Week long "Easy Arch" class at JC Campbell Folkschool

Last week of April, with beautiful spring weather in North Carolina, I was fortunate to spend time with several women representing many states. They all came to J C Campbell Folkschool in Brasstown, NC. On the agenda was "Easy Arch with variations". Freeform rotary cutting and curve sewing. This group was not afraid of cutting, sewing and playing with colors. The only thing the quilts below have in common is the basic "easy arch" block, the rest shows their interpretation of the variations, and their different taste in colors and fabrics.

Caroline Mackay from Florida very quickly assembled this bright and cheerful quilt with a very 70-ies feel to it. A quick run to the  local quiltshop added the perfect border! Every child would love to have this quilt to snuggle under.

Two more of Caroline's creations, the leaves is a variation of the block which became a favorite this week. One of my favorite blocks as well.

Caroline also made two sets of 8 blocks from a "layer cake" collection. The color combination in greys and green makes a statement.

 Diane Ray from Virginia brought a very large stash of batiks, and you can tell she had fun selecting and arranging the blocks in new variations.

This landscape is in progress, and a few more elements will be added.

Linda Cole from California loves blues and purple, and her long piece reflects that. This can be a wall piece, or a table piece. One of the fabrics has little fish in it, and the orange  border fabric tied that in.t

Linda's leaves, in orange and purple. This is a very exiting color combination. I even liked purple after this!

Carol Smucker from North  Carolina worked with these saturated blues. Adding that little bit of green just gave this quilt extra movement. The border fabric has underwater scenes, so appropriate for this one.

Sharyn Cole from North Carolina, a very talented quilter and designer, was very much working with colors I tend to choose myself. She did, however, create something that was new and exiting. The contemporary red fabric down the center, gave this table quilt an added dimension. 

 Sharyn made the smallest leaves I have had anyone do in a class. So cute! Of course I love the orange batik border fabric.

Miriam Land from Tennessee made many sets of blocks to create this original wall piece. It is still in progress and a few more designs might be added to complete it. It is difficult to see, but she came up with a beautiful leaf design, with a 3D effect. A very talented quilter, and I cannot wait to see this one finished.

Some of Miriam's leaves and scraps from the wall quilt made in to "small quilts".

Ellen Heimlich from Florida, is not afraid of color. She embraces every single one! Her beautiful collection of colorful and bright batiks was a delight to see, and obviously fun to work with. The large green leaves has a prominent place in this sofa/lapsize quilt. (Did I say that I am beginning to like purple now?)

Lindsey Stewart from Illinois brought some of my favorite fabrics by Kaffe Fassett to play with. By adding a few others that played well together, she made enough blocks to have a larger quilt. It will be a stunning and vibrant quilt for a bed or a chair. As you see, all colors of the rainbow can have a good time together!

Candace Tucker from Florida, a very good friend from her time in Knoxville, TN agreed to be at the school this week. Wonderful for me and for the students to have an extra teacher available. She is a textile artist who likes to creates fiberart without following anyone's instructions, but this week I think she had a little fun playing with the "easy arch" possibilities.

With a view of  the rustic  jewelry studio at the school, I thank everyone in my class for a wonderful time. I am now full of new ides, just need a little time to get that going. Have a wonderful creative summer!