My favorite {free!} classes.

1:30:00 PM

I hope everyone is having a fantastic Saturday out there! It's smoking hot here in Chicago. My face feels like it's going to melt off of me every time I step out the door.

Not too much in the way of sewing has been going on here, unfortunately. Earlier this month I was busy working on a subcontract for a company requiring physio vests/harnesses, and since then, all sewing has come to a halt (mostly because I
monopolized a lot of my husband's writing time with the above said project, and now he's playing catch-up before he goes back to work in the fall).

The vests were a lot of fun, and really pushed my sewing boundaries. I have to say though that I was happy to see them head out o'my door.



While the kids nap, I've been catching up on some of the free (!) classes and lectures that Craftsy offers.

The first class I ever took with Craftsy was a free Block of the Month class given by Amy Gibson of Stitchery Dickory Dock. I learned a lot from the class, and loved the whole Craftsy platform. I can watch any class I register for, free or paid, any time, anywhere, for the rest of time. It's awesome.

The lectures within each class are about 20-40mins long, which is great, since that's really all the time I have for one sitting. Well really, since I'm watching them at night it's all the time I have before passing out. Hahaha.

I've been simultaneously taking a bunch of their free classes for a while now - these ones have been my favorites, but you should head over to check out the full list of Craftsy free mini classes to choose from.

1. Creative Quilt Backs (Elizabeth Hartman)
Honestly, before taking this class I had never even considered piecing a quilt back (other than to sew 2 pieces of yardage together, and bam! you're done...) I piece almost every quilt back I make now. I love the fact that piecing the back
a) uses up scraps! Boo ya!
b) Makes your quilt double sided - ooooh ya baby, 2-in-1!
c) can be simple or complicated, and if you don't like it, whatevs, babe! It's the back!

2. Quiltcon Lecture Series (Quiltcon 2013)

Hmm... well, I would imagine the majority of you, like myself, couldn't go to Quiltcon last year for whatever reason. Or maybe you went to Quiltcon, but missed some of the lectures. Well I've been watching them on Craftsy for free!
I think it's awesome that Quiltcon and Craftsy got together to offer up these lectures to those who weren't able to see them the first time, or, who want to see them again! A big thanks to them :)

3. Sewing Machine Feet: A-Z (Steffani Lincecum)
When I bought my sewing machine in 2012, I had no idea what the heck 99% of all the feet did, let alone what they were all called. I'd only ever used a walking foot, straight stitch and a zig zag foot. Oh - and maybe a zipper foot. Other than that, had no idea what everything else in my accessory kit did. This class has taught me a lot so far!



These are only a few of the free classes and lecture series I've taken through Craftsy. There's no cost to join Craftsy, you just need a computer and an internet connection and you're on your way to learning in your pajamas. Or on the train. Or in the middle of the night when you're suffering from insomnia. Free is almost always good. In this case, definitely very good. I highly recommend these classes - and I've taken others, too, which I've paid for and been really happy with. But how can you go wrong with free? hehehe

Now. Quilter. Sewist. Crafter. Go learn something!

Before you go, a friendly reminder that the Cotton + Steel "Basics" swap sign up starts Monday morning at 7am CST.

The swap includes sign-up for either charms or fat eighths, whichever you like (or both!)

The swap is open to international residents (outside of US) too - come play with us!

Happy Saturday, everyone!

Please note that this post contains affiliate links to Craftsy.com. This means that if you click on a link and purchase something, I earn a few pennies. Maybe one day I'll be able to buy a pack of machine needles or ooh! a spool of Aurifil. FTC regulations reguire that I disclose this to you, but, I'd tell ya anyway. I'm nice like that.
Pssst...you have spinach in your teeth...

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3 comments

  1. tanks for all the tips re crafty, I do use it but did not realise there was so much for free, will pay more attention and have a good browse today. Have been doing the BOM with Alison from little bunny quilts and the pdf of the blocks have been getting from craftsy

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  2. I really must have a look at the free classes, especially the pieced backing one. Thanks for sharing. x

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  3. I love the FREE classes on Craftsy! I go back to them all the time. I'll sign up tomorrow for C & S.. I love those basics.

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