Pre-Class Instructions: Purchase your Pattern. Please read the instructions in your pattern at least one (1) time before class. This will help to ensure that you understand the cutting information below. It is strongly encouraged that you have the papers, templates, and fabrics for the entire quilt cut out, placed in bags, and ready to use in class. If these steps are not completed, it will be difficult for you to catch up to participate during class. A simplified version of the cutting instructions in the pattern is provided below. For more information, please refer to your pattern. Note: If you do not have time to cut out the whole quilt, you should at least have four (4) foundation papers, four (4) fabric rectangles, and two (2) “template layout sheets” for EACH foundation unit bagged and ready for class.

Foundation Papers: The foundation papers used in this pattern are also used in other patterns that our company will publish in the near future. For this reason, the units will not always follow each other in alphabetical order. This quilt uses two (2) different foundation units. Please take time to become acquainted with each unit before starting. This pattern uses thirty (30) foundation papers for each unit. Prepare the foundation papers by trimming the excess paper from around the outside cutting line by approximately 1/8″. It is much easier to position the fabric under the foundation papers when the excess paper has been trimmed away. Place a large paper clip on each group to keep the units together.

Templates: I designed the templates for this quilt so all the pieces needed for the background colors and spikes could be cut from two (2) different fabric pieces. I did this by making templates for each section on the foundation units. The templates were arranged and grouped together on “Template Layout Sheets.” Each foundation unit uses one layout sheet for the background templates and another layout sheet for the spike templates. In class, I will show you how the layout sheets are used to cut out your fabric pieces.

How to Make the Templates: Photocopy the template pages on 11″ by 17″ paper. Make two copies of each page. Take your patterns with you to get your copies. Some places are a little sticky about making copies on my patterns. If they say something read the paragraph about making templates. It says in the pattern to make photocopies of the Template Layout Sheets. The templates are grouped together on four (4) “Template Layout Sheets”. Note: Trim around the outside of each grouping, but do not cut the single templates apart. Bring the full sheets to class along with the fabric pieces cut for each unit.

Caution! Always check your templates for accuracy after photocopying or scanning to the original templates in the pattern. If the templates are not sized properly before cutting your fabrics, the fabric pieces you cut could end up the wrong size and you may need to re-cut and start over with new fabric.

General Supply List:

Steam iron
Ironing board
Medium size cutting board
6” by 24” ruler
Small scissors
Size 60 rotary cutter with a new blade
Seam ripper
Template plastic
Surge protector
Extension cord
Sewing machine with a quarter inch foot.

Paper Piecing Supply List:

12” add-a-quarter ruler
Scotch tape
Washout fabric glue stick
Flower pins
Large Ziploc bags
Small Ziploc bags
Stapler
A Purple Thang
Size 70/10 microtex sharp sewing needles
20 or 30 large binder clips
High-quality cotton thread (poor thread has a tendency to break when removing the paper).

If you own the large 60mm rotary cutter bring it. Make sure you have a new blade on your cutter before coming to class.

Cutting Instructions for Unit H: Bag #1:

Unit H: Background: Choose eight (8) bright orange batiks for the background pieces.

Unit B: Spikes: Choose six (6) dark brown batiks for the spikes.

Foundation Papers: Place thirty (30) foundation papers for Unit H into a large bag. Label it Bag #1.

Templates H1 and H2: The templates for H1 and H2 are positioned on a 6 1/2″ by 10″ layout sheet labeled “Background-Unit H”. Cut around the layout sheet on the dark solid lines but do not cut the templates apart.

Cutting Fabric: Cut one (1) 7″ by 42″ strip from each of the eight (8) bright orange fabrics. Cut thirty (30) 7″ by 10-1/2″ rectangles from the eight (8) bright orange background strips. Place the layout sheet for Templates H1 and H2 into Bag #1 with thirty (30) 7″ by 10-1/2″ rectangles.

Template H-Spike: Template H-Spike is used for the dark brown spikes.

Cutting Fabric: Template H-Spike: Cut one (1) 6″ by 42″ strip from each of the six (6) dark brown fabrics. Stack and crosscut the strips into 1-1/2″ by 6″ rectangles. Place these pieces in Bag #1.

Cutting Instructions for Unit KM: Bag #2:

Templates KM 1, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12: Choose eight (8) dark batiks for the background pieces.

Templates JKM 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13: Choose eight (8) bright orange batiks for the spikes.

Foundation Papers: Place thirty (30) foundation papers for Unit KM into a large bag. Label it Bag #2.

Templates KM 1, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12: The templates KM 1, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 are positioned on a 16″ by 10″ layout sheet labeled “Background Unit KM”. Cut around the layout sheet on the dark solid lines but do not cut the templates apart.

Cutting Fabric: Cut one (1) 17″ by 42″ strip from each of the eight (8) dark colors. Cut thirty (30) 17″ by 10-1/2″ rectangles from the eight (8) dark background strips. Place the layout sheet for Templates KM into Bag #2 with thirty (30) 17″ by 10-1/2″ rectangles.

Templates JKM 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13: The JKM spike templates for Unit KM are printed on a 7-3/4″ by 10″ layout labeled “Unit JKM Spikes”. Cut around the layout sheet on the dark solid lines but do not cut the templates apart.

Cutting Fabric: Templates JKM 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13: Cut one 8″ by 42″ strip from each of the eight (8) bright fabrics. Crosscut the strips into thirty (30) 8″ by 10-1/2″ rectangles. Place these thirty (30) 8″ by 10-1/2″rectangles into Bag #2 along with the template layout sheet for “Unit J KM”.

In this class you will have the opportunity to learn some of the techniques that I teach and write about in my patterns. I teach a process of foundation paper-piecing that uses a chain-piecing method. This process is possible because all of the fabric is pre-cut using template that I have designed and included in the pattern. I also teach speed-cutting techniques for both paper and fabric. I teach sewing and pressing techniques that will enable you to do foundation paper piecing, curved piecing, and traditional piecing. I teach fast and easy ways to make templates, how to use them, and how to design them. The Sunflower Illusions class if done in a two-day workshop with the 4th of July and includes a color and appliqué demonstration. If this is a one-day workshop we will not have time for any color or applique demonstrations.

Extra foundation papers are available for this quilt. The finished size for each block is 10″. Several options for sizes and layouts are included with the purchase of the extra foundation packages. Each package includes enough foundation papers to complete an additional thirty (30) blocks. The information needed too order the extra foundation packages is found on my web page. If you would like to have the extra foundation papers available to you before class so you can figure out your yardage for a larger quilt you will need to order them before class. If you are signed up to take this class through a quilt shop, please place your order through the store in advance so they will have time to place an order with me.

If you have any questions regarding this class, please contact your instructor directly. Contact information for Judy and her Certified Instructors is available on our website at http://quiltworx.com. Please include your correct email address, phone number, and name. You may also want to check out our website www.quiltworx.com and our facebook page quiltworx.com prior to selecting fabrics. There are many samples, slide shows, and color-changing quilts available for you to enjoy. We also have corrections and helpful hints posted for most of the patterns we have published.

Judy Niemeyer and the Certified Instructors