Classes – Page 3 – Lana Russel

April 3, 2015April 3, 2015

New classes added

I am super excited to announce some new class offerings this spring at Always in Stitches in Noblesville, IN and this summer at the Westfield Parks and Recreation Department in Westfield, IN. If you have wondered about what Cotton Theory is all about, I hope you’ll join us, meet some new quilty friends, and just have some fun sewing.

Up first is Cotton Theory 101 at Always in Stitches. This is a very large, yet friendly quilt shop in Noblesville, IN. They also feature a large yarn and knitting area. It is worth a road trip if you have not yet visited. In Cotton Theory 101, held on two Wednesdays, April 15 and 29 from 1 – 4pm, you will make a 10″ x 10″ Candle Mat. You only need to supply 2 fat quarters and 1/8 yd of fabric for the binding. I will provide the Cotton Theory Book 2, a comprehensive book which has the pattern in it along with many other projects, as well as the Cotton Theory method general instructions so you will be able to refer to them later. It is a wonderful reference book!

In May (12th and 19th, 10 – noon) and June (17th and 24th, 10 – noon) I will be teaching Cotton Theory 101 for the Westfield Parks and Rec Department in their downtown Westfield, IN facility. For this class I will be providing a pre cut fabric and batting kit for the Candle Mat project. Several fabric color options will be available.

In July (8th and 22nd, from 1-4pm) and August (3rd and 17th from 1-4pm, I will be teaching Cotton Theory 102 for the Westfield Parks and Rec Department in their downtown Westfield, IN facility. The project for Cotton Theory 102 is the Button Back Table Runner. Make this completely reversible Button Back Runner to adorn your own table or give as a gift. Easily customizable by you – you decide if you want an embroidery design in the center, a panel or focus fabric, or simply quilted. After this class you will take away a total of 9 hours of instruction. If you are an experienced quilter, you may begin with this class and skip CT 101.

March 15, 2015March 14, 2015

Zentangle: Now I Get it!

I have often wondered about Zentangle. Is it just doodling? Why are people coming up with another name for doodling? I just didnt’ get it. People I asked would reply, “What do you mean, you don’t get it?” I just didn’t understand what it was and what it was all about. So, when I saw a class offered at the Indiana Heritage Quilt Show in nearby Bloomington, IN, I decided to find out.

I signed up for two one day back to back classes with Certified Zentangle Teacher, Nysha Oren Nelson. Thursday’s class was an introduction to Zentangle. This was an enlightening experience for me and now I get it! Your brain can only think about one thing at a time (I always thought I was fabulous at multi-tasking!) and so concentrating on drawing particular Tangles for some amount of time is similar to a form of meditation and takes your mind off of everything else that’s going on up there. And there is a process and it’s NOT just doodling. And it does clear your mind for that amount of time.

Here are some of our class samples of the Tangle patterns we learned. We all followed the same directions and drew the same tangles, but they all came out differently.

Friday’s class was adapting the art of Zentangle to free motion quilting. Free motion quilting can be daunting for me. I can practice and get to the point that I feel comfortable doing it, but if I don’t practice regularly I have to start all over the next time. I did find the Zentangle patterns lend themselves will to FMQ and am excited about the possibilities. I believe warming up with drawing the Tangles will also translate into better FMQ. I can definitely see myself using this in the future.

March 1, 2015April 3, 2015

Students at work

Super fun to teach classes in my new studio!!! I was having so much fun, though, I forgot to take pictures! Here’s the only one I remembered to take. This was the second class of two, so they were finishing up their Candle Mats. The did a super job! Looking forward to sewing with them in the future.

February 10, 2015

New classroom/studio

I couldn’t have done it without him! My husband consolidated his office to make room for me to teach sewing/quilting classes! It is an amazing space with lots of light. I have room for 6 very comfortably. I held my first classes in it yesterday and it worked really well. I think I’ll be spending a lot of time here…

January 28, 2015January 28, 2015

Cotton Theory 102

Cotton Theory 102 is the second in the 5 part series of learning all aspects of the Cotton Theory method of quilting. Our project is the Button Back Runner.

You will learn

What the Cotton Theory method is all about
“Quilt First, then Assemble” allows you to make a truly reversible quilt while making only one project and when you’re finished, it’s already quilted!
The Wobble Quilting Stitch
The Joining Stitch
The Cotton Theory One Way and Highway procedures
How to stitch a label in the binding
The Magic Triangle method of attaching French-Fold binding

This class is scheduled for three consecutive Wednesday afternoons or evenings in April: April 15, 22, and 29. Class is from either 1 – 4 pm or 6 -9 pm. Cost of this class is $45 plus the pattern ($13) and materials. Once registered for the class, I will forward to you preparation and instructions for the first class. If you do not wish to embroider the center rectangle, there is a quilting option.

If you are an experienced quilter, you may begin with this class and skip Cotton Theory 101, however, either CT 101 or CT 102 is required to advance to CT 103.

Current beginning Cotton Theory classes, CT 101, are offered Feb. 9 and 23 from 10 – noon or 6 – 8 pm OR Feb. 10 and 17 from 10 – noon or 6 – 8 pm and is $35 which includes a pre cut kit for the 10″ x 10″ Candle Mat.

If interested, please email me at lanarussel@gmail.com.

January 20, 2015

Cotton Theory 101

Cotton Theory 101, Introduction to Cotton Theory, is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 9 and 23, mornings (10 am – noon) or evenings (6 pm – 8pm). This class consists of two 2 hour classes and is a good starting point for those either new to sewing or quilting or those having some experience. You will learn what Cotton Theory is all about and will be provided with a precut kit (choice of colors) for your convenience. Our project will be a 10″ x 10″ Candle Mat.

Cost of this class is $35 (includes precut kit) plus the purchase of Cotton Theory Quilting 2, available on Amazon. Please email me @ lanarussel@gmail.com asap if interested. This class will fill up quickly.

September 8, 2013November 17, 2014