Sarah Goer Quilts Workshops and Lectures

I'm currently available to speak and teach virtually for the foreseeable future. You can contact me at sarahgoerquilts@gmail.com to inquire about having me present and/or speak for your guild or shop. Current availability: Fall 2023 on Zoom, January and beyond in 2024 for Zoom or in-person.

Click here for my current schedule.

Click here for more info on pricing.

Virtual Workshops

My virtual guild/group workshops are offered as equivalent to a 6-hour in-person workshop but can be structured to best meet the schedule needs of your guild. Each workshop consists of live Zoom meetings hosted by Sarah, including slides to show close-ups and variations of the technique, with plenty of time to sew. Live Zoom sessions can be scheduled for a single day or as two 3-hour session on back to back days or weeks. The two-session option gives students bonus time to work and I correspond with students between classes to answer any questions that occur during the break.

Note: I am also booking limited in-person events for 2023 and beyond.

Building an Improv Toolbox (6-hour workshop)

In this fast-paced workshop, Sarah will teach a wide variety of improvisational piecing techniques. Discover how fun and easy it is to create these improv elements for use in your existing quilt projects, or as the start of a new project. Each prompt will be introduced and demonstrated; then time will be allowed for making one or more units with each technique.

{NEW} How Do I Spell That? Improv Pieced Letters (6-hour workshop)

Sarah will teach a variety of improvisational piecing techniques and show numerous ways to put those skills together to create improv pieced letters. Students should come to class with a short word or phrase in mind that they would like to create. Skills introduced in this class can be used beyond the creation of letters. Join us for an opportunity to play while building your improv skills.

{NEW} Improv Triangles 4 Ways (6-hour workshop)

Join us for a playful exploration of pieced triangles. Sarah will introduce techniques for piecing four different styles of improv triangles. These are the building blocks for infinite possibilities used individually or in combination with one another. Students may choose to put all their pieces together into a sampler quilt or use the elements they create to finish four smaller compositions.

Scrappy Squares (6-hour workshop)

This scrap friendly 6-hour workshop is a great opportunity to explore improv design with a precision pieced final piece. We’ll follow a set of guidelines involving measurement and specific cutting rules to create the puzzle pieces students will use to design and create their own unique improv slab. Many students leave with their first finished improv slab (approximately 18" x 20"), which can become a finished mini quilt or built upon for a larger project. Quilting ideas will be discussed.

All About Angles (6-hour workshop)

This 6-hour workshop includes cutting and piecing techniques to construct slabs to use as the building blocks for a project of any size... all without any math. Come play with angles in an easy and forgiving way to create a piece with great movement in your design. The class is fat quarter friendly. Students can expect to leave with their first 1-2 dozen units, which can be combined to become a finished mini/small quilt or built upon for a larger project. Quilting ideas will be discussed.

Improv Log Cabins (6-hour workshop)

This 6-hour workshop is your opportunity to try a new spin on the traditional log cabin block. You choose small or large scale. Then play with size of strips, background placement, symmetry and other elements to create your own unique improv log cabin(s). Students can expect to construct one or more improv log cabins in class, depending on the scale they choose.

Creating a Scrappy Slab (6-hour workshop)

Bring your favorite pile of scraps for this 6-hour workshop where Sarah will share all her tips and tricks for stitching your own created fabric. The scrap fabric you create in class can be used alone or utilized in your favorite block or pattern. Students can expect to complete a slab approx. 18" x 22" or larger with time allowed for creating test blocks using the scrappy slab made in class.


Virtual Lectures (45-60 minutes)

Given the nature of a virtual lecture, I have added more quilt photos (including close-up views) in lieu of the trunk show that usually accompanies my presentations, which consist of a slideshow and lecture, with Q&A.

Note: I am also booking limited in-person events for Summer 2023 and beyond.

Rules and Options of Planned Improv Piecing (Lecture)

Sarah likes options... but she also likes a plan. This lecture and trunk show will discuss how Sarah uses her planning nature to develop rules for herself which drive her Planned Improv quilt design work. She shares work in a series and shows how she iterates on a design. Sarah explains how she develops a formula for her project. Quilters leave with specific ideas of how to develop a set of rules to guide their improv piecing.

Developing a Creative 100 Day Project (Lecture)

Sarah has participated in numerous 100 Day Projects with varying parameters. She will share her process and experience with these projects, including what worked and what didn’t work for her. Sarah will also share tips for how to tailor your 100 Day Project to suit your life and creative journey, even if you don’t think you have time.

Building a Color Palette (Lecture)

Become more confident in choosing color palettes for your quilts. Sarah loves color and looks forward to telling you all about how she uses color to create dynamic compositions. Through a slide show of her work, Sarah will discuss a wide variety of ways to choose color for your quilts. She will discuss ways to look at your fabric collection with fresh eyes.

Creating a Scrappy Slab (Lecture/Demo) [Virtual Only]

Get your scraps out of your scrap bin and into a project! In this lecture/demo, Sarah will demonstrate her techniques for building a scrappy slab from scrap fabrics of any size. In addition to show and tell about numerous projects using these slabs, Sarah will outline a variety of ways for you to use scrappy slabs in your quilting. You will leave this lecture/demo ready to sew your own scrappy slabs at home.

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