Founded in 1982, the Prairie Quilt Guild’s
purpose is to promote and advance the art of
quilt-making by conducting educational programs
and services in the art, and to foster research in the history of the art.

Machine Appliqué -
The Basics and Beyond
Presenter: Janet Pittman

Janet Pittman is an author, designer, editor, teacher and art quilter. All of her adult life she has been designing-clothing, food photographs, quilts.

Janet grew up in Modesto, California, where here parents were both graphic designers long before that job description existed. "There were good art and crafts going on around me all the time," Janet recalls. Her father did oil and water color painting and her mother made pottery and jewelry. She earned a home economics degree at the University of California. A quality control job in a pie company test kitchen led to "styling" food for photography.

"I really haven't changed much about what I do, just the medium," she says. "Preparation and styling of food for photography is graphic design with food, quilting and pattern design are graphic design with fabric."

Janet began quilting when she needed something for the blank walls of a new home. Soon she combined her quilting with her garden. She began adding embellishing to her appliqué designs when she purchased a new sewing machine and began experimenting with different thread and stitches combinations to enhance her flowers.

Janet lives in West Des Moines, Iowa. She has been designing quilts for over 20 years; as an experienced artist, seamstress, quilter, and instructor, she knows how to create patterns with appeal and devise clear instructions. Janet has had her designs in national magazines and finds inspiration from her extensive gardens.

In 1998 she started publishing quilt patterns under the name Garden Trellis Designs, specializing in machine appliqué floral quilts and children's quilts. Her book "Appliqué, the basics and beyond" is published by Landauer Books.

Wednesday's workshop will feature her Garden Gems pattern using machine embroidery and beading details. Visit her website at www.gardentrellisdesigns.com

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January 24, 2012
• February 2012 newsletter has been posted.

January 22, 2012
• January Show and Share Pictures have been uploaded.

January 14, 2012
• February Workshop Info