Aviatrix Medallion: Student Quilts

During the last half of last year, I taught the Aviatrix Medallion pattern (by Elizabeth Hartman) at Frangipani Fabrics. We ended up running two classes (a morning and afternoon session) as we had a huge amount of interest in this class. It's the second time I've taught a medallion quilt (I taught the Marcelle Medallion in 2013 and 2014), and they make such great classes. Medallion quilts are the absolute best training ground in terms of learning precision, and they are a great way to learn about colour. 

I taught the Aviatrix over 7 classes, with lots of homework time in between. I've gotten to know most of my students really, really well over the last three years of teaching (many of my students have done several of my classes), so it honestly doesn't feel like work. I try to create a relaxed and encouraging class environment - so although everyone learns lots, it is also a really lovely social experience. And as a teacher, it is just amazing seeing everyone's quilts grow and evolve over time. I'll be teaching the Aviatrix again this year (kicking off in May if any local quilters are keen to join us this year!) - and although I don't share my students work here very often, I am so proud of what these ladies achieved with these quilts. It's also a great way to showcase how different this pattern can look depending on colour choice. This isn't the whole set of my student quilts, but we have had a number of them hanging at Frangipani Fabrics over the last few weeks so I'm sharing the ones I had a chance to photograph. These quilts are so big we had to fold in the sides to fit them all on the shop walls, which is why you can't see the final borders all the way around. 

First up is Deb's gorgeous version. Deb based her colour choices on Joel Dewberry's Bungalow collection, and it such an elegant, beautiful quilt. 

Next is Margaret's quilt. I love this version - it is so striking, and the colours are so Margaret.

I love Lauren's version too - I'm still not sure how she kept track of the 20 different blue solids she used in this one! The addition of yellow and ochre prints as accents was such a great idea, it really is a spectacular quilt.

Bernadette's version is just so pretty - and again, reflects the maker so well. Beautiful, beautiful!

 And finally, Helen's version. Helen used a fat quarter bundle of Moonshine by Tula Pink for her quilt, and it has worked beautifully.

I've had some lovely feedback from my students since we wrapped up this class last year. The overwhelming comments have been how much they learnt about precision and getting points to match, and how proud they are of what they achieved. I'm pretty excited to get to do it all again this year :o)

xx Jess