Vintage Inspired Improv 2021

Sheena Chapman joins us for a regular class on the Second Saturday of each month. (NOTE: Check Saturday class dates, occasionally one falls on a different Saturday on the month due to public holidays etc)  We also have a short season of two Sheena classes per term if that works better for you. See the seperate listings for this in the calendar. (More Sheena project images here too)

Sheena is a very prolific maker, bringing in to class inspiring new quilts every month! She’s also a collector -so be prepared to see many vintage gems that she’s had in her stash for years or that she has just picked up at the op shop this week!

Sheena’s quilts are a fantastic blend of old and new, traditional and improv. We call it ‘Inspired Improv’. Sheena’s quilts are refreshingly colourful, fun and fast to make. Some quilts are Sheena’s contemporary take on a vintage quilt from her collection, some quilts are designed in response to the fabric she’s working with and many begin with a vintage piece of fabric.  Once you see them you will be dying to make them all!!

What you can learn: 

Sheena has a number of improvisational techniques that she characteristically employs in her quilts and you will learn these in class as you work through a quilt. Once you’ve mastered these you can go on to create your own ‘Inspired Improv’ heirlooms at home. Another feature of Sheena’s quilts is the exciting use of big pieces, large borders and panels that help a quilt grow quickly in size. Sheena also employs special, sometimes unorthodox, time saving techniques that all total fabric addicts will appreciate. 

Sheena specialises in helping you choose fabric combinations that really emphasise your ‘hero’ or favourite prints or special vintage yardage. You will learn how to mix your vintage scraps and treasures with your modern stash and make your own unique quilts with a vintage twist! In this class, the classroom is festooned with design walls so everyone can see their creation taking place life-sized in front of them.

How class is structured:

Participants in Sheena’s classes usually work on one of Sheena’s quilts in class at their own pace, with Sheena’s guidance. You may choose from any of Sheena’s quilts that you have seen on display in the store or here on the website. It usually takes two or three months to complete a quilt depending on how fast you like to work. Or you can dip in for one our two lessons and work through Sheena’s improv techniques, 

The class is suitable for confident beginners who have probably made a few quilts before, know their equipment pretty well and are exuberant with fabric and happy to ‘throw caution to the wind’ in persuit of a lively, one-of-a-kind, scrappy quilt. The quilts are machine pieced so bring along your machine, cutting equipment and plenty of scraps. You’ll be inspired not just by Sheena but by what everyone else is making in class. If you are an absolute beginner but like the look of Sheenas style talk to us about coming to an other session before hand so you’re not thrown in the deep end. Perhaps try one of Sheena’s Friday classes which feature two of her entry level quilts. 

Whilst most people book into Sheena’s class on a yearly basis (and access a discounted rate) it is possible to book in for one or two casual classes (where rare vacancies exist) to explore a new technique or to begin an ongoing project.  Sheena’s classes are popular. Please phone to book in. 

2021 Classes:

13th Feb, 13th March, 17th April*, 8th May, 12th June, 10th July, 14th Aug, 11th Sept, 9th Oct, 13th Nov, 11th Dec. NOTE: * Class is pushed back a week due to calendar clash with Easter.  

Images of Projects: 

Sheena Chapman helping Dianne with her quilt.

Sheena and Mary discuss colour.

Goodnight Moon is a great intro to Sheena’s Improv techniques

Sheena Chapman Rainbow Chevron Quilt

Sheena with her Trigonometry Quilt

Sheena with her quilt Quality Street

Sunday best by Sheena Chapman

Sunday Best by Mary Lawler

 

Bloomingdales a great teaching quilt of Sheena’s

Serendipity is an unusually neutral quilt for Sheena.

The woven quilt in progress

An improv medallion quilt.

Sheenas Wedge Daisies

Helen’s version of the wedge daisies

Charlotte working hard on her tumbler quilt.

An improv log cabin featuring found vintage fabric in progesss

The Perforation Quilt

Sheena Chapman in class showing off her Jungle Fever quilt.

Sheena Chapman’s ‘State Fair’ quilt built around the great piece of vintage purple carnival fabric!

Jungle Fever Quilt by Sheena Chapman