Past workshop information is listed below.
Artful Improv – Permission to Play
Saturday, November 14, 2020
9:00 am – Noon
Saturday, November 21, 2020
9:00 am – Noon
Cindy Grisdela
On Saturday, Nov. 14, 2020, Cindy will give the first half of a virtual two-part workshop called “Artful Improv–Permission to Play,” from 9 AM to Noon. The second half of the workshop will be given a week later, on Sat, Nov. 21, 2020, also from 9 AM to Noon. Here’s how Cindy describes her workshop: “Learn to create your own original quilts with no pattern, using improvisational piecing techniques.
Students will learn to let go of the ‘rules’ and piece blocks in an intuitive, free-form fashion. We will explore contemporary improv blocks, improv circles and angled stripes, plus insets and curved strips. Use strips and scraps to add interest and make your design your own. There’s no measuring or precise cutting, and each quilt will be unique.” In addition, Cindy will discuss color choices and how to create a dynamic composition with simple design principles.
This workshop is best for intermediate to advanced quilters ready to take the next step to improv quilting. Dividing the workshop in two parts will allow quilters a week to get started on their project, so that they’ll have something to share at the next meeting. Quilters will also be able to ask questions during the second meeting that came up as they worked on their projects at home.
The 2022 Opportunity Quilt: Organized Chaos
For PVQA Members Only
Saturday, September 26, 2020
9:00 – Noon
Saturday, October 3, 2020
9:00 – Noon
Online 2-Day Workshop
Sujata Shah
Sujata Shah is a new and rising star in the quilt world and she was the featured artist at the 2019 PVQA Quilt Show. She has a fresh perspective on color and technique and is a charming and charismatic speaker and teacher.
Join us in a fun Zoom workshop with Sujata Shah to make our 2022 Opportunity Quilt. The quilt is her interpretation of an old favorite, a kaleidoscope quilt with a modern twist that she calls Organized Chaos. She describes it as “a scrappy interplay of different values and prints that gives each block a personality of its own.”
Although the Organized Chaos block looks deceptively complicated, it’s actually an easy pattern to work with. Construction is a three-step process which keeps the maker engaged through each separate step. And, by strategically changing the corner triangles in alternating blocks, a new pattern emerges.
Session 1 (September 26th): In the first half of the workshop, Sujata will share her approach to design, color theory and fabric selection as she helps us craft blocks for the 2022 Opportunity Quilt.
Session2 (October 3rd): You will be able to bring your completed blocks, questions and comments to workshop Session 2, where Sujata will provide feedback on our blocks and how to combine them.
At the end of the 2-day workshop/sewing circle, you should have blocks to take home AND have a block or 2 to donate to the Opportunity Quilt!
Freezer Paper Piecing – Diamonds
Saturday, September 19th
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Online Workshop
Tara Faughnan
Tara will be giving an online workshop, “Freezer Paper Piecing – Diamonds.” Learn how to draw and create freezer paper foundations for precision piecing. This technique is similar to paper piecing but foundations are reusable and there is no tearing out bits of paper afterwards! The class will use the Diamonds quilt to learn the technique and will discuss how to apply it to many other patterns. The class will also look at the use of value and color to create visually complex quilts from the repetition of a simple Block. The class will be held on Zoom and will consist of prerecorded videos, real time demos, Q and A, and photo presentations .
Creating a Scrappy Slab
Saturday, August 15th
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Online Workshop
Sarah Goer
In her Saturday, August 15th Workshop Online, Creating a Scrappy Slab, Sarah will share tips and tricks for stitching your own created fabric from your favorite scraps. The scrap fabric you make in class can be used alone or in a favorite block or pattern.
The workshop format will be a combination of live Zoom sessions and online recorded video coursework with lots of time to sew for the workshop day.
Christine Barnes
Sunday, March 8, 2020
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Urban Sunsets
Learn about color, value, and pattern, plus my technique for making super-skinny strips in this modern-quilt workshop. Three related (but not matching) fabrics make up each center unit. Narrow black-and-white strips inserted asymmetrically between the “segments” define and separate the 
fabrics. You’ll also learn how to cut and add the ombré borders to make it appear as if light is sweeping across the surface. (The gray ombré will be available in class.) Pattern is required and will be available for $8.
Learn more about Christine.
Click here for the Supply List for the Christine Barnes Workshop.
Timna Tarr Workshop
Sunday, January 12, 2020
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Oh Happy Day
Learn how to make this very happy quilt while also having a great time! We start the workshop by playing with fabrics and color to help us loosen up our color muscles. Timna with teach five (or more!) techniques on how to make perfect circles, using both hand and machine techniques. Come prepared to play, experiment, and have fun. Supply fee of $5.
Mary Lou Weidman
Saturday, November 9, 2019 &
Sunday, November 10, 2019
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Self Portraits
On Nov 9 and10 Mary Lou Weidman will teach a two day class on Self Portraits at the Community Foundation.
This class has become very popular and in fact has taken many quilter’s self portraits to Museums for shows. Step out of the box and learn about 
yourself and how you can put ideas and things you had not though of before into a quilt to leave a lasting impression about who you are and what is important to you. These quilts become legacy pieces that can tell others imaginative, fun and creative things. It might even surprise you to see how wonderful a self portrait of YOU can be.
Click here for the Supply List for the Mary Lou WeidmanWorkshop
Cindy Myers
Sunday, October 13
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Fabulous Fun Ornaments
On October 13 Cindy Myers will be teaching her class Fabulous Fun Ornaments at the Community Foundation. These ornaments use Paula Nadelstern’s fabrics to create sequined and beaded ornaments for your Christmas tree or for gifts. It’s a stress free fun class.
A fun and very addictive workshop. Sit back and relax for a great time making one or more of these beautiful ornaments. To make these we will be using Paula Nadelsterns gorgeous medallion fabrics (included in the kit)
Joe Cunningham
Sunday, September 8
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Creative Design
In this one day workshop Joe will demonstrate and teach how to develop a small idea into an abstract quilt. Along the way he will teach the techniques he uses for freehand piecing, working with bias tape, and creating memorable compositions. Under his instructions, students will develop their own designs and get them to a point where they can be completed.
Click here for the Supply List for the Joe Cunningham Workshop.
Sue Fox and Julia McCleod
Sunday, August 11
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Basics of Working with Silks
Silk may be one of the most beautiful materials, but it can also be one of the most challenging to work with! They say that “knowledge is power” and for the quilt-maker who wants to work with silk, knowledge is also the key that opens the door to freedom and creativity.
Over the years, through the trial and error of making dozens of silk quilts, Sue Fox and Julia McCleod have learned many systems and strategies—these are tips, tricks and techniques that will enable you to enjoy the process and to succeed in using silks. They always bring lots of samples and examples for you to study, and they will share simple exercises that will give you confidence to continue working on your own.
The day will start with an overview of tactics they use for incorporating silks in their own quilts, demonstrate some reliable construction techniques, and include time to discuss the best way to exploit your own personal stash of silks.
Working with your stash, you’ll construct “art parts” that can be incorporated into either small and larger projects. The goal is to send you home with a game plan for how you will develop your lovely art parts into a full blown quilt.
Demonstrations will include: The fiber ID burn test; How to deconstruct a necktie; and 3 Methods for stabilizing silk.
Click here for the supply list for this workshop.
Workshop location:
Beth-El Jewish Community Center
3055 Porter Gulch Rd at Soquel Dr
Aptos, California
Learn more about Sue and Julia.