilt was in one of her books. i’m going to make it. i’d rather have her do the math though… so i’ll let you know, unless of course you ALREADY know… since you were just hanging out with her…. sewing… perusing things… photographing quilts…
hanging out with your AUNT.
i want a nice auntie when i grow up. i guess i’ll just have to be the nice auntie.
i can’t help but notice that kim diehl has “stems” in most of her quilts. and many of them are jotting out diagonally. interesting. beautiful quilts. that 2nd one you show with the 4 big applique quilts is also pretty cool. but i’m hooked on the pinwheels. fun colors too. i could wake up to that in the morning. speaking of waking up, i’m going back to bed!!!
have a great day today.
i’m driving to an orchard to get (du-du-dum) SUNCREST PEACHES!! they are only in season for 10 days. i’m feeling all peachy. made peach cobbler last nite.
:waves madly
b.
I have trouble with classes too, you know just skip to the bits ‘I’ want to know and get on with it … :) … still I also agree with you there is always something to learn or some amazing person or just some ordinary but lovely person to meet! I am so pleased that you are liking the bright fresh colours … otherwise I would miss you over at my place!
Don’t apologize for writing about your aunt; it is nice to see you with your family…I was born too late to get to know my aunts.
I like that ABC’s of life idea.
Pity about spending so much time on easy pieceing. But what a treat to stop in here and find so many lovely quilts to look at!
Thanks for the lovely Kim Diehl show, I love her projects. I’ve seen all sorts of ways to hand quilt and watched someone do it with a large needle and no hoop at my local show and her stitches were really even and great! I think whatever way you can master and looks good to you is just right!
Thank you for joining Just us quilters! Would you kindly add my html code link button to your lovely blog? Thanks a bunch http://justusquilters.blogspot.com/
WOW love those quilts that you showed. The ABC quilt is amazing. It’s to bad that class time was spent on piecing the background – that’s certainly something that could have been done earlier. I’m excited about taking a class from her – it sounds like you enjoyed it and actually learned a tip of 2 :) – that’s always a good thing.
Hugs – karen
Lucky you to have had the opportunity to take a class with Kim. I just love her work! She’s on my list of “must take class”. Thank you for the picture show! Gorgeous!
What a fun day you had with your aunt. (now you have me doing it) I love the ABC quilt. How adorable. I love quilt shows.
Oh, oh, oh – count me in on that pinwheel pattern from Kim Diehl! I love it!! It would go sooooo nicely with the other things I want to make :).
Has anyone else ever been so overwhelmed by all the books, patterns and fabrics that they actually don’t know where to start (and what to finish)? I bounced off the walls on Sunday trying to figure out what I could get done in the few hours that I had to work on something, until my husband said I really didn’t have to go to a concert (though it might have been fun to do so) if I didn’t want to. Then I was able to focus, and worked (played!) until 10 pm on a single project (I really, really hate that word – sounds too much like a chore).
That was interesting…Sounds like you took something away from your day with Kim and got to see some of those lovely quilts in person..lucky girl!
I know what you mean about being disappointed about quilt shows…It’s not very often that I come away with that “wow” feeling…
I’m like you about class taking, and I love what Carol said, “even if a class doesn’t meet all my expectations I always learn something and just being around other quilters”. More often than not, I learn something from the teacher or the other class takers that’s totally unrelated to what we’re working on. Love that!
Love, love, love the trunk show! And I’m a hoopless dancer too. But I do use an 11 needle though. Makes a 5 look like a knitting needle to me.
the pinwheel quilt is amazing!!!
Looks like you had a great day with your aunt! I would liked to join a class with Kim Diehl, love her books!
What absolutely beautiful work went into all these pieces you’ve shared. I’m so glad you took the opportunity to take the class and learn some marvelous techniques.
I also see I’ve missed a lot of fantastic things you’ve been doing while I was on vacation. I’ll have to read more and catch up.
What fun you and your Aunt have. I love hearing about your adventures and the class sounded good. I agree with you about maybe doing some prep work before class so you can get to the heart of what you are going to learn! All in all a fun day and great pictures of quilts
I have to say the pinwheel one is my favorite. I love taking a class and learning something new (when I have time!) but you are right, you can always come away with something. I’ve never really done that much with machine applique other than blanket stitch. So I probably should do this sometime!
Anna, Be glad you have an aunt to share your craft with. I really liked the pinwheel quilt. I have to agree with you about the pastels. I love pastels also. Enjoy
I love Kim Diehl’s “stuff”–like you, I think her combination of piecing and applique is wonderful, and she seems to gravitate toward the same fabrics I do. I can look at her books and recognize TONS of the same fabrics I have in my stash. Too bad you didn’t get more time with her teaching the machine applique part though. Oh, and by the way, she has a most excellent name, don’t you think?! ROFLOL!
What fun! I love that pinwheel quilt best of all! Lucy x
What fun you had!! I love Kim Diehl’s quilts, especially that pinwheel one. I’m going to have to find that pattern! Glad you and your aunt had so much fun.
What a great experience it must have been to take a class with Kim. I loved looking at all the photos. The way she combines applique with quilting is one of the reasons I love her designs, but I alos love that pinwheel quilt.
I’ve never been to a class either but am starting to feel I should give it a try.
Kim Diehl’s work is beautiful – it would take me 10 years to do one of those!!
I’m so glad you’re having such a lovely time with your aunt :)
xxxxxx
Such beautiful quilts. I have just tried hand applique for the first time ever. Hmmm. I might need a class.
I’m not much of a class-taker either, but I always learn something of value every time I do. I think it’s wonderful you and your Aunt got to take a class from Kim D. I have always been a fan of her work, and the quilts you show certainly don’t disappoint. I love the ABC quilt, and what thoughts she chose for her ABC’s.
I love taking classes but never do because I haven’t finished my pigs lately (PIG=projects in grocery sacks.) Oh, and I picked up two more projects this week. So much for my goal not to buy anything new until I finished some old projects. I did get one quiet book cover sewn yesterday. It was tricky. I just kept my fingers crossed that it would turn out since I made it up as I went along. Now I need to finish Stephanie’s cover and I can cross it off my “to do” list. Love your post. So many beautiful quilts. Hugs and Kisses, Kim
I think I would have wanted to piece my background ahead of time also, but it is so hard to teach such a wide range of experience. I would love to take a class from Kim just to do it! I love your class project!