"Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn." -Benjamin Franklin
Would you like to learn more about your antique quilt? Kris Driessen is a quilt historian and teacher who offers lectures and workshops on vintage quilts as well as classes and workshops on new quilts. Lectures on quilt history include quilt dating; appraising for value; cleaning and care of antique and vintage quilts; using vintage blocks, quilt restoration and more. Classes focus on easy and creative sewing methods.
Kris's lectures and workshops on our quilting heritage feature antique and vintage quilts from her own collection. No white gloves needed for this collection! Everything she brings can be touched and examined closely. Kris encourages student participation and discussion, and welcomes quilts for show and tell at all classes. Her quilt knowledge is extensive and she is able to adapt a class to meet almost any need or situation.
Quilt appraisal services available on request. Call toll free 1-888-817-6577 or E-mail for details.
Kris Driessen of Albany NY is an accomplished quiltmaker, quilt historian, quilting teacher, author, researcher, and lecturer. Her articles on dating, cleaning and just plain appreciating antique and vintage quilts have appeared in many publications including American Quilter, Traditional Quiltworks, Quilting Today, Web Threads, Lady's Circle Patchwork Quilts, Vintage Quilts, Sew What's New, McCall's Quilting, Country Home, Quilt History, Planet Patchwork, Quilt Guilds, the Collectors Journal 11th Annual Repair & Restoration Register, Country Living, Material Facts (Australia), the Cypress Creek Newsletter, The Collectors Journal and others.
Kris has been on the faculty of several major events, including NY Quilts!, Quilts at the Crossroads, the Virginia Quilt Consortium, and DSQDS. Her quilts and antique quilts have been exhibited at numerous quilt shows including NY Quilts in Troy NY, Common Threads in Vestal NY and Pens & Needles: 19th and 20th Century Signature Quilts at AQS in Paducah KY.
Kris has also judged at several shows, including the Green Mountain Quilt Show in Bethel VT and the London Quilt Show in London KY.
In addition to her regular lecture schedule, Kris has designed a line of patterns published as Phoebe Moon Designs.
Classes and Workshops Available
No Whining Quilt
We are going to show you a variety of ideas to use up those those annoying fat
quarters you have been collecting. You will be making a number of different
blocks, then mixing and matching to make a unique quilt. No matter how you make
it, it is correct. You CAN'T make a mistake when constructing this quilt.
The can be taught as a full day class, but it is also an excellent workshop for
retreats. The more time and the more students, the better. This is more of
a process oriented than a product oriented class. Students will NOT be
making a quilt top. They will be making a variety of blocks in different sizes,
any one of which can be the inspiration for a full quilt. Perfect for
beginners as well as intermediate quilters. Click
here for the supply list. Need pictures - click
here.
Mystery
Date
A mystery quilt event - a different one every time. Learn new and interesting
techniques while creating a fun quilt. We have three different mysteries -
one can be done in three hours, one takes five and one is all day. All are
good for confident beginners to intermediate. Click here
for the supply list.
Stripper
Club
What
do you do with those leftover strips? Bring some to class and we will show you
how to make a spool puzzle, paddlewheel blocks, double HST's, braids, braided
table runner, Amish bars, trip around the world, bargello, bias beauty stars,
and as many more blocks as we can fit in class time. This is more of a process
oriented than a product oriented class. Students will NOT be making a
quilt top. They will be making a variety of blocks in different sizes, any
one of which can be the inspiration for a full quilt. Perfect for
beginners as well as intermediate quilters. Can be done as full day or
half day. Click here for the supply
list
Demo
Round-up
We call this the Demo Round-up because we keep showing the same tips and
techniques over and over. This is a good program if something else is
going on at the same time or if you have a large group as everyone will have at
least one opportunity to see the demo. Watch while we offer tips and techniques
to make quiltmaking easier. You are bound to learn at least ONE new
thing! Bring your notebook and/or a camera. About an hour.
A
Gaggle of Geese
How many different ways of making Flying Geese are there? We've counted
eleven and will explore the possibilities in class. Good for very
confident beginners as well as intermediate quilters. As a one day class,
this is more of a process oriented than a product oriented class. In a two
day or retreat class, students will actually complete a quilt top.
Click here for the supply list. $9 workbook fee.
HST means
Half Square Triumphs
This is a class to learn different ways to make half square triangle blocks. You
will be using TaDa Triangles, Triangles on a Roll, Thangles, and Triangle Papers
as well as trying out several different rulers. You will have the option
which project you would like to complete.
Piecing in the Third Dimension
Learn how to make ordinary blocks extraordinary by adding a third dimension.
We will be showing 3D bow ties, faux cathedral windows, flying geese with just
one seams, dimensional pinwheels, easy attic windows and more. Then we
will mix them up to create even more blocks! Bring a variety of light and
dark scraps to play with, along with your rotary cutter, ruler and mat. You will
not be making a finished project, just experimenting with different ways to make
blocks. About an hour if I just demo, can be a half day or whole day
workshop if everyone makes their own block(s).
Lectures Available
Catching
the Muse
This is a friendly talk and trunk show encouraging quilters to unleash their creativity
and create a quilt design
that represents their unique style. About an hour.
The
Dating Game
How can you tell when a quilt was made? This class will help you learn the
guidelines to dating quilts by their design, fabrics, colors, construction and
patterns. Learn by hands-on experience with actual textiles. Bring items from
your own collection for class discussion. About an hour.
The
Newlywed Game
Using those wonderful vintage blocks in a new quilt. We'll examine various
ways to use those blocks in settings authentic to the period. We'll talk about
each periods favorite colors, patterns, fabrics and techniques and what makes a
quilt an example of its decade. Bring your neglected blocks for analysis and
suggestions by the class. About an hour.
This
is Your Life
The life and times of our foremothers was reflected by the textiles they
used in their daily lives. We will discuss how fabrics, economics, politics, and
other factors influenced our quilt heritage and discuss the tools and methods
that might have been used. About an hour and a half.
The
Price is Right
But is it the right quilt for your collection? Learn where you can look for
quilts to buy and how do you determine a fair price. We will also discuss how
you can you repair or otherwise treat an old, worn, tattered quilt that has won
your heart. You are welcome to bring a quilt for analysis by the class. About an
hour.
Treasure
Hunt
Once a indication of poverty, feedsacks are now gold to whoever owns them.
What was a feedsack and how was it used? Learn about these wonderful
reflections of America's rural past. Expect to see and touch great
examples of quilts, clothing, dolls and other items made from feedsacks. About
1/2 hour
Repair,
Restore, Conserve
What to do with a damaged quilt and tips on how to do it. Bring your quilts to
this lecture for suggestions. About an hour depending on participation.
Putting
it in Perspective; The Symbolism of Underground Railroad quilts. Explore the
possibility of quilts having been used as a code to help slaves escape to
freedom through the Underground Railroad by examining the social and political
context in which a quilt code would have been necessary. Recommended for
historical societies/museums only as this has very little to do with quilts.
About 1/2 hour.
Quilt Appraisal Services available on request. Call or E-mail for details.
1995
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