So, which quilting class was I asked to review?!?!? Quilt As You Go Patchwork Bags taught by Tara Rebman (aka Tinkerfrog)! Can we say SQUEEL?!?!? Really though, I knew this class was coming because I follow the instructor on IG (I told you guys, I'm addicted! LOL!) and was soooo excited to watch this class!!!
Disclaimer: The opinions in this post are strictly my own, no one has told me what to say or write nor have I received any form of payment for this review!
Buuut, before I go into my review of this class, just in case you didn't read this post let me tell you a bit about Craftsy first:
Craftsy is an online educational website that offers TONS of classes for ANY crafting need! They offer not only quilting classes but cake decorating, crocheting, knitting, sewing, and so much more!!!
I absolutely L-O-V-E their platform. Once you enroll in a class (whether it's a free class or one you paid for) you have UNLIMITED access (24/7) that lasts FOREVER!!! You can ask questions you may have and get answers back from not only your instructor but your classmates too, you can take a video note (it helps you bookmark a specific place in the course), share your projects, and so much more! Every class comes with printable course instructions and material lists.
Craftsy offers not only classes you can buy but they have a HUGE selection of FREE (yes, completely FREE) classes!!!!!!!! I promise you, you can find a class that you will LOVE! Craftsy also offers a place for designers (experienced and newbies) to sale their patterns! You can find a lot of free patterns too!!!
I could really keep going on and on and on about how wonderful Craftsy is, but weren't we here for something else? Oh yeah, A CLASS REVIEW!!!!
(yes, this is a screenshot, I'm "resourceful" that way! LOL!)
Where do I begin?
I guess I'll start with the description from the website....
"Learn the theory behind the quilt-as-you-go technique by working your way through a charming potholder before creating the “Tinker” patchwork bag from blocks you create on the fly. Tara shows you how to use scraps from your stash to build out from a single square using a freehanded approach that celebrates the uniqueness of each quilted bag. Whether you prefer straight-line or free-motion quilting, your extemporaneous blocks will blossom as your bag comes to life. Add a simple pocket or follow Tara’s instruction for a painless hidden zipper pocket. Learn how to add material to the bottom of your bag for extra durability and box corners for extra stability. Finish off your quilted bag with a magnetic closure and eye-catching bias binding. Or hand-sew an invisible binding for extra sophistication"
I love the description they give! It's right on the money (is that the expression I'm looking for? I hope so!)!!! Tara does an amazing job with breaking down the process of QAYG (quilt as you go), and you can take what you learn from her and apply it to ANY quilty project! Tara breaks down this process by teaching you to first make an adorable pot holder, which I think is great because it is a small project, so you don't get overwhelmed! After she teaches you how to make the potholder she moves on to her own pattern, the Tinker Tote! She breaks down the ENTIRE process of putting her bag together, I mean the ENTIRE process! (Even if you are new to making bags after you take this class you can apply a lot of the techniques to other bag projects!)
I can't tell you how much I LOVE this class! Tara knows what she's talking about and makes it SEW EASY to understand! She gives you tons of extra tips along the way to help you out! I learned a lot about (cue horror movie theme song....) bias tape! (I really hated the thought of bias tape before this class, just so you know!) I took away a lot more than what I expected from this class. I've made QAYG bags before, but Tara's method is a lot better than the free tutorials you find on Google.
I can really go on...and on....and on...and on about this class, but you're just going to have to take it to believe me. Then once you do, you can come back here and say "WOW! You were totally right!" LOL!
I really really really wanted to make a Tinker Tote for this post, of course I have way too many other obligations going on right now. Though I did find the time to test out Tara's technique! Do you wanna see what I made?
Of course you do!!!
Aint it purty? :) I really love this clutch! Just so happens, there is a FREE TUTORIAL for this clutch right here on Tara's website! Don't pay attention to my flap though, it's all uneven and out of whack! I still love it though!
Here is a view of the back of my "Crazy Cute Clutch".
I mean, I REALLLLLLY love how this turned out!
It's a really good sized clutch too! I stuffed it full of scissors and rotary cutters for this pic! :)
So, are you all ready to go take this class yet????? I hope so, because the wonderful peeps at Craftsy said I could giveaway a Quilt As You Go Patchwork Bag class to one of my LUCKY READERS!!!
*happy dance* (again)
Okay so here are the details for this giveaway:
I only have on rule: You need to be a follower of mine! (You can now follow me on Bloglovin by clicking the Bloglovin icon in the upper right side of my blog!)
Then all I need for you to do is CLICK HERE and sign in/register! Once you've done that come back here to this post and leave me a comment letting me know you did! EASY PEASY!!!!
ONLY ONE ENTRY PER PERSON!
You have until this Thursday (June 27th, 2013) to enter!
This giveaway is open to EVERYONE!
I will announce the winner of the giveaway on Friday (June 28th)
Edited to add: This giveaway is now closed!
~Hope y'all are having a GREAT day!!~