Fat Quarterly Retreat – The classes

Some time before the Retreat, we were sent a list of 10 different classes to rank in order of preference. It was a really difficult task to do, especially because I had no idea how many classes we would be doing over the weekend.  In the end I did,
Freezer Paper Piecing with Kerry from verykerryberry

Kerry was a really good teacher but I am afraid to say this really wasn't for me.  I have been following Kerry’s blog and seen the amazingly detailed freezer-paper pieced quilts/art that she does and really wanted to give it go. However, my freezer paper refused to stay stuck to the orange fabric, I found it far too fiddly for my chunky digits and I just didn’t have the concentration required on the day. So I only made one of the four blocks that Kerry had provided.
Embroidery with Aneela Hoey from Comfortstitching
 

I was looking forward to this class the most, as Comfortstitching was one of the very first blogs that I followed. Aneela was just as lovely as I had imagined. She taught us a variety of stitches and I managed to complete  this cute Robin. We were also given a free pack of Cosmo embroidery thread!
Foundation Pieced Union Jack Pillow with Lynne Goldworthy from Lily’s Quilts

I woke up on Sunday morning with a really sore-throat, probably from all the chatting on Saturday lol.  Which was probably for the best as Lynne's class like Kerry’s the day before required quite a bit of brain power. Lynne herself described the technique as Marmite (you either love it or hate it) I found it took me a while to get going, as you are having to work back-to-front, but the results are so good it is worth it. I went for a London theme but swapped one of my pre-bought fabrics for a freebie from my goodie bag. I only managed to finish one quarter of the flag in the class but I have been working on it this week, so should have a finish to share with you soon (who just laughed?)
Wonky Log Cabin With John Adams from Quiltdad

This was the perfect class to follow Lynne's and to end the weekend on.  The class and technique were both a lot of fun to do.  No matching up seams or points just sewing and trimming. Just my thing!
I was really pleased with all of my classes (even if the Freezer paper piecing wasn't for me, I am glad that I gave it a go), however after seeing all the samples produced, I really wish that I had also signed up for Lucie Summers Portholes class and either of the Purse classes (zipper or frame) Although given the chance I think I would have loved to have done every single class on the list – there is always next year.
The Fat Quarterly Special Retreat Issue is now available to buy (although I was gutted to see no Portholes tutorial ) It contains tutorials and patterns to make many of the projects taught in the workshops over the course of the weekend as well as some extra projects.  It is well worth the $5!