Instructor: Philippa Naylor

Materials:

• One and a half yards/metres of 100% cotton fabric for the quilt top. This should be of a pale colour. It can be hand-dyed or have a printed pattern on it, but the pattern should be subtle. If it is too dominant it will detract from the quilting. If you are unsure bring a choice.
• One and a half yards/metres of backing fabric. Again this should be 100% cotton.
• Sewing threads. A selection including general purpose, rayon, metallic etc. (I prefer to use DMC machine embroidery thread (50 weight, 100% cotton), or 40 weight rayon threads). The threads can be matching or contrasting in colour, it depends how brave you are feeling!
• Three yards/metres of Hobbs Heirloom Premium Cotton Batting or similar. Hobbs Heirloom is 80% cotton and 20% polyester and has a soft finish which is ideal for trapunto work. It should be as wide as your quilt top fabric.
• One and a half yards/metres of 100% cotton batting such as Warm and Natural. It should be as wide as your quilt top fabric.
• Water soluble thread. Bring a couple of reels.
• Half a yard/metre of fabric to bind your quilt.
• Six to eight quilt sandwiches measuring a minimum of 15″ square. These should have cotton batting.
• Scraps of Hobbs Heirloom or similar batting for the trapunto sample. Two pieces measuring 12″ square would be ideal.

Equipment:

As well as a general sewing kit you will also need to bring the following:

• Sewing machine in good working order. You must be able to drop (or cover) the feed dogs on your machine. Bring all the accessories you have (including the knee bar) and the manual. You never know what you might be inspired to try so it’s best to have all your stuff with you!
• A free-motion foot. This is essential.
• Quilter’s safety pins.
• Tape measure.
• Small sharp scissors. These are very important.
• Straight pins.
• Selection of quilting rulers and squares.
• Quilt marking pencil or pens (washable type).
• Sewing machine needles. Bring a selection including size 65/9 if you have them. Specialist needles for metallic thread are useful when sewing with the water soluble thread as they have a large eye which helps to stop the thread breaking.
• Card for making templates. Cereal packets are fine.
• Notebook and pens.
• Bring any pictures (magazine articles, postcards, books etc.) which appeal to you and which you feel could be translated into quilting designs. (Do not worry too much if you do not have many ideas as I will be suggesting a variety of possible shapes that might be used!).

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