QuiltCon 2024 - I'm Teaching!

Hey everyone, I'm very belatedly sharing the big news that I'm teaching at QuiltCon 2024 in Raleigh, NC again and I would love for you to join me! I first taught at QuiltCon in 2022 and absolutely loved the amazing energy of all my students and the fun of sharing what I do. Are you coming? If so, here is some information about my classes so you can sign up for one, two or all three of them!

The Say it Ain't Sew Quilt classes are bound to be tons of fun. The messages you can create are endless and the font pattern is a mix of patchwork sewing, foundation paper piecing and curves. The pattern comes with all the details to create numbers and punctuations as well, which means you can use the patterns for memories, milestones and so much more! The pattern provides instructions for the regular font, and an elongated font as well. Say it ain't so? Oh yes, it's true! Bonuses galore! These Say It Ain't Sew classes (Thursday 6 - 9pm and Sunday 9 - 12pm) are 3 hours each, but we will stay busy with all the different techniques, tips and tricks! Use class code FPP003 to find them in the QuiltCon search bar. 

The Multiply Your Quilt Blocks class only going to be held once and will be a 6 hours class with a lot of designing and some English Paper Piecing in the second half. This class is all about creating unique blocks using special multiply techniques with a combination of foundational colors and basic blocks we all know and love. What block can you create? I'll bet you no two will be alike! Use class code DES014 to find it in the QuiltCon search bar. (Students will need a computer and the Adobe Illustrator program or something equivalent. For the computer portion, I will only be teaching with the Adobe Illustrator program and may not be able to provide instructions for programs I am not familiar with. However I will try to help find alternative solutions for other programs if time allows. Some prior knowledge of this program will be helpful). 

And last but not least is Designing Pixel to Patchwork in EQ8. I have loved the Electric Quilt Program since it came out for Mac computers and I love finding ways to expand my uses of the program to learn something new and create unique designs. This class will teach you how to take a design from pixel to patchwork in the EQ8 program with a little ingenuity and how to prep the file to get your measurements for your design. The Designing Pixel to Patchwork in EQ8 classes  (Friday 1:30 - 4:40pm, and Friday 6 - 9pm) are 3 hours each and also jammed packed with different techniques, tips and tricks! Use class code DES011 to find it in the QuiltCon search bar. (Students will need a computer and the Electric Quilt EQ8 program. For the computer portion, I will only be teaching with the EQ8 program and may not be able to provide instructions for similar programs I am not familiar with. However I will try to help find alternative solutions for other programs if time allows. Some prior knowledge of this program will be helpful). If you have not yet purchased the program, please click here: Electric Quilt EQ8 program (this is an affiliate link - if you purchase through this link, I may be compensated at no additional cost to you).

I love teaching all my tips, tricks and secrets to anyone that wants to learn. I do my best to provide classes that are great for all levels and ask students to come prepared with all the tools needed to make it most successful. I hope you'll join me if you want to level up your sewing and design games. 

Have any questions? Please let me know in the comments below or drop me a dm through Kid Giddy on Instagram. I'm happy to answer any questions prior to class! Huge thank you to all of you that have already signed up for my classes! We are going to have so much fun! Happy stitching as always everyone!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links as noted and if you click on them and purchase products, I may be compensated at no additional cost to you. Thank you.

Come Sew with Me!

Want to come sew with me and learn how to make a doll or two or tons? I'm so excited to announce that I'll be teaching a Sizzix Kid Giddy retreat in mid August at the Missouri Star Quilt Co retreat center and I would LOVE for you to join me for some seriously fun sewing! I want to teach you all I know - all of my doll sewing secrets. Here's why...
"Give a man a fish and he'll eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he'll never go hungry." Sound familiar? This was the response I gave to my friend at our lunch date when she asked one last time if she could pay me to make her a doll for her daughter. She loved my dolls, but I rarely sell them.  Quickly I said "no" (again).

Instead of making it for her, I suggested she come over to my home studio so I could teach her how to make her own. She knew how to sew a little, but never made a doll. I told her she could buy a doll from me, or anyone else, or she could learn how to make countless dolls. Not only would it save her money - for reals, but each doll would become something special, something worth passing down...heirlooms. My friend accepted my offer, so we booked a date.
She came over two weeks later to make a doll for her daughter. Between our chatter and giggles, she learned how to use the Sizzix die cut machine, glue baste, sew curves, use new stitches on the sewing machine, clip and notch curves, and stuff her doll in only 4 hours. That's it - just 4 hours!

Once she finished stuffing the doll, I taught her how to sew a ladder stitch to close up the bottom of the doll. Then we gave her eyes, as well as a belly button to call it done. As she was sewing it closed we got to chatting about handmade things. She didn't know all that it took to make a doll and how not everyone realizes how long things take to make - be it clothing, or dolls, or quilts. Everything takes time, every stitch is thought out and meaningful. When we make something with our own hands, it will be appreciated so much more than it would've been otherwise, if purchased. She was so proud of her doll, and I was so proud of her and her doll too. We were pretty exhausted but we took a selfie with her doll anyway just before she left at 10pm.

The next morning, her daughter woke up to the best present her mother had ever made her. She sent me a video (which I understandably can't share) in the which her daughter exclaimed her excitement that this new doll was all hers, and her mom made it. She even said "WOW - good job Mommy"! After much excitement, her daughter also lovingly gave her doll a name, later changing it to Elizabeth. 

This was never meant to be a blog post...but I asked my friend recently if I could share this story. I wanted to share why I'm so excited to teach this class, and what it means to me. It's in these moments that I realize, this is why I do what I do, and why I want to share it with others. The moments of teaching someone something new and seeing the lightbulb grow brighter every second, or the daughter's moment of excitement seeing this brand new doll to love on, made just for her, by her mom, it's all worth it. Here's what my sweet friend said about her experience - nothing edited:

"I have known Kerry for approx 2 years. When I found out she sewed for a living and I saw all her beautiful creations, I just knew I had to get my hands on a doll! They are so incredibly cute and I knew my daughter would love to have one. Especially if it looked just like her. So a few months ago Kerry and I met up and I asked her once again if she would make me a doll. I even offered to pay!!! She finally caved in and said, “NO, but you can come over and I will TEACH you how to make a doll.” I’m not going to lie, I wasn’t very thrilled. I’m extremely intimidated with sewing machines and anything to do with a needle and thread. However, since I really wanted this doll, I knew I had to commit and just do it! Kerry was amazing to say the least. She is so particular and an achiever at everything she does. Making the doll was definitely challenging; Mind you, like I said before, I’m scared of anything to do with sewing. Kerry made it as simple and easy as possible for me. This doll took us four hours to complete but was totally doable, and we had an AWESOME time making this doll together! I found out a lot of other hidden talents this lady has, she is unbelievably talented. She is an amazing mom, wife and friend.

After I left, I had such immense gratitude for her. That doll took us 4 hours to make. I know she can probably get a doll done on her own much quicker, but it still takes time, precision and effort on her part. You know the saying, “give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”. Well she took the time out of her busy schedule and not only taught me how to make a doll, but gave me the confidence and realization that I could do this again. Next time, I know I won’t be so nervous! Yes, there will be a next time, since my daughter is already asking for another one. Kerry, THANK YOU for all your love and encouragement and helping me make something so precious. It is an heirloom that will be passed down for many generations to come."

We made this doll "naked" so we could take her daughter's old clothes and make them doll size with my new die. During the retreat, we will be making Kid Giddy Dolls (and/or Foxes), Doll Clothes (using my new Sizzix Doll Clothes die) and even a fun class on using my Sizzix Kid Giddy Doll/Fox pieces for a really cute applique quilt block. Did I mention there will be a trunk show with Jenny Doan Wednesday evening and a trunk show with me the morning we get started? I'm bringing all my dolls with me - including Bubbles, Queen Phoebe, Elvis and so many others! They didn't want to miss out on coming to the retreat too for inspiration and to meet all of you.

For more information about the class, materials to bring, registration info and to sign up, please click here to visit the Missouri Star Quilt Co. / Kid Giddy retreat listing. I'm so excited to sew with you and teach you all of my tips and tricks in doll making! I can't wait to see what we make together!