Nickel Quilts Workshop

What a beautiful setting to sit and sew by today. The past two years I've been able to participate in the lectures and workshops of my mothers quilt guild. Last year my mother did the program, next year I was chosen to teach Art Quilting.

This year Pat Speth, author of the Nickel Quilts series of books, was here to teach us some techniques. I have to be honest, I haven't pieced a traditional quilt in years! Since I started Art Quilting, I haven't felt the need to go back to that. Even after this workshop, I'm not thrilled with the precise methods required for traditional piecing. Too many rules, I think!

Everything is based off of a 5" block. She has an unbelievable treasure trove of quilt blocks made from the variations of cutting and sewing these units together. A very easy concept but it does take time to cut and sew everything. She has a great teaching style which I hope to incorporate into my teaching gigs. Above, I am almost finished with my half-square triangles.

I was getting confused on which square pairs where going in which directions. Even writing it down didn't help a whole lot.

Scraps that have to be good for some use!


Here is a layout of the quilt I did. I tried laying them out in one of her patterns but I wasn't happy with the composition, so I made my own. I used my Primrose Gradations fabrics, not because of the colors (so sad to say) but because they were already cut into 6" squares and I didn't have time to hunt for fabric the morning I left home. I was very happy with the way it turned out. I hate to say it but the picture doesn't do it justice. The colors are way more vivid in person. Can't wait to piece it together...look for it in the shop soon.