Fons & Porter have a new education site Daily Craft TV full of crafty video lessons – quilting, sewing, knitting, crochet, scrapbooking and paper craft. Classes are either $4.99 or $9.99, which means the classes are a lot lower in price than similar sites such as Craftsy. Each class primarily covers one skill, technique or pattern
The instructors include well-known quilters such as Mary Fons, Marianne Fons, Liz Porter and Pat Sloan. Plus you can browse classes according to technique, instructor, skill level and tools, which makes it very easy to find exactly what you want!
I had the chance to check out a complimentary class and I chose Yes You Can Piece Curves: Curved Piecing Two Way. Despite having attempted a curved block before, I’m still a little intimidated!
This class includes a free pattern to create this quilt, so I gave the block a go.
Obviously I only used the templates and did my own block arrangement! I’m calling it Cherry Pie.
As for the actual class, it was very real – chatting, mistakes, laughter. There are two presenters – one to do the sewing, one to do the talking and cutting. To create this quilt block, they cut and sew it all live on camera, which feels a little slow and the microphones also seemed to turn on and off at times. But overall, well-explained and a quick block to piece.
The second part of the class is teaching paper-pieced curves. It’s a very interesting technique that creates a pleated block for a fabulous bit of texture!
They finish off the class with a bit of quilting show and tell, sharing different curved-block quilts. The real-ness comes out in force when it’s clear they didn’t rehearse and don’t know who made one of the quilts! But I do like the two presenters – they’re warm and friendly, and bounce ideas and tips off each other, meaning you get twice the wisdom! And they include some commentary and tips on the quilting of each piece of how to accentuate the curves nicely.
Daily Craft TV is definitely a great concept – cheap, short classes, and fun instructors. Unlike some other online class platforms, there is no interaction with the instructors or fellow students, nor sharing of projects. You have full, “forever” access to your classes, and it’s certainly a great cheap option for only $5 or $10 for a quick lesson or two!
And now there’s something in this for you too! I have one class to give away to one lucky reader – the class of your choice! Use the Rafflecopter widget to enter.
Winner will be drawn Monday 26th and announced on this post, as well as emailed. I was provided with a free class for the purposes of reviewing on my blog, but all opinions and slightly wobbly curved blocks are all my own.
Sandy A in St. Louis says
Wow, so many great classes to chose from! I think I would pick the class on learning three applique techniques. I really need that one! :_
Shayne says
So cool! Thanks!
Tanya says
I’ve never done any curved piecing so that one looks good, but they are a great price so I’ll to try out a few.
Rhonda Desgranges says
I would love to learn about curved piecing, too! The class I want to take is: Yes You Can Piece Curves: Curved Piecing Two Ways. This would really be a help for me!! Thanks for the chance to win!
wigglypup2(at)yahoo(dot)com
Serena @ Sewgiving says
Looks good … I would choose “Learn easy techniques for making flying geese units using diagonal seams” … I’m a bit chicken and haven’t tried flying geese yet.
Melissa Vink says
They all look great. I would choose how to dye your own yarn with cake dies. I would end up buying more though because there are also some sewing and quilting ones I like. Thanks for the chance!
Georgi Sears says
The class I’d take is “How to Make a Patriotic Quilt of Valor” ~ in honor of my grandson who’s in the Marine Corps.
Gill says
I can’t choose between curved pieces and inset seams!
Thanks for a great giveaway!
Elli says
I’d try the Times Square quilt. I’m up for a challenge.
Amy C says
Curved piecing for sure! I am rubbish at it!!
Quilting Tangent says
Sounds good.
Shauna T says
I would take the getting started on a long arm class or the string quilt class, both topics that really interest me. 🙂
Sharla says
I would love the take the Make an applique portrait of your pet.
Madeleine says
String piecing!
Marti M says
I would love to try curved piecing!
marjorie says
So many great classes…I would enjoy a FMQ class
Marie Lismore says
Great to hear your feedback on this platform. Thank you for the giveaway.
Monique Belmer says
Thanks for the chance!
Lisa says
I’d like to try the Inset Seam class! What a great alternative to other overly expensive sites. Thanks for the giveaway!
Linda Nelson says
Sew A Cute Chevron Basket looks great.
Jeannie says
Thanks for the new link, it’s always fun to have options for learning!
The Fusible Applique looks very fun.
PattyK says
Sounds like fun! Thanks for sharing.
Jeri Niksich says
I too would take the curved piecing, I haven’t even tried it yet I’m too intimidated. I even bought the curve foot but still scared to try it lol.
Susan Stanton says
Glad to hear about a new teaching site! Will check it out! Thanks for the giveaway too.
Esther says
That is a great idea! Thank you for the tip,
Esther says
I would pick the one class you have taken!
Patty says
I’d love to see a class on free motion quilting.
Capi Cohen says
Thanks for sharing about these classes. They are starting out with a broad selection. It would be hard to choose.
Shelley Scarbro says
Awesome. Thanks for the chance to win!!
Whitney says
Awesome!!! Thanks for the awesome giveaway! I think I would take either the curved paper piecing class or any other paper-piecing class! So many great classes to choose from!