i bought the book by Eleanor Burns (love her)..first reading so confusing, so particular with accuracy (*not my best quality)
now i see a 6 hour class offered by my LQS for 65 $ ..
money is tight right now and am wondering if it would be worthwhile to take it or use the money for fabric and just have a go at it with the book only. any thoughts out there.?? xo for replying,..ps.. love love this site.

Classes are a wonderful investment, both for the educational and the friendship. However, that being said, unless it was a new technique or a particularily difficult technique, I wouldn't take the class. When I buy a pattern, or book, I read it, sometimes twice, and do a practice block out of scraps or ugly fabric. As you stated, money is tight, so, after reading the book, you feel confident enough to try it, then go buy your fabric and go for it. I am not putting down classes, but, when we have to choose between taking a class or buying fabric...well, I would buy the fabric everytime. And speaking from experience, I have yet to take a class that I walk away with paying just for the class. I always have to buy the gizmo they are promoting, or the fabric, or something. Anyway, I ramble, but, like I said, if I have to choose between the class or the fabric... I'll go for the fabric.

She has videos on her website quiltinaday.com she shows how to do the day and night very clear instructions.

Take the class if at all possible.
I had a great quilt teacher and made a couple of things before I moved.
Struggled for a few years and spent 80 on an eight week sample class and learned so much.
Little tricks that make things so much easier.You will be able to go on your own after.
Gale

i agree classes definitly have their place, but $65 for a class-- when you already have the book and probably have to buy other supplies-- seems awfully high to me...it would really have to be something spectacular that there was no way i could figure out for me to pay more than $30 for any class.
if you have time before the class take some scrap fabric and do a couple practice blocks from the book, if you get it...you are good to go...if you don't get it, then maybe check into the class...or see if you maybe know someone taking it who would share some tips afterwards. :thumbup: i have the pattern but have not had a chance to really check it out but i'm pretty sure there are a couple made here on the board, you could probably get the help you need here once you give it a try and see just where your confusion lies.

I like taking the class because I learn faster seeing it done versus trying to figure it out myself...I suggest in the future invest in the book and DVD and save yourself a few bucks on having to go out and pay a high price for a class.
I judge taking classes by the price...I would not pay 65.
Buy the DVD

Most of the classes that I take you have to buy the pattern as part of the supplies.

Personally speaking, I wouldn't pay for a $65 class, unless I had lots of money to spend. If you don't think you can do it right now, like others said, practice on some scraps, paying particular attention to accurate cutting, which you implied wasn't the best. There are lots of people on the board who have never had a "quilting" class and they turn out some gorgeous quilts.

I agree the classes are the best, but if you are tight with money, I would go to YouTube.com they have many classes for free..

Night and Day is not one of her videos on her site.

I agree on the price....

So with everything El, just take one step at a time..... don't look ahead. Do it exactly the way she says and it will turn out right.

I agree - her books are fabulous - start with page one and go 1 step at a time. Start out with practice fabric
I'd rather spend $ on fabric than classes

http://vimeo.com/6286517

Here is a link to a video on Night and Day. This site has several videos not on the Quilt in a Day site.

I made the night & day last year, I'm not good at following pattern, I usually do paper piece for the more complex looking patterns. However, I Was able to work through her book without pulling out my hair. Definitely do a practice with less expensive fabric before you use some you love, and she gives you a way to use the scraps too, which is great cause there is a ton of fabric cut away. The Quilt turned out beautiful and I donated it.

Good luck, tough decision, but again I would give it a try with practice fabric then decide on the class.

Shadoh-I'm one for classes too. I get it alot better and faster, however I watched Eleanor Burns actually demonstrate the making of this quilt in Puyallup, WA last year and it really is easy. I was very comfortable I bought the book to make it. But save your $65 and try it on you own first. There are so many quilters on the board that someone would jump in when you need the help! After all look what $65 can buy today! Ummmmmm more fabric-perhaps? It's a beautiful quilt-beautiful when done with the right colors.

Try this thread on here, with pics etc.There are more threads for you to explore before deciding. I a;so have the book, but haven't used it.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-91751-1.htm

I posted a Day and Night picture on here with some comments about how truly easy it was to follow her great directions with lots of pictures....please check out that thread. I don't think you need a class; just a little patience and take your time with the directions. Honestly, I was impressed at how easy it was to get perfectly matched points!

Have you checked out her free video section on her website where she goes through the making of her quilts? She's probably got that one in one of those listings. That way you can go through it with her stopping & starting the video as needed. That's what I did with the jewel box quilt.

Quilter's Cache has a 12"(finished) paper pieced pattern of night and day.

It isn't a video per say but she does demonstrate the technique when you go to "books", click on Night and Day. Then click on more info. A short video there. After viewing that I decided to buy book last night. I personally think that you can't go wrong with Eleanor Burns books. So detailed and easy to understand.

Treat the book as a recipe - one step at a time. It will come together for you.

With supplies that probably adds up to more = I would try the book first - I have seen patterns at the LQS that are for classes and thought they wouldn't be too hard. If it is really a new technique or complicated pattern, I would take a class. Good luck

Reread your book, E.B. patterns are through and you shouldn't
have any problem with the pattern.
Use the $65 to buy your fabric for the quilt.

One thing to remember about Eleanor Burns, she was a kindergarden teacher, and it shows in her instructions So I would not take a class, as stated in this post, go to her website and watch videos. As you work through the pattern it will all become clear. My 4th quilt is an Eleanor Burns "Tennessee Waltz" my Avatar. But her tools and tips are impecable.

I would definitely NOT take the class. I just made Eleanor Burns Night and Day and it was alot of fun and easy. Just read through the directions a couple of times, take notes, high light and enjoy. I made it with my daughters college school colors Gold and Black and it turned out really neat. I can't wait to finish it and post photos. Have fun making it and I can't wait to see your's.

$65 for a class sounds a little expensive to me. Is it just a one day class or once a week for several weeks? I think I would go the the website and check out her videos first. I wouldn't pay that much for a class unless it ran several weeks.

Hi to all, I'm working on this pattern right now.
I love classes ,but $65 is a bit for some, but for 6hr, is not bad.
I used a practice fabric and I goof,because I did not read the book that well I have it now and it is very pleasing to the eye

I would suggest, as others have, to make a practice piece. If you have trouble with it, you may be able to go to your LQS and get some tips on doing it without taking the class. Most LQS that I go to are willing to help out with a block if you have a question or problem. Good luck. I have the book and fabric for the Day Night, but have not attempted it yet. I will use all the suggestions when I do start the quilt.

This may sound crazy, but we all understand things by reading in different ways. I found that for me, the best thing to do is to read out loud while I walk around a room. I may look like a nut, but instructions really sink in. Trial and error will get you your best method!

I saw a quilt made from this pattern in lavender and white
it was beautiful, LA by a good friend of mine, it won a 1st prize
in the quilt show in Shawnee,OK. It was beautiful,and the
quilter said it was easy, don't know if she took a class or not,
I really doubt it. But it was beautiful. And it wasn't over quilted.

I bought the pattern and template, even though I thought the pattern was to hard for me well I completed the quilt in a couple days pieced quilted and binding done !!! turned out wonderful, everyone of my family members begged me for the quilt!!

Try Quilt University on the web. Their classes are reasonable and they give lots of help.

The Victory Quilt book instructions were a bit tedious at times but just slow down and go step by step. Check out the video others have mentioned and save your class $$ for some other technique or pattern that you don't already own.

If you are a beginner, especially, a hands on class can be worth its weight in gold. You will learn so much just in fundamentals. Take the class if you can afford it, and ask the instructor if there are any scholorships if you can't. Its worth it to ask. Try to go if you can. Otherwise, you can learn from the book, its just a little more work

thanks for all the advice on the night and day quilt class.
i have decided to try it on my own; someday soon! fabric and classes are costlier here in Ontario Canada than they are in the U.S.A. i will put the money saved towards fabric YES.

Have a look at some of her episodes of Quilt in a Day and you will get an idea of her methods.

I bought the book and DVD on her site. I haven't done it yet but I bought 6 or 7 of her books with video. I love her

I bought her Orion's Star book and at first glance, it was confusing. I made four practice blocks that ended up as a wall hanging. I mastered her techniques and loved her methods. She is better than any class that you can take. I want to buy her "day and night" book. Keep us informed on your progress.

I was once told "instructions are not to be read, they are to be followed." If you read the first step and do it, then on to the second step and so on will make sense. Give it a try before you spend $65--which you could spend on FABRIC! :D

I was once told "instructions are not to be read, they are to be followed." If you read the first step and do it, then on to the second step and so on they will make sense. Give it a try before you spend $65--which you could spend on FABRIC! :D

this is a tute on that pattern
http://www.quiltinaday.com/shoponlin...ay.asp?i=20490