Hands On Creative Workshops
I can travel to your group, guild or shop and teach a workshop of your choice. Distance no object!

Take a look through Susan Blog for workshop photos.

I bring a selection of my books for sale, plus fabrics and materials appropriate for the workshop.

Each workshop includes a set of colour worksheets for you to keep.

For a full requirements list: E-mail Susan Briscoe

NEW WORKSHOP

Super Strips Quilt Top
Make a dramatic quilt centre from 11/2in strips (21 – 22in long) or use a Moda Jelly Roll (2 1/2in strips). Machine sewing & rotary cutting (cut your strips in advance).

This quilt is based very loosely on the "Hearts and Crosses" coverlet in the collection of the Quilters' Guild of the British Isles. We will make the quilt centre on the day (the area within the pink border), with "take away" instructions on how to complete your quilt with additional borders. The photo shows the completed quilt top.

STOP PRESS!
This workshop is running at Gresford Memorial Hall, Gresford, Wrexham, on Sunday 12 July 2009. For details:

Please contact Susan, or

Visit her blog

NEW WORKSHOP

Japanese Art Quilt "Boromono"
Now highly collectable, boromono rag cloths are easy to make, recycling old fabrics – checked shirts are ideal - or try a bundle of stripe and plaid fat quarters. Think folk art!

Machine sewing, simple rotary cutting with very little measuring, big stitch quilting (hand) and easy hand applique. Every boromono will be unique.

Japanese Circles and Squares - One Day Workshop
A quick and easy design with a lively look. Learn how to get the most out of your fat quarters!

Make blocks for a 42 x 36 in patchwork, exploring colour and easy appliqué circles, from just 7 fat quarters plus an eighth of a feature fabric for the circles.

The construction pattern is based on Japanese shoji screens and the blocks arranged in an intriguing number sequence.

The image shows a version made by Dot Sherlock at a workshop with Ruthin Quilters. And she pieced two more the day after. She says she "got hooked by the design possibilities!"

Recycled Curves - One Day Workshop
Recycle fabrics in the raw appliqué layers and recycle part of one block to make the next - the ultimate in recycling!

This 28 in square raw edge machine appliqué and patchwork with a new look is perfect for batiks, hand dyes, solids and two tone fabrics.

Make the blocks and sew the top on the day, quilt it later and pop it is the washing machine to fluff up the layers for an abstract flash of colour. The pattern was inspired by an old Japanese jacket.

The turquoise sample shows what you make on the day and the purple one is how it looks after washing and embellishment with big stitch quilting.

Sashiko Workshops
Discovering how to mark sashiko is the key to making the patterns work for you and freeing you forever from pre-printed panels.

Each workshop is an introduction to a different aspect of the Japanese sashiko tradition and a springboard to your creative use of the technique, using simple running stitch for intricate effects. I show you all the special tips and techniques I learned from the experts in Japan. All these workshop are hand sewing.

Be warned: Sashiko is fun and so easy to do, you may find it difficult to stop!

I can also provide a full weekend of sashiko tailored to your requirements, including the talk, Sashiko and Japanese Country Textiles, and elements of the various workshops below.

Sashiko Furoshiki - One Day Workshop
The furoshiki is a traditional gift wrapping cloth that also makes an unusual tablecloth, quilt centre or can be cut up to make four cushion panels.

• Explore three ways of marking sashiko:
• Making and using a paper pattern
• Using a ruler and template
• And marking a kamon family crest using traditional Chaco transfer paper
• Plus - Stitching the patterns using an "invisible" method to start and stop.

Sashiko was often used to reinforce the corners of furoshiki and to identify the owner via the crest.

The finished furoshiki is approximately 1 metre square and can be cut to make four 50 cm cushion panels if you prefer.

Patterns options include corner chrysanthemum fan, shippo (seven treasures), fundo (balance weights) and various family crests including those shown on the right.

Top: Tsuki ni kumo - moon in cloud
Middle: Yama - mountain
Bottom: Yukimochi sasa - bamboo with snowflake

Introduction to Shonai Sashiko - One Day Workshop
Hitomezashi (one stitch sashiko), from the Shonai region of Yamagata Prefecture, resembles blackwork and is a great addition to your stitching repertoire for quilting and embroidery.

From simple grids, discover how to mark and stitch traditional patterns including:

• Komezashi - rice stitch,
• Kakinohanazashi - persimmon flower stitch,
• And Hanabishizashi - flower diamond stitch,
• Plus - Many variations along the way.

We will work on practice sample pieces approximately 10 cm square that you can finish later as coasters, quilt block and cushion centres, or keep for your sample collection.

An excellent introduction to the fascinating hitomezashi pattern repertoire, where stitches appear "as if by magic!"

The Shonai Sashiko samples on the right are fro a workshop at Bramble Patch.

Sashiko Kinchaku Bag - One Day Workshop
A panel for a traditional drawstring bag is a great way to try out two or more larger sashiko patterns.

Mark and stitch the bag pattern at the workshop and assemble the bag at home. The panel can be cut to make two cushion panel centres.

Grid based sashiko designs include curved patterns, such as:

• Shippo - seven treasures,
• Nowaki - grasses,
• And seigaiha - ocean waves.

Plus classic patterns, like:

• Asanoha - hemp leaf,
• And ganzezashi - sea urchin stitch.

The bags shown on the right were made during a workshop with Shropshire Quilters.

Top: Sashiko Kinchaku bag Asanoha pattern.
Bottom: Sashiko Kinchaku bag Nowaki pattern.

Hinagata Kimono - One Day Workshop
Sewing hinagata, a miniature garment, is a traditional kimono teaching method.

Covering all the stages of making a full-size unlined or hitoe kimono, you can try your hand at making a kimono just 50 cm long, an attractive size for a wall display or doll wear.

The workshop includes the appropriate stitches for different stages and fitting tips for making a real kimono to wear. Some seams may be sewn by machine.

Great for all those Japanese patchwork fabrics!

Japanese Waistcoat Workshop
A fully lined traditional waistcoat is a great casual garment and worth adding to your repertoire.

Easy to make from straight panels, this is the sodenashi hanten (sleeveless short jacket) once worn by Japanese farmers.

Good for slightly heavier fabrics, light denim, cotton flannel etc.

Instructions for this waistcoat are included in The Japanese Waistcoat Workbook.

Bag Workshops
As anybody who knows me will tell you, bags are a passion with me.

Hence my talk - Travels With A Bag Lady.

And of course, there are my two books:

• 21 Sensational Patchwork Bags
• 21 Terrific Patchwork Bags

The Rice Sack Bag Revisited
A new version of this popular bag!

Make a unique and useful, fully-lined shoulder bag with a zip fastening, featuring a pre-prepared panel in a technique of your choice.

A chance to make a very individual and useful bag that you will use again and again. Machine sewing.

Members of Swansea Quilters had great fun making their Rice Sack Bags, right.

• £15 per student per day - minimum payable for 12 students (i.e. £160) + £15 per extra student over that number.
• Plus travel expenses (.37p per mile) and accommodation/subsistence, if required).
• Maximum 16 students per workshop.

The new fee structure reflects increases in worksheet printing costs etc. but without increasing the cost for smaller groups.

Fluctuating petrol costs affect my mileage costs, by approx. 1p per mile per 10p increase per litre of petrol.

A non-refundable deposit of £25 is payable at the time of booking.

Back-to-back bookings and tours
Whenever possible, I will try to arrange bookings with other groups in your area immediately before or after your talk or workshop, helping to keep mileage costs down for everyone.

If you know another group or shop in your area that might like a talk or workshop around that time, please let me know.

I can't guarantee being able to do this but will try. Mileage costs will be shared out on the fairest basis at my discretion.