Level 2, 7822 course

The City & Guilds Level 2 Patchwork & Quilting course, is ideal for those who have either completed the level 1 course, or who have done a certain amount Patchwork & Quilting and are ready to extend their techniques and abilities.

The course will also set you on the path of designing your own individual work, in fun, inventive and new ways. Some machine as well as hand stitching is required, but only a basic sewing machine is needed.

The course covers the full range of patchwork techniques, from paper piecing to foundation, strip work and blocks.

The quilting covers whole cloth, English, trapunto, Italian and looks at the range of materials available to the modern quilter. Appliqué is also explored in all its glory.

This course is ideal if you are keen to extend your techniques and create some beautiful work. Chris is a regular contributor to the English Magazine Popular Patchwork, where her love of fabrics and their permutations shine through.

Method: The candidate will complete and supply for assessment

a. Work to satisfy the core unit

b. A set of ten samples

c. 2 Assessment pieces

d. Folder of work

Each module is split into lessons, with each lesson consisting of notes, photographs and where required step by step instructions. Included with each module is a question and answer sheet as well as a check list, this ensures that students have completed all of the work within the module prior to it being returned for assessment.

Being a distance learning scheme students are able to communicate with the centre via post, e-mail and telephone, or if possible visit Dorset for one of our regular workshops.

Module 1- colour and making it work for you, paper piecing, traditional and diverse shapes, learning how to draft shapes correctly, having fun with motifs.

Module 2- developing lines into shapes, appliqué simple to get you started. Crazy patchwork, both traditional and with a modern slant. Making cards from diverse fabrics.

Module 3- texture and how to love it. Transfer techniques, cathedral windows, secret garden. Japanese folded samples to give 3 dimensional appeal. Trapunto quilting and how to use it.

Module 4- re-cycling fabrics, Fibbonaci and the mastering of numbers, log cabin, courthouse steps, strip patchwork developed into new blocks, mark making for texture and fun.

Module 5- shape and how to utilise it, nine patch blocks and there successful joining, historical inspiration, where to find it, how to use it. Borders making them fit, prairie points and other border embellishments.

Module 6- quilting, wholecloth, Italian, English, a look at waddings from new to traditional, machine and hand sampling, Traditional appliqué for a Baltimore sample.

Module 7- Broderie perse, cut back appliqué, exploring design inspiration, assessment piece of a piece of quilted appliqué.

Module 8- colouring fabric, new advancements in modern quilt making, application and appreciation of art quilts, assessment piece of a piece of patchwork with quilting.

Level 3, 7922 course

The City & Guilds Level 3 Patchwork & Quilting course, is the ultimate aim for all those who love this form of textiles. Encompassing the full range of techniques for both hand and machine from paper piecing to strip and block work, touching along the way crazy patchwork and 3 dimensional work. Quilting is covered in full, Italian, trapunto, wholecloth, traditional, as well as sashiko, kantha and other regional specialities. Appliqué is also fully explored, with hand and machine samples as well as cutback, Mola and broderie perse being experimented with.

Modern forms are trialled with the application of embellishments and manipulations. The history of this rich form of domestic textiles is also looked into, with use of reference materials to give the student a full and rounded knowledge of this much loved craft form. Chris is a regular contributor to the English Magazine Popular Patchwork, where her love of fabrics and their permutations shine through.

Method: The candidate will complete and supply for assessment

a. Work to satisfy the core unit

b. A portfolio of samples

c. A container or box

d. An accessory

e. An item for interior décor

f. a wall hanging

g. a quilt

h. samples of the techniques covered in the course.

Each module is split into lessons, with each lesson consisting of notes, photographs and where required step by step instructions. Included with each module is a question and answer sheet as well as a check list, this ensures that students have completed all of the work within the module prior to it being returned for assessment.

Being a distance learning scheme students are able to communicate with the centre via post, e-mail and telephone, or if possible visit Dorset for one of our regular workshops.

Module 1- colour and making it work for you, paper piecing, traditional and diverse shapes, using a range of fabrics, working paper piecing in miniature. Learning how to draft shapes correctly, having fun with motifs. Taking paper piecing into a chosen design.

Module 2- developing lines into shapes, appliqué basic shapes, broderie perse its history and application. Crazy patchwork, both traditional and with a modern slant. Making a bag from the techniques used in the module, templates provided, or use one of your on design.

Module 3- form into pattern, looking at negative and positive images. Dyeing fabric in uniform colours, Hawaiian appliqué, both by hand and machine, San Blas or Mola work, reverse appliqué both two and multi layers. Bias and rouleau strips, faux chenille, shadow appliqué. Study into colour, either cultural or as used by a specific person or movement.

Module 4- dominance and contrast, beginning printing on paper and fabric. Strip patchwork, log cabin, court house steps, devising patterns on graph paper. Bargello and trip around the world. Seminole patchwork, whole piece and used for borders. Tied quilting and quilting using buttons. Study into work of prominent quilter.

Module 5- texture for design, experiments in creating surfaces, paper and fabric manipulations. Use of free machining, caring for your machine. Suffolk puffs, puff patchwork, cathedral window, secret garden, Japanese folded, using curves. Study into a well known quilter who utilises curves. First assessment piece, an item for interior décor.

Module 6- explore shape, symmetrical and asymmetrical, whole cloth quilting by hand and machine, trapunto, Italian, Kantha and Sashiko. Interpreting designs from nature and historical sources.

Module 7- the American connection, the quilt styles from Amish to Gee's bend. Block patchwork, strip and foundation, bindings and edges. List museums, web sites where information can be obtained. Second assessment piece, a wall hanging.

Module 8- historical connections, reading fabric, natural dyes, European patchwork and quilting styles. Third assessment piece, a container or box.

Module 9- embellishments, inspirations taken from India, China and Japan, Beading, shisha work and Shibori dyeing. Forth assessment piece, an accessory.

Module 10- decorative edges, planning and designing a large piece of work, having fun with colour and shape. Fifth assessment piece, a quilt.