Class Information
Class sizes
Participant numbers in classes are determined by the classroom size. Teachers have also specified a maximum number of participants to ensure that they can actively engage with each participant and participants with each other. If you are keen to attend a particular class, purchase your tickets as soon as possible.
Half-Day, Full-Day or Multi-Day Classes
Class duration varies between Half Day, Full Day and 2-or 3-Days. A Half Day class is 3 hours and is in the morning from 09:00 to 12:00. A Full Day class is six hours and consists of a morning (9:00 to 12:00) and afternoon (14:00 to 17:00) session, except on Friday (9:00 to12:00 and 13:30 to 16:30). 2-Day classes are two days of six hours each and 3-Day classes are three days of six hours each. A full-day class is a six-hour class within a single day.
A Half-Day class costs R225, a Full-Day class costs R450 , a 2-Day class costs R900 and a 3-Day class costs R1350 (unless otherwise specified). Where kits are required, the kit cost is shown separately in the class description, it will be included in the workshop price on purchasing.
Each class has a unique identifying code consisting of three numbers and a letter. The first number indicates the day with 1 being the first Festival day, Thursday 9 October and so on. The next two numbers indicate the sequential class numbers on a particular day. For example, Class 101 is Day 1’s first class. The letter at the end indicates the class duration with “H” indicating Half-Day, S a single or full day, D a 2-Day and T a 3-Day class.
Sit-and-Sew Studio
Go on a personal retreat and hire a space in a classroom to work on your projects. There is no pressure to keep up or compete with others, just an opportunity to enjoy your craft and be with like-minded quilters, while still being included in the Festival fun. Bring your own sewing machine, extension cable and adapter and whatever you require to complete your current UFOs – or search for inspiration at the vendors’ mall. Book your day’s table from Thursday to Saturday.
Class Requirements
To get the most benefit from a class, prepare for your class. The Student Requirements list is downloadable with each class’s description and details. Bring all the listed supplies for each class. If you forget to pack something in, our vendors’ mall is available with a large selection.
Shopping Hours:
Wednesday 8 October 14:00 - 17:00
Thursday 9 October 09:00 – 17:00
Friday 10 October 09:00 – 17:00
Saturday 11 October 09:00 – 17:00
Location: Vendors are located in the school hall.
Kit Fees
Some classes have kits available. Contents of the kits and the prices are listed in the relevant class descriptions. Compulsory kits must be purchased at the time of registration and is included in class tickets. Participants can collect the kits in the class, none will be posted before the Festival. Where kits are indicated as optional and you decide not to purchase an optional kit, please include the listed kit items in your student requirements list and bring the listed items to the class.
Irons
Ironing stations will be provided in all classes where irons are required. Please do not bring your own irons, including travelling irons, as it may affect the power supply.
Basic Sewing Supplies
Most classes require Basic Sewing Supplies(BSS). Click here for a list with the minimum requirements that you can use as the basis for your own packing list. Classes may have an additional downloadable Student Requirement list. Student Requirements are available on our website with each class description. Feel free to ask if you have any queries. Before packing your supplies, mark each item with your initials or name. Remember to mark your sewing machine, cords, pedal etc. Items get mixed up or left behind easily.
Class Policy
Teachers have allocated complexity levels to their classes. We encourage students to stretch themselves; however, please check that you can meet minimum skills requirements.
A complete Student Requirement List is available on the Festival website for download with each class description. Where classes require pre-work, including specific cutting instructions, the instructions will be emailed to students after registration.
Keep your printed or downloaded class ticket on hand. These will be checked before you are admitted to the class.
Class Etiquette
For the most creative and productive Festival experience, please read the following guidelines for our classrooms.
- Classrooms will be unlocked by 08:30 daily. Classrooms will be locked during lunch and again by 17:30 daily for security purposes.
- Participants are encouraged to arrive early and settle in to be ready 10 minutes before classes start. If you are late, please try to catch up quietly and do not expect the Teacher to start over.
- Arrive prepared for your class with all the listed requirements, including a clean and oiled sewing machine in good working order. Insert a new needle into your machine and a sharp blade into your rotary cutter. Remember your glasses and consider adding a task lamp for handwork classes.
- Teachers have spent long hours preparing exciting classes to teach and expect you to be geared up. Student requirement lists are downloadable from each class’s description. Please do not expect to borrow items. Not only is it a distraction in class, there may not be extra items available.
- Do not expect a Teacher to take time from the class to teach you something different. Review the definitions of skill levels before choosing a class.
- Participants should refrain from wearing strong perfume as a courtesy to fellow participants sensitive or allergic to fragrance.
- Respect fellow participants and do not talk while the Teacher is presenting.
- Cell phones should be silenced or set on vibrate. Participants should excuse themselves from the classroom to use cell phones for urgent business only.
- Teachers hold the intellectual property and copyright to classes. Please respect this and do not share class handouts and other materials with others not registered for the class or teach the same class without the teacher’s written permission. Please check with the Teacher before sharing the class with others in any format.
- Please ask the teacher and fellow students’ permission before taking photos in the class. You must get the Teacher’s specific permission before photographing or taping his or her class and class projects. Do not attempt to take flash photos of the slide screen. The photos will not turn out, and the flash distracts everyone else in the audience.
- Dress in layers due to differentiating temperatures within classrooms. Although October is in spring, it may still be chilly.
Skill Levels
Use this guide to evaluate your skill level and select classes suited to those skills. There is an increase in difficulty, originality and design principles like colour, balance, and unity with each level. You may be more knowledgeable than you realise! If you need help assessing your skill level, please ask us for assistance.
Quilt Skill levels:
- All levels: This level is for quilters at all skill levels.
- Easy: First-time quilters could make the quilt making it ideal as an introduction to quilting or building basic skills. You are off to a good start! More experienced quilters who want a relaxed class, playing with fabrics can also do it. You just want to have fun!
- Confident: Quilters who are competent in the basics and are keen to attempt and master more intricate patterns and techniques. Quilters can piece accurately, applique points and curves, hand quilt even stitches, and select different colour schemes. These quilters may have attended regional or national festival level classes and even entered quilts into shows. You are a proficient quilter!
- Challenging: Experienced quilters who have mastered a wide range of quilting skills, can work on complex designs or free-motion quilting, adapt patterns or design their own and "fudge" problems —quilters who may have entered national or international shows. You are looking for new challenges or advanced techniques. The sky is your limit!
Classroom Locations (specific class numbers will be allocated just prior to Festival)
All classes are on the ground floor. Bring your “wheels” to make moving your sewing machine and student requirements between the parking or hostel and classrooms easier.
Waiting list
We will maintain a waiting list for fully booked classes. If you would like to inquire about getting on the waiting list, please contact Lucille via email. If space becomes available, you will be contacted by the Festival Registrar. Wait-listed attendees are contacted in the order they have registered. If there are enough people on the waitlist, we may be able to add additional class sessions.
