4‑Week Online Program Using Quilt Assistant

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Join me for a fun and skill‑building four‑week journey into the world of Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP) design. Whether you’re brand new to digital quilt design or looking to expand your creative toolkit, this course will guide you step‑by‑step through Quilt Assistant (QA), a free Windows‑based software perfect for designing your own FPP patterns.

Each session meets on Tuesday evenings for 1–1.5 hours, giving you a total of 4–6 hours of hands‑on instruction. By the end of the program, you’ll feel confident creating your own custom FPP patterns from start to finish.

 

CLASS SYLLABUS:

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Week 1 - March 10: Introduction to Quilt Assistant & Design Basics

• Welcome and student introductions (Share your name, where you’re from, how long you’ve been quilting, and—if you’d like—your favorite quilt!)

• Overview of Quilt Assistant’s interface and core design tools

• Guided creation of a simple beginner block

• Homework assignment to reinforce skills

Week 2 - March 17: Coloring Tools & Palette Creation

• Review of Week 1 homework

• Exploring QA’s coloring features

• Building custom color palettes

• Sample block creation with “faux curve” techniques

• Homework assignment

Week 3 - March 24: Sectioning & Pattern Printing

• Homework review

• How to section your block for accurate FPP construction

• Printing pattern pieces

• Printing fabric requirements

• Sample block creation using multiple design techniques

Week 4 - March 31: Pattern Writing & Advanced Concepts

• Homework review

• How to write clear, user‑friendly pattern instructions

• Introduction to more advanced quilt design possibilities

• Final Q&A and next steps for continuing your design journey

 

Before the First Class:

To ensure you’re ready to dive in:

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1. Confirm Zoom Access

Make sure you can access Zoom on the device you’ll be using during class.

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2. Download Quilt Assistant

Quilt Assistant is Windows‑only and must be installed before our first session. Download it here: https://quiltassistant.com/free-quilt-design-software

Scroll to the Downloads section and select: Quilt Assistant v2.25 (2.7 Mb, release date 29 April 2013) (Please avoid the large green “download” button at the top—it’s an advertisement, not the actual software.)

 

What You’ll Gain

By the end of this course, you’ll have:

• A solid understanding of Quilt Assistant

• The ability to design, section, color, and print your own FPP patterns

• A foundation for writing clear, professional‑quality instructions

• The confidence to continue creating independently

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Homework is optional but highly encouraged—it’s the best way to build your skills quickly.

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