More Craftsy Freebies: Quilting

As promised, here's a review on the freebie mini classes over on Craftsy in the quilting department.

Creative Quilt Backs

Featuring Elizabeth Hartman (go Portland, Oregon!), this class teaches you how to calculate out the measurements for your quilt backing.  Yes, finally, quilt backs everywhere can go from hum-drum single fabrics to art.  Ms. Hartman is known for her fun modern style quilts--and quilt backs, and I have to add, is a super nice person in real life too!  While there is no specific pattern that comes with this class, by teaching you how to calculate everything out, Elizabeth is teaching you how to customize your backing to coordinate with whatever quilt top you've created.  She goes over several specific examples (I believe the ones shown go with her other Craftsy class, Inspired Modern Quilts), you can easily adjust and change things up to go with your pattern choice.  And, what do you know, I've got a couple several of quilt tops just waiting for a backing to be made so that they can go into the woohoo-I'm-done! pile.  The class is short enough to watch in a morning too (or during nap time), so you don't have to make a huge break in your schedule either...isn't that refreshing.  So, whether you're trying to use a few of those leftover blocks or have a pile of luscious scraps you can't bear to let go of (hey, your overflowing scrap basket will thank you), you can now put them to good use--on the back of your quilt! 

Block of the Month 2012

Here's a class that can be used as either a technique class for a particular block or a quilt along that ends with a 10 block sampler quilt.  Amy Gibson leads this one and its a fun class for getting your feet wet if you haven't tried a lot of quilt block styles.  (And yes, newbies could easily follow along with success!)  Each month covers a different type of block and gives a couple of examples for that style.  Here's the rundown in month order, beginning with January:  slashed blocks, half-square triangles, foundation piecing, English paper piecing, wonky log cabin, modern 9-patch, Dresden plates, stars, curved piecing, and paper piecing.  There are also lessons on how to put your quilt together so that you can actually finish it completely.

I admit, I'm not really a sampler quilt kind of person, especially with blocks that vary so widely in style, but I could make a few quilts out of the different blocks, or really anything, pillows, table runners, etc., and so found this to be an enjoyable class.  Some of the blocks you might already be familiar with such as the string blocks or the asterisk block (made quite a few of these in last years bees), but some of the others might just push you outside of your comfort zone or get you out of that comfortable rut into trying out something new.  Scared of curves or maybe unsure of paper piecing--give it a try through this class!  I for one am excited to try the circle of flying geese--I keep seeing all those fabulous ones on Flickr and really want to make my own.

Block of the Month 2013

Yep, that's right, round 2 for the block of the month class, this one with Laura Nownes--and its free too!  So, if you were really planning ahead, you could coordinate these blocks with the 2012 class ones and get a bigger quilt at the end.  I'm really glad they decided to go another year, I love trying out new blocks.  That's one of the things I love about quilting bees---trying something out without committing to a whole quilt of it!  So the line up for 2013 includes:  offset log cabin, partial seams, drafting, curved piecing, 45 degree triangles, y-seam construction (yikes!), 60 degree triangles, diamonds, tumbling blocks, applique basket, applique flowers & leaves, half-square triangles, flying geese, and mitered binding.  Wow!  This round will really push that comfort zone!

Not really into appliqued basket blocks---watch it anyway!  You'll learn a great technique that you can apply to other applique patterns.  That's the great thing about both the block of the month classes--you're learning techniques that can be applied to many future quilting projects.  While this one might be better suited for an intermediate quilter, I think an adventurous newbie could handle these.  Just take it slow and follow along.  See a particular block or technique you're interested in, jump right to that lesson (well, for the block of the month, you do have to wait until that month is here) and start watching!


I hope I've got you interested in checking out some of these online mini classes, and maybe even thinking about trying some of the paid classes too.  I find that Craftsy really listens to its customers and tries hard to find great solutions. 

Let me give you some examples of the great customer service you can expect.  I started signing up way back near the beginning and one of the frustrations some of us had was that you didn't know what the class would require in terms of materials prior to signing up.  I signed up for a couple of sewing classes only to discover that I'd need to order a whole mess of supplies, so I haven't gotten back to them until recently.  Craftsy now has a basic list of supplies with each class preview, so you have an idea of how you sit supply-wise!  (Detailed info, such as sewing pattern notion requirements, comes with the class.) 

Now, not everything is perfect yet on Craftsy, but they do try to have happy customers.  They offer a 30-day money back guarantee, so really you have nothing to lose.  You can contact them with questions and concerns and they get back you within 24 hours usually.

Oh, and about that class I hadn't gotten back to, it was a Gretchen Hirsch class.  By the time I got to it (just recently), I discovered that Craftsy had changed it from an instructor lead class to a group input class due to Gretchen not being as responsive as required.  (She basically went AWOL.)  Now, I don't know the entire story behind her ditching the class, and I'm not going to start a discussion on it, but I do know that as a person who shelled out $50 of hard earned money for a class with a specific instructor, I went from excited to disappointed.  I was a bit frustrated having gathered rather spendy supplies only to find no instructor.  (I'm in quite a few of Craftsy's classes, and definitely the instructors are top-notch and very responsive, so this was quite the surprise.  That's why I keep signing up for more classes---I'm getting high end teachers who answer my questions whenever I have one, so I'm learning a lot and I'm learning it from some of the best in their business and I'm learning it in my own home on my own time, no expensive travel or inconvenient schedule.)  I will say, that I'm glad they're keeping the class open for those already in the class, it isn't just canceled and there are many really knowledgeable people picking up the slack and helping others, but that's just not what I paid for. 

Upon hearing about my frustration (seriously, I had like one line in a discussion saying that I would have asked for my money back if this had been back at the beginning, but that I knew it wasn't typical of Craftsy instructors, and they read it!) they offered to switch me to a different class---and we're talking way past the 30-day mark!  That's right, they contacted me!  Who does that these days?!  I mean, when you buy a television and almost a year later say its not what I signed for, do they give you your money back or offer to change models for you just because you say you hadn't taken it out of the box yet?  No way!  Usually this much later, all you get is an "I'm so sorry" comment.  But not Craftsy.  Talk about customer service.  So like I said, you've got nothing to lose because Craftsy takes care of their customers.

Online Craftsy Class Reviews--A Handful of Minis

Well, if you haven't already heard about or checked out Craftsy, you are really missing out....really.  I've been enjoying their courses now for several months and have been learning things left and right.  Now, I'm sure you're thinking, "I just don't have the money to spend on classes right now" or "my work schedule just won't allow me to attend classes," but I'm here to tell you that if those are your excuses, you'll need to go shopping for some new ones.

First of all, these are online classes.  Yes, that's right, you take these classes on your computer--whenever you want (and if you have a laptop, where you want).  So, got a half hour before the kids come home from school, up at 2 AM wide awake, or just feeling the need to sit around in your pjs Saturday morning?  You can take your class (add headphones if you need to block out the kid's Saturday morning cartoons).  I really love the online format that Craftsy offers because I don't have huge blocks of time for packing up my stuff and driving off to classes, and I live in a small town and have to commute into a larger city to find any classes anyway.  I also have a schedule that sometimes opens up regular free time, but then won't for a month or so...and sometimes I just get busy with projects.  Having classes that wait for me is a blessing!  No more stress about trying to complete class projects before the class is done or the online time slot expires.  I can buy a class and "attend" five months later!  Which brings me to my next point...

...the cost of classes these days.  Have you checked out local city classes?  Wow!  I've seen classes range from $45 to over $200, and we're not talking college course hear, we're talking once a week for a month max.  Ouch!  Other online classes are only for a set length of time and then bye-bye instructor and videos.  My pocket book doesn't quite mesh with my desire for increased hands-on knowledge.  Craftsy was my solution (plus, even though I adore books, sometimes seeing something done is better).  Their most expensive class is $49.99 (with a money back guarantee).  Not bad for a never-ending, always available, classroom with top notch teachers (Kenneth King, Sandra Betzina, and Angela Wolf to name a few) and professional quality video.  Still, I admit, that's a little outside (okay, way outside) my budget despite the great offering.  But, Craftsy often puts their classes on sale for $30 and less (lots of times you'll find them for $9.99 and $14.99 around holidays)!  So, just keep an eye on their facebook page or sign up for the mailing list and you'll find the classes you want coming up on sale sooner or later.  I think I only bought one class at full price (a birthday gift from my sister), the rest have been $25 and down.  Now that's do-able!

So, as if that weren't enough, Craftsy has started offering mini classes--for FREE!  Yeah, I'm in love.  I sign up for all the free ones.  Now that is in anyone's budget.  You're probably wondering if I'm commissioned by Craftsy, I mean what with this infomercial and all...nope, I just am really excited to share the opportunity with you because I love learning and always get sooo frustrated when things are always so expensive (even books through Amazon can be pricey).  I get tired of not having the money for something, or finally having some spending money, but no time or would have to travel to another state or something. But, just so you know what you're getting yourself into, I thought I'd give a few quick reviews on some of the sewing mini classes I've recently finished up (I'll review the paid ones later).

First, let me say, some web browsers or computers might be a tad slow in the whole video buffering process and cause pausing.  I had this happen with Internet Explorer.  Try switching to Google Chrome, that  solved it for me.  I also found that getting the lesson started and then pausing for 30 seconds let the buffer get ahead in downloading so that it didn't have to pause to retrieve more info.  It's really not a big deal, and the high quality video is so worth it.

Bag-making Basics:  Reversible Tote and Zipper Pouch

This mini is information packed!  And so useful too.  I'm pretty sure next year's Christmas will somehow involve totes or bags for everyone.  Taught by Kirstin Link (from Sew Mama Sew), you will learn to make a basic zipped pouch (think make-up bag, snack bag, sewing project bag) and a reversible tote (think grocery bag, library book bag, going to church and keeping the kids entertained bag).  Each step was clearly explained and demonstrated--which was nice, because sometimes people skip steps and you're left scratching your head.  Kirstin is so calm and pleasant that pretty soon you're convinced that you too could make these bags--and you actually can because it is explained so well that it can easily be accomplished by even a new sewist.  I liked that the fabric requirements were based on fat quarters, but you could easily cut pieces from larger fabric amounts, so you can have fun with those designer fabrics or even use up those fat quarters in the bundles that didn't make the cut for you last quilt.  And, even though it is free, and so the teachers are not required to monitor and answer questions, Kirstin does a pretty fair job of responding.  Also, others in the class often chime in with good suggestions and helpful advice.  I also thought the zipper instructions were better than many of the patterns out there.

I signed up for this one mainly for the reversible tote.  In our area, the major nearby city has a plastic bag ban going into effect soon, and I'm sure other places will follow suit, so I'm in need of grocery bags and those weird plastic woven types in the stores just don't hold up well--I always end up with busted straps.  Plus, I like to walk to the store often and bag that can fold up easily, and look good, would be nice.  I'd never used a cloth bag until I got a free cloth bag from the Green Bag Lady in a giveaway and I've really enjoyed having it, so I know I would use more if I had them.  I think I'll make a waxed canvas bag for the rainy season (its Oregon, I need waterproof sometimes) and some basic cotton ones for sunny days.  My goal is to not need any more of those plastic bags that seem to multiply in the dark and overwhelm the little spot we store them in.  I'll probably lengthen the straps given in the class so that I can wear the bag over my shoulder when walking rather than hand-carry.

Bag-making Basics:  Drawstring Bag & Bucket Bag

Another mini with Kirstin Link that you'll find extremely useful and use again and again.  This class has the same great video quality and instruction style as the previous bag class, so you won't be disappointed in that regard.  Each step is covered and supplies can be found easily.  I really like the idea that you can customize these bags so easily with changes in fabric, trim, pockets, and size.  You'll learn to make a padded, cylindar shaped tote or bucket bag (fill it with your latest knitting project or let a child have it to carry toys in) and a lined drawstring bag, so useful for holding all sorts of things like gear, gift bags, laundry sacks, etc.  All of you yarn people out there will love the little bucket bag to tote your projects around in.  It's just the right size and with the padded sides it doesn't flop over. 

I've already used the drawstring bag information to make pillowcases for my brother, so you can see that the information easily translates to other projects.  I'll probably make myself a laundry bag next or maybe some camping gear sacks with the drawstring bag info.  I think the bucket bag, made larger, would also make a great fabric scrap bag.

Sewing Machine Feet from A to Z

This is a really short class, even for a mini.  I watched it this morning while waiting for it to get light enough to put the hummingbird feeder back out.  The information is also extremely basic, with just the most common sewing feet introduced.  There are no projects and the machine feet are briefly explained and demonstrated.  Still, the instructor comes off as friendly and approachable and the video even has still shots of the feet so you can really see them.  And, if its been awhile since you've used some of those extra feet or you're wondering what to do with some of the ones that came with your machine, its a good place to start.  I would also recommend it for someone new to sewing who might be wondering what foot to add to their arsenal next.  The feet introduced were zipper, invisible zipper, gathering, rolled hem, blind hem, buttonhole, braiding/couching, quarter inch, roller, and darning/free-motion.  So, even though it is a shorty, go watch it and refresh your memory or pick up some tips.  Maybe they'll make another class with more feet--or even better, one that shows how to use attachments for vintage Singers!

There's also a Sewing Machine 911 class that gives some basic machine care, but I haven't watched that one yet...I got distracted when they added the free pizza making class with Chef Reinhart!   

Well, that's a whole lot of typing, but I hope you'll try out some of these classes, they do offer great information, are beginner friendly, and the idea that a company has gone out of its way to provide a quality free item is really something that should be supported.  There are free classes in other topics too---food, cake decorating, jewelry, knitting, etc. 

Next time...free mini quilting class reviews.  And maybe a review on the pizza---I mean pizza class.