Bio
Gwen Marston is a professional quiltmaker, teacher and author. Since 1981 she has had 19 solo exhibits and participated in many group shows. She maintains a busy teaching and lecture schedule both nationally and internationally. For the past 24 years she has conducted quilt retreats on Beaver Island, Michigan, her year round home. She was a regular columnist for Ladies Circle Patchwork Quilts for 12 consecutive years and has written 21 books.

Lectures: I need a podium, microphone, two people to hold quilts and a table to put quilts on.

Classic Four-Block Applique Quilts: A Back-to-Basics Approach.
This lecture is based on Gwen's book by the same name, published by C&T, 2005. Four Block appliques from 1850-1880 were noted for their big bold splashy designs. They contain simple shapes and at the same time, strong graphic design. The lecture is illustrated with Gwen's lively quilts.

Gwen's Folk Art Quilts
In this lecture, I talk about my interest in folk art quilts. Quilts in this style are very much a part of the history of traditional quiltmaking. While most of my ideas come directly from old quilts, I have also been inspired by other forms of folk art. Universally, folk arts have similar characteristics. This lecture is illustrated with my own quilts, both pieced and appliqued.

So Old It's New
Old quilts have been my teachers. The are full of little-used ideas for today's quilters. In this lecture, I will show a sampling of quilts and talk about how I use old ideas to create new quilts. I will provide lots of information and tips on how to study old quilts to find new ideas.

Small Quilts
In this lecture, I will talk about the history of small quilts and why they have become an important part of my quiltmaking. The lecture will be illustrated with some of the over 300 small quilts I have made. Because they are small, I can bring lots of them to share. My most recent book on small quilts is Lively Little Folk Art Quilts, 2006, C&T Publishers.

String Quilts
In this lecture I will talk about the history of string quilts. I will discuss the characteristics of classic string quilts and explain some of my new ways to create this look without the time consuming method of foundation piecing. The lecture will be illustrated with my own quilts which are shown in my book Liberated String Quilts, C&T Publishers, 2003.

Workshops

Classic Four-Block Applique Quilts: A Back-to-Basics Approach.
This class is named after my book published by C&T, 2005. Four Block appliques from 1850-1880 were noted for their big bold splashy designs. They contain simple shapes and at the same time, strong graphic design. Made using techniques common in the mid 1800's, these quilts are easy, fun, and quick to stitch. Class is illustrated with Gwen's quilts. This is a great class for those who have been intimidated by applique.

Materials List:
3 or 4 sewing machines for quilters to share
2-3 irons to share.

Quilters need:
1 yard background fabric. (Muslin was a common background).
½ yard each red and green. Solids or small prints.
Any pieces of your favorite scraps (common accent colors were pink, chrome yellow, blue, brown).
**If you want to create contemporary looking quilts, substitute contemporary fabrics.
Paper and fabric scissors
Sewing kit (fine pins, needles, matching thread) 2-3 irons to share.
Ruler, 12 sheets copy paper

*Gwen's book is optional: Classic Four-Block Applique Quilts: A Back-to-Basics Approach, (C&T Publishing, 2005).

19th Century Folk Art Applique
This class is based on 19th Century Folk Art Applique quilts and is illustrated with my own quilts. Students will discover how easy and how much fun it is to create their own original lively quilts. Attitude and approach will be covered along with Gwen's easy techniques for designing and making these playful quilts. This class is good for beginners and advanced quilters alike and students should be well into the project by day's end.

Materials List:
3 or 4 sewing machines for quilters to share
If possible, something to pin quilts and paper onto so the class can see my examples.
*Please provide 2-4 irons for students to share

Quilters need:
Paper and fabric scissors
Pins, needles, matching thread
12 sheets copy paper
Pencil, eraser, ruler
Fabric: 1 yard muslin for ground 10 or 12 - ¼ yard pieces of solid fabric and/or small scale prints
Common colors for 19th century applique quilts were red, green, strong yellow, pink, brown and blue.

Henny Penny By Gwenny
Henny Penny is an applique class featuring CHICKENS doing their thing in true folk art style. Fun, quick and easy designs coupled with Gwen's quick, easy techniques add up to a successful day for all students. If you are looking for a light-hearted applique class this is for you. Gwen will demonstrate her "fall-off-the-log-easy" methods for hand and machine applique and she'll come with her flock of chicken quilts in tow.

Quilters need:
Sewing machine
Paper and fabric scissors
Rotary Cutter and 6"X12" quilters ruler and mat
Pencil, eraser
Pins, needles, matching thread
3-4 big sheets of paper (about 24" wide) (The Guild can bring a tablet of big paper to share)
Fabric: Bring fabric you like to work with: 1 yard for ground, fat quarters for chickens and other motifs

Little Flower Pot Applique Quilts
Learn Gwen's easy methods for designing and cutting the shapes for a small applique flower pot quilt as well as Gwen's easy applique techniques including how to make bias This class is easy and fun, great for all levels, even those who have shied away from applique. These quilts measure around 18" X 20". Gwen will bring a group of her small flower pot quilts for inspiration.

Materials List:
Guild should supply: 3 or 4 sewing machines for quilters to share

Quilters need:

• Fabrics: Most of Gwen's quilts are done in 19th century colors, i.e. red and green with yellow, pink, blue accent colors. Students, however, are encouraged to bring a selection of fabrics they like to work with.
• Background fabric for a small quilts (18" x 20", or a bit larger).
• straight pins, needles, matching thread
• rotary cutter, quilters ruler, mat for cutting back
• paper and fabric scissors
• 10 sheets of typing paper

• Lively Little Folk-Art Quilts
• 20 Traditional Projects to Piece & Applique (C&T Publishing, 2006)
• Classic Four-Block Applique Quilts: A Back-to-Basics Approach (C&T Publishing, 2005)

The Surprise Quilt
From this one day workshop, each quilter should take home a nearly completed quilt top. The workshop demonstrates how I allow a quilt to "design itself." I started doing this workshop to answer all the questions I get about how I work in the scrap style.

Materials List:
I need: If possible, something to pin quilts and paper onto so the class can see my examples.
Several irons should be available for class

Quilters need:
One large paper grocery sack
Sewing machine
Pencil, paper for taking notes
Fabric scissors and rotary cutter, mat, 6" X 12" ruler
30 strips of 100% cotton fabric, 1½" x 45" (or width of fabric), all different, if possible
2 yards of fabric for sets and/or borders - something subdued always works (i.e. a favorite background fabric, something you like)

Liberated Log Cabin
Liberally illustrated with Gwen's quilts, this class explores the many possibilities inherent in a liberated approach to this grand traditional pattern. Good for beginning or advanced, traditional or art quilter. Quilters will leave class with a quilt top in tow. Learn Gwen's easy as pie techniques for making knock-out quilts.

Quilters need:
Sewing machine and basic sewing kit
Rotary cutter, mat and 6" X 12" ruler
Fabrics: Bring your favorite style of fabrics (Brights, plaids, reproductions, solids) in lights/darks/ mediums. Bring 1/8 yard to 1/4 yards of a lot of different fabrics for variation.

*optional: Collaborative Quilting, Moran and Marston, Sterling, 2006.

Gwenny's Liberated Star
By the end of this day, students will feel like they are doing their post doctoral work in liberated star making. Gwen's liberated stars fairly twinkle and you can make them in your favorite type of fabrics. As with all of Gwen's classes, she will have samples of her quilts to share.

Quilters need:
Sewing machine and basic sewing kit
Rotary cutter, mat and 6" X 12" ruler
Fabrics: Bring your favorite style of fabrics (Brights, plaids, reproductions, solids) in lights/darks/ mediums. Bring one half yard of background and 4-8 or more fat quarters from which to make the stars.

*optional: Collaborative Quilting, Moran and Marston, Sterling, 2006.

Liberated Baskets
Illustrated with Gwen's quilts, students in this class will learn to make several different Liberated Baskets using Gwen's "easy-as-pie and always charming" methods. Good for beginning or advanced, traditional or art quilter. Quilters will leave class with a quilt top in tow. Learn Gwen's easy as pie techniques for making knock-out quilts.

Quilters need:
Sewing machine and basic sewing kit
Rotary cutter, mat and 6" X 12" ruler
Fabrics: Bring your favorite style of fabrics. Bring lights/darks/ mediums. Bright, plaids, reproductions, or solids. Bring one half yard of a background fabric and fat quarters for the baskets. Students will most likely be able to leave class with a small basket quilt under their arm

*optional: Collaborative Quilting, Moran and Marston, Sterling, 2006.

Small Quilts
Because they are quick and relatively easy to make, small quilts afford an opportunity to explore designs and patterns that quilters otherwise might not get around to making. Also, they can stand on their own as small, but rewarding quilting projects. This class will take quilters through the entire process and demonstrate just what it is about small quilts that makes them so rewarding. This class is based on traditional pieced block designs. By the end of the day, quilters should have at least one top finished and ready to be quilted. Some of the 300 small quilts I have made will be used as class examples.

Materials List:
I need: If possible, something to pin quilts and paper onto so the class can see my examples.
Students will need to have adequate work space.
Please provide several irons for quilters to share.

Quilters need:
Pencil and eraser, 5 sheets copy paper
Sewing machine and basic sewing kit
Rotary cutter, mat and 6" X 12" ruler
Fabrics: Select 10 to 15 pieces of cotton fabrics that you like, prints and/or solids in ¼ yard pieces. Err on the side of too much fabric.

Gwen's books are optional:

Lively Little Folk-Art Quilts: 20 Traditional Projects to Piece & Applique, C&T 2006
Twenty Little Patchwork Quilts, Dover, 1990
Twenty Little Amish Quilts, Dover, 1993
Twenty Little Pinwheel Quilts, Dover, 1994
Twenty Little Log Cabin Quilts, Dover 1995

String Quilts
String quilts have been made since 1860. Most string quilts were foundation pieced, a precursor to modern paper piecing. Foundation piecing, in my view, is slow. My approach to string quilts has been to discover a quicker technique to create the classic string quilt look. Class illustrated with quilts shown in my book Liberated String Quilts, C&T Publishers, 2003.

Quilters need:
Sewing machine and basic sewing kit, thread scissors, rotary cutter, mat and 6"x12" quilters ruler, iron.
Fabrics: String quilts are almost always scrap quilts, either solids, prints, or a combination. If you want an old-fashioned string quilt look, bring reproduction fabric. The majority of string quilts were made in 30's, so you like the 30's pastels, bring those. Remember they were made earlier so reproduction fabric from 1860 forward works. Quarter yard pieces of 15 or more different fabrics. (If you have pre-cut strips from 1" to 2½" widths, you may bring them to class, though pre-cut strips are not necessary).

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How to contact Gwen
I'm not wired up yet here on Beaver Island, but please feel free to contact me at:

Gwen Marston
Box 155
Beaver Island, MI 49782
231-448-2565

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