Lectures & Workshops
It's A Big World Kitty -Picture Image Applique

It's A Big World Kitty
Full Day
Confident beginner to Advanced
Learn the process of creating simple pictorial landscape quilts from a photograph or picture. We will use Wendy’s original design pattern “Its A Big World Kitty ” and cover her how-to picture image appliqué steps that include freezer paper, glue stick and free motion invisible machine appliqué. You will gain the confidence and the know how to use one of your own cherished photos or pictures in an original piece.
Supply List- It's a Big World Kitty Workshop
by Wendy Butler Berns
Finished quilt size approximately 16 ” x 20” with border
- It's A Big World Kitty Kit- $15 - available in class (Includes pattern, glue stick, freezer paper and1/2 yard Décor Bond)
- Black extra fine tip permanent marker, Sharpie or Micron
- Paper and fabric scissors
- Masking tape
- Iron/Ironing pad (one for every 2-3 students)
A few Ziploc bags for storing pattern pieces and a few paper clips
Sewing supplies:
** Assembling the "It's A Big World Kitty " appliqué will take most of the morning and some into the afternoon, if you are really speedy, you will be ready to use your machine in the afternoon, other wise you may not need to bring it. You decide.
- Sewing machine in good working order--optional
- Basic sewing supplies for piecing
- Schmetz Microtex 80/12 and Topstitch 90/14 needles
- Gray cotton thread or monofilament thread for bobbin
- Monofilament thread in clear and smoke for invisible machine appliqué, I prefer Monopoly by Superior for clear and YLI smoke and clear Wendy will have some for sale
- Darning foot for free motion machine appliqué
In the afternoon - Optional design session :
- Bring a cherished photo of your own.
- Bring 8 x 10 color copied enlargement of the cherished photo
- Several sheets of tracing paper and white copy paper
- Several sharp pencils
Fabric Choices:
- I use 3 to 4 fabrics where another quilter will use one. More fabric gives you more options. Consider a combination of large scale prints, hand dyed look, mottled look, geometric, organic look, prints with interesting texture. Ideally, pre-wash all fabrics to remove sizing, but this is not always possible to do.
- You choose the season for this landscape- fall, winter, spring, summer-Be sure your choices for each design element contrast with each other..... For example: Kitty contrasts with sky, rocks contrast with sky, middle floor contrasts with rocks.
- Background Sky: three fat quarters of handyedlook, tone on tone, mottled look or small prints OR just one fat quarter of a "wholecloth" sky - one piece of fun sky fabric
- Kitty: Any Kitty color, 1 fat quarter for body( or equal amounts of large scraps for multicolor kitty), large scrap- 8-10" for tail, leg, ears
- Background Rocks : 2 to 3 Fat quarter or large 10"scraps
- Floor 1 : Fat Quarter
- Middle Floor : Fat quarter
Finishing Quilt:
- Specialty threads, rayons, metallics, cottons and monofilament for machine quilting
- 18” x 24 ” piece of batting (Warm & Natural recommended)
- Same amount of backing fabric
- ½-yard for border –wait and choose border once the center landscape is done. Consider a large scale print
- ¼ yard for binding
Classroom Set Up
- 8 foot tables at the front of the class for the instructor
- I do not travel with a sewing machine, so would love to be able to borrow one for live demonstrations. I use a Bernina 440QE at home-something comparable is helpful for me.
- quilt rack or two if available for instructor to hang display quilts
- At least 1/2 of an 8 foot table per student, so there is room for sewing machines, cutting boards, etc.
- Projector screen and table for video/ digital projector use
- irons and ironing stations for every 3-4 students
- A flannel board or bulletin board for displaying samples and viewing projects from a distance