Anna Maria Horner shares how to use machine reverse applique to create this simple but stunning floral block that can be combined very specifically with others, or more sporadically with some solid blocks for a varied look. She also offers tips of scaling the block to suit each quilter's hopes for their finished design.

Techniques taught:

• Fabric selection
• Tracing, cutting, clipping, pressing & pinning preparation
• Machine reverse appliqué
• Compositional planning and layout

Prerequisites: Students should be familiar with patchwork techniques and understand sewing machine operation.

Bring to Class:

• Sewing machine in good working order with patchwork or 1/4" foot
• basic sewing kit (rotary cutter, cutting mat, seam ripper, tape measure, straight pins, and quilting ruler with 1/4" markings)
• Fabric marking pen or pencil
• Paper pencil
• Tracing paper
• Various fabrics ideal for fussy cutting flower heads, fat quarters or at least 8"x8” scraps
• Various fabrics ideal for leaves, fat quarters or at least 4"x7” scraps
• Various fabrics for stems, could be pre cut into 1” strips (lengths anything 16” or longer)
• Fabrics for background, anything that would allow the above fabrics to shine. Consider that the original version of block is a finished 12”, so starting with about 13"x13” is ideal (multiplied by total blocks desired)

About Anna Maria:

Anna Maria Horner grew up in a house full of her dad's paintings and with a closet full of her mom's handi-work. Beds were warmed by the hand-loomed wool blankets sent by her grandmother from Greece. The busy little bodies of her and her siblings were warmed by the beautiful hand-knits of their grandmother in Indiana. As a kid in the 70's, she passed store-bought Barbie dresses and instead created her own from her mother's fabric scraps. A simple start to a diverse path.

In 1995, after graduating with an Honors Fine Arts Degree in Drawing from the University of Tennessee, Anna Maria opened Handmaiden, a clothing and housewares boutique. This retail space served as the home base for Anna Maria's clothing line which she designed and produced, together with her mom. Eventually, the label was offered to the wholesale market, where it sold at several stores across the country.

 Designing clothing served an interest that she had since childhood.  Anna Maria kept her hands in many mediums on a daily basis. Her love of fabrics and patterns also spilled onto the canvas. In the midst of clothing design and production, she stayed active artistically by exhibiting in galleries regularly. Her paintings, both small and large scale, are a part of hundreds of private and commercial collections.

There have been varied stops on her path to here, but a common element in all of her work, whether fashion, quilting or fine art, is a passion for the language of color. Continuing to realize her point of view in many disciplines, led to a stream of artistic growth. Somewhere around 2001, her fascination with taking an idea through all the necessary steps from her sketchbook to a store shelf sparked the momentum to create a brand. Anna Maria's fresh perspectives within traditional markets and her vision of being surrounded by the work of her own hands has led her to partnering with more than two dozen manufacturers to design homewares, gift items, textiles, authoring three sewing books, and publishing a continuing collection of sewing and needlework patterns. Her focus has intensified in the craft and creative industry where her heart has always been.

Anna Maria and her family make their home on a rambling two acres in Nashville, Tennessee. She works from a lofty, attic studio filled with fabric, thread, drawings, schemes and the remnants of intermittent playtime with the children. She is the mother of seven who range in age from 5 to 26. Anna Maria is incredibly thankful to be able to seek out her artistic goals in the presence of her family and is inspired by the spontaneity and tempo of life.

Details:

All classes at superbuzzy require prepayment and registration. In some cases, we are able to accept enrollments on the day of class. All classes begin and end on time; please plan accordingly to get to class on time so that everyone can get started together and right on time!

Cancellations:

We know... life happens! Cancellations received 5 days prior to the first meeting are eligible for a credit toward a future class. Cancellations received less than 5 days prior to the first meeting forfeit their registration fee. We recommend you find an awesome buddy to take over your seat!

Classes are subject to change or cancellation due to low enrollment.