A Visit from Joe Cunningham

Last month's visit from Joe Cunningham was just as much fun as I thought it would be.  He did lectures at both the Mt. Bachelor Quilters' Guild and the Mountain Meadow Quilt Guild.  I was able to attend both, plus the workshop he taught.  He started both lectures with an original song.  The lectures included all sorts of fantastic quilts.  The bias tape ones got everyone talking about bias tape as you might imagine.  I especially like the one below, but they are all amazing and very unique.   

Circular Logic by Joe Cunningham

Circular Logic by Joe Cunningham

Ancestors by Joe Cunningham

Ancestors by Joe Cunningham

This one is on the cover of an album he has put out recently

This one is on the cover of an album he has put out recently

This one is amazingly created with a chenille technique and inspired by the quilts with state birds.  This one has made up birds and made up states.  Joe says he really hates state bird quilts so made this one in response.

This one is amazingly created with a chenille technique and inspired by the quilts with state birds.  This one has made up birds and made up states.  Joe says he really hates state bird quilts so made this one in response.

Made in collaboration with Luke Haynes.

Made in collaboration with Luke Haynes.

Joe's Workshop: Rock the Block, Album Style

Joe's workshop was also great fun.  This block creation technique is not quite improv, but gives very similar results and would be a great introduction for improv newbies.  I brought more fabrics than I was supposed to, but was able to just jump right in.

My first layout of the blocks didn't have a lot of structure.  Over time I moved things around until I ended up with a concentration of that tomato red.

How many classes are there where the teacher sings to you periodically?  That was so much fun!

By the end of class I had a very good start and my rows all put together.  I haven't touched it since, but I can't wait to get it out and finish it up.  This is a great technique for a quick project and for that baby quilt you put off doing.  If you have a chance to sign up for a class with Joe, don't hesitate!