Classes have resumed. I currently offer classes at Montavilla Sewing Centers (in Lake Oswego, Beaverton, and Gresham), and Sharon’s Attic Quilt Shop in Aloha.

I also offer online instruction on a one-to-one basis or to groups interested in arranging a group class session. Most of my class offerings are adaptable to this format. I am also available for one-on-one tutoring and consultations for your projects. You can contact me at helene.m.knott@gmail.com for more information or to schedule a session.

Montavilla Sewing Center – 429 1st St, Lake Oswego, OR 97034 PH# (503) 635-1353

Montavilla Sewing Center – 4955 SW Western Ave #B, Beaverton, OR 97005

Montavilla Sewing Center – 971 NE Kelly Ave, Gresham, OR 97030

Sharon’s Attic – 2950 SW Cornelius Pass Rd #100, Hillsboro, OR 97123 PH# (503) 259-3475

In addition to traveling and teaching for guilds and retreats out of the area, I also teach a wide variety of classes at a few of the local shops. Below is a chronological listing of my upcoming classes; for more detailed information – hours and class fees – click on the appropriate shop link, check their class calendar, or call them to register.

March 24, 2024: Zentangle-style Quilting – Sharon’s Attic Quilt Shop

In the early 2000s, Zentangles were introduced to the art community, teaching those who had never explored doodling in their youth the joys of this improvisational drawing style. It is to Zentangles that we can credit the current wave of excellent coloring books aimed at adults. My philosophy is: ‘If it is a line – it can be quilted’ (well – mostly). In this class, you will learn the playful doodling process with your sewing machine. The design approach is liberating, and you need not be skilled in artistic drawing to enjoy this carefree approach to quilting. Join me and free up your inner child who drew with joy and abandon just for the sheer pleasure it brought. Skill Level: confident beginner – basic free-motion quilting skills are recommended.

March 26, 2024: Botanical Lace – Montavilla Sewing Center

Beaverton Store – This ‘lace’ is stitched by machine on a water-soluble stabilizer to create an organized or random lacy mesh to which you will apply fussy cut botanical elements. These projects make gorgeous holiday or nature-themed table mats or runners. Or, abandon a botanical theme and go for a random asseblage of bits n’ pieces. Skill Level: Confident Beginner

March 29, 2024: Primitive Pathways – Montavilla Sewing Center

Lake OswegoThis quilt is a great way to use up scraps left from other projects, utilizing even very small scraps – in fact – the smaller, the better. The freestyle piecing technique is simple and needs very little precision until the final squaring of the blocks and as such is suitable for quilters of all skill levels. The quilt goes together very quickly and is an excellent choice for a utility or charity quilt. As the block construction process is based on ratios, it is easy to resize the blocks for any size of quilt you wish to make. Depending on the ratio applied, the design can appear as an arrangement of floating ladders, or as a 3-D illusion of woven bands The class will cover block construction only; setting options will be discussed but not done in class.

March 30, 2024: Spirit Totems – Sharon’s Attic Quilt Shop

A ‘totem’ is a symbol, usually an animal, which serves as an emblem of an individual or group of people to remind them of their ancestry or heritage. Often this belief is accompanied by a legend or myth. In tribal mythology, every animal has certain personality traits and a totem may be chosen from a desire to absorb that character – be it strength, cunning or wisdom. In this class, you will choose a totem from several designs that will be available, and make your own Spirit Totem quilt. The process of making this project is similar to making a Mola (Central American reverse appliqué) but incorporates Seminole strip piecing or foundation piecing for the body of the Totem. To make the process fast and easy, the project will be fused but those preferring another method of applique, are welcome to do so.

April 5, 2024: Color Theory Lecture – Montavilla Sewing Center

Lake Oswego Store – Have you ever made a quilt from colors you love but found you didn’t care for the finished quilt? Have you set out to make a quilt featuring a particular graphic design only to discover you lost the design somewhere along the way? Do you feel confident when reproducing the exact color scheme from a pattern but fear stepping outside of those parameters? Does seeing a wall of colored fabric choices leave you overwhelmed? If working with colors intimidates or leaves you dazed and confused, even just a little, come join me for an in-depth exploration into the nature of Color Theory. How and why colors behave the way they do and what you can do to seize the reins and get those ‘horses of a different color’ under control.

The presentation will cover all these aspects of understanding and working with color along with a number of ways to create unique and beautiful palettes for your projects, beyond only working from a color wheel. There will be handouts with some basic color exercises to take home and play with, door prizes, and a trunk show of quilts and fiber arts depicting some of the color palettes at work. NOTE: At this time all seats are full, check back for a future program

April 6, 2024: Siddi/Kawandi Style Patchwork – Montavilla Sewing Center

Beaverton Store -Kawandi Patchwork originated in Africa and was brought to India where it became known as Siddi patchwork. The method is the same for both and is used to make light, summer-weight quilts without batting. Traditionally hand stitched, this technique may be done by machine as well if hand sewing is not your cup of tea, though the hand sewing is remarkably easy and fast, and resembles Boro in technique

In this class, you will make a small, table mat sized sample either by hand or machine by your preference, to learn the technique. If desired, you can prepare for and tackle a larger project like a baby quilt. These rustic quilts are typically very colorful and scrappy being made to use up and recycle salvaged fabric scraps. Skill Level: Beginner

Mountain Meadow Quilters Program & Workshop

April 9, 2024: Exploring Landscapes Through Fabric (Guild Program)

This digital presentation and trunk show covers designing and creating landscape quilts with a focus on using commercial fabrics to acheive ambience and details in pictorial quilts.

April 10, 2024: Bella Vista Landscape Vignettes (Guild Workshop)

One of my most popular of workshoos, these quilts are created from my line of patterns by the same name. Currently there are 9 varied scenes from seacapes to mountain vistas, several of which feature Oregon scenery. The projects are small and fused making them ‘instant gratification’, most students leave the class with a completed mini-quilt top rready to layer and quilt. The focus of the class is on choosing and combining effective fabrics to render a stunning scenic quilt.

April 13, 2024: Free Motion Magic #2 – Texture – Montavilla Sewing Center

Gresham Store – This one-day class focuses on playing with and creating all-over quilted textures that enhance and elevate motifs, as well as help define background areas in a design. Working on a small sampler, in the class, you will learn everything from basic meander stippling to sublime texture combinations such as pebbles, pavers (squared-off pebbles), swirls, and geometric designs. Skill Level: Confident Beginner and up.

Art & Soul Retreat – Portland April 14-21, 2024

I am offering the following classes at the April Art & Soul Retreat in Portland. The classes are held at the Sheraton Hotel down the road from the Portland Airport. Check Art & Soul’s website for more information

April 15: Sashiko – Beyond Tradition (9 am – 4:30 pm)

Sashiko – Japanese Hand Stitching, is a gentle, meditative process. It is a folk art, often used to repair or reinforce utilitarian objects. In contemporary times has been elevated to an art form in itself. In traditional Sashiko, the designs are usually geometric allover patterns or in some cases, motifs called Komon – Japanese clan crests. However, if it is a line, it can be stitched, and for this project, you will combine the graceful Art of Japanese Bonsai with this traditional Japanese stitchery. There will be several landscape and tree patterns to choose from, or you can explore other design possibilities.

April 16: Zen Pathways (9 am – 4:30 pm)

In Japanese Gardens, the stonework plays a substantial role in the design. This small quilt is a celebration of stone, emphasizing the path. In this class, you will create your own unique Zen Path or work from a pattern designed by the instructor. The quilts will be small and reminiscent of a Japanese scroll in shape and form. They need not be symmetrical. The stones will be appliquéd by hand, machine, or fused as per your preference, and some stones can be created in dimensional appliqué if you wish. If the idea of Wabi Sabi stone colors does not appeal to you, the stones can be rendered in surrealistic bright colors or floral-themed prints. The finished path can be embellished with a few 3-D blossoms or leaves that have drifted onto it. Methods for creating 3-D botanical features will be demonstrated in class.

April 16: Pocket Valentines (6:30 pm – 9:30 pm)

“I’ve got a secret pocket for my Valentine.” These charming ‘pockets’ can be a container to give that special person in your life a gift, a card, a gourmet chocolate bar, and the pocket is itself a gift. The completed pocket can be stitched to a garment if you prefer, or put a cord on it and use it as a pouch around your neck to store your cell phone, ID, or a little cash. These are fun and easy to make and a lovely way to use bits and pieces of old jewelry, laces, novelty print fabrics, and other ephemera. This could be an excellent gift to give to a bride on her special day.

April 17: Fabric Treasure Box (9 am – 4:30 pm)

These sweet little fabric boxes are easy to make in any size you desire and can be customized to fit a novelty print as the lid. In the class, you will receive a pattern for three sizes and the measurement formula to design future boxes to specific dimensions; you can even make sets of nesting boxes. Though you will make a basic fabric box in class, the instructor will cover ideas and tips on embellishing boxes. These make elegant gift boxes to present a gift, fill with chocolates or a special keepsake, or make the box itself a gift. They are remarkably durable, too; I have been using one for my quilting safety pins for almost 20 years.

April 17: Fabric Collage Butterflies (6:30 pm – 9:30 pm)

These lovely folk art butterflies are collaged from various prints, making each one unique. They are fun to assemble, the possibilities are endless, and they go together quickly as the appliqué is fused. In this class, you will collage one or more butterflies, creating pre-fused butterfly patches that can be added to garments, tote bags, quilts, or any textile art.
This loose and liberating process involves finding interesting and unique fabric print details that can be fussy cut and combined to make wonderful, whimsical things with wings. This will be fusing only, no sewing machine needed for the class.

April 18: Stumpwork Sea Anemones (9 am – 4:30 pm)

Stumpwork is a form of three-dimensional hand embroidery that rose to popularity in 17th Century Europe. Used to decorate jewel boxes, framed art, and other novelties, stumpwork usually features pastoral vignettes of animals and plant life rendered in stitches that create texture and sculptural form. The subject for this project is the ‘flower of the sea’ – the Sea Anemone. Not flowers but animals; sea anemones are related to corals but resemble flowers and come in astounding colors. In their ‘open’ active state they do look like flowers with tentacles radiating from a center; when disturbed the anemone draws in its tentacles and resembles a rounded pillow, both forms are included in the project. In this class, students will make a small sampling of embroidered and beaded sea anemones, The tactile feel of these beaded and embroidered creatures has to be felt in person to appreciate – you can’t resist running your fingers over the exquisite texture. This is a handwork project; no sewing machine is needed for this class.

April 20: Fringe Benefits (9 am – 4:30 pm)

Fringe is fun, a beaded fringe even more so. From childhood to adult, I have always loved fringe and all my favorite clothing, scarfs, jewelry and bags… had fringe. In my opinion, there is nothing that cannot be made better with the addition of fringe. Beaded fringe can be added to a bag or purse, a garment like a vest, along the bottom of textile art, or as embellishment on a decorative wall quilt. Beaded fringe will benefit a variety of textile art. In this class, you will go ‘out on the fringe’ to try out a variety of fringe beading styles, and make a sampler of fringes to enjoy as a piece of art alone or use as a reference of techniques to apply beaded fringe to other projects. You will also learn tips on how to make your fringe durable.

April 20: Free Form Leaves (6:30 pm – 9:30 pm)

These three dimensional leaves look amazingly realistic. Depending on the stabilizer used, they can be dense and stable enough to use as a pendant or earrings, or ruffled and frilled like a fresh leaf. They are fun and fairly easy to make. Students will receive a design sheet with several varieties of leaves to make. After the stitchery is completed, the leaves can be enhanced with colored pencils to make then more realistic.

And Now Back to My Regular Schedule

April 21 & 28, 2024: Machine Quilting 101 – Sharon’s Attic

This comprehensive class covers the basics of machine quilting in depth including tools, materials, techniques and how to choose and render a quilting design. You will work on a small sampler applying an assortment of designs using methods particularly suited to them. Once you are comfortable with the techniques and what your machine is capable of, you can work your way up to larger quilts which require quite a bit more focus and control to manage in a domestic machine. My goal is to have you leave the class with a self-assurance in your skills, armed with a variety of tips and techniques to enable you to quilt with confidence. Skill Level – Beginner.

April 23, 2024: Manx Quilt Blocks – Sharon’s Attic

This block piecing technique, known domestically as Folded Log Cabin, is also sometimes called Manx Quilting because it is said to have originated on The Isle of Man where it is called a ‘Roof Block’. Once you start piecing, the similarity to laying roof shingles will become apparent. Strips of fabric are stitched, folded and layered to make a delightfully textured surface. To make this technique even better, you are quilting the block as you go so when you have you are done with a block, it can be finished into a mug rug, mat, or make a quantity of blocks to assemble into a finished quilt – no further quilting needed. This process will also be covered in the class.

April 27, 2024: Bella Vista Landscpe Vignettes – Montavilla Sewing Center

Lake Oswego Store – This class is perfect for those who are interested in exploring landscape quilts but are not ready to tackle a large, complex project. These scenic quilts are small, simplified, and fused resulting in instant gratification. The mini quilts go together quickly and will be finished with borders to make a small wall hanging measuring approximately 10”x 12” (smaller pattern) or 14” x 20 (larger pattern). The class is a great introduction to working with fabrics creatively to make stunning pictorial quilts. There are nine different patterns to choose from and each pattern includes both sizes. The class fee includes a pattern of choice and students can purchase additional patterns if desired. A few of the scenes are available as kits.

May 3, 2024: Color Theory Mini-Workshop (evening class) – Sharon’s Attic

This is a program on color combined with some hands-on cut and paste (fabric on paper) exercises. The digital presntation covers the basic principles of color theory – value, balance, and tools/techniques- including color formulas from the color wheel – to help you undestand, manage, and select color combinations as applied to quilt designs, and ensure your quilts are successful. The hands-on assignments to follow will alow students to apply what they have learned to understand and test their own color preferences and see what works and what can be improved.

May 4, 2024: Ancient Icons Artist Tiles – Montavilla Sewing Center

Beaverton Store – In this class, students will make a collection of stabilized fabric ‘tiles’ and then use beading, embroidery, stamping and painting to embellish them. These tiny treasures can be used individually as fiber art jewelry, artist trading cards, or combined into larger assemblages. In class you should be able to complete several tiles. Instructions will incude a variety of methods to link and assemble them if you wish to do so. The arrangements shown represents possible arrangements of tiles and not necessarily the project finished in class.

May 10, 2024: Stained Glass Floral Quilts – Montavilla Sewing Center

These elegant quilts celebrate the beauty of Stained Glass at a fraction of the cost. Narrow bias tape outlines and separates simple shapes cut and fused from bright fabrics to create Art Nouveau style botanical designs. There area few different flower designs to choose from – a Cyclamen, an Iris, and a Peony. If you choose batiks in luminous colors that ‘glow’, they look almost like real glass.

June 15, 2024: Confetti Trees – Montavilla Sewing Center

Gresham Store – With any landscape, rendering the trees and foliage can be both challenging and rewarding and provides an opportunity to be creative with shape and texture. This technique creates a slightly textured surface and is perfect for foliage and other ‘frothy’ natural elements like crashing waves or the burbling foam at the bottom of a waterfall. The ‘confetti’ technique makes particularly lovely trees that are more complex, lacy and delicate than ordinary quilting techniques are capable of. The method is remarkably easy and needs only rudimentary free motion stitching skills.

June 16, 2024: Dios De las Muertos Embroidered Sugar Skulls – Sharon’s Attic Quilt Shop

Celebrate the Day of the Dead with these Embellished Sugar Skulls hand embroidered onto felt. You can turn them into stuffed ornaments to hang on a branch for display, or embroider and applique the colorful skulls onto a table mat or runner to grace an Offrenda (altar) to memorialize a loved one who is no long in your home but in your heart. Skill Level: Confident Beginner.

RECURRING MONTHLY CLASSES

April 2, May 7, June 4, 2024: Attic Cats – Sharon’s Attic Quilt Shop

This is a monthly mentored Open Sew session where you can come with any project you need help with. It can be something you started in a class (mine or some other instructor’s) that you just stalled out on and need a shot of enthusiam or inspiration to jump start, or a project from a book, magazine, or pattern that you need a little TLC with.

The name Attic Cats pay homage to the group’s rigin as a cat themed Block of the Month program that started over a decade ago. A year went by, and participants were done with their cat quilts but wanted to continue meeting on a monthly basis for camraderie and completion of their projects.

The class is held typically on the first Tuesday of each month unless my travel or weather interferes.