Prairie Star- Preclass Instructions\

taught by

Certified Instructor- Jane Reents

847-526-6013

Judy Niemeyer Quilting

General Information:

The Hawaiian Star/Prairie Star is a classic. It has all the features of a traditional quilt arranged together in one setting. This quilt is not difficult to make but it will take you a few more hours of sewing to complete. This quilt involves a lot of cutting but in the end it is worth your efforts.

Pre-Class Instructions:

Purchase the Hawaiian Star or Prairie Star pattern, read your instructions, and select your fabrics: The yardage amounts are listed on page 19 of your instruction booklet.

Set up a color chart to match the fabric layout on page 19. You can follow the layout with the same number of fabrics or you can combine the fabrics. How you choose your fabrics is up to you, but if you do change your fabrics I would suggest you build another chart identical to the chart provided in the pattern. Paste your new fabrics over the boxes. Do not cover up the writing at the side of the boxes because the cutting instructions are written to correspond with the numbers listed at the side of each box. If you cover up the writing, you will not know which colors to use when you start cutting your fabric.

Templates:

We provided the templates for you in this pattern. They were provided so you did not have to make copies, and they are intended for you to cut apart. Read the information about preparing templates on page 2 and 3 very carefully. If you do not understand how to cut out the templates then send me an email with your phone number, your time zone, and a good time to call. I will try to get back with you as soon as possible. If I am unable to contact you then I will have my assistant call and go over the templates with you.

Cutting Instructions:

Complete the cutting for each unit listed in the cutting instructions on page 2, under Cutting and Preparing the Foundation Papers. Place all the fabric pieces into a bag or box along with the templates and bring them to class. The binder clips listed in the class supplies are used to clip the templates and fabric pieces together. They work great! I use both medium and small binder clips for this quilt.

If you do not complete the cutting requirements listed on pages 3-8 in the instructions you will spend all your time in class cutting and very little time sewing. So please try to have your cutting done before class. Give yourself time to cut out the complete quilt. You should allow yourself a full day to complete the cutting for this quilt. If you do not have a full day then allow yourself two or three evenings. You will save yourself lots of time and confusion if you cut the whole quilt out rather than just part of it.

Foundation Papers:

Bring the foundation papers to class. I will show you a fast and easy ways to stack and cut these pages all at one time. If you have already taken a class from me and you know how this is done then please cut them before class.

If you do decide to cut out your papers prepare the foundation papers by trimming the excess paper from around the outside cutting line, approximately 1/8". It is much easier to position the fabric under the foundation papers when the excess paper has been trimmed away.

General Supply List:

Size 45 and 60 rotary cutter with new blades

Seam ripper

Surge protector

Extension cord

Sewing machine with a quarter inch foot and a regular foot.

Paper Piecing Supply List:

12" “add-a-quarter” ruler

18" “add-a-quarter’ ruler

Scotch tape

Washout fabric glue stick(Sewline or Fons and Porter)

Flower pins

1 and 2 gallon ziploc bags

Permanent marker

Stapler (used in cutting papers that have the same page number)

Purple Thang

Size 70/10 microtex sharp sewing needles

(4) boxes of 12 small and medium size binder clips

High-quality cotton thread (poor thread has a tendency to break when removing the paper) I recommend Aurifil thread.

Note: If you own the large 60mm rotary cutter bring it. Make sure you have a new blade on your cutter before coming to class.

In this class you will have the opportunity to learn most of the techniques I teach; a chain-piecing process designed for foundation paper piecing. This process is possible because all of the fabrics are pre-cut using templates designed for each section on the foundation papers. I also teach speed-cutting techniques for both paper and fabric. I teach both sewing, and pressing techniques that will enable you to do foundation paper piecing, curved piecing, and traditional piecing. Extra foundation papers are not available for this quilt!

If you have any questions regarding this class, please contact your instructor directly. (Jane Reents 847-526-6013 or 847-565-4019) Please include your correct email address, phone number, and name. You may also want to check out our website our facebook pagequiltworx.comprior to selecting fabrics. There are many samples, slide shows, and color-changing quilts available for you to enjoy. We also have corrections and helpful hints posted for most of the patterns we have published.

Call Jane (847-526-6013 or 847-565-4019) to purchase pattern early enough for you to buy fabric and do pre-class work.

Judy Niemeyer and the Certified Instructors

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