I’m now offering virtual lectures and workshops! Any of my lectures can be presented in an online format via the Zoom platform. Guild members can log in from the comfort of their homes and see the slide presentation, plus ask questions afterward. Virtual lectures last 45 minutes to one hour, plus time for questions.
I can also do workshops virtually, either on Zoom live or through an online course platform supplemented with Zoom meetings. Students can work in their own sewing spaces with access to their fabric and supplies–no lugging everything to a class location! I can do any of the workshops below virtually, with the exception of the Fire and Ice Bargello and the Free Motion Quilting at this time. Classes can last from 3 – 6 hours. Fees are the same as an in person workshop, but you don’t have to pay for travel and lodging.
Fees: $450 for a lecture, $500 for 4 hour workshop, $800 for 6 hour workshop. The full day workshop can be either one day or two 3 hour days (preferred). Scroll down to the bottom of the page for more details.
24 students maximum in a virtual workshop unless prior arrangements are made.
Playing with Colors
Cindy Grisdela is an award-winning artist who’s happiest in her studio surrounded by piles of colorful fabrics. In this lecture and trunk show, she’ll use examples of her work over the last 30 years to take away some of the mystery about choosing colors effectively for your quilts. Not sure what colors “go” together? This is the lecture to reduce your stress about color!
Journey of an Art Quilter
Have you ever wondered about how to make the transition from traditional quilter to artist? Cindy Grisdela started out over 30 years ago making quilts using traditional patterns and techniques. With examples from her own quilts, she will describe how her work evolved into a unique contemporary style that has won awards and is juried into at fine art and craft shows all over the country.
Free Motion Quilting with Style
You’ve gotten comfortable with stippling. What’s next? Are you curious about adding interesting motifs to your free motion quilting? Cindy Grisdela shows you how in this fun lecture. Put different motifs in different areas of your quilt or mix it up all in the same space! Cindy uses her quilts as examples to give you ideas you can put to use in your next quilt.
Anatomy of an Improv Quilt
Have you ever wondered how to create an Improv Quilt without a pattern? Where do you start? How do you know when it’s finished? Author and a ward winning artist Cindy Grisdela will share her tips and tricks in this entertaining lecture about the process for working improvisationally from start to finish.
Workshops
Teaching Philosophy
I believe that each one of us has the ability to be creative–we just need to allow our creativity space to grow. Improv is a great way to give yourself permission to play with no rules and no patterns. I encourage my students to explore their own ideas using my techniques as inspiration to design their own original art quilts. We talk about color, about simple design principles to keep in mind as you create, explore improvisational techniques that I use in my work, and discuss ideas for quilting and finishing. I enjoy teaching and my classes can be successfully adapted to different skill levels.
Scroll down to the end of the page for fees and other information.
For on demand classes geared toward individual students, please visit the “Online Learning” tab
Artful Improv–UPDATED CLASS – Learn to create your own original quilts with no pattern using improvisational piecing techniques. Students will learn to let go of the “rules” and piece blocks in an intuitive, free form fashion and may wish to begin with blocks or other elements left over from previous projects. We will explore contemporary Improv log cabin style blocks, Improv Curves, and Angled Stripes, plus Insets and Curved Strips.
We will discuss color choices and using simple design principles to create an original dynamic composition. The extended class goes into the color and design ideas in more depth, as well as discussing quilting options and alternative finishing techniques.
Basic sewing skills and a machine in good working order necessary. Best for intermediate to advanced quilters ready to take the next step to creating original designs.
The quilt shown is an example of a quilt I’ve made using the techniques taught in this class.
One – Five Days.Improv Play with Lines and Shapes – learn easy improv techniques to create angled stripes, improv curves and inset strips. In addition, we’ll talk about choosing color and using simple design principles to create dynamic compositions.
The extended class goes into these ideas in more depth, as well as discussing quilting options and alternative finishing techniques.
Basic sewing skills and a machine in good working order necessary. Best for intermediate to advanced quilters ready to take the next step to creating original designs.
One – Five Days.
Improv Puzzle Blocks – Create Improv Log Cabin blocks in a variety of sizes and put them together into a unique composition–like a jigsaw puzzle. There’s no measuring or precise cutting and each quilt will be unique. We will discuss color choices and using simple design principles to create an original dynamic composition.
Basic sewing skills and a sewing machine in good working order necessary. Confident beginner to advanced level.
One – Five Days
Mini Improv Puzzle Blocks – a shorter version of this class to create a smaller quilt using Improv Log Cabin blocks and Angled Stripes. Students may also choose to include orphan blocks or leftovers from other projects. We will discuss color choices and using simple design principles to create an original dynamic composition.
Basic sewing skills and a sewing machine in good working order necessary. Confident beginner to advanced level.
Half Day
Focus on the Improv Block – Make an Improv Block the center of your composition and add your own borders–maybe curved strips or asymmetrical open space–it’s completely up to you to make your quilt your own. This process can be adapted to any size quilt–use your imagination! We will discuss the improv block technique using scraps and different ways to set the block into an interesting design with border options.
Basic sewing skills and a sewing machine in good working order necessary. All levels.
Half day or full day.
Half day class will focus on making the block and setting it for a smaller quilt. Full day class will also discuss quilting and finishing ideas.
NEW CLASS! Fabulous Freehand Curves – Cut large scale curves freehand without templates or patterns. Add dots, skinny lines, wonky triangles and more to give each curve its own personality, then combine them into a fun original design.
We’ll talk about color and design to create the composition as well as the techniques needed.
Basic sewing skills and a sewing machine in good working order are necessary.
Best for students with some experience with curves–not for beginners.
Full day or multi-day.Fearless Curved Piecing – Take the fear out of curved piecing with two different Improv Circle techniques. There’s no template, no pins, and no matching seams. You’ll be confident with curves in no time!
Basic sewing skills and a sewing machine in good working order necessary. All levels.
Half day or full day.
Half Day class will make the quilt top. Full Day class will go into finishing and quilting options.
Free Motion Machine Quilting – Not Available as a Virtual Class
This is the class for you if you’re ready to take the plunge into quilting your own quilts and get them done faster. We’ll learn a variety of stitch motifs to use with a regular sewing machine and add interesting texture to your unfinished projects, including spirals, pebbles, fans, seashells, and waves.
This class can be adapted for beginner to advanced stitching. Beginners will learn basic stitch motifs including stippling, waves, and open spirals. The intermediate class will cover more advanced motifs including square spirals, round spirals with stippling, pebbles, fans and more. Advanced class will go into combinations of motifs in the same space.
Students must be comfortable using their machines and have the ability to lower feed dogs. All levels.
Half Day or Full Day.
Modern Retro Circles – Combine solids and low volume black and white prints to create a modern circle quilt with a mid-century modern feel. The curved piecing in this quilt is a little more advanced, but still easy to stitch. This wall hanging is 29″ w x 39″ h.
Basic sewing skills and a sewing machine in good working order necessary. All levels.
Full Day
Curves and Stripes – Learn to create Improv Curves and Angled Stripes to make this cheerful wall hanging. Even if you’ve never sewed curves before, you’ll be confident in no time, because there are no pins, no templates, and no seams to match. Use your favorite colors and fabrics in solids, prints, or a combination.
Basic sewing skills and a sewing machine in good working order necessary. All levels.
Half DayAngled Stripe Table Runner – Make a modern rail fence style table runner using angled cuts and quick piecing methods. This technique can also be used for wall hangings and pillows. Choose your favorite colors in solids, prints or a combination.
Basic sewing skills and a sewing machine in good working order necessary. All levels.
Half day or full day.
Half Day class will cover the runner top. Full Day class will go into finishing and quilting options.Bright Stripes Table Runner – Combine Angled Stripes and Insets to create this colorful table runner to match your decor or give as a gift. Choose your favorite colors in solids, prints or a combination–this is a great scrap project.
Basic sewing skills and a sewing machine in good working order necessary. All levels.
Half day or full day.
Half Day class will cover the runner top. Full Day will go into finishing and quilting options.
Scrappy Scarf – use your scrap basket to make an improvisational striped scarf that looks great with many different outfits.
Sewing machine in good working order. All levels.
Half Day or Full Day.
Fees
Lecture alone (45-60 minutes plus Q&A) – $450
Half day workshop (3-4 hours) $500
Full day workshop (6 hours) $800
Maximum 24 students, unless special arrangements are made.
Prices are the same for virtual and in-person options.
Prices do not include travel expenses, which the group will save if the event is virtual. Contact me at [email protected] for additional information.
For in person events requiring travel, at least 3 days of programming must be scheduled. Virtual options will be available at least through 2022.
If you don’t see the workshop you’d like, contact me at [email protected] to design a workshop for your group!