Irene Blanck - Focus on Applique

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You may know Irene Blanck from her Quiltmania book ‘Focus on Applique’ which was published in 2015. Irene designs georgeous antique inspired quilts which she stitches using her own take on needleturn applique. Her designs are filled with fanciful bouquets, birds and vines. They are delicate, unashamedly hand-made quilts which show her love of fabric and mixing vintage-look and contemporary fabrics. 

In class with Irene you’ll learn how to make bias vines & stems as well as a variety of flower and leaf shapes. Needleturn is a fabulously portable skill to have and if you have never tried it before, here is your chance. This May, Irene will visit us in Berry for a two day workshop where you can choose from a handful of her designs. In two days you will get a number of blocks prepared and will go over the basics of how Irene selects her colour palettes and how she does her needleturn work. Even if you have tried needleturn applique before and been discouraged we would encourage you to try out Irene’s techniques and experience her determination to patiently demystify the technique. 

You are able to choose from a number of Irene’s projects. From smaller very achievable projects like the Chambray I-pad cover purse to intermediate quilts with repeated blocks or elements like  Miz Kelly. or Timeless. if you’re up for a longer term project with a few mixed techniques, you could begin Birds Eye View or Message in a Bottle.  Images of all of these projects are below. You will need to purchase a pattern for your class which is in addition to the class fee. If you already have Irene’s book, the pattern for Miz Kelly, Mosaics & Timeless are in the book.  All other patterns are available separately and will be in store along with the Focus on Applique Book.  Note: I have put images in this entry of Irene’s version of Auntie Green’s Coverlet. It’s only because I love this quilt and wanted to celebrate how beautiful it is that I’ve used it. It’s not actually one offered in class.  

Irene says of her classes: “I love teaching classes in all aspects of needleturn and instilling in quilters the love of needleturn applique. I try and make my classes fun and stress-free. I like to think of my classes as “sit and sew’ sessions or ‘Mini-quilt-ins where we have a fun and relaxing day, chatting to friends as well as learning a new technique or perfecting our techniques.”

GENERAL FORMAT of the two days’ classes: Irene will concentrate on the preparation of the blocks on the first day. This includes tracing out the design, making fabric choices and cutting out your shapes. There will be a needleturn demo and a quick overview of English Paper Piecing for those whose patterns include it. In the second day there will be much more concentration on needleturn techniques for particular shapes as you progress through your blocks.

Bookings Necessary: All bookings subject to our Terms and Conditions.

Irene Blanck’s Quiltmania Book Cover

Irene Blanck Quilting Teacher

Chambray iPad Cover Purse

Timeless by Irene Blanck

Chambray I-pad Cover/purse- Measures 8”x10”. A small project! Wonderful if you really want to have a finished item at the end of the workshop. You’ll still encounter bias stems and a variety of needleturn shapes.

Timeless – 60”x 60” inches. A lovely quilt to really reinforce your needleturn skills as the shapes are repeated throughout the quilt. You could complete the centre only to make it into a smaller project if desired. Includes a little English paper piecing.

Irene Blanck Miz Kelly Quilt

Irene Blanck Message in a Bottle Quilt

Miz Kelly – Size: 51”x51”. In class you’ll focus on getting one of the blocks done. Which includes needleturn instruction on a variety of shapes and making bias for stems. You can stop there because the block is the perfect size to be a beautiful pillow or keep going reinforcing your new skills through repetition and make the whole quilt! 

Message In a Bottle – Size: 54” x 54” – A great teaching quilt because it has so many different styles of blocks. In class you will focus on three specific blocks and you may even decide to only do one and turn it into a cushion or smaller project if you don’t want to embark on the whole quilt.

Irene Blanck Mosaics

Irene’s Version of Auntie Green’s Coverlet.

Mosaics –  Size: 66”x66” – In class you’ll focus on getting the centre block including the peaked circle done. Your needleturn instruction will cover a variety of shapes and making bias for stems. You could make the whole project or just embark on the centre block. 

Birds Eye View – Quilt Size 56”x 45” inches.  This quilt is the most demanding of those offered. In class you will prep up your bias stems as a scaffolding for your leaves. You’ll also tackle a bird or two and begin on your needleturn

Irene Blanck’s Bird’s Eye View Quilt