Program
I’m now booking only special events (i.e. retreats/shows), large guilds, and conferences in 2025. For more details, scroll to bottom of page.
Email Susan@PiecesBeWithYou.com if interested.
My Eclectic Quilt Pageant
(1 hour lecture/trunk show)
Join one of the world's most enthusiastic personalities for ooo's, aaaah’s, and laughter to learn a plethora of tips to increase accuracy and add fresh, interesting details with piping, prairie points, heavy threads, and embellishments. See how to take show pieces to new levels and add charming surprises to simple pieces. Susan will share real live quilts with close ups through the projector so you’re sure to see oodles of detail. You may recognize many quilts as winners in AQS Paducah shows and International Quilt Festivals in Houston! Don’t miss out on this good time!
If you’d like a program focusing on alternative threads, or precision, please ask! Many of the same quilts will be shown but your specific topic will be featured.
Demo Classes
- LOADS OF INFO AND LOTS OF QUILTS!
I’m now booking only special events (i.e. retreats/shows), large guilds, and conferences in2025. For more details, scroll to bottom of page.
Email Susan@PiecesBeWithYou.com if interested.
These demo classes include up to four day's worth of hands-on class material in only a few hours. Handouts are provided and students need only bring a pen for taking notes. Breaks occur every hour to examine quilts and visit. The latest technology is used incorporating a video camera and projector with lively demos so everyone sees each task in great detail. Students love it!
from Precision & Panache book
Precision & Panache
(3 hours, demo class with lots of quilts)
Via live (and lively) projected demos, learn to add eye-catching details to quilts and increase accuracy -– precision piecing, decorative threads (for quilting and applique), piping in seams, fancy prairie points, embellishing, skinny borders, and helpful tools. Lots of quilts will be displayed showcasing these fantastic techniques.
(student maximum per room capacity)
Supply list: paper and pen (handouts provided)
(Below) Hand quilting with perle cotton – big stitch & lazy daisies
(Above) Machine quilting with heavy thread
Simple Quilting with Style: Alternatives to Free-motion Quilting
(3 hours, demo class with lots of quilts)
With lively projected demos you'll learn to prepare a quilt top for a successful finish; discover secrets of ditch quilting; learn when and how to mark or not mark a quilt; study stitching with heavy threads; get excited about big stitch hand quilting, bobbin quilting and couched quilting. These skills empower those whose free-motion skills are less than stellar but may be combined with free-motion quilting as well. Quilt your quilts with style and techniques you enjoy the most!
(student maximum per room capacity)
Supply list: paper and pen (handouts provided)
NEW Calligraphic Binding with quilting
Piping Hot Binding (with and without prairie points)
Quilt Bindings: Simple to Spectacular
(3 hours, demo class with lots of quilts)
With lively projected demos every detail of a quality finish will be covered including some revolutionary ideas! I’ll cover preparing and squaring the quilt, making nice miters, joining tails (my special technique), and finishing for a show-quality back. Options such as an all-machine finish and odd angled corners will be shown as well. Things will then get wild with my Piping Hot Binding technique and lots of variations such as double-piping; embellished piping; invisible binding with piping; and, drum roll, please, my brand new calligraphic binding from my 2016 show quilt. Give your quilts the fabulous finishes they deserve!
(student maximum per room capacity)
Supply list: paper and pen ($2 fee for handout)
Create the illusion of layers in a contemporary Dresden without an appliqued center!
Dynamic Dresdens
(3 hours, demo class with lots of quilts)
Lively, detailed demos will show you how to create contemporary or traditional Dresdens while avoiding the typical hazards that have frustrated many quilters in the past. Tips will be shared taking advantage of specialty tools and without specialty tools. Dresden units will lay flat with beautiful points … without applique centers! Dresdens create wonderful opportunities for fussy-cutting special fabrics to create spinning or kaleidoscopic effects. Dresdens may be cut from pieced strips to show layering effects. We can even insert piping into wedges for more layering effects and use ghost wedges to fool the eye! You’ll learn the Dresdens Over The Edge finish and a traditional finish so your quilts can be tailored to your preferences.
(student maximum per room capacity)
Supply list: paper and pen
Finish with Flair: Creative Quilting & Bindings
A combination of Simple Quilting with Style: Alternatives to Free-motion Quilting AND Quilt Bindings: Simple to Spectacular
(6 hours, demo class with lots of quilts)
With lively projected demos you'll learn fantastic alternatives to free-motion quilting and plain bindings! Learn the secrets of ditch quilting; when and how to mark or not mark a quilt; stitching with heavy threads; big stitch hand quilting; bobbin, couched, and even more quilting options! These skills empower those whose free-motion skills are less than stellar. Creatively quilted quilts deserve stellar bindings. Piped bindings with a plethora of variations are the icing on the cake!
(student maximum per room capacity)
Supply list: paper and pen ($2 fee for handout)
Hands-on Classes
DETAILED INSTRUCTION WITH INDIVIDUAL COACHING
These classes are hands-on, include great handouts/patterns and lots of individual coaching. The latest technology is used incorporating a video camera and projector with lively demos so everyone sees each task in great detail. You'll love it!
I’m now booking only special events (i.e. retreats/shows), large guilds, and conferences in2025. For more details, scroll to bottom of page.
Stitch by Stitch
(6 hours plus meal break, hands-on, for up to 20 students)
Also offered as 3-hour demo class for unlimited students.
Machine sew tiny blocks stitch-by-stitch while creating a precious quilt. Over 20 block designs are available to customize your piece. Lots of machine skills are covered such as stitching with heavy thread, couching ribbon with thin thread, applique with thin thread, and embellished prairie points. Other embellishing is stitched by hand. Work from a kit to avoid the drudgery of finding so many supplies. This class is best suited for patient quilters who are thrilled with details!
10" quilt, 2" blocks on point
click here for printable supply list
Stitch by Stitch - 10"x 10"
Ringie Dingies
(6 hours plus meal break, hands-on, for up to 20 students)
Double points put a contemporary spin on this long-time favorite and eliminate the need for an appliqued circle in the center. This allows rings to interlock! These Dresdens are built on a foundation so background fabrics don’t shadow through and, more importantly, Dresdens turn out perfectly flat. Learn Susan’s tips for speedily turning wedge points with the Prairie Pointer Tool. At home you may finish the quilt by quilting the background then ditch stitching Dresdens onto the quilted quilt! Design possibilities are endless!
click here for printable supply list
Disappearing Dresdens
(6 hours plus meal break, hands-on, for up to 20 students)
Double-points put a contemporary spin on this long-time favorite and they eliminate the need of a traditional appliqued circle in the center! Using quarter circles, half circles,and three-quarter circles adds another interesting bit of character. Learn Susan's tips for turning wedge points with the Prairie Pointer Tool and use tricky piecing to assemble the arcs, circle and background. Points are three-dimensional and design possibilities are endless! Finished quilt is 27"x 24".
click here for printable supply list
Piping Hot Binding
(6 hours plus meal break, hands-on, for up to 20 students)
Piped bindings add spark and a professional finish to any style piece. Every detail of binding and tiny perfect piping will be covered in class with step-by-step demos and printed instructions. Machine differences will be addressed so students will be successful with their own machines. Students work on their practice piece to achieve making perfect piping, preparing the quilt, applying piping, applying binding,mitering corners, joining tails, and finishing for a show-quality back. Variations will be on display and discussed. Many major award-winners are using this technique to achieve stunning results!
click here for printable supply list
DVD Class
How to Bind a Quilt
"How to Bind a Quilt" begins with plain and perfect bindings and works up to spectacular bindings worthy of your most cherished heirloom or show quilts. (Students have awarded this class 4.9 of 5 stars!)
DVD - The Perfect Finish: How to Bind a Quilt
Sale Price:$25.00 Original Price:$35.00
Click here to see products shown in classes.
Interested in booking an event?
Scheduling for 2025 has begun! Each trip must include at least two full days of teaching (any combination of full-day and half-day classes/demos) plus a program. Coordinating with a neighboring group/event is encouraged.
All expenses must be covered including meals, travel to departure airport, parking at departure airport, airfare, travel from destination airport to hotel, travel to venue, and hotel.
The set-up for each event must include need a screen, extension cord, and three tables. For hands-on classes, each student needs at least 1/2 table plus shared irons and pressing surfaces.
Email for current prices.