CLASS OUTLINE - THE SPANISH STEPS
for Two 3-Hour Sessions (or One 6-Hour Session)
and One 1/2-Hour Preview (recommended)
This class outline may be used by teachers who wish to teach a project using Scraps by Judy Martin. Individuals seeking guidance for self instruction are also welcome to use this outline. I recommend beginning each class with a preview to ensure that students will come to the first work session properly prepared. Feel free to tailor this outline to your own teaching style. I divide the project into sessions. Sessions can be planned for consecutive weeks or both sessions can be presented in a single all-day workshop. The outline indicates where you can find additional details in the book.
Sales suggestions are for the benefit of shop owners and teachers who teach in shops. Independent teachers may disregard these suggestions.
Class Description: The Spanish Steps is an easy-to-make scrap quilt with an intriguing shadow effect. The quilt is made simply from squares and rectangles cut from a variety of fat quarters for a scrap look. You may choose from three quilt sizes.
The class may be presented in one or two 2-3 hour sessions, depending on how much class sewing time the students in your area prefer. Invite students back for show-and-tell on a given date. This gives them a deadline to complete the quilt, gives everyone recognition for their accomplishment, and brings them back to shop for their next project.
Level: Beginner with a little thinking involved. Basic piecing skills are required. The pattern has no curves and no set-in patches. It calls for basic squares and rectangles.
Class Preview: Show your class sample. Show an assortment of background and shadow fabric pairs from your store’s selection. It would be helpful to have several 1-block samples with background strips around them. Students will have more success with their shadow effects if you show several good choices and one or two that contrast too little or too much to look like shadows. Stress that shadows should be somewhat darker, duller, and less detailed than the background fabric. Get sign-ups for class. Hand out supply lists.
Supplies List:
Scraps by Judy Martin
Queen-Sized Quilt
5-1/2 yds. for background
1-1/2 yds. for shadow
at least 21 fat quarters for chains
Twin-Sized Quilt
4-3/4 yds. for background
1 yd. for shadow
at least 14 fat quarters for chains
Wall-Sized Quilt
2-1/4 yds. for background
1/2 yd. for shadow
at least 8 fat quarters for chains
Basic Sewing Supplies
rotary cutter
mat
rotary ruler
thread
pins
thread snips
seam ripper
sewing machine
extension cord
CLASS SESSION 1
Discuss
Advantages of lengthwise strips (page 14)
Better stability of lengthwise grain
Better alignment of grain and print
Advantages of patch sewing (page 15)
backtack so seams won’t unravel (especially around edges)
option of using actual scraps
total freedom of scrap placement
more intuitive
unlimited pattern choice
see results sooner
avoid big mistakes (color/value or sewing order)
Discuss
How to use the book (pages 22-23)
Border dimensions are in red
Exact length; includes seam allowances but no extra
Strip dimensions are first (smaller) number in patch dimension
Square/rectangle length is second number in patch dimension
Quantities are under figures
Bracketed units were made previously and are included in unit totals
Pressing directions are in narrative
Quilt diagram shows numbered border sequence
Demonstrate
Cutting dark fabric (pages 14–15 and 123)
Press fabrics individually
Stack 4 fat quarters
Align one long and one short edge
Press fabrics together
Trim 1/8” from long edge for clean cut
Cut to make lengthwise strips
trim to make clean cut on short edge
Cut squares for 9-Patches
Cut 5 A’s from one strip
keep the 5 squares together for one block
Cutting plain borders from background fabric
Cut off selvages
Cut lengthwise borders before other patches
Cutting remaining background fabric and shadow fabric
Fold fabric crosswise then lengthwise
align 4 selvages
press fabrics together
make clean cut/remove selvages
plan to cut widest strips first
cut lengthwise strips
Clean cut short end of strip
Cut shapes
Discuss
Accurate seam allowance/test (pages 16–17)
Fine thread (page 17)
Fine pins with small heads (page 17)
Demonstrate
Backtacking (“Sewing,” page 17)
chain piecing (page 17–18)
opposing seams and pinning joints (page 18)
finger pressing (page 18)
Discuss
Several block types needed to complete the shadow illusion around perimeter
Important to keep them turned precisely as shown on pages 126–127)
Demonstrate
Sewing Units 1, 2, and 3 from shadow and background fabric (page 124)
Finger press seam allowances toward shadows
This makes the shadows appear to be over the background
Hands On
Begin making Units 1, 2, and 3
Demonstrate
Cutting and sewing Block W (page 125)
Use Units 2 and 3 already made
Turn units as shown
Finger press seam allowances toward dark A squares
Hands On
Begin making W blocks
Demonstrate
Making Units 4, 5, and 6 (page 124)
Unit 5 adds a B to Unit 4
Unit 6 adds a B to Unit 5
Hands On
Begin making Units 4, 5, and 6
Demonstrate
Making Blocks X, Y, and Z (page 125)
Use Units 5 and 6 already made
Turn units as shown
Hands On
Begin making blocks X, Y, and Z
Homework (if class is split into two different days)
Complete blocks W, X, Y, and Z
CLASS SESSION 2
Discuss
How to join blocks to make rows, how to join rows
Follow diagrams on pages 126–127
Hands On
Begin joining blocks into rows and joining rows
Demonstrate
Making border units R and S (twin/wall) or T (queen) shown on page 125
Discuss
Joining units to make borders as shown on pages 126–127
Discuss attaching borders in numbered sequence
Pin before sewing
Hands On
Begin making border units
Homework
Complete blocks, units, borders, and quilt
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