Scrap Bustin with Improv Housetop and Log Cabin Blocks Class

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1 Scrap Bustin with Improv Housetop and Log Cabin Blocks Class Instructor Victoria Gertenbach The focus of this class will be using up our fabric scraps and left over yardage to explore improvisational and intuitive quilt making through the construction of Log Cabin blocks and it s lesser known cousin the Housetop block, (also known as Courthouse Steps). Students will be encouraged to forgo precise cutting and measuring in favor of hand-cutting, embracing the surprise of energy and beauty that hand cut and pieced fabrics can bring to the art of quilt making. After a brief introduction and showing of quilt samples, we will dive in by first constructing my Improv Haystack Block shown below. This block is built from four smaller Housetop blocks and is a simple exercise that will easily demonstrate the little tricks for success in seam orientation and pressing, as well as the joining and retaining of the gentle curves that come when hand-cutting your fabrics.

2 Afterwards, students may continue to explore the Haystack block, noticing that each block made results in a unique and one of a kind piece, even though the steps used to construct are always the same. Students may explore making many Haystack blocks each from different fabrics as shown above, or concentrate on making many blocks all from the same fabrics such as the example shown in the quilt below. Students may also wish to explore using their scraps to construct many small basic Log Cabin blocks, Housetop blocks, or a combination of the two, which later can be joined together to form small medium or large quilt tops such as the ones shown below

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4 Or they may wish to concentrate on building larger log cabin/housetop blocks that can be used to make quilts such as the following examples

5 Class will also include piecing exercise prompts to help students jump start their creativity, design tips to help get the most use out of scraps, and time to stop, show, share and discuss. Supply List Tools Sewing machine Basic sewing supplies Iron and ironing surface Rotary cutter and cutting mat Marking pens or pencils for fabric Acrylic straight edge for squaring up finished pieces Sharp fabric scissors Fabric pins Optional Fabric cutting weights. Very helpful in the process of joining blocks together that have wavy, uneven edge, (which will happen when improv piecing and will look great when done correctly!) Materials Students will need enough fabric scraps and left over yardage to stay fully engaged in sewing for the duration of the class. I recommend a shopping bag/scrap bag full of fabric scraps that can be pulled from, along with left over yardage that can also used. (I find it helpful to organize my scraps by size and shape into zip lock bags.) Remember, the more fabric on hand, and the more varied it is in values and colors, the more options one will be able to choose from and the more one can explore! Note: Long strips of fabric scraps are utilized the most in this technicnique. However, small bits of fabric add pops of surprise and interest and triangle scraps can be joined together,while small squares and retangles make for a great starting point so bring it all! Victoria Gertenbach 2016