Bakersfield – the Cotton Patch Quilters of Kern County

It’s not surprising that it was hot in Bakersfield in August, but it was beyoooond hot! Most of my play was indoors so it all turned out well.

Yeah, like THAT hot! It was 100 degrees at 9PM on Thursday. Given the high temps, this was not a visit where I went hiking!

I left my luggage in the car during the lecture and a lovely dinner afterwards and when I unpacked, I found that all of my vitamins and supplements had melted together in one ball! Even for Bakersfield it was unseasonably hot. And wouldn’t you know, it cooled down the day I left.

The Guild was very enthusiastic about my visit and that made me feel so welcome. Program Co-Chairs Denise and Penne were perfect hostesses, making sure I had what I needed at every step. I am a firm believer that Programs make or kill a guild and these hard working ladies are making it happen for the Cotton Patch Quilters of Kern County. Unlike most traditional guilds, they are growing – 25% in one year alone! It was such a pleasure to be cared for by these ladies.

Awww, look what they sent me off with to the hotel! I do not machine embroider so I was particularly touched by the embroidered “Thank you”!

Yes, this will tide me over until the day of the workshop!

I try to walk before I teach a workshop. I sometimes have too much energy and if I don’t lay some of it down, I won’t sleep. I took a 45 min walk each day before the workshop.

I was located in a light industrial part of town and who knew, there were lots of oil wells there. Turns out that Kern Co, in which Bakersfield is located, is the most oil productive county in the US! Odd, but I really like this photo. In southern Illinois during the time I was growing up, there were working oil rigs that I would see on the way down to visit my Grandparents, so there is a bit of nostalgia to this for me. And the air is lightly scented with oil.

Both workshops were held in Thimble Towne. They have a lot of interest in Quiltworx – look at those samples! Their classroom was one of the best ever. I wish I had taken a photo. It was spacious with fantastic lighting, intelligently placed and abundant electrical, large, sturdy tables and acres of design wall. It was a dream to teach there.

Former student Marla Hill brought in this beauty to show off:

I am so proud! She went for it and did a fabulous job, playing with all kinds of different motifs. Let me show you some detail shots:

Cool, huh?

And Laurie Britt brought in a quilt she had done – this is her incredible work, she had not taken a class from me previously:

She uses a variety of surface design techniques. I regret that I did not get close-ups of this. The details were stunning.

On to workshops:

First, an aside. When I am teaching, I tell my students that my hope is that they “get” the path of any motif I am teaching. If their line is wobbly, but their path is good, I am thrilled! On the first time through a new motif, your line will usually be wobbly. Everyone in the guild was so willing to explore, experiment and play. It is so fun to teach when the students are that willing.

Friday’s workshop was Start With a Square. About half of the class was first time free motion quilters! The house was packed and I forgot to get photos (of course!) of the entire class but let’s look at what I did get photos of:

First time free motion quilter and she finished!

Sorry, that is all the photos I got of that class.

Saturday’s class was Feathers Four Ways and all but two of my students were first-time featherers! Lookie:

It was such a joy to teach the women of the Cotton Patch Quilters. I received TWO “best class ever” and one “most fun class ever”! I hope everyone goes home and begins to feather and fill their quilts with joyful quilting.

I’m off to Grand Rapids, haven written this early. I’m excited to teach for AQS for the first time and to visit friends and family. Next week’s post will probably be brief. Stay tuned! I’ll post on Nina-Marie’s Off the Wall Friday and I’m sure there will be some good links.