Workshops and Lectures for Guilds and Groups
I currently offer several workshops and lectures for guilds and groups. Workshops are available in-person only at this time, but lectures are available online via Zoom. Please review the information below, then click the button to connect with me for details about contracts and scheduling.
Click here to see my current teaching schedule.
In-Person Workshops
Fees are listed in USD.
Strategies, Tools, and Techniques for Precision Piecing
+
Mounting Quilts on Canvas
This unique two-day workshop covers two exciting topics: precision piecing and mounting quilts on canvas.
On day one, students will learn about fabric grain and how to use it to their advantage when sewing curves. Plus, see how small decisions about fabric, thread, needles, pressing, and more add up to make a big impact on the end result. Students will complete a class exercise featuring my Modern Rings block, which involves curved piecing and one partial seam. This an intermediate level pattern that assumes familiarity with curved piecing.
Then on day two, students will mount their Modern Rings blocks onto artist canvases using a technique that creates sharp, clean corners. They will leave with a work of art ready to hang on the wall!
The first day includes 6 hours of instruction. The second day includes 4-5 hours of instruction.
Students will receive copies of my mounted quilts instruction manual, the Modern Rings pattern, and class handouts.
A maximum of 20 students is permitted.
The fee for this two-day workshop is $1,800.
Workshop Reviews
“The role of Vice President of Education for a quilt guild can be quite stressful, and even more so when hosting an in-person, two-day class. You are in charge of making sure the event is a success, for both the educator and the students. Kelly was a pleasure to work with when planning for the workshop and made the two-day class run very smoothly. Kelly was positive and encouraging to the students and was wonderful at addressing the differences in the skill levels of the attendees. Her tips for success and precision in your quilting were all presented as ‘something you might want to try, and it works for me,’ not like a message from the quilt police. Everyone attending had many compliments for her teaching style, and all were happy to leave with a completed project.”
—Nancy Larkin, South Sarasota Modern Quilt Guild
“Kelly Spell’s great passion and talent as an award-winning quilt artist comes shining through in her new workshop. As a teacher, she creates a very supportive environment for all her students. Kelly is fun, patient, relaxed, and very well organized. The pattern used for this workshop was precise and all her instructions, both written and printed, were very easy to understand. I was thrilled to be a student in her workshop. I learned so much and had a wonderful time.”
—Margaret M.
“Kelly is a great teacher. Her presentation was concise, easily followed, and contained information that I will use in my quilting journey. She also gave plenty of extra time to those in the group who needed hands-on instruction without impacting the other class members. It was very worthwhile for me to take Kelly's class.”
—Lynn P.
“I loved Kelly’s class. It was very fun and very informative. Kelly is a wonderful, patient, knowledgeable teacher. She does beautiful work. She inspired me so much to think outside the lines. I learned a lot about precision. If you have the opportunity to take a Kelly Spell class, do it. You will definitely come away with more knowledge than when you went in.”
—Peggy
“I’m so happy that I attended Kelly’s workshop! Kelly brought step-by-step handouts that included pictures of each step. She is patient and entertaining! Interacting with the students! Lots of laughter and fun! After completing the class, I was rewarded with new skills and became more confident in sewing circular designs. And now I have a beautiful quilted canvas wall hanging.”
—Karen M.
“I am so glad I took this class offered through our guild! Not only is Kelly an incredibly talented quilter, but she is an amazing teacher! The information I received to prepare for the class and things to do ahead of time was very thorough. The written instructions were superb. Kelly’s patience for all my questions was outstanding! In addition, the visuals she showed us about needle sizes, thread, and stitch lengths were so helpful.”
—Jennifer
Lectures
All lectures include a slideshow presentation and plenty of time for audience Q&A. Fees are listed in USD.
Full Circle: My Journey as an Artist and Quilter
I started quilting in 2014. Working with cloth unlocked a confidence and an enthusiasm that was never present when I dabbled in other mediums like painting and photography. Suddenly, I felt capable of breathing life into the ideas that floated around the edges of my consciousness. Ten years later, my abstract quilts seek to balance a chaotic world with calm and control. Each quilt combines intricate techniques with minimalist design, evoking beauty from the interplay of complexity and simplicity. In this lecture, I’ll share details about how I create my original designs, where I find inspiration, and how my artistic practice has evolved over time. 60-80 minutes, $375.
Show Your Work
Over the past seven years, I’ve exhibited nearly 40 quilts at more than 70 shows around the world. In this lecture, I share what I’ve learned from those experiences and why it’s important for quilters to submit their work to exhibitions. I also reveal my favorite places to find calls for entry, tips to track your submissions, and best practices for photographing quilts, writing an artist statement, and shipping to shows. Plus, learn how to determine if a specific exhibition is a good fit for your work and artistic practice. By sharing my journey into the world of exhibitions, I hope to inspire YOU to show your work!
60-80 minutes, $375.
Mounting Quilts on Canvas: A Different Way to Finish
Mounting quilts on canvas can transform small works, adding an air of sophistication and gravitas to a piece. It’s also a great technique for mid-size quilts. In this lecture, you’ll see several methods for mounting quilts on canvas, each resulting in a sleek finish with clean corners. This finishing process is suitable for quilts of any style (modern, art, traditional, etc.) and a wide range of textiles. It’s also a great way to preserve sections of tattered vintage quilts and highlight orphan blocks! What batting you should use? Is it okay to press seams open? Learn how the answers to these questions will impact your finished project, and get guidance on other key considerations. Finally, I’ll share my favorite mounting tools. 60-80 minutes, $375.
Lecture Reviews
Kelly's Show Your Work lecture was so informative to both new quilters and seasoned veterans in our guild. Not only did she motivate all of us to take the leap and show our work, she provided a step-by-step plan of how to find exhibit halls and shows, prepare quilts for submission, and track each piece. Kelly touches on everything from the dreaded letter of rejection to best practices for shipping, photography, artist statements and more. All of us feel more empowered and less intimidated to get out there and show our work!
—Susan Skatoff, Palm Beach Modern Quilt Guild
“Are you exhibition-curious? Kelly has all the details you need to know to get started on your journey of sharing your work with the larger quilt world. The Show Your Work lecture is fun and informative. Kelly shares her exhibition story while also giving great tips and advice for how you, too, can exhibit your work locally, nationally, and beyond.”
—Maria Shell
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any requirements for in-person events?
A two-day workshop is my minimum engagement for in-person events. If the location is more than 200 miles away from my home, travel will occur via flights unless otherwise negotiated.
When are you available for virtual lectures?
I live in the Eastern Time Zone of the United States. Lectures may be booked any day of the week during my normal business hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern. (Lectures scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. must end by 7:30 p.m.) Exceptions may be made for groups outside of the U.S.
Should we use our Zoom account or yours for the virtual lecture?
I prefer to use a guild’s Zoom account. If we use my Zoom account, an additional fee of $25 will apply for groups with more than 100 lecture attendees.
We have some guild business to conduct in addition to your lecture, is that okay? Would you like to stay for the duration of our meeting?
If your meeting agenda includes business outside of my lecture, I request my lecture be presented first. It should begin within 10 minutes of our scheduled start time. Also, while I appreciate the generous offer to stay for the rest of your meeting, my attendance is unlikely due to my studio schedule.
Can we record the virtual lecture?
Recordings are not permitted.