I travel far and wide to lecture about and teach patchwork and quilting. Visiting quilt shops, conferences, and guilds is absolutely one of my favorite things to do in the world. There’s so much to learn and so much to be inspired by in the quilt world; I do what I can and, in turn, I am inspired by and learn from all of you.
I have a robust catalogue of lectures, all with neat slide projections. My quilting lectures are entertaining, informative, and about an hour apiece, with time for questions if you’d like. All lectures have been diligently researched, tried, true, and are guaranteed to be a smash for you and your group. My classes are typically patchwork classes, usually in a focused “make a block” format with tips, industry trends, and personal attention every time. My workshops work well at 3-hours apiece. I have many quilts to bring for a trunk show or show and tell, and will always personalize my book, Make+Love Quilts: Scrap Quilts for the 21st Century, when sold to students and lecture attendees.
Here’s how a day usually goes when I travel for engagements.
It’s just a suggestion, but it seems to work well:
- Lecture 1 in the morning + 3 hour afternoon workshop
- Lunch break
- Lecture 2 in the evening for full guild or larger shop audience
Lecture Menu
A ThirtySomething Quilter Tells All: Notes on the Industry from a Quilt Mafia Daughter
This is the personal lecture, where I share about Fons & Porter, my own quilting journey, and how we can make sure the next generation of American quilt makers are making quilts. Very engaging — and usually a few tears in the crowd.
You Call That a Quilt?
This is a hugely popular talk. The subtitle is “Quilt Styles in America: Traditional, Contemporary, Studio/Art, and Modern,” and I go through the different styles of quilts so that anyone can look at any quilt afterward and determine what type it is. A “show-stopper” in terms of information given and “ooh-ahh” quilts to admire.
The Great American Quilt Revival: The Reason You’re Quilting Right Now
This is super fun and informative. I look at the roots of the Great American Quilt Revival: the Whitney exhibit in ’71, the Bicentennial, and the 1980s industry boom. Funny and fascinating for people who were there firsthand and newbies who never knew it happened!
There’s Never Been a Better Time to Make a Quilt
In this “I didn’t know that!” talk, I go through the tools we have today and compare them to those we used to use (e.g. sad irons, quilt frames, etc.) to the tools we have today that women in 1850 would have killed for. Inspiring and fun, and full of info that makes us all grateful to be quilting today.
Class Menu
Mary’s Chubby Churn Dash Block
The “chubby” Churn Dash is, to me, a perfect block. Perfect ratio, triangles and squares, and easily made in a variety of sizes. In this class, you’ll learn to use the Fons & Porter Half-and-Quarter ruler to get half-square triangles from strips, solving any straight-of-grain vs. bias problems! A great beginner class, you also get a complete lesson and tips from a Churn Dash addict (me).
A Quilt Called Whisper
This is a 1,000 Pyramid quilt that I’ve made several times. The version in my book is called “Whisper.” I teach with the Fons & Porter 60-Degree Pyramid Ruler and we talk about monochrome quilts and the contrast that still matters, even within one color family, to make this quilt work. We cut, use the ruler, and join rows. Intermediate level.
The Royal We — Master the Ohio Star
The quilt in my book, “The Royal We” is based on an antique quilt I saw in a window in NYC. The Ohio Star is the “star” of this quilt and it’s such a wonderful block to teach and learn from. There are quarter-square triangles, half-square triangles, contrast lessons, and straight patches to “master.” A good class for beginners, actually, since they get to wrap their heads around fundamental patchwork skills, but still great for experienced quilters. I teach with the F&P Half and Quarter ruler.
Let’s get to work!
If you’re interested in booking me, please send an email to Mary@MaryFons.com. Include your name, the name of your guild/shop/show, and what you’re looking at in terms of dates. I usually book about nine months to a year out (sometimes more). I’ll let you know local and out of town rates, too. They’re not too bad.
Thank you! I’d love to come see you and your friends. I hope we’ll talk soon.
xo
Mary