Advanced Beginner: Leaded Light Quilt, Sundays, August 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th, & September 6th, 2:30pm-5pm

Instructor: Courtney Zerizef

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner, ages 16 and up

Class Length: 5 Sessions, 2.5 hours per session

Inspired by the geometric beauty of vintage leaded-glass windows, the Leaded Light Quilt uses simple squares and half-square triangles to create the illusion of intersecting diagonal lines and luminous stars. The pattern can be made with a scrappy collection of fabrics or a more structured checkerboard approach, allowing each quilter to create a unique finished quilt.

This class will be the first public teaching of a brand-new quilt pattern. As a thank you for helping test and refine the design, students will receive the Leaded Light pattern free as part of the class registration. Because the pattern is still in development, fabric estimates and instructions may receive minor adjustments before the final pattern release.

The stained-glass effect is created through fabric value rather than specific colors. Students will select fabrics from three value groups: mid-tones for the window panes, dark tones for the leading (the lines that create the window effect), and light tones for the stars and cornerstones. Fabrics can be colorful, monochromatic, patterned, or solid, as long as there is enough contrast between the value groups.

Students may choose between a scrappy or checkerboard style. The scrappy version uses a larger variety of fabrics within each value group, creating a more organic and varied appearance similar to sunlight passing through many panes of glass. The checkerboard version uses fewer fabrics repeated throughout the quilt, resulting in a more structured, graphic, and traditional look.

This class is ideal for quilters who have completed a few beginner projects and are ready to build confidence with more advanced piecing techniques. While the quilt is constructed entirely from squares, strips, and half-square triangles, careful cutting, organization, and layout play an important role in creating the final design.

Throughout the class, we’ll discuss efficient cutting methods, strip piecing, chain piecing, half-square triangle construction, fabric value selection, and quilt layout. Students will learn techniques that can be applied to many future quilt projects.

Class 1

- fabric selection and value placement

- scrappy vs. checkerboard planning

- cutting and organization

- piecing fundamentals and strip construction

Class 2

- strip piecing techniques

- constructing pane blocks

- chain piecing and efficiency tips

Class 3

- half-square triangle construction

- star intersection units

- trimming and accuracy

Class 4

- assembling blocks and sashing

- layout planning

- color and value balancing

Class 5

- final quilt top assembly

- row construction

- pressing and preparation for quilting

Be prepared - purchase your supplies online or in person before class begins! Class supplies are available for purchase at Modern Domestic. Please note that our store hours are Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm. Class supplies cannot be purchased when our shop is closed. 

To purchase supplies in store, we recommend allowing at least 45 minutes to shop. Our store hours are Monday-Saturday, 10am-5pm. If purchasing materials online, purchase supplies at least two days in advance to allow for prepping. All class supplies purchased at Modern Domestic get a 10% discount - please inquire for the code. 

Supply List:

- 1 spool of Mettler Metrosene All-Purpose Polyester Thread

- Fabric Requirements:

Scrappy Version

Baby (approximately 40” square)

- 5 Fat Quarters mid-tone fabrics (window panes)

- 4 Fat Quarters dark fabrics (leading/sashing)

- 4 Fat Eighths or ½ yard total light fabrics (stars and cornerstones)

Throw (approx 60” square)

- 10 Fat Quarters mid-tone fabrics

- 8 Fat Quarters dark fabrics

- 8 Fat Eighths or 1 yard total light fabrics

Large (approx 80” square)

- 16 Fat Quarters mid-tone fabrics

- 14 Fat Quarters dark fabrics

- 12 Fat Eighths or 1½ yards total light fabrics

Checkerboard Version

Baby (approximately 40” square)

- ¾ yard each of 2 mid-tone fabrics

- ½ yard each of 2 dark fabrics

- ¼ yard each of 2 light fabrics

Throw (approx 60” square)

- 1½ yards each of 2 mid-tone fabrics

- 1 yard each of 2 dark fabrics

- ½ yard each of 2 light fabrics

Large (approx 80” square)

- 2½ yards each of 2 mid-tone fabrics

- 1¾ yards each of 2 dark fabrics

- ¾ yard each of 2 light fabrics

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner - You have a good handle on the basics and are ready to dip your toe into more challenging waters. You’re still fairly new to sewing from patterns and could use help with how to manipulate the pattern to get a better fit. You want to add some new skills to your repertoire (invisible zippers, setting-in sleeves, etc.) and want to have an option to use a serger for finishing techniques. Classes generally require homework.

Class Cancellation Policy: A cancellation more than 72 hours before a class start date receives a full refund or credit. A cancellation within 72 hours is non-refundable. No-shows forfeit any refund or exchange. We hold this class cancellation policy to ensure our teachers are compensated for their time, and other students waiting for spots in full classes are not missing class opportunities due to late cancellations.  Thank you for your understanding.