$120.00
Calm your mind and warm your soul with Quiltfolk!
Before there were Adventure Workshops, our education team still traveled around, capturing exclusive films and tutorials from world-class teachers. One of our popular programs was Mindful Making in New Mexico with Blair Stocker. It originally aired in June 2022—and had a second live airing in October 2023.
Now, join hosts Jenni Smith & Kay Walsh—via the on-demand recordings—from the New Mexico home of quilter and author Blair Stocker, where you will soak up the incredible scenery, learn the tradition of chicken scratch embroidery to make a gorgeous table runner, and get an up-close, exclusive look at some of Blair’s most famous quilts… all while she shares her wisdom for imbuing quilts with meaning and crafting mindfully.
You may have learned chicken scratch before, but never like this! Commonly referred to as “Depression lace,” chicken scratch embroidery is a hand-stitching technique that Blair found to be very meditative during her move across the country, and she is excited to share her process with other makers. In this on-demand workshop, you will use this easy-to-learn, relaxing technique to create a table runner.
This course also includes a fun tutorial on how to make your own blue corn tortillas (while sipping margaritas)!
A NOTE FROM JENNI:
If I had to sum up this workshop in one word, it would be: serendipitous. Blair Stocker came into my world with her book Wise Craft Quilts in which the concept behind each project explores storytelling and adding meaning to your quilts with just a slight shift in approach. I devoured it, recommended it to students, and, without doubt, Blair’s ethos was a big influence when writing my own book Quilting with Liberty Fabrics a few years later. I followed her creative journey online, we exchanged the occasional message about our shared passions, and during lockdown, I became slightly obsessed with watching her chicken scratch creations flourish from her home in New Mexico—and soaking up the incredible sunsets that she posted from her studio window!
Kay and I had the opportunity to visit Blair after attending QuiltCon in Arizona. We sat laughing around a kitchen table stacked with homemade blue corn tortillas, safe in the knowledge that we had created something very special to share with all of you. During this workshop, we will recreate that feeling of warmth, have fun, and tell you the stories of our adventure to an unfamiliar landscape whilst teaching you a technique that has provided many people comfort, including during the Great Depression. Moreover, chicken scratch is gorgeous to look at, very portable, and straightforward to learn, especially from an experienced teacher like Blair!
When: The workshop will take place over two days, approximately three hours each day.
Day 1: Monday, October 23, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. PDT
Day 2: Tuesday, October 24, from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. PDT
Where: It is a virtual workshop—no camera required—so find a comfortable location and connect via livestream! After registering, you will receive an email from Quiltfolk with all of the details.
A recording will be available to all who register. So, if you can’t make the live event, or if you want to revisit the workshop at a later time, you will have access to the recording for as long as you would like.
What You’ll Learn: Blair, Jenni, and Kay will guide you through the basic chicken scratch embroidery stitches, which you will then use to stitch three blocks (designed by Blair). These blocks will make up your table runner, a Quiltfolk-exclusive project that will build your confidence in using chicken scratch embroidery and also includes piecing small hourglass patchwork blocks, sashing, and quilting. Once you learn this classic technique, you will find that chicken scratch is a versatile skill that can be used in all manner of projects, from patchwork and garments to home decoration.
Experience Level: This workshop is open to quilters and non-quilters alike of all experience levels.
What You’ll Need: Once you register for the workshop, you’ll receive access to the attendee hub on Quiltfolk’s website, where you can find the kit list and more detailed workshop information.
Money-Back Guarantee: If you are not satisfied with the workshop when you are through, we will refund your total amount, no questions asked!
