2019 Blog writing challenge - Day 10 - Most impactful class

I live in Dallas and have the benefit of a robust Guild.  It raises money from its annual show (March each year), and uses some of the proceeds to fund great speakers for our monthly Guild programs.

Here are some of the speakers
1. One of the first meetings I attended featured a speaker about rescuing blocks that weren't working well.  She gave examples of techniques to rescue the blocks: setting on point by adding triangles, making blocks equal sizes by adding coping strips, changing focus with contrasting fabrics, etc.
2. Ami Simms.  Her general program was a personal history, featuring mistakes she had made (very funny).  Her workshop was on string piecing, and she taught me how to iron for quilting, sew strips together in different directions to prevent warping. She also had her book for sale on "I Spy Quilts", and that idea, new to me, set me off on collecting and trading novelty fabrics, and making eight I Spy quilts over the years for family members and donations.
3. Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr, from the Modern Quilt Studio.  We had them as separate speakers in different years.  They both gave excellent talks on design and color, and I took a workshop with Bill that gave me great insights into selecting colors and fabrics, values for a project.  Their books and patterns are excellent.
4. Local quilt teacher, Sharon Wilhelm.  I took several techniques classes with her.  hand quilting, machine quilting, advanced quilting making (that included machine applique, paper pieceing (mariners compass), mitered borders, etc.).  Sharon is a very patient and thorough teacher, great handouts,  provides alternative approaches. She has great patterns as well, currently featuring blocks with crayons and hand embroidery.
5. Cynthia England. Winner of Best in Show at Houston a few years ago.  I took her workshop on Picture quilting, and also heard lectures at the Dallas Guild and Dallas Show. Her picture technique is one of a kind, and I made a small wall quilt of the Texas flag from one of her patterns (won an honorable mention at the Texas State fair).  Her patterns have you put samples of the selected fabric on a paper "palette" so you can easily refer to it for the color variations.  Elizabeth Hartman's patterns suggest the same thing.  A good approach to take away.
6. The late Gwen Marston.  Dallas lecture and workshop on improvisational quilting.
7. Bonnie Hunter.  Entertaining lecture.  Her book was good too.  She wasn't as helpful in the workshop after the first hour (it was a class on a string pieced quilt).  She was more interested in going to visit some local quilt shops in the area. Probably just an off day.