So I have three huge projects releasing this year. #1 is my third book which comes out next month. #2 is a new thing I’ve never done before which will be shown at fall market (sorry for the tease!), and #3 is my second Craftsy class which goes live next week – Startup Library: Quilting.
To say it’s been a busy year is a bit of an understatement, but now that most of the work has been done comes the fun part – I get to tell you all about it!
In class, I’ll teach you how to make the colorful Friendship Stars quilt from start to finish!
Startup Library: Quilting is different from the first class I released earlier this year (The Quilter’s Path) and it’s much more in-depth. Whereas the first class focused on machine quilting and included a free quilt pattern for you to make on your own, Startup Library: Quilting takes you step-by-step through the entire process of making a quilt, while working your way through the colorful Friendship Star quilt that I designed above. It also includes the free pattern plus bonus machine quilting diagrams.
The class is geared toward those who are just discovering quilt-making for the first time, or for other crafters who are adept in their own hobby, but want to give quilting a try.
I love sharing tips and tricks that make piecing easier and more fun!
I was really excited to teach this class because I often lament the fact that I can’t teach everything in a one-day quilting workshop! This class covers all the basics: cutting, piecing, basting, quilting and binding in an in-depth set of 14 lessons.
Although aimed at beginners, I think it’s a great resource for more experienced quilters who want to freshen up their binding skills, or learn how to baste and prevent puckers while quilting! Plus I’ve thrown in tons of tips throughout the class including how and why I starch my fabrics, how to cut and piece efficiently, and many more.
The pattern to make the quilt is included in the class!
When I filmed my first class, the number one feedback I got was how nice it was that students could actually watch me manipulate a “real” quilt under the machine. Well in this class, you’ll get to watch me perform every step of the process, on an even larger quilt! I compare it to watching someone cook rather than simply reading a recipe – you’ll be able to learn all the little tricks that I do, that I don’t even realize I’m doing!!
The class includes all the finishing steps – basting, quilting and binding.
Giveaway – Win it Before You Can Buy It!
I’ll chat a bit more about the class next week when it launches, but in the meantime, I want to award TWO (yes 2!!) lucky winners with a free copy of the class! To enter, just leave me a comment letting me know what’s the one aspect of quilting you need a little bit more practice with. Chances are, I’ve covered it in class! I’ll choose the winners next Monday morning, before the class goes live on the site.
Of course, you are all winners in my book!! So if you haven’t yet signed up for my first class, click here to get 50% off The Quilter’s Path. Both of my classes work nicely together, as well as standing on their own individually. And the best part is, you can watch them over and over again!
I just love cuddling up with a freshly made quilt – don’t you??
Christa Quilts 
I need help with the binding. I think I sew it one correctly but my corners aren’t smooth when I turn them.
I really enjoyed your workshop when you came to Boise. You gave me great feedback on thread colors and helped improve my free motion skills just by making it so much fun! I am really interested in all the “tips” you would give while making a quilt from beginning to end. I am always looking for ways to make things easier while improving the quality of my work.
I need help in quilting on my Bernina 750QE. I want to be able to say, “I made the whole quilt from start to finish.” I would love to be able to look at a quilt and know what would look good for quilting. I’ve enjoyed some of your first class, just finding the time to view it all is a challenge for me these days. Thanks so much for this opportunity.
I need to smooth out my FMQ, my patterns are a bit shaky.
I have trouble deciding how to quilt my quilts.
I’d love to learn how to do ‘ruler’ work on a domestic machine – I have the Bernina rulers and the special foot but not the nerve to get started! Thanks!
I want to get beyond simply stitching in the ditch and actually “doodle.”
I would like to go beyond simple straight line quilting . Confidence to try some new blocks and patterns.
I need to quit worrying about being a “beginner” at machine quilting!
I’m just scare in getting started. I have no room sewing a large quilt and trying to sandwich the quilt and binding. Thanks for the giveaway.
Moving along with choosing fabrics, piecing and binding, but I’m thinking about plunging into quilting on my regular machine, which you could surely help me accomplish!
I keep checking your calendar for an in person class that I can get to and virtual is the next best thing until then! I love your style. I have to get over my fear of quilting my own pieces and just do it! Maybe this course will be my tipping point.
Thanks,
Kelly
I need help deciding what to quilt where!
I need to get comfortable with free motion quilting.
I do struggle with the manipulation of my quilt – I’m self taught and have done a queen sized quilt on my domestic machine, but it was basic straight line quilting. I need to get brave and try something creative on a large quilt.
I have trouble deciding on a quilting pattern after I have pieced the quilt. Thanks for the giveaway.
I need more practice basting & squaring up a quilt, and what to quilt on it.
I need help with borders and bindings. Suggestions or guidelines would be very helpful.
Looking at your work is very inspiring. Thank you.
I’m so excited to see your new class! I can definitely use help with basting and handling the large quilt sandwich to avoid sewing tucks into the backing when I’m quilting on my home machine.
Would love to win your class. You do such nice work!
I have trouble visualizing a pattern in colors different than the picture.
I have never had any luck machine quilting.
I can’t seem to make my blocks the size that the instructions say it should be. I’ve fiddled with it over and over. Wishing I could stop my frustration and find out what I’m doing wrong.
I need more practice free motion quilting.
I need more help with squaring up quilts after quilting.
I would like a little more practice with design elements. Thank YOU.
Putting together fabrics from different collections is always a challenge for me. I need to learn to think outside the box.
BTW, Christa, I was shocked to see that you were not chosen as an instructor for QuiltCon ’18. In fact the list of instructors was disappointing. Based on those factors, my sister and another quilting buddy and I decided to skip QuiltCon ’18 and go to Road2California instead. Will try to get into one of your classes, but if I can’t, will try to see you there…somewhere 😀👌!
Regulating my stitch length seems to be my greatest problem when I try free motion quilting.
I need help with FMQ, just starting out quilting, my ultimate ambition is to make an improv quilted throw
Choosing the quilting design is always the hardest for me. So many choices!
I want to be able to pick coordinating fabrics outside of a fabric collection. That’s not something I naturally have an eye for, but I want to improve.
I struggle with binding and usually pay somene else to do it.
I need help with cutting strips. I always seem to have a slight v where the fold is. Also with choosing quilting designs.
I’d like to learn more about beginning and ending stitches if they fall in the middle of the quilt. And what length of stitch to use.
I struggle with points and FMQ also with the saw tooth star block.
i’m new to quilting, have had a go but need all the help i can get in all areas of quilting please
I always seem to have a hard time deciding on quilting designs.
How can I get over the hurdle of worrying I’m going to make mistakes when FMQ, and then knowing what to do if I do make mistakes. What suggestions can you make to get started with confidence?
I still have trouble cutting. It feels like the ruler moves a tiny bit. You think the squares are all the same but then as you are piecing several pieces together, seams don’t always line up. Also, planning ahead with pressing so I don’t wind up with bulky spots.
For sure, free motion quilting!!!!
I’ve never done any fancy machine quilting and this would be a perfect opportunity for me to learn. I’ve always paid someone to do it or done QAYG.
I need help with quilting the quilt!! And accurate seam intersections.
I need help with free motion quilting. TY for all your instructions.
I have never tried quilting my quilts I have always sent them out. It would be nice to learn how to do this myself and save money for MORE FABRIC!
I have a problem transitioning from my practice quilt block to my actual quilt. It’s a struggle to maneuver the thing under the sewing machine needle. I have a table and a ironing board set up to support the weight but it’s still hard to try to make smooth movements.
I learned a tremendous amount of Straight line quilting tips with the walking foot from your class at the Vermont Quilt Festival. I am just beginning free motion quilting so the afternoon was a great introduction and practice session. Thanks for coming all the way out east!
I struggle with getting the quilt top, backing and batting basted with out puckers on the back. I seem to get puckers after quilting. How do I prevent those puckers??
I have not attempted to free motion anything larger than a baby quilt. I woud love to be able to free motion anything. I have enjoyed your books. It would be great to watch you.
I love Christa’s other class and am sure this one will be just as good, or even better. I would love to win it and use the pattern for a grand baby quilt! thanks for the new class and the opportunity to win it.
I definitely need to work on free-motion quilting. I’m confident in straight-line quilting, but struggle to make time to practice free-motion and I’m afraid to take the plunge on an actual quilt for fear of ruining it!
I need help with fabric selections as I tend to buy fabric from one line and never mix them up. I also need help quilting big time. My logical brain just can’t get round anything but straight line quilting. I would so love to be able to actually quilt a quilt with more than straight line quilting.