I've decided to bite the bullet and so Penny's patchwork and quilting class will officially start on 1 April, most appropriately...

The class is aimed at anyone who has used a sewing machine, who would like to make a quilt, and who has been put off by the thought of how long it would all take. Modern methods have revolutionised quiltmaking, and what used to take years can now be completed in months, or even days.

This is the first time I've attempted to do anything like this, and so I'm not actually going to charge anything for the classes, just the cost of materials. This will be about €70 (£54), and will provide each participant with enough fabric, wadding and backing to make a quilt 1.20m by 1.8m (48" x 72") in the classes with enough left over to provide a couple of cushion covers or tote bags. In return for getting the instruction free, participants will have to (honestly, but anonymously) complete a questionaire at the end so that I can decide a) if it's worth doing again, b) how it can be improved, c) how much it would be reasonable to charge.

The topics I intend to cover are:

• The history, traditions and myths of quiltmaking (this will be brief!)
• Current trends (also brief)
• An overview of modern methods of quiltmaking and the tools and supplies both needed, and nice to have
• Choice of materials and threads
• The use of the rotary cutter
• Strip piecing and log cabin
• Invisible machine appliqué
• Machine paper piecing - really sharp points!
• English paper piecing by machine (not the same thing at all)
• Celtic bias and stained glass patchwork
• Seminole patchwork
• Machine quilting, including quilt-as-you-go
• Binding and finishing

Classes will be held on at my house outside Estepona on the San Pedro side (Salida 160km off the A7), on Tuesdays from 10 am to about 12.30 pm (we'll finish at an appropriate point). Participants are welcome to bring a contribution to a "pot-luck" lunch if they'd like to stick around afterwards and gossip!

There are 6 places (it's limited to the number of people I can get round my dining table with room for elbows), it will kick off at 10 am on 1 April 2008, and continue every Tuesday at the same time for the following 9 weeks (last class 3 June) unless we all do so well that we finish early.

If at all possible, you're asked to bring a sewing machine to the class. I do have one spare, but queueing to use it will be no fun for anyone; also you may want to work on your quilt between classes. Please make sure that your machine is in full working order (the Red House in Gibraltar does servicing), has at least two bobbins that fit, and is supplied with several new needles if the standard modern ones don't fit.

I intend to offer a choice of fabric themes:

• "Neutrals", shades from pale fawn to deep brown
• "Country", muted medium and dark shades contrasted with a cream background
• "Brights", hot shades set off by a dark background

The finished quilt will be a suitable size for a lap quilt to keep off winter chills on the sofa, or a crib quilt for an older baby/toddler. This may influence your choice of colours. Keep in mind that crib quilts will be frequently washed, and will fade.

I will shortly put some pictures up of the sort of colours I have in mind (what you actually get will depend on what's available), and I will make a sample over the next couple of weeks so you have some idea of what your finsihed quilt will look like.

Provided you book by 29 February you'll be able to choose your theme - otherwise you'll have to take what's available, I'm afraid (it takes a fair amount of time to get stuff delivered here).

So that I'm not totally out of pocket over the materials, I do ask for a €40 deposit on booking, with the remainder payable at the first lesson. If you know me socially, you can give me cash next time we meet; otherwise you can pay me securely using a credit card through PayPal's system.

Email me at info@pensplace.net if you'd like to participate!