Currently, I am offering three formal, scripted lectures. Each information-packed presentation includes professionally photographed slides showing my award- winning quilts, my favorite supplies, a trunk show of quilts, and a question and answer session.
My first goal is to provide you with the construction and quilting techniques used to for the construction of my artwork. Next, I explain how I have learned to elevate my standards in each step of the process to a level needed for competition. Finally, I hope to inspire you with my quilts. My wish is to motivate the audience to value their own quilting gifts and to move beyond their current skill level to create the best projects possible.
The event includes a chance to take a close look at as many quilts as I can bring and the opportunity to purchase patterns and quilting design packets from my collection.
Join me for a journey though a quarter century of quilting experiences. This presentation is the accumulation of my work over the past twenty-five years. I will introduce you to many styles popular over the years, showing great diversity of techniques. Many of the quilts shown are my original designs. A variety of techniques used in constructing the prize-winning quilts will be explored including my recent pursuit of Heirloom Machine Quilting. This lecture appeals to a wide range of experience and to non-quilters.
Heirloom Machine Quilting is an art form used to stitch the layers of a quilt together producing a deeply sculptured surface. As the name implies, this technique is based on the look of the heirloom quilts of the past, yet differs significantly, because with this technique quilters use their domestic (home) sewing machine to achieve a similar look. Techniques, supplies, procedures for planning, and design are included in the 45-minute slide presentation.
The art of Heirloom Machine Quilting has enabled me to create intricate designs on the quilt surface through refined free-motion. The quilts I make are deeply rooted in tradition and honor relationships in my life. They display quilted images through thread illustration, unusual background fabrics and quilted textures. Travel with me on an in-depth journey through the process of the making of these of inspiring, award-winning quilts, answering the questions: “How did you do that?” and “Where do I start?”
These information-packed sessions include PowerPoint presentations that enable the entire audience to see the demonstration projected on your screen. The length can vary for your event, with the one-hour geared more to a lecture only presentation and the two-hour format providing more time to demonstrate the processes.
Background Bonanza
Filling the background of a quilt with interesting patterns is not only possible with machine quilting, I encourage it! From stippling to simple grids, background fillers can take us on an adventure of discovery. They can take command with a distinct purpose or create a silent foundation that allows dominant images to shine. From frolicking fills to formal grids, the texture of the background for the quilt is explored in this presentation. Take a look in the Gallery at my quilts to see how the background fills are used for structure and formality. (Edge-to-edge style patterns will not be covered.)
Marking Solutions
If you dread the marking process, are confused by all of the different tools and are challenged by difficult to mark fabrics, I have ideas for you! Learn about the latest innovations in marking tools, how to change the size of designs and make blocks designs into multi-sized borders. Transferring designs from paper, using a light box as well as many other inventive ideas will be covered. Bring your marking problem for the question and answer session, your note-taking supplies and be prepared to be wowed!
Navigating and Stitching Directions for Machine Quilters
Did you ever consider how many similarities there are between free-motion quilting and driving a car? How do you know where to drive the machine without a plan for each design? Join me for a light-hearted adventure of understanding the process of machine quilting. From planning intelligently, to beginning and ending your stitches, what to stitch first, last and why, this Lecture/Demo/Solution Session is your travel pass to a future filled with successful machine quilting.
Tools, Tips and Tricks of the Trade
Learn about my favorite tools as well as many special hints collected over twenty-five years of working with numerous styles and techniques for quilting. Learn which tools I really use in the construction and assembly of my quilt tops, as well as what works best for the machine quilting process. From the purchase of the fabric through the final stitch, learn the tips and tricks that make the process go smoothly.
Workshops
Host organization should provide an appropriate facility with adequate lighting, electrical connections and space and for no more than two students per table, plus at least three tables for display. A greater impact for your event will be made if one or more of my quilts can be displayed on a quilt rack.
Lecture/Demos
For best possible presentation for lectures, host organization should provide a microphone, Kodak slide projector and screen, extension cord, podium and at least three tables for display. A greater impact for your event will be made if one or more of my quilts can be displayed on a quilt rack. Special arrangements can be made upon request.
When I drive to an evening program, I request that my presentation, the question and answer period, trunk showing of quilts, sales and an opportunity to mingle with your group, would precede any guild business meeting.
Class size and Fees
A description of the workshop, a supply list, student handouts and a photo of project will be provided. Any material or kit fees will be listed on the supply list. Workshop fee (based on 16 students) will be provided after contacting Joanie to confirm availability for your date. Workshops that require sewing machines are limited to 16 students. Design workshops and lecture/demos can benefit a larger group. If your facility can accommodate more than 16, an additional fee per student will be charged.
Travel
Travel expenses including airfare (including additional luggage fees), parking, and ground transportation ($ 25 each way) from the Dane County/Madison, WI airport will be provided by the host organization. Arrangement will be made to meet Joanie at the airport to transport luggage and class materials.
Joanie will drive within reasonable distance of Madison, WI, receiving the IRS mileage guidelines. Please provide Joanie with driving directions for each scheduled facility and contact information including cell phones of two persons, at least two weeks prior to the event.
Host will provide food and lodging. If lodging is in a private home, a private bedroom and bathroom are requested (due to allergies) with non-smokers and non-pet owner as hosts.
Sharing Expenses
Expenses can be shared between all guilds/conferences on a multi-venue tour. Individual groups will be responsible for lodging and meals on the days Joanie is working for them. A minimal fee will be divided by both hosts for days of travel without the opportunity to teach or lecture, unless it is Joanie’s choice not to schedule an event. Each group will share responsibility for expenses and minimum fee on unscheduled days.
Cancellation
If, because of accident, illness, act of God or unavoidable circumstance, the instructor is unable to appear or the host is unable to hold the meeting, and a mutually satisfactory date to reschedule it is agreed that the contract is invalid. If the host organization should cancel less than 30 days prior to the date of presentation, one-half of the fees will be retained to the instructor.
Joanie Zeier Poole has had a lifelong passion for quilts and for pursuing an education in art, including a degree in graphic design. She creates original patterns for quilting, appliqué and embroidery through her company, Heirloom Quilting Designs. She is the author of three books, Elegant Machine Quilting, Joanie’s Design Elements, Eight Easy lessons to Adapt and Use Quilting Designs, and Joanie’s Quilting Elements, Seven Simple Steps to Navigate and Stitch. Using a home sewing machine, she has designed many award-winning quilts, earning Best of Show at both Road to California 2006 and Pacific International Quilt Festival 2006.
Joanie loves to share her expertise and innovative ideas giving lectures, and teaching design, appliqué, precise patchwork and heirloom machine quilting. Her teaching style is friendly, knowledgeable and confident, welcoming questions on a broad range of techniques that benefit quilters of all experience levels.
Copyright © 2008 - All Rights Reserved
