Academy of Appliqué

A few months ago I received an email from Barbara Blanton inquiring about my availability to teach at the Academy of Appliqué, a week-long appliqué retreat/school held annually at Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, VA.

After a very enjoyable Skype interview, I was honored to be invited to teach at the 2021 show! Barbara has an extremely positive attitude (as do I 😄), and a wonderful plan for the show – with many safeguards in place to make it all come together during this crazy time.

The Academy offers (2) three-day sessions of 10 different teachers from around the world, to about 250 students. I loved the idea of doing three day workshops. Students are able to really learn and grow in this type of class situation.

I hope you don’t mind my sharing Barbara’s introduction of me in her recent email newsletter:

“In a continuing effort to stretch the boundaries of applique and invite “new stitchers,” we are adding machine applique as well as modern applique to the class lineup.  Who better to teach these (2) classes than CHRIS KIRSCH.  Let’s give her a round of applause and a warm welcome to our venue and “family.”  Chris and I have gotten together a couple of times – virtually, of course – and the one thing that I can tell you about Chris is that she is a HOOT!  She says that she considers herself a joyful rather than serious artist.  Her work definitely expresses her passion for color and design with a foundation of good workmanship.  She shows a playful approach to life.  Chris has written four books, and has taken quilters on fiber art tours throughout the world. 

Machine applique classes have been requested for some time, and 2021 is the moment to experience Chris and expand your horizons with her unique techniques.” 

Barbara had discovered my website while surfing the internet and was intrigued by my Repliqué technique.

As most of you know, I’ve written two books on this technique and I’m passionate about it. Almost any photograph or drawing can be reproduced in fabric without fusibles or a degree in art.

As in my one day workshops, the students will begin by making a sample house to learn the technique,

and then spend the remainder of the class time re-creating a photo/drawing of their choosing in fabric.

It will be great fun to see the quilts that will result!

For my second offering Barbara and I put our heads together and I’m very excited about what we came up with. It combines a number of my specialties with a modern result and I’m calling it: Fusing, Fiber Art and Free Motion Fun!

The first day I’ll teach my Beginning Fiber Art class in which even the most traditional quilter will have fun playing with fun fabrics, skinny strips and geometric shapes.

The second day we’ll jump into something completely different and discover many fun ways to free-motion quilt “Beyond Meandering”.

Then comes the real excitement. We’ll select portions from the pieces created on day one, fuse them onto a “modern” background, and quilt them with skills learned the previous day. Here are just a few of the small Modern Art quilts which can be made in this style:

I hope the fun I had designing and quilting these pieces shows through. It was a blast – and I’m quite sure most anyone can do it!

The roster of other teachers is fascinating, so even if you’ve already taken my classes – the Academy could still be a great destination for you and a few of your friends.

Now you may be thinking “what are the risks of signing up in these uncertain times?” Well, Barbara has made this almost a “no-brainer”. Here is the plan in her own words:

“In the midst of these COVID-19 unprecedented and trying times, not knowing what the world will look like next March – your health and safety are my top priority! We are in this together!  To that end , the following REFUND POLICY for the 2021 Academy of Applique will be in effect.
On Registration Day, September 7, 2020:
1)  Only a $300.00 deposit will be collected 
2)  The balance of registration monies will be due December 10, 2020 (a full 90 days after registration).  Any unpaid balances as of December 10th, will cancel your registration for the 2021 Academy of Applique, and your deposit will be rolled over to the 2022 Academy of Applique
3)  If you pay the balance of monies owed on or before December 10, 2020 . . . and are still concerned about travel or attending. . .you may contact me and cancel at any time up to and including January 15, 2021 (another 30+ days) with all funds being rolled over to the 2022 Academy of Applique
4)  All monies collected will be refunded in their entirety IF the Academy is cancelled.

I hope you will agree that this is equitable on both of our parts.  It lets you register with MINIMAL commitment (only $300.00), but allows the Academy to continue executing preparation for the 2021 Academy of Applique.”

So if you’d like to have something to look forward to 😃, please click here and register for this wonderful event! And bring a friend or two. I’m really looking forward to it!