Workshop with Gloria Loughman

More often than not, quilt guild workshops are on weekdays and are not conducive to those of us not yet retired from our day jobs. But when the guild arranged a two-part workshop with Gloria Loughman on two weekends (9/11 and 9/18), I wasted no time and signed up for it.  

I bought the recommended pattern and downloaded the instructions. I watched the videos and read the downloaded pattern sheets. That was in July. 

Come September, I am buried deep in Island Batik October Challenge.  It has been rather all-consuming.

Improvisational Piecing

Iberian Lynx Silhouette

So when the Gloria Loughman workshop started at 3:30 on Saturday afternoon, I joined on Zoom but continued working on the Iberian Lynx project (Island Batik October Challenge). 

The workshop was terrific. Gloria is an excellent teacher with lots of examples from her work. She would explain a few things and then give 30 minutes for sewing, while she was available to answer questions, give feedback and make suggestions.  

Me: I am so torn.
Paul: What's up?
Me: I really want to work on this "Light up your Landscape" project.
Paul: So why don't you?
Me: I am in the middle of something else.
Paul (looking at the class materials): With all those light and dark colors, it is neat. 
Me: That is exactly why I want to dive in. 
Paul: There are so many guns held at your head but the only hand holding them is yours.

He has a point. 

I focused the next few days (Sunday - Wednesday) on completing the top for the Iberian Lynx project (Island Batik October Challenge). Then I dropped it to make the Landscape quilt.  My hope was to have something done before the second part of the workshop on following Saturday, 9/18.

Tiles Cut

Arranging Tiles

Brick by Brick

Completed Sky

From Thursday through Saturday afternoon, I focused on the workshop project.  When it was time for Workshop - Part 2, I was fully focused. No distractions. 

Choosing foreground

I showed my progress to Gloria. She approved. I worked on the different elements of the landscape during the 30 minute sewing sessions.

Completed Sky Sewn!!!

Island Batik for foliage

By the end of the workshop, I was so far along that I had to finish it. 

I have named it Gul Mohar, because the yellow/orange blooms are like those of the Gul Mohar tree, common in India. 

Gul Mohar

Of course, some of you may want to get up close and personal. Here you go :-)

But truly, the effect of light appears best when viewed from a distance. 

I am loving it and I am so glad that I took the plunge. I highly recommend Gloria Loughman's workshop. She is an accomplished artist and a terrific teacher. 

Gul Mohar finished at 13" by 19", and became my Dreami (Drop everything and make it) for September. Sharing with Sandra's Linky Party and all my favorite linky parties. See full list on the sidebar.