Mary Stori's Lectures & Workshops

Lectures

Stori Time - A Fashion Show

A lighthearted story-lecture featuring a variety of Mary's one-of-a-kind garments. A chance to see and be inspired by unusual but wearable fashions. Get a close-up look at actual garments made by this four time Fairfield Designer & Best of Show Winner, AQS '93 Fashion Show.
(Please supply 8 models - sizes 8 - small 12, secure dressing room, and 2 garments racks.)

Stori Time - A Trunk Show

Similar to above except volunteers model only vests & jackets, remaining garments are carried. Lecture is informal with opportunity for audience to ask questions while garments are being shown.
(Please supply 6 volunteers to walk garments around the room, and 2 garments racks.)
** PLEASE NOTE - Airlines have reduced the allowable weight of checked baggage. A $100, excess baggage fee will be paid by the hiring group for the above presentations.

Slide Lectures

The Stori Behind The Quilt

Mary describes her work from the initial idea to the finished piece. Learn about the variety of methods used to design her one-of-a-kind projects. Slides of in progress & completed work, plus tips & techniques are sure to encourage the creativity in you!
(Lecture features quilts - focus on construction methods to stabilize embellished quilts)

Both Sides Of The Stori

Same as above - featuring a combination of garments & quilts.

Viewed With A Smile - Humorous Quilts By Mary Stori

Do you think quilting has gotten a tad too serious? Mary says to "snap out of it. You are supposed to be having fun!" This slide lecture features mainly embellished quilts and includes an overview of their particular construction concerns to assure the work hangs flat and square! Join Mary as she describes her work from wacky inspirations to the finished piece.

Have Needle - Will Travel!

Have you ever dreamed of traveling with a quilting tour or wondered what it would be like to take a quilting cruise? Join Mary for a virtual quilter's tour of the fabulous destinations she's experienced hosting quilting trips for Specialty Tours. Whether cruisin' along the quilting highways, skyways, high seas, or lazy waterways, there are quilters to meet, quilts to see, and fabric to be found! She'll share the stories of her trip inspired theme quilts and acquaint you with the work and lives of regional quilters.

Workshops

Guidelines for workshop scheduling:

Our goals are identical, to provide excellent workshop experiences that exceeds the expectations of every student. With this in mind, it's best to schedule beading and hand quilting workshops as daytime classes and if possible, at the beginning of a conference. Because fine motor skills are utilized in these classes, students (and their eyes) work much better if they are not pooped! Guilds: Any two half-day bead classes can be combined into one full-day workshop...connect with me about that possibility.

Half-Day Workshops

Unique Beading Tricks!

(An introductory beading class) Bead embellishment have become one of the hottest trends in quilt making! Students will make a beaded reference sampler as they learn unique easy fundamental beading techniques including the basic bead stitch, straight and curve line beading, scatter stitching, and the lazy stitch. We'll also learn to attach beads, charms, buttons, trinkets, & unusual objects to quilts and garments. Mary offers an in depth discussion about beads; the care, storage, equipment needs, and stabilizing methods for your quilt or garment projects. Eliminate sagging beads and untidy looking threads on your embellishments!
Handwork - NO beading experience is necessary.
Kit fee required - $5.00 (contains beads, embellishment items, & beading thread)
NOTE: The content is the same as the morning portion of Attention to Detailsee photo below.

More Beading Techniques!

You asked for it! This workshop introduces exciting beading techniques that have practical applications for quilts and garments. Students will create a reference sampler as they learn: basic bead stitch, bead appliqué, picot stitch, branched fringe, netting, bead embroidery, and more. Be prepared to become addicted to the special effects not to mention the fun beading provides.
Handwork - NO beading experience is necessary.
Kit fee required - $6.00 (contains beads, embellishment items & beading thread)

The Bright Side - Beaded Bindings

Preview what Mary is predicting to be the newest trend in bead embellishment.....quilt bindings decorated with beads!! Students will create a reference sampler of innovative (and very easy) techniques to create quilt bindings edged with beads. These bead accents will provide a gently framed or highly dramatic effect to quilts of all construction styles. Once you recognize the fabulous impact these techniques achieve, the bindings of your existing wall quilts will surely tempt you!
Kit fee required $6.00 (consisting of all the beads and beading thread)
Handwork - no experience necessary.
*Note - content is the same as the morning portion of the full-day class, "The Brighter Side".

More Beaded Binding Techniques

You asked for it.....additional new beaded binding techniques! Preview what Mary is predicting to be the newest trend in bead embellishment.....quilt bindings decorated with beads!! Students will create a reference sampler of innovative (and very easy) techniques to create quilt bindings edged with beads. These bead accents will provide a gently framed or highly dramatic effect to quilts of all construction styles. Once you recognize the fabulous impact these techniques achieve, the bindings of your existing wall quilts will surely tempt you! It is not necessary to have taken any previous beading classes to enjoy this workshop.
Kit fee required $6.00 (contains beads & beading thread)
Handwork - no experience necessary.
*Note - content is the same as the afternoon portion of the full-day class, "The Brighter Side".

You Can Improve Your Quilting Stitch!

Learn to achieve small even stitches on the front & back of quilts. An in depth discussion covering the many aspects that impact the stitch such as: batting, needles, marking, hoops, & basting will provide a solid foundation to help you produce a fine quilting stitch. Mary will literally hold your hand as you learn the anatomy of the stitch, the WHY and HOW of every movement. If you are dissatisfied with your stitches, take this class & start improving!
Handwork - all skill levels will benefit from this class!

Full-Day Workshops

"Fish Sticks" - example of techniques covered in class

Attention To Detail

This IDEA workshop explores how embellishments can make an ordinary project extra- ordinary! In the morning, students will make a beaded reference sampler as they learn unique easy fundamental beading techniques including the basic bead stitch, straight and curve line beading, scatter stitching, and the lazy stitch. We'll also learn to attach beads, charms, buttons, trinkets, & unusual objects to quilts and garments. Eliminate sagging beads and untidy looking threads on your embellishments. (This is an introductory beading class.) Mary also demos her 3-D techniques. Review flip charts of how to's, examine finished work, & view inspirational/educational slides. Questions regarding student's current projects are encouraged.
Supply fee: $5.00 for beading kit. (contains beads, embellishment items, & beading thread)
Handwork - all skill levels, no beading experience necessary.
NOTE: The morning portion of this class is the same as "Unique Beading Tricks".

Penny Power! - Nostalgic Penny Style Rugs

Penny Rug is the name given to a folk art style of wool appliqué, popular in the mid 19th century. They earned their name from the coins that were used as templates for the circles of graduated sizes that were often featured along with simple flowers, fruits, and animals. These blanket stitch embroidered "rugs" were actually used on tabletops! Mary will personally guide you through the entire process to create your own small Penny Rug design for the wall or tabletop. We'll explore various construction approaches for working by hand, machine, or a combination...it's your choice. You'll love the ease and fun of Mary's innovative design motifs which feature buttons and "bead appliquéTM" techniques. Many samples will be provided to inspire your creativity.
Handwork - machines are optional but welcome, all skill levels, no beading experience necessary.

Example - The Stori of Beaded Embellishment, Martingale, 2001.

Goose Feather Christmas Tree

This folk art project workshop will focus on decorative beading techniques, including branched fringe, drops, trims, and more. Students should be well on their way to completion of the 17" x 20" wall hanging at the end of the day. Tree will be hand appliquéd (optional by machine).
Kit fee required - $25.00 - contains; all beads, ornaments, embellishment items, & thread.
Handwork - all levels - No beading experience necessary.

The Brighter Side - Beaded Bindings

Preview what Mary is predicting to be the newest trend in bead embellishment.....quilt bindings decorated with beads!! Students will create two reference samplers of innovative (and very easy) techniques to create quilt bindings edged with beads. These bead accents will provide a gently framed or highly dramatic effect to quilts of all construction styles. Once you recognize the fabulous impact these techniques achieve, the bindings of your existing wall quilts will surely tempt you! Class includes a discussion about beads - purchasing, storing, care of beaded projects. Handwork - no beading experience necessary. .
Handwork - no beading experience necessary.
Kit fee required $8.00 (contains beads & beading thread)
Note: class content is the same as both half-day beaded binding classes listed above.

Example - Binding embellished with colorlined clear/white seed beads.

Example - The Stori of Beaded Embellishment, Martingale, 2001 (pg. 53)

Standing Tall For The Red, White, & Blue

Show your American spirit by creating a fast pieced patriotic flag wall quilt that will sparkle with bead embellishments. Learn Mary's fun, yet EASY beading techniques to create bugle bead stars and fringe dangles. You'll depart with a new appreciation of the value and impact beadwork can add to quilts and will be eager to complete the "flag" at home.
Bead kit required - $ 20.00 - contains all the beads to complete the project, plus beading thread.
Minimal machine work, handwork - all levels - No beading experience necessary.

"Bead Applique" a Funky Rooster

It doesn't get much better than this! Students will learn decorative bead embellishment techniques to "bead appliqué" as they create their own colorful folk art style rooster wall quilt. It's fast, fun, and completely unique! Mary's beading methods translate to a wide range of designs and other materials for future projects. Some advance preparation will provide a jump start for quicker assembly. Complimentary "rooster" pattern provided.
Handwork - all skill levels

Love of Many Colors

Who said wall quilts have to be square? This striking, Amish inspired, long narrow quilt can be hung in the most unexpected display areas; the perfect solution when your home's wall space is already filled with quilts! We'll combine numerous techniques such as; string pieced heart appliqué units, "frame" fusing, decorative machine appliqué, flat piping, and a beaded binding to assemble this striking quilt. You'll enjoy learning these fun and effective methods which can easily be incorporated into future projects!
Machine required - all skill levels

Technicolor Stars in Paradise

This project features colorful string pieced stars floating above a rising/setting sun and highlighted with beads. We'll combine numerous techniques such as; string pieced star appliqué units, "frame" fusing, machine couching, bead appliqué, and a beaded binding to assemble this striking quilt. The techniques are fun to explore, easy to accomplish, yet appear complex. Although the quilt won't be completed in a one-day class, you'll learn all the tricks necessary to finish it at home.
Machine class - all skill levels

You Can Improve Your Quilting Stitch!

Learn to achieve small even stitches on the front & back of quilts. An in depth discussion covering the many aspects that impact the stitch such as: batting, needles, marking, hoops, & basting will provide a solid foundation to help you produce a fine quilting stitch. Mary will literally hold your hand as you learn the anatomy of the stitch, the WHY and HOW of every movement. This full-day format will allow plenty of practice time. If you are dissatisfied with your stitches, take this class & start improving!
Handwork - all levels

Quilts That Stand Out In A Crowd

Accentuate your quilting motifs with trapunto. Learn to adapt templates and designs for stuffing & cording, without damage to the quilt back. Learn Mary's easy approach to meander stipple quilting to further enhance the trapunto...it's addictive! Students will practice the techniques on a small whole-cloth wall quilt (fiddle head fern pattern provided) or make muslin samples if you prefer. These techniques easily translate to the machine.
Supply fee - $5.00
Handwork - some experience in basic hand quilting.

Two or Three Day Workshops

*Note - Mary is happy to customize other two/three/or four day workshops for your retreats. Contact to discuss your needs.

Rainforest Royalty

The Kuna people of the Panama region have been creating hand sewn traditional folk art fabric pieces for more than a century. Molitas are distinctive for their appliquè motifs which often pairs birds, turtles, fish, and butterflies with flowers and foliage. Mary has updated this tradition with a Molita style project, using brightly colored solid fabrics, as is the custom of the original creators. Students will progress quickly as they learn to substitute machine appliquè and embroidery for some of the hand sewing. Hand embroidery and exciting beadwork techniques will be explored to embellish the project. This is YOUR project please feel free to use the panel as a quilted wall hanging, a pillow top, tote bag, or to highlight a garment.
Machine and hand work class - all skill levels
Customized beading kits to compliment your fabric choices can be ordered pe-paid from Mary for $12.00.
For more information, please e-mail Mary at marystori@charter.net
World Wide Quilting Page * Mary Stori's Page