Debby Kratovil's Guild Programs & Trunk Shows

I am available for one hour Guild Programs (see topics below) and for 3 hour and 6 hour Workshops (class list available upon request and also partially represented at my web site). Please contact me for fees, availability and scheduling.

I have been making quilt samples for Quilt Magazine for 15+ years, so I have a LOT of quilts to demonstrate in my programs!

One Hour Programs

The Secret Life of a Block Star: Well over 1,000 blocks designed and placed into quilts. I've learned something new with each one. Many quilts created using the blocks in my new Quilt Block a Day Calendar. Tips, tricks and plenty of "aha!" moments. You won't be disappointed.
Shortcuts From a Short Woman: This is a trunk show bursting with tips, tricks, shortcuts and a variety of innovations that will satisfy any quilter. I demonstrate traditional blocks made with non-traditional methods. With about 20 quilts I show quick ways to create Drunkard's Path, Winding Ways, LeMoyne Stars and Carpenter's Wheel sewn without set-in seams, Dresden Plates, Folded Flowers from Hexagons. I introduce Coffee Filter Quilting, my own methods for Raw Edge Appliqué, quick paper piecing with Ultra Suede.
Quilts My Grandmothers Should Have Made: If they had quilted, they would have chosen THESE quilts from the 1930s. A trunk show filled with between 15 and 20 quilts, both pieced and appliqué, demonstrating a variety of series patterns and Kansas City Star patterns (Memory Bouquet, Arkansas Meadow Rose, Laurel Wreath, Garden Bouquet, The Toy Quilt, Roly Poly Quilt, etc). Feedsacks, reproduction prints, contemporary versions of traditional quilts - all pay homage to the 1920s and 1930s.
Black By Popular Demand:Trunk show from my AQS book Bold, Black & Beautiful. I include many of the quilts in the book (several were stolen in 2004) and several new ones of new designs, there will be a lot of eye-popping visuals! Many of the quilts use special techniques (quick, of course) and all use the element of black as a backdrop for bright, happy fabrics.
Tips & Tricks With Tools & Templates: As the Queen of Tools and Templates, I rule my sewing room with my magic scepter. I have a trick to just about any difficult block, to make it bend to my command. I have tools for making Dresden Plate blades, Eight Pointed Stars (without any hand work or set in seams), Fake Prairie Points, Circle templates from your mailbox (can anyone say "AOL CDs"?). I use Coffee Filters for paper piecing, fold one shape to create another, and streamline even the most cantankerous of fussy quilt units. This is a trunk show filled with quilts, blocks, samples and fun tips that even the most experienced quilter will learn something new.
One Block Wonders: This is the basis of a new series. I came into 50-60 applique blocks through a friend who held a contest for local quilters. Since most couldn't be used together into a larger quilt, I began to brainstorm about making each one unique as a quilt. I pulled out 10 years worth of quilt articles and created a menu of border selections to help me make quilts of these blocks. I give tips on working with problem blocks, odd-sized blocks, use of color, setting a block on point and getting the side triangles to fit (I love formulas!). I talk a lot about triangles: half-square, quarter square, dogtooth, sawtooth, and 60 degree. I use folded squares, fake applique, and share what I've learned from my mistakes. I bring a LOT of blocks and quilts (since they're small) and will bring a handout of menu selections to give members something to inspire them when they go back to their own sewing room.

I am happy to supply more details on any of the above to interested guilds or shops.

Guilds over 50 members may require hosting guild to make photocopies of handouts for me ahead of time.