This past weekend I had an opportunity {thanks mom} to hang out for an evening and then a full day on Sat. with Lisa Bonjean of Primitive Gatherings. Let me tell you it was the highlight of the month!
I love this gal…and her style…and her personality…and ok. fine. everything! She was truly a wonderful teacher. If you have a chance to take a class…you go! Don’t even think it over. Run to the counter and sign up! She has a great sense of humor, is totally relaxed when teaching and is sooooo helpful. She even told us that she was the teacher, not your friend sitting next to you- so bother the teacher, not the friend. That’s is what she is there for. I love that kind of generosity and understanding. It helps everyone in the class know what to do when there is a question.
I am thinking that she is up there on my favorite teacher list. She was that good.
I thought that I would share a little list of 10 things that I learned during my little class with Lisa from Primitive Gatherings with you-
1) Use a quilters knot when starting with your thread. Quick and easy. {i keep forgetting this one- thanks for the reminder and demonstration}
2) She uses a surgeons knot underneath when finished with the thread {i apparently was doing half of a surgeons knot. Now I know ho to do it right!}
3) Use Steam a Seam when working with wool applique {I loved this!!! It’s the best stuff and works wonderful with wool. Sure wish I knew about this stuff when I was sewing up the Wool Challenge}
4) Hold your thread tension with your left thumb. {I knew this, and do this…but now I know and do it better}
5) Pillow on your lap {I will go into this better later, but she uses a pillow on her lap when she stitches!!! Helps prevent hunchback stitchers hump}
6) Twist your thread before your french knot and it doesn’t grow a big tall neck or fall over
7) Rough cut your applique pieces with the paper on…then after ironing the fusible, cut it out on the drawn line
8) Use fray check on the edges of wool that are fuzzy or ravel
9) Sew a tack stitch down in the center of the snowflake stitch
10) Practice, practice, practice– she works hard at what she does— and it shows.
I truly had a wonderful time sitting, stitching, snacking and of course chatting. If you have a moment – take a look at her blog and say hello– you might find some pics of the sewing class too!
Do you have a favorite teacher?
Becky
Becky Jorgensen is the creative quilter behind Patchwork Posse, the Patchwork Planner and her online quilt group Patchworkers Plus. You can find her patterns in books, magazines, and her quilt membership. Gather your quilting supplies, organize your sewing space, explore the process of disappearing quilt blocks, or finish a free quilt pattern. I'll help you use what you have, finish what you start and make your quilting journey fun!
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I have only attended Lisa’s lecture, not a workshop. A workshop is definately on my bucket list and at the top of the “bucket”!! She is an amazing person who is not afraid to share her knowledge. Hope I will be lucky one day and be able to attend a workshop in Wisconsin.
Awesome that you were able to take a class from Lisa – she is the best! Love that you are sharing some of her tips too – she has a lot of them, and they are all so helpful. Lisa and Primitive Gatherings have been nominated for several awards – http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com/2013/01/2013-golden-quilter-awards-nominations.html – I hope everyone votes for her!
We took Lisa’s class in NC back in June and we love her too. She is truly a “ROCK STAR” – (that’s what she said we treated her like) – I would definitely take a class with her again. Her, Nick and her niece were so warm and friendly it was like we knew them for years. Glad you got to have the special experience with her as well. I look forward to following your blog.
She is great. I keep all her news letters, can’t wait for her to come to East Tn, i follow all her articles in magazine. Have a wonderful day. Tell Lisa i hope she has a safe trip home. Ruth
Wow lucky you, a class with Lisa would be just about the best I could hope for! Love your list!
Lisa is the most likeable person I know. She is so knowledgeable and willing to share this with workshop participants. Her workshops are so worth it, for the info and techniques she gives.
How fun that you got to take Lisa’s class – I had another friend attend the Friday class and the dinner, but not poor me! LOL Nice picture of Fran and Rolaynne!
I have taken three classes from Lisa when she came to Georgia. She is the BEST!! She is such a wonderful teacher and easy to talk to. If you have a question, she will answer it willingly and help you till you get it right. If you have a chance to take one of her classes, GO FOR IT. You will not be sorry. Thanks for posting all the little tips. It never hurts to have a refresher course. I look forward to reading your blog daily. Thank you Becky
Lisa is truly fabulous! I agree with everything you said as she is truly a great teacher. She is definitely one of my favorite teachers ever.
I am able to get to Lisa’s whenever I want—just about 45 min from my house—she is a fantastic person—always helpful and I get exhausted just realizing what she has accomplished—-she talked to our guild just after she opened her shop and her busines has done nothing but grow since then—all that know her are fascinated with her “stuff”–and we can’t get enough—any of her classes are worth taking!!!!!!
I agree…Lisa is great! She was a speaker, at our guild, in Plainfield, IL. I also took her workshop. I use to like wool…but now I love it! Have you been to her shop? Primitive Gatherings rocks!
Yes I have. MANY times and I get in So much trouble!!!!
Lisa is great! I’ve taken three of her workshops in Wisconsin. They were awesome very informative.
She a really good teacher.
And keep the thread taut on those French knots – keeps them all uniform and flat on the fabric. =) Thanks, good reminders. My favorite all-time teacher was Laurene Sinema of the Quilted Apple in Phoenix. She taught internationally, locally and at Houston. It was a very sad day in my quilt life when she died. Marti Michell can be very funny, too!