Lectures & Trunk Shows
Laureen has always loved sew and tell! She would love to sew and tell with your Quilt Guild in the form of a Lecture, Trunk Show, or Workshop.
All lectures and trunk shows run 45–60 minutes and are available in-person or via Zoom.
Defy Quilting Gravity
A fun and unexpected way to bring your quilts to life
Are your quilts feeling a little… flat?
Not in a bad way—just in a “there might be more here” kind of way.
In this lecture, I’ll show you how to move beyond traditional flat quilting and start thinking in layers, texture, and dimension—without making things complicated or fussy.
We’ll explore simple ways to:
- Add depth and visual interest
- Rethink how and when elements are added
- Use techniques like appliqué, stitching, and layering in new ways
You’ll see real examples of how small changes can completely transform a quilt—and open the door to designs you may not have thought possible.
Because sometimes the biggest shift isn’t a new tool…
👉 it’s seeing your quilt differently.
✨ Customize Your Quilts with Canva
You don’t need more software.
You need a way to see your ideas before you stitch them.
In this lecture, I’ll show you how I use Canva to design quilt labels, lettering, and stitched elements—so you can add meaningful, personal details to your quilts with ease.
From simple labels to memory quilts, you’ll discover how a free tool can open up a whole new layer of creativity.
👉 Because the finishing touches matter just as much as the stitches.
“I loved your Canva presentation. It was articulate, well presented, and gave a new twist to using technology for an old craft. I liked your energetic approach and look forward to hearing more from you in the future.” — Jacqueline
“Thank you so much for the Canva lesson and cheat sheet. I enjoyed your clear instructions and look forward to trying this new skill. Thank you for making the best use of your time teaching us this technique.” — Annette
“Everyone absolutely loved the program. Members were texting and shopping for panels and coordinating fabrics that same afternoon — I expect to see fabulous panel quilts at future show-and-tell sessions!”
Eye Popping Panels
Panels are easy to purchase — and surprisingly hard to finish.
You’ve made plenty of quilts from patterns.
But when it comes to panels, many quilters get stuck figuring out how to design around them.
You bought the panel because it caught your eye.
Then comes the pause.
How big should the quilt be?
How should the panel be framed?
What fabrics should you use?
Where can you add interest without overdoing it?
That middle step — deciding what the panel wants next — is where projects stall.
In Eye-Popping Panels, I show you how to listen to the panel and work through those decisions so the design feels intentional, not overwhelming. I share practical ways to frame panels, choose supporting fabrics, and add structure and detail without competing with the panel itself.
This lecture is about getting past the hesitation —
so, the panel doesn’t stay folded in a drawer, waiting for someday.
Quilt Design: Madness or Magic?
Ever wonder how some quilters seem to come up with idea after idea—while you’re staring at your fabric wondering what comes next?
After designing hundreds of quilts, I can tell you… it’s not magic.
But it’s not madness either.
It’s a way of thinking.
In this lecture, I pull back the curtain on how quilt designs actually come together—from that first spark of an idea to a finished layout that works. We’ll look at how one block can become many quilts, how to make decisions without overthinking every step, and how to move forward even when you’re not sure what comes next.
Because designing your own quilts isn’t about getting it perfect.
It’s about knowing what to try next.
👉 Spoiler: most of my quilts didn’t start with a perfect plan either.
Quilting in the Round—Without Going in Circles
Medallion quilts look complex—but they don’t have to be.
In fact, they’re one of the most flexible ways to design a quilt… once you know what comes next.
In this lecture, we’ll start at the center and work outward, exploring how to build a quilt step by step without getting stuck halfway. I’ll show you how to choose and combine elements, keep your proportions balanced, and make decisions that keep your design moving forward instead of going in circles.
Because the goal isn’t to plan every detail from the beginning.
It’s to know how to grow your quilt—one round at a time.
👉 You don’t need the whole plan—you just need the next step.
Snippets
We provide simple tutorials through our YouTube channel.