I’m excited to offer an in-person workshop on Saturday, September 12, 2026 at Village Sewing of San Rafael from 10:30am-3:30pm. Note: you must register for the class directly with Village Sewing. There is a $10 non-refundable fee payable to Village Sewing.
Village Sewing of San Rafael
1139 4th Street, San Rafael, CA
(415) 785-4599
Village Sewing Website
Workshop Description
Learn how to construct a dynamic curved block using ruler- and template-free techniques and design your own Improv Curves quilt. This workshop is perfect for quilters who are new to improvisation or anyone looking for a structured, yet creatively open, way to dive into freeform design.
You'll explore “flexible patterning”—you determine the number, size, and layout of your blocks, working loosely within a grid to create rhythm and movement. This process allows for spontaneity while maintaining a cohesive structure.
Claudia will walk you through cutting and piecing curves without rulers or templates, plus share tips on fabric selection to help you build a vibrant and personal color palette.
Supply List
Fabric Requirements:
There are no specific yardage requirements, as this is an improvisational process.
Bring a variety of fabrics—no less than a quarter yard (WOF) per piece. The sample quilt in the class description used approximately 2 yards of fabric.
If you pre-select your color palette, bring extra fabric so you have options to design in the moment. The more fabric you bring the more choices you’ll have.
Quilting cottons work best to learn this technique - avoid knits and heavier fabrics like denim, canvas or corduroy unless you are a very confident sewer.
Bring solids* with some printed fabrics to incorporate as accents. Avoid bringing only prints or one fabric line. See the note below:
*Note on solids: Solid fabrics such as Robert Kaufman Kona Solids or Riley Blake Confetti Solids work well here and are available for purchase from Village Sewing. Avoid printed fabrics that “read” as solids—such as Grunge, Sky Ombre, and batiks—as these can make it harder to clearly see color interaction and value relationships, which are essential for learning effective design.
Supplies you will need to bring:
Neutral color thread
Sewing machine, bobbin, foot pedal, presser foot & power cord
Rotary cutter with a sharp blade
Rulers
Rotary cutting mat
Thread snips/scissors
Seam ripper
Pins
A fabric marker, such as a Sewline chalk pencil
Small design wall or bring some batting or flannel and painters tape to create an impromptu design wall
About the instructor:
Claudia Shearer is a San Francisco-based quiltmaker and educator, who offers workshops and lectures focused on improvisational and modern quilting techniques. Her goal is to inspire and encourage quilters to create quilts without relying on patterns. Known for her improv design, curved piecing, and nuanced use of color, Claudia’s award-winning quilts have been exhibited widely in art exhibitions and major quilt shows. To learn more about Claudia’s work, visit www.claudiashearerquilts.com or follow her on Instagram at @claudiashearerquilts.
I’m excited to offer an in-person workshop on Saturday, September 12, 2026 at Village Sewing of San Rafael from 10:30am-3:30pm. Note: you must register for the class directly with Village Sewing. There is a $10 non-refundable fee payable to Village Sewing.
Village Sewing of San Rafael
1139 4th Street, San Rafael, CA
(415) 785-4599
Village Sewing Website
Workshop Description
Learn how to construct a dynamic curved block using ruler- and template-free techniques and design your own Improv Curves quilt. This workshop is perfect for quilters who are new to improvisation or anyone looking for a structured, yet creatively open, way to dive into freeform design.
You'll explore “flexible patterning”—you determine the number, size, and layout of your blocks, working loosely within a grid to create rhythm and movement. This process allows for spontaneity while maintaining a cohesive structure.
Claudia will walk you through cutting and piecing curves without rulers or templates, plus share tips on fabric selection to help you build a vibrant and personal color palette.
Supply List
Fabric Requirements:
There are no specific yardage requirements, as this is an improvisational process.
Bring a variety of fabrics—no less than a quarter yard (WOF) per piece. The sample quilt in the class description used approximately 2 yards of fabric.
If you pre-select your color palette, bring extra fabric so you have options to design in the moment. The more fabric you bring the more choices you’ll have.
Quilting cottons work best to learn this technique - avoid knits and heavier fabrics like denim, canvas or corduroy unless you are a very confident sewer.
Bring solids* with some printed fabrics to incorporate as accents. Avoid bringing only prints or one fabric line. See the note below:
*Note on solids: Solid fabrics such as Robert Kaufman Kona Solids or Riley Blake Confetti Solids work well here and are available for purchase from Village Sewing. Avoid printed fabrics that “read” as solids—such as Grunge, Sky Ombre, and batiks—as these can make it harder to clearly see color interaction and value relationships, which are essential for learning effective design.
Supplies you will need to bring:
Neutral color thread
Sewing machine, bobbin, foot pedal, presser foot & power cord
Rotary cutter with a sharp blade
Rulers
Rotary cutting mat
Thread snips/scissors
Seam ripper
Pins
A fabric marker, such as a Sewline chalk pencil
Small design wall or bring some batting or flannel and painters tape to create an impromptu design wall
About the instructor:
Claudia Shearer is a San Francisco-based quiltmaker and educator, who offers workshops and lectures focused on improvisational and modern quilting techniques. Her goal is to inspire and encourage quilters to create quilts without relying on patterns. Known for her improv design, curved piecing, and nuanced use of color, Claudia’s award-winning quilts have been exhibited widely in art exhibitions and major quilt shows. To learn more about Claudia’s work, visit www.claudiashearerquilts.com or follow her on Instagram at @claudiashearerquilts.
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