Karen Combs

New Directions in Tumbling Blocks

Karen Combs

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  • In-depth Instruction; over 131 mins
  • On-demand video access anytime
  • Bonus downloadable PDF resources
  • Access to class Q&A
Meet your instructor, quilting teacher and author Karen Combs, and get a sneak peek at the gorgeous, head-turning cubes you'll make in this class. Karen explains how the illusion of depth works and shares tips for choosing fabrics that will help trick the eye into seeing 3-D objects!
Embark on the creation of a tumbling block with Karen's guidance. You'll make a three-block table runner using one color family in this beginner-friendly project. Along the way, Karen shows you how to prepare and cut your fabric at symmetrical 60-degree angles.
Complete the table runner you started in Lesson 2, and be prepared for a surprise when you learn that the background fabric simply consists of multiple wedges! Karen shows you how to sew the blocks, demonstrates border treatments and shares suggestions for beautiful quilting ideas.
Transform the single-color cube into a more complex block as you tackle a two-color nine patch. Karen helps you select fabric colors that create a 3-D effect, and demonstrates methods for cutting diamonds with the use of templates. You'll be amazed how the blocks start to look as you lay them out!
Start the construction of your 3-D nine patch as you sew your diamonds into rows. Next, join your rows using Karen's ingenious tab method, which helps you align your diamonds perfectly. Press your blocks onto freezer paper before employing Karen's tips for sewing Y-seams easily and efficiently.
Now that you know how to make dimensional cubes, Karen helps you envision a wide variety of designs for two and three cubes. Swap light and dark diamonds to shift the "light direction" and look of your quilts, add extra units for visual appeal, and add clever stitching details!
Apply your new skills to a virtually unlimited array of multi-cube design options. Karen shows you how to make your blocks look like wrapped gifts, and demonstrates ways to incorporate four or seven cubes into your quilt. You'll finish the class bursting with new dimensional design ideas!
 
 
7 Lessons
2  hrs 11  mins

Create a striking table runner and nine-patch quilt with dazzling dimension! Expert quilter Karen Combs will help you harness color, value and texture to create the illusion of depth, starting with her must-have fabric selection tips. You’ll learn to use templates or a standard ruler to cut accurate 60-degree diamonds, and follow along with Karen to achieve precisely pieced 3-D cubes for your runner. Then, learn foolproof methods for perfectly aligning rows and conquering tricky Y-seams as you complete your nine-patch project. Along the way, Karen reveals inspiring possibilities for border treatments, unique stitching details and customized tumbling-block designs.

Karen Combs

Karen Combs has been quilting since 1973, and has authored several books, including Optical Illusions for Quilters and Floral Illusions. Her quilts have been featured in numerous magazines, and she has appeared on Quilt Central, Quilt America and Simply Quilts. Karen travels the world teaching quilting techniques, and has been nominated three times by the Professional Quilter Journal as “Teacher of the Year."

Karen Combs

Bonus materials available after purchase

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