I tend to learn about things when I’m neck-deep in a mess trying to rescue something that has just gone pear-shaped. It becomes a puzzle to solve. Sometimes I get a great solution that I use after that for that issue. Sometimes it’s more of a bandaid and it becomes something I regularly work on remedying, hoping for the right answer. Often there are many answers that vary their results enough to be used periodically.

But it isn’t like I did the piece just to learn something, usually. I get an idea. I create my creature, and then I build his or her world around them. It’s like dancing to a different tune each time. The answers aren’t always the same. But they push you further.

But classroom is different. Classes get divided into process classes and project classes. Most people like a project class. They get to see a lot of techniques, and they get to incorporate them into their piece.

But that’s a lot of pressure to put on one day. Most of my work involves hundreds of processes in one small piece. I am happy to show them all in class. Sometimes that’s what students want. Sometimes they want to create something to take home. Sometimes, sadly, they don’t get as far along as they would like with their project.

So I developed my Stitch Vocabulary Book class. It started with the stitch vocabulary I did in most classes. I’d have students doodle, draw, work with zigzag, stipple, do garnet stitch and sign their name on a 9″ square of cotton. That really includes almost all the techniques I do. After that, they could use that square or another one to practice or try something else.

The Stitch Vocabulary Book class is 5 squares. It includes Straight Stitch, Zigzag Stitch, Bobbin Work, Soft Edge Applique, Hard Edge Applique, Couching, Beading, and Globbing. Because it’s all small squares of fabric, it can be bound together with bias tape into a reference book for your studio. And you can write your notes on the stabilizer on the back.

I will be teaching the Stitch Vocabulary Book Class for Gems of the Prairie, May 4th, in Peoria, IL. To honor that, I’m putting together a little classroom booklet on the class to go with it. It will be available in early May for sale.

Classroom booklets are another part of process-learning. Rather than being galleries of work, they are crammed with information, directions, and advice. I much prefer them to handouts, because they’re pretty, they’re concise and they aren’t just white paper.

So if you learn best from learning processes or if you’re more satisfied with a product this booklet should open some amazing new doors for you, for you to explore in your own work.

I will be previewing some of the work on the book on my website. If you’re taking my class in Peoria, it will be a fun sneak peek. But if you’re just hungry to learn new free-motion skills, it’s an easy no-risk way to explore what is possible. I’ll add new sections as I get them done, and some extra resource bits to help.

Check my Thread Magic Stitch Vocabulary Book page to see the latest chapter. I’ll show you how it progresses over the next several weeks.