Quiltfest Oasis Palm Springs (Oct. 8 – 10) and Pacific International Quilt Festival XXIV (Oct. 15 – 18) are right around the corner. Last week we featured modern quilting teacher Carole Lyles Shaw. This week we’re pleased to introduce another modern quilting teacher, Ashley Nickels, and find out more about her upcoming classes. Now she’s learned from some of the best, including her mom, award-winning quilter/teacher Sue Nickels. But Ashley’s got some chops of her own.
What classes are you teaching? And what’s your fave?
Ashley: “I’m teaching Machine Quilting for Modern Quilters and I’m giving a lecture called “Traditional to Modern, all in the Family (of Quilting!).
“I’m excited about both for different reasons. I love being in the classroom and hearing all of the sewing machines and ideas churning. But also, I LOVE lecturing. The topic of my lecture is near and dear to my heart and I’m really looking forward to sharing this information with the audience, which will likely be infused with lots of memories of growing up around quilting.”
What is your earliest quilting memory?
“Well, I definitely have a vivid memory of my mom’s giant quilting frame (built by my dad, of course) set up and taking over the ENTIRE living room. It was heaven because it was like a giant fort! But also, my mom taught my Girl Scout troop how to make a nine-patch, which has to be the most vivd memory. We even dyed our own fabric!”
Fave quilting beverage?
“Iced coffee, most definitely.”
Top 3 tips for teaching?
“1. Spend time getting to know your students
2. Don’t rush through instructions
3. Always end class with a group discussion, even if it’s for 2 minutes!”
Top 5 favorite fabrics?
“Just five??
-Alison Glass, Sun Print
-Cotton + Steel, Mochi canvas
-ANY floral from Liberty of London
-Joel Dewberry, Bungalow
-American Made Brand solids (Lime is my favorite!)”
Dark or Milk chocolate?
“Dark!”
Thank you, Ashley, it’s great getting to know you a bit better. Click here for Ashley’s class and lecture at Pacific International Quilt Fest. Visit her website Alphabet Summer.
Quilt. Sew. Live. Breathe.
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