Introducing: Cheryl Kuczek

Cheryl Kuczek is one of our instructors for 2014. She will be teaching sewing classes based in custom fashion design, as well as, several Handbag Design classes adapted from her patterns,at Paradiso Designs, with many opportunities to develop your own personal style.Cheryl is best known for her work with pleathers. She has created unique and easy to learn techniques to using pleather in her designs. Due to this love of pleather Cheryl is a great source to find very realistic looking pleather products for purses and other projects you've been scheming about! Cheryl’s classes are a fun way to learn about the essence of design while creating an accessory or garment to develop your new skill set. After leaving Cheryl’s class you will have the ultimate feeling of satisfaction and pride that comes from creating something beautiful and unique to you and your styling desires.

At The Quilting Loft Cheryl will be teaching the following classes and lectures:

Cheryl's Images for Her Design Process

Handbag Design Lecture Thursday January 16,2014;  6:30 - 8:00 PM. Cheryl will help you develop a plan to create a customized handbag with designer qualities, including Cheryl's pre-cut pleather kits to create a high-end look. You can talk with this industry insider about making your design dreams become a reality. Cheryl is ready and waiting to share her knowledge and passion for handbag design, pattern drafting and fashion couture. Get the confidence you need to finally get started! Cost: $15.00





T-Shirt Class with Cheryl Thursday February 6, 2014; 6:00 - 9:00 PM. Learn how to make an exact pattern from a t-shirt you cherish! Most importantly, you will learn how to make it fit just right so you look fabulous! Cheryl will walk through a variety of embellishment ideas to help bring out your creativity with fabrics, notions, ribbons and trims. All garment construction will be done on your own domestic sewing machine. Cost: $30.00

Make Cheryl's Lolita Skirt on Thursday April 24, 2014; 6:00 - 9:00 PM.

The Lolita skirt formula is a stylish skirt that will work for any size. The formula is based on your own measurements so you will have a great fitting skirt with perfect proportions. The formula has great flexibility as you can make it any length desired! Cheryl will walk through some fun pattern play ideas with contrasting skirt body with a trim to pop! Cost: $30.00

Handbag Design Weekend Workshop with Cheryl running Saturday May 3, 2014; 11:00A - 4:00P & Sunday May 4, 2014; 12:00 - 5:00 PM. Bringing design and function together to create the coolest handbag with an amazing color story. This 2 day workshop starts with drawing and designing your project. You then move through pattern drafting and testing in order to move forward with your design. You will then choose from the interfacing reference guide provided to find the correct stabilizer for your needs. (If you've ever had stabilizer questions for someone...now is the time to find out!) Of course you will learn about Cheryl's outstanding pleather tips and tricks to create a professional look at a fraction of the price. Learn your pattern so well you can replicate it again and again as gifts! Cost: $95.00.

Cheryl Kuczek is a local pattern designer and garment artist. You may know her work under the name Paradiso Designs. Cheryl has developed her skills and techniques over the course of 25 years growing up as an instinctively creative person. In the past several years Cheryl has developed her career as an independent pattern designer and instructor. She created her own business called Paradiso Designs which she runs from her Magnolia home! She can boost such accomplishments as participating in a booth at Fall International Quilt Market 2013, drafting and publishing a successful line of 21 patterns, as well as becoming a well loved and inspirational teacher here in the Pacific Northwest!

Cheryl has jumped into the social media world more in the past few years and now has a lovely blog, website, and online shop! She can also be found on Pinterest and Facebook. Please look for more about Cheryl on our blog. We will get a chance to have a one-on-one interview with Cheryl where you will get to know more about her fashion dreams and business goals.

Want to take a California Vacation?!

Join The Quilting Loft and Nancy Rink as we take you on a journey through El Camino Real, "The King's Highway", via our newest Block of The Month program. Nancy Rink and her husband have been traveling through the old missions in California, writing about their adventures and the local history along the way. They are currently in the process of publishing a book called El Camino Real: Quilts inspired by Early California History  from the Kansas City Star.

While we are anxiously awaiting the release date of the book we will travel through the missions via this exciting new Block of the Month program. Nancy has created this breath-taking king size quilt as well as the entire fabric line produced by Marcus Fabrics to carry you through her travels and inspirations. 

Nancy Rink explains the fabric inspiration on her blog, "This collection is a colorful grouping inspired by California's rich history, a blend of Spanish, Mexican, and Native American traditions. Bright color and intricate motifs echo the decorative tile work  and architecture of the region."  You are guaranteed to fall in love with these bright and fun fabrics! I know they have been adding a breathe of fresh air to my winter sewing sessions.

This is a 12 month program. Our shop will be hosting the program from January 2014 - December 2014.I was lucky enough to make the sample for our shop.  I have been quilting and sewing for about 15 years and consider myself to be a confident beginner who has taken a stab at several different types of sewing techniques. I found this quilt to be a challenge but very do-able and exciting to push myself in certain areas. For instance, I have been grading myself on my points at the edges. (What fun would sewing be if we didn't try to beat our personal best every once and a while!?)  There is also a block with applique which I found to be a fun twist in the middle of the project. I have decided to just steam-a-seam the pieces for now and then use my machine to zig-zag stitch around these pieces before I have it quilted.

Each month you will receive a packet bursting with fun fabrics, block instructions and an interesting historical reference about the mission that the block corresponds to! For instance the first month highlights the Mission San Diego de Alcala founded in 1769, which is considered to be the "mother" mission of California. You will feel as if you are transported to sunny California every month as you work your way through this unique Block of the Month program start to finish! Please check out Nancy Rink's blog to see more about the making of El Camino Real Block of the Month program. She has a wonderful blog and website where you can find more high quality patterns and corrections if needed! 

My tip for block one is to make sure that you read through ALL the instructions of how to cut the border pieces from the stripe fabrics! You will need this fabric to use as the decorative border pieces of each block. 

Join our year long California adventure by signing up for the El Camino Real Block of the Month program via our online shop or in our store. We look forward to seeing your work and  posting more tips and tricks as our California road trip continues! 

My images were borrowed from Nancy Rink and Marcus Fabrics. Thank you.