Pre-Class Instructions: Purchase your Pattern. Please read the instructions in your pattern at least one 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. For class I am giving you the option to cut out the whole quilt before class by following the cutting instructions in the pattern or you can follow the cutting information listed below.

Foundation Papers: The foundation papers used in this pattern are also used in other patterns that our company has already published. For this reason, the units will not always follow each other in alphabetical order. This quilt uses two (2) different foundation units. The KM-Unit and the H-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: The templates for Total Eclipse were arranged and grouped together on “Template Layout Sheets.” The foundation papers for the KM units have two (2) Template Layout Sheets, one for the background fabrics and one for the spikes. The foundation papers for the H-Units have one template layout sheet. The spikes for the H-Unit are cut from strips of fabric. 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 (2) 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. Permission has been granted on the template layout sheets to make copies so you should not have problems with the copyright issues. The templates are grouped together on three “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.

Note: Check the cutout template in your pattern. It should read 5-1/2″. If it reads 5-1/4″ then you need to fix the template by adding a seam allowance along both the straight sides of the template. This will increase the template to 5 -1/2″.

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.

The following items will be used in class:

Sewing Machine with a quarter-inch foot and Accessories
Steam Iron
Ironing Board
One piece of Template Plastic (3″ by 12″ piece)
12″ Add-a-quarter ruler
Purple Thang (optional)
6″ by 12″ ruler
Medium size cutting mat (18” by 24”)
Rotary cutter 45mm or 60 mm
New rotary blade
Size 70 needles (Microtex recommended)
Scissors
Seam ripper
Surge protectors
Extension cords
Fabric glue UHU stic
Glue Pen (Fons and Porter, Sewline, or Avery recommended)
High quality cotton sewing thread
Flower pins
Scotch Tape
Large Ziploc Bags
Stapler
Binder Clips
Large Paper Clips

Cutting Instructions for Unit H: Bag #1:

Unit H: Background: Cut at least eight (8) 7″ by 10-1/2″ rectangles from several bright different jewel-tone batiks for the background pieces.

Unit H: Spikes: Cut at least forty (40) 1-1/2″ by 7″ batiks from your dark jewel-tone batiks for the spikes.

Unit-H Foundation Papers: Cut out one (1) page before class: Place eight (8)foundation papers for Unit H into a large bag. Label it Bag #1.

Cutting Instructions for Unit KM: Bag #2:

Templates KM 1, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12: Cut eight (8) 17″ by 10-1/2″ rectangles from at least four (4) dark batiks for the background pieces.

Templates JKM 2, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13: Cut eight (8) 8″ by 10-1/2″ rectangles from several different bright jewel-tone batiks for the spikes.

Foundation Papers: Place eight (8) foundation papers for Unit KM into a large bag. Label it Bag #2.

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 templates 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.

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. The information needed to order extra foundation papers can be 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, please place your order through the store you are taking this class through 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