Welcome to the Road to California Blog

Roundabout 2.0, an evening event held during Road@Home, was an updated, online version of the popular Roundabout held during Road to California’s in-person quilt show.

During Roundabout, several of Road’s teachers gave mini-workshops on a technique they have perfected. Attendees choose which teachers to attend, moving from table to table. For Road@Home’s online version, attendees stayed put in front of their computer screens as each of the 19 presenters took their place in the spotlight. It was a great way to learn lots of techniques by experts in the quilting world, in a short amount of time.

One of the presenters at Roundabout 2.0 was Nancy Roelfsema. Her 20-minute lecture was on Creative Painting on Fabric.

Meet Nancy Roelfsema

Nancy has been sewing since a young age. She made her first quilt at 11 years old. Her family had just moved to a farm in Gregory, Michigan from the Detroit area. Her mother was very excited to attend farm auctions and found a rustic quilting frame. They put two sheets together and hand quilted the two layers with batting between. Nancy still has that “quilt” in her possession today.

The first sewing class she ever taught was to young girls, teaching them “how to hand piece and quilt a quilt for their American Girl dolls.” Nancy thought that teaching kids was as far as she would ever go; she never “imagined I would start teaching quilting classes for adults.”

Today, she hosts her own YouTube Channel, OnPoint TV, sharing methods she has perfected in making quilts, including painting on fabric.

Why would you want to try painting on fabric?

If you can’t find what you want at the fabric store.

If you want to create a one-of-a-kind design.

If you want to add some original pieces to an art quilt.

Products are the Key

With her painting on fabric, Nancy uses Mono Printing Techniques. Nancy says that “it captures more detail and texture than other painting methods.” The best paint she has found to adhere to all fabric types is the Gel Press® brand.  

A 4-Step Painting on Fabric Process

Step 1: Apply paint to a Gel Press® Plate

Step 2: Spread the paint out evenly on the Plate

Step 3: Create original designs using stencils and stamps. Nancy added that are everyday products that can also be used to add dimension to the fabric. Things like tulle from the bridal shop; sponges; netting from wine bottles; even bubble wrap will make great impressions. As Nancy offered, “The options are endless for painting on fabric.”  Generally, Nancy uses 2-4 different techniques on her fabrics. She says, “The fabric will tell me when it’s done.”

Step 4: Finishing. Heat set with an iron after the painted fabric is dry if the fabric will be used right away. Otherwise, fabric can just be stored. After 48
hours, the paint will be permanent.

To learn more details about this painting on fabric technique, please visit Nancy’s website.

Marilyn Belford was selected for Judge’s Choice from David Taylor for Norwegian Tree Trolls during Road@Home

Artist Marilyn Belford is a Quilt Winner

Before her quilt journey that began 20 years ago, Marilyn Belford was an artist and managing director of AARG (the Association of Artist–Run Galleries) in Soho, New York City. She had shown her work in various galleries and museums, such as the Museum of Modern Art’s P. S. 1… the Museum’s Contemporary and Avant-Garde division. Marilyn was a conceptual artist as well as an abstract painter.

When her husband retired, they moved from New York City to upstate New York in the early 1980s. Marilyn discovered that the art scene in upstate New York was not the same, as that of Soho. She lost contact with her many friends and associates in Soho because of the traveling distance. It was at this point that Marilyn discovered quilting.

Marilyn Belford’s very first quilt was a portrait quilt, My Parents. She was in a fabric shop and discovered the book by Deirdre Scherer. Marilyn immediately exclaimed, “My God! Look at what can be done with fabric!!” Marilyn credits that book for her inspiration. A friend encouraged Marilyn to enter My Parents into a show, so she entered it into the American Quilter Society Show, where it won the National Award (which consisted of a placard and a crystal vase).

From then on Marilyn became very involved in art quilting, entering many shows, and winning many awards.

Why did Marilyn Belford choose to enter the new, Road@Home Quilt Contest? “I entered the Road@Home contest because I have always loved the work that the show has chosen to be seen. This was not the first time that I displayed some work with the show, albeit it was not virtual, but the actual works on display. The category “What You Think You See” is the perfect category for my quilt because if you see a tree troll, it may be just what you think you see, and perhaps not real. It was easy to choose the category to enter because the staff at “Road” has great explanations to help you select the proper category.”

Making Norwegian Tree Trolls

If you ask Marilyn Belford how long it took her to make Norwegian Tree Trolls, her response would be, “I never really keep track exactly. But I like to say it takes the same amount of time to give birth to a child. Of course, all this depends on the size of the quilt. The Tree Trolls is of medium size, so it must’ve taken somewhat less than that estimation.”

The inspiration for Norwegian Tree Trolls came from Marilyn’s love of “Sturm und Drang”, a love of the dramatic. She had been working on a Mythology series. After doing several of Greek mythology, she decided to do some of Norse mythology. Marilyn fell in love with the idea of gremlins living and hiding in trees within a forest. The Norwegian Tree Trolls was the result.

Techniques included in Norwegian Tree Trolls were the use of raw edge appliqué with a fusible web to hold it on to the muslin. When she decided that all the pieces were in place and looked good, Marilyn then fused it by steam pressing. After, Marilyn “thread painted” the quilt. Her friend, Jamie Wallen, did the quilting.

The Road@Home Experience

Regarding Road@Home, Marilyn commented, “In today’s world of virtual quilt shows, I thought Road@Home did an expert and beautiful job of presenting all those remarkable quilts so that the world can truly enjoy them with ease. I am sure everyone appreciates what you have done. I know I do very much.”

When Marilyn Belford had learned she had won Judge’s Choice awarded by David Taylor, she was “thrilled” to get the news. Marilyn said, “I am very familiar with the marvelous works of David Taylor, and I love them. I am told that David is very thorough in his choices for winners, which adds much to my pleasure of having been selected.”

What are Marilyn Belford’s quilting plans for the rest of 2021? “I have just finished thread painting my next quilt which is called “The Ride of The Valkyries.” It is under the needle of the long arm being quilted at this moment. It is a large quilt. I am also working on a portrait of my granddaughter Rachel. I made one of her many years ago when she was about 10 years old. She is now becoming 30 years old, and I felt I wanted her as she looks for the major part of her life.”

To learn more about award winning artist and quilter, Marilyn Belford, visit her website.

A Bright Idea by Lynn Czaban

Lynn Czaban, Portrait Quilter

Most people start out small when they first start quilting. Not Lynn Czaban. She began quilting in 1986 with an English Paper Pieced Dresden Plate baby quilt. Lynn says it did take her many years before she finished that quilt. During that process, she made more traditional pieced quilts as gifts for family and friends.

In 2005, Lynn Czaban made her first portrait quilt, and she continues in that genre today. She has entered several quilt contests including Road to California in 2020 where she received first place in her category, Human Image, with another portrait quilt.

Lynn entered Road@Home’s quilt contest because of her success the year before at the in-person Road. “Over the years I have been lucky enough to earn a few ribbons and attend the quilt show (Road to California) in person. The category ‘what you see’ was the best fit for my quilt.”

Making A Bright Idea

Lynn Czaban’s inspiration for A Bright Idea initially came from a local guild challenge entitled ‘Once in a Blue Moon.’ Lynn’s first thoughts while brainstorming ideas was “how good I’d feel if I happened to come up with a great plan.” That spark led Lynn to “Once in a blue moon, I come up with a great idea.”

It took Lynn about three months to complete the quilt. Techniques she used included fused, raw edge appliqué, thread sketching and contour quilting.

When Lynn found out she had won third place in the category, “What You See,” her reaction was “surprise” and “delight.” Lynn commented that “I had received the judge’s comments in a separate email in the days prior to the show but no mention of a ribbon. So it was a great surprise to find it had been awarded 3rd place when I viewed the virtual show the first time.”

Lynn thought Road@Home “was fantastic! I personally did not take any classes but have friends who did. They spoke very highly of the caliber of teachers and of the classes themselves. I enjoyed the Virtual Quilt Show and look forward to a time we can all meet in person. Thank you to the ‘Road Crew’ for keeping it going in these difficult times.”

Future Quilt Plans

Lynn says that she has no plans for A Bright Idea other than have it “hang it in my studio. That smiling face reminds me to keep looking for inspiration.”

For the coming months of 2021, Lynn says she will continue to hone her skills by taking virtual classes. “So many teachers thinking outside the box is one of the benefits to this pandemic.”

Lynn also intends to create new work with a deadline as well as enter more contests, challenges, and calls to entry. She says a deadline and new themes will be her future motivation.

To learn more about Lynn Czaban, visit her Facebook Page

In the age of Coronavirus, when Road’s traditional in-person show was put on hold due to California and San Bernardino County regulations, Road to California had to become very creative very fast to hold its strong community together.

The first step was developing Road@Home, an online quilt show presented during the time the in-person Road to California was supposed to happen, January 21-23, 2021. This virtual version was shorter in length than Road’s traditional show but still packed with over a hundred classes, unique quilt exhibits, and even a quilt contest (though it was scaled down). A big success of Road@Home was that it was able to reach participants and enlist instructors who knew of Road’s wonderful reputation but have never been able to travel to the in-home show.

After Road@Home ended, the next way Road’s staff came up with to stay engaged with Road’s vast community was to present a LIVE talk show where there would be interviews with quilt superstars, reviews of quilt products, and a lot of fun too!!  The result: It’s Sew Road.

What is It’s Sew Road?   

It’s Sew Road is a weekly, one-hour talk show hosted by Road to California’s Owner, Matt Reese, and Quilt Personality, Linda Hahn. Its debut episode will be on March 3, 2021 at 11:00 AM PST with kick-off guest, popular Road@Home teacher, Heather Kojan.  

It’s Sew Road originally started as a Zoomcast on Linda’s YouTube channel, and was called Sew What! Linda’s vision of Sew What! was to be a community service for quilters during the pandemic. She presented over 30 talk show episodes in 2020 which “were pure fun.”  

Discussions began in late 2020 to broaden the success of It’s Sew Road into a Road to California brand. Linda had originally met Matt when Linda was a first time Road to California instructor several years ago. They were reintroduced when Linda taught at Road for a second time and since then, have spent a lot of time together at different quilt market events. Sharing incredible meals has become one of their favorite pastimes. Linda shared that what will make their upcoming talk show a success is that, “I think we all have the same warped sense of humor, have fun and work well together.”

Besides working together, what else are Matt and Linda looking forward to with the talk show format?  “Learning about our various guests – not only what they do in the quilting world, but in their life outside of the quilting world.” That “other life” begins with the hosts themselves. Did you know that Matt Reese was a professional tuba player? Or that Linda Hahn not only teaches quilt classes but Zumba classes too?

Linda and Matt are hoping that It’s Sew Road will allow “folks” to be able to “turn off the world for a little bit each week to laugh and learn with us!”

March Talk Show Line Up

Celebrity Quilter Guests have been lined up for each Wednesday in March. Besides Heather Kojan on March 3^rd, the other guests will be:

March 10th is Patience Griffin

March 17th is Charlotte Angotti

and on March 31^st, Diane L Murtha.

Plan to make a date with your computer every Wednesday in March at 11:00 AM PST for a little silliness and a lot of quilting fun this the new quilt talk show, It’s Sew Fun.

Healthy Quilter, Rose Parr, was one of the presenters during Roundabout 2.0 – a round robin event where 20 of Road@Home’s instructors gave 20-minute workshops on a variety of topics. Rose’s topic was Sew Smart – The Ergonomics of Healthy Quilting.

Ergonomics relates to designing elements for efficiency and comfort in the working environment. Rose holds several certifications including ones in Ergonomics, Arthritis Pain Management, and Active Aging. She lives in Canada so being seen virtually during Road@Home was the perfect venue to share her vast knowledge on how to sew smart.

Maintaining Good Circulation is Key

When you disrupt normal blood flow while sewing, you are making it easier for chronic health conditions to take root, shared Rose. The key for quilters to sew smart is to find ways to keep their blood flowing freely. As Rose says, “Quilting shouldn’t be a pain in the neck!”

The first thing to consider when you want to sew smart is the chair you are sitting in. The average sewing machine is 3½” from bottom to sewing surface. Since you can’t adjust the table it sits on, the best way to avoid a sore neck, shoulders, wrists, and back, is to use a chair where you can adjust the height, has an adjustable back with lumbar support and an adjustable seat base depth.  Using a cushion is also helpful.

To promote good circulation, there should be a 2″-3″ finger gap from the front of the chair to the back of the knees. If the chair has armrests, they should be positioned just below your elbows to help keep your shoulders relaxed. Rose says that actually, “No armrests are better than the wrong armrests.”

More Tips to Sew Smart

Rose shared these other simple tips to maintain a healthy quilting environment:

1. Keep shoulders down. Rose said that when individuals sew for long periods of time, shoulders tend to roll forward, the head leans, the neck gets bent, and the back is hunched. To keep shoulders relaxed, she recommends for quilters to sit tall, roll their shoulders back by drawing the shoulder blades together and avoid tensing up.
2. Invest in 99 cent readers. Avoid eye strain by utilizing magnification.
3. Bring the sewing machine to you – or bring your chair to the machine. Don’t reach forward.
4. Have something in front of your sewing area (a picture or window) that causes you to look up.
5. Stretch periodically. Get up and walk around. Open your chest. Try switching feet on your pedal.  

When you sew smart, Rose says not only will you be pain-free while sewing, there’s a good chance you can be quilting until your 100^th birthday!!

To read more sew smart tips from Rose, visit her website.

Remembering by Linda Anderson won Best of Show Quilt during Road@Home 2021

Linda Anderson’s Quilt Journey

Linda Anderson has been creating art quilts since 2009, when she returned from living in the Caribbean for 10 years and saw her first art quilt.  For Linda, art quilts are the perfect comingling of her passions: drawing, painting and sewing. She started entering contests in 2010.  Of the art quilt experience, Linda says, “It’s still amazing at this age and chapter in life to experience such positive acknowledgement from peers and judges I could not have predicted.”

Making Best of Show Quilt, Remembering

The inspiration for Road@Home’s Best of Show Quilt, Remembering, came from a travel photograph. Linda remarked that she is a “fiend” for good composition and that this photo had perfect composition. Linda also has a “love affair with everything Oaxacan,” where the subject of her quilt is from. “We all get lost in our thoughts, and the woman in Remembering captured that perfectly for me,” said Linda. 

Linda’s art quilts usually take a full 5 months from start to finish, working 6-8 hours a day, at least 6 days a week.  She says, “It is very labor intensive with a myriad of steps.  And I love getting lost in the detail of each step.”

What techniques did Linda use in the Best of Show Quilt, Remembering? “Every square inch of my work is hand painted, usually on white on white printed fabric.  It is not whole cloth, which sometimes is thought.  It is all raw edge applique pieces that are painted before assembling.”

Entering Road@Home’s Quilt Contest

Linda attends the in-person Road to California annually. She loves to “soak up all the art inspiration” which fuels her for the coming year. In addition to going to the show regularly, another Road tradition for her is to enter a quilt each year.

Her most recent entries (that were also winning quilts) were in 2019, for Outstanding Artistry

and in 2017 for Director’s Choice.  

Road@Home had only three categories for quilts to be entered in. Remembering was originally entered in the category, “What You See.” Why did Linda choose that category? “My work is figurative and storytelling, so it is straightforward to know which category to enter.”

Linda said she “was stunned, to say the least, when I heard I won Best in Show.”

What’s Next for Linda Anderson and her Quilting?

Remembering is scheduled to show in other exhibits throughout 2021, including one in France in September.

In the coming year, Linda intends to “wake up each morning to working in my studio.  Since each piece takes so long, my goal is to just keep on working.”

While Linda was glad that Road to California was able to offer an alternative to their traditional event, she noted that “nothing can replace a live opportunity to see art work.  Something is always lost when viewing art online.  Fingers crossed we will all get together safely next year.”

Congratulations to Linda Anderson for winning Road@Home 2021’s Best of Show Quilt.

Looking for new ways to change up your quilting style? This Lecture at Road@Home presented by Teresa Coates had lots of ideas to add quirk to your quilts.

Who is Teresa Coates?

Teresa Coates has a penchant for sewing, quilting, teaching, and adventure. She has worked at Fabric Depot, The Fabric Shop Network, Robert Kaufman Fabrics, and American Quilt Retailer magazine. Currently, she lives in Los Angeles where she works for Shannon Fabrics as their  as National Educator, teaching at educational events nationwide and producing video tutorials, in addition to managing educational and material support for small quilt shops and fabrics stores.

Teresa is also a writer and quilt pattern designer. She has been quilting sine the early 90’s. Her quilts, sewing projects and writing have appeared in numerous magazines. Teresa has also presented at local and national conventions, including Road to California.

Be Brave

Teresa noted that when we start our quilting journey, we are often afraid to break the rules. She argues that it is actually “freeing” to try new ideas with your quilt fabrics. “There is no quilting police.”

To add quirk to your quilts, Teresa believes that there is “always more and more you can learn and do.” All it takes is to look at fabrics in a different way and play with various techniques.  

Teresa says it takes lots of PRACTICE to add quirk to your quilts. Never be afraid of FAILURE – it’s part of the learning process. And above all, BE BRAVE.

Tips to Add Quirk to Your Quilts

Some of the ideas Teresa shared to add quirks to your quilts included:

Try using charm packs (which are 5″squares) to make oversized quilt blocks

Single out a square or leave out squares randomly.

If a pattern calls for piecing, do applique instead.

Combine different stitch styles. Machine quilt on plain fabrics. Hand quilt on color fabrics.

Explore everything in one quilt: paint, fabric, feathers, stitches — you name it. Anything goes.

When you add quirk to quilts, Teresa recommends three things to always have on hand:

1. Lots of starch to add body to whatever fabrics you are combining and experimenting with. Teresa’s favorite is Stay Flow. She recommends diluting it to different levels for different fabric types.
2. Pellon SF101 is an all purpose, woven, fusible interfacing that provides crisp support. It’s intended to be used for light to medium woven and knit fabrics but Teresa uses it to stabilize everything.
3. Using a 1/4″ foot keeps your work consistent.

Teresa Coates was enthusiastic, inspiring her class to use fabric in a different and creative way.

Road to California has a long history of supporting quilt guilds. Traditionally, at the in-person show, quilt guilds man tables in the main hall of the Ontario Convention Center each of the four days of the show. Quilt guilds are there to advertise the accomplishments of their guild, upcoming guild quilt shows, as well as display their opportunity quilt and ask for donations via their quilt guild drawing.

With the postponement of the in-person show, Road@Home still found a way to include quilt guilds into the online show. Interested quilt guilds signed up to virtually bring attention to the great work they are doing in their communities, including the Valley Modern Quilt Guild.

Supporting Quilting in the San Fernando Valley

The Valley Modern Quilt Guild (VMQG) supports quilters throughout the suburb areas located in the vast San Fernando Valley, north of downtown Los Angeles.  The guild became a member of the Modern Quilt Guild in 2015 with the intention for members to come together to hear lectures from modern quilters, sew together as a group, and inspire one another.

The mission of the Valley Modern Quilt Guild is to:

• Develop and encourage the art of modern quilting.
• Work with other guilds and groups with a similar purpose.
• Encourage new quilters in the aesthetic of modern quilting.
• Offer educational opportunities through classes, workshops and sharing of information.
• Support and provide opportunity for charity or other works that provide back to the community through the use of modern quilting skills.

They meet monthly in Van Nuys on the fourth Monday of the month in the evening. The Sunday afternoon before the General Meeting, the guild hosts a Zoom Sew-In that allows members to connect while sewing at home.

Charitable Contributions

Community Organizations that the Valley Modern Quilt Guild support include:

FOSTER CHILDREN’S RESOURCE CENTER- Located in Northridge, the Center helps children from Newborn to age 21 (about 1800 annually) in the foster care system for the San Fernando Valley and Santa Clarita Valley areas.  VMQG sews pillowcases as an ongoing project for the Foster Children’s Resource Center. “The clients get to pick their new pillowcase and fill it with the new items that are provided at the Center. When they go home, they put their new pillowcase on their pillow and have a constant and positive reminder that others are thinking of them.”

HAVEN HILLS – Since 1977, Haven Hills in Canoga Park, has provided safety, shelter and support to all victims of domestic violence while working to break the cycle of abuse. They service over 3000 people a year.  The Valley Modern Quilt Guild creates quilts on an ongoing basis for Haven Hills.

OPERATION MEND – With dignity and respect, powered by volunteers, MEND’s mission is to break the bonds of poverty by providing basic human needs and a pathway to self-reliance. Located in Pacoima, the guild donates pillowcases.

CATS: Another organization that the guild supports by donating pillowcases isThe Center for Assault Treatment Services, a 24-hour response for sexual abuse or assault based out of Northridge Hospital.

Thank you, Valley Modern Quilt Guild, for inspiring quilters and giving back to your community. To learn more about the Valley Modern Quilt Guild, please visit their website.

One of the hottest quilting trends is collage quilts.

A collage quilt borrows a technique from the fine arts world where quilting is paired with applique to create unique designs. Collage quilts take advantage of print fabrics, different methods, and a lot of creative imagination. Several collage quilt fiber artists have taught at Road to California and recently, during the online show, Road@Home.

Laura Heine

Laura Heine is a pioneer of collage quilting. She has taught to sold out classes at Road to California since 2014.

Arriving in her pink, 1956 Shasta trailer that she restored, Laura has also been a vendor at Road to California Shows with her Fiberworks booth.

Laura was scheduled to teach 2 collage classes during the in-person 2021 Road to California before it was cancelled due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. We look forward to having her return when we present our 2022 in-person show.

Phyllis Cullen  

A resident of Hawaii, Phyllis Cullen is an anesthesiologist turned quilter. She is also a trained artist. Phyliss is known for combining painting and fabric in her fiber art creations.

Phyllis taught 5 classes during Road@Home, with two them focusing on collage quilts: It’s All About the Face

And Wild (Fabric) Animal (Or Bird) Collage

During her classes, Phyllis told her students, “Don’t expect to be done” with your project by the end of class. “It takes a couple days.” “Go at your own pace.” She also instilled confidence in her students by telling them to “make all your mistakes in class so that next time you go to work on the project, you’ve got the technique down.”   

For Phyllis, a must have notion for creating collage quilts is Steam-A-Seam-2. Steam-A-Seam-2 is a fusible web that allows for perfect placement every time. It does not stick to your sewing needle and when pressed, it permanently bonds fabric together.  “Use a sharpie to trace your pattern on the front of the Steam-A-Seam-2 and cut around the design.” It makes it easier to see what you are doing when creating your collage pieces.

She also presented during the popular evening class, Roundabout 2.0. The title of her class was Wild and Easy Animal Collage. Phyllis shared an easy way to get a variety of colors incorporated into your collage quilts is to use jelly rolls. “They offer a variety that varies in values from light to dark.”   

Jane Haworth

Jane Haworth is an award winning professional quilter specializing in making nature inspired raw edge fabric collage quilts using her own hand dyed fabrics and commercial fabrics. She taught 2 quilt collage classes during Road@Home, Succulent Love Fabric Collage

And Pink Cosmos Fabric Collage.

Collage quilts are a perfect fit for Jane because her favorite aspect of quilting is color and fabric.  Kaffe Fassett has had a big influence on her. She heard him speak while attending college in 1984. His ability to blend and select “all those colors” is the same technique Jane uses for her raw-edge college appliqué.  Jane shares, “This allows me to cut, layer then glue the fabrics before machine quilting.”  

During Roundabout 2.0, Jane’s presentation was, “Fabric Collage Fish.” She encouraged students to follow her lead and use a variety of colors with a range of values to give contrast in their design. She also recommended using Alene’s Tacky Glue to hold the pieces down on the foundation fabric. “Gluing pieces together can extend the amount of fabric and is an easy way to start a collage.”

Road@Home was a great place to learn trending quilt techniques – like collage quilts – from experts in their field. Participants will find the same quality of instructors and class content at Road@Home May. Registration for those classes will begin soon.  

Heather Kojan lives in Baltimore Maryland. In years past, she was a vendor at Road to California selling Japanese fabric. She was glad to be back with Road, teaching at Road@Home.   

Heather Kojan’s Quilting Journey

Heather started sewing garments in high school but didn’t start quilting until her mid 20’s. Her first quilt was an Eleanor Burns Quilt in a Day Log cabin in shades of mauve and dusty blue (“Very 80’s!” Heather remembers.) She made a king-sized quilt because she had a king-sized bed. Heather says, “It never occurred to me to start with something small!”

Heather moved to Baltimore about 10 years ago and founded the Baltimore Modern Quilt Guild. It was the early days of modern quilting, so she was able to find her niche by introducing modern quilting to the traditional quilting world. A lot at first was “trial and error.” Heather’s motto: “Fake it ‘til you make it!”

Heather does her quilting in 2 areas of her home. She created a classroom when the quilting world pivoted to Zoom lectures and classes. That’s where she led her classes for Road@Home. She also has a large studio in her finished basement that is filled with fabric plus treasures that have been gifted to her from her quilty friends.

Heather Kojan and her Coronavirus Pivot

At the beginning of the pandemic, Heather was sewing at a furious pace, thinking, “Well, if I have all this time (which I thought might only last a few weeks) I may as well make good use of it. When it became apparent that it could last a bit longer, I slowed down a bit.” She took some time to submit to some magazines. Then the magic of Zoom classes and lectures came about, and she’s spent the past 8 months teaching and lecturing on-line.

What have been Heather’s life lessons learned during the pandemic shut down? “Be flexible. Be prepared. Be generous.”

Teaching During Road@Home

Prior to Raod@Home, Heather was looking forward to first, having “a good time.” Second, she was hoping her students would “learn some techniques.” And third, Heather was hoping that her students would “challenge themselves to stretch and grow.”

In any class Heather Kojan teaches, she especially enjoys fostering community. “Seeing friendships form and continue, passing on skills that I’ve had the good fortune to learn from others and recognizing that “aha!” moment when it happens.”

One of Heather’s classes that Road Staff sat in on was, “Improv Log Cabin.” There were 7 students and it became very apparent that they were indeed forming friendships as the class went on. Most of the students have been regular attendees of Road to California so they knew about the quality of teachers and classes Road is known for for the past 26 years.

Heather began her class talking about the technique of “Improv Piecing.” She said assured everyone that they have been doing improv already in their lives. “Whenever you cook or get dressed, you are doing things without instructions.” Heather warned her students that it might feel “uncomfortable or clunky” at first, but like with any new thing, “the more you do it, the more you’ll get used to it.”

The goal for the class in the 3-hour time frame, was to have everyone learn Heather’s process and complete at least 3 – 4 blocks. The process? “Don’t get bogged down so make quick decisions and Sew-Trim-Sew-Trim.”  

Road@Home was pleased with the success of Heather Kojan’s classes. To learn more about Heather, please visit her website.