Kathy provides lectures and workshops for quilt guilds, shops, shows and community groups. Her current lectures and workshops are listed on this page. Most of her lectures include trunk shows. Kathy is able to customize any lecture or workshop to meet the needs of your group. Listed at the end of this page is information about Kathy's quilt show judging. Once you have determined the services that may be of interest to your group, feel free to contact Kathy by email or phone with any questions. A written contract is required to hold dates for any group.

What makes the crowd at a quilt show stop at certain quilts and ignore others? Creative use of color and design make these breathtaking quilts. Kathy calls these quilts "the zingers." The skill to create zingers is seldom taught and is the hardest skill to develop. Kathy discusses color and design through a series of quilts, some that zing and others that don't. This slide show includes helpful hints from famous quiltmakers to help you develop your own artistic style. Your quilts will soon be stopping the crowd at the major shows!

During the early 1980s, Kathy lived near the Amish in Western Wisconsin. She admired their quiltmaking style and soon became friends with families in this community. She shares information about the history of the Amish, their lifestyle, quilts, furniture making and cheese making in Wisconsin. She will discuss the difference between Pennsylvania Amish quilts and Midwestern Amish quilts. Included will be a trunk show of quilts and Amish-made items.

The late 19th century was a unique and fascinating historical period. Kathy will discuss the history, lifestyle and quilts from the time when decadence was supreme. Members of the audience should bring quilts made during the 4th quarter, 19th century (especially any crazy quilts they may have). Members of the audience are encouraged to make and wear a fancy Victorian hat to the lecture. The member with the fanciest hat will win a special door prize provided by Kathy.

This is a new lecture by Kathy and a great companion to her workshop on edge treatments. Kathy discusses edge treatments for quilts and has a trunk show of quilts with great edges. Simple bindings, Amish bindings, reversible bindings, self-bound edges, scallops, prairie points, piping, cording , flanges, beading, ruffles, pleats … a great lecture and one sure to inspire guild members to make a great edge treatment for their next quilt!

Have you ever wondered why one quilt wins over another? Kathy shares the process of quilt show judging, what judges look for and why they make the decisions they do. Kathy shares easy tips to help you make award-winning quilts. She includes her "top ten tips" for entering quilt shows and information regarding choosing categories, writing quilt descriptions, shipping quilts to shows and volunteering on the judging floor.

In this humorous trunk show, Kathy tells the story of her life as a quiltmaker. She shares her disasters as well as her successes. This lecture is an encouragement to all who wonder if they will ever make an award-winning quilt. Kathy lays claim to the titles of "Queen of the Quilt Starters" and "Mistress of Mistakes." This lecture will keep your audience "in stitches."

The 1930s were one of the most difficult periods in our country's history. Learn what events caused the Great Depression and what life was like during that time. Kathy will share aprons, laces, doilies, fabrics and quilts from the time when everyone quickly learned how to "make do." Audience members are encouraged to bring Depression Era quilts.

Quilt makers have developed a variety of styles and techniques over the centuries. This lecture provides interesting facts on the history of quiltmaking, sewing tools and the design styles of those who stitched their way through the pages of history. Members of the audience are encouraged to bring antique and vintage quilts to be included in the lecture. At least 20 quilts are needed for this lecture. Kathy will ask the owners to say a few words about the history of their quilt. She will then discuss the quilt and the era in which it was made. As a certified appraiser with the American Quilter's Society, Kathy shares valuable information about appraisals, storing and displaying quilts, cleaning quilts and protecting tomorrow's treasures today.

This is a great class to learn a variety of techniques. Students will design and make an underwater scene using batiks, sheer and netting overlays, specialty threads, crazy quilt stitches, beads and embellishments. No two wall hangings look the same. These make great gifts for your favorite fisherman.

As a quilt show judge, Kathy knows just what it takes for a quilt to have good binding and finishing techniques. During this workshop, students will make samples of many finishing techniques. Included during the day will be French bindings, mitered corners, prairie points, piping, knife-edges, scallops, pleats, reversible bindings, fusible bindings, labels and sleeves. This is one of Kathy's most popular workshops. Students purchase a pre-cut kit for this class, making the supply list minimal.

This workshop is good as an all day workshop and fun to offer at a weekend retreat. When offered at a retreat, Kathy has games, recipes and ideas for decorations that can be used as part of the retreat. In addition to the class fee, students purchase a kit from Kathy on the day of the workshop. Each kit includes everything needed to make an elegant purse. Students will have a wide choice of colors, fabrics, silk ribbons, beads, laces and trims to complete their project. The supply list for this workshop is minimal. Each purse becomes a one-of-a-kind creation by their maker. The purses make wonderful evening bags for a prom, wedding, anniversary or promenade on the town!

Using a stack and slash method, students create a nine-block crazy quilt wall hanging during this workshop. This is a fun workshop that throws out all the rules of conventional quilt making. Nearly every student that has taken this workshop from Kathy has gone on to make more of these crazy quilts. During the workshop, students will learn historical information about crazy quilts. Kathy's half day workshop, A Sampler of Crazy Quilt Stitches is a good addition to this workshop.

Quilt makers who want to learn hand appliqué will love this workshop. Kathy teaches all the tricks she has learned to make appliqué quilts like the pros. Students will learn to make perfect circles, smooth curves, bias stems and great inside and outside points. Kathy teaches both needle-turn and prepared appliqué techniques during the workshop. This workshop will start each student on their way to becoming an appliqué artist.

Whoever said quilts had to be flat? Three-dimensional appliqué and embellishments can add a special flair and interest to your projects. Students will learn over a dozen dimensional techniques including ruching, stuffed appliqué, folded flowers, trapunto, weaving and embellishing with beads and buttons. Students will have a choice of patterns to purchase for their project. The patterns have all been designed by Kathy.

One of Kathy's specialties is crazy quilt stitches. In this workshop, students learn to make some of Kathy's favorite stitches. Included will be the feather stitch, blanket stitch, chain stitch, stem stitch, French knots and lazy daisy stitches. Kathy will also share silk ribbon techniques including the spider rose, folded rose, rosettes, Japanese ribbon leaves and boat leaves. Students may choose to make a wall hanging, pillow or Victorian needle case as their class project.

This is a good class for both new quilters as well as those with quilting experience. Students will learn about batting, thread, how to transfer designs and baste. Kathy will show how to achieve small, straight and uniform quilting stitches. The finished class project can become a pillow or wall hanging. Students will have a variety of patterns to choose from and only need to bring a few supplies for the class.

Kathy shares fun techniques for designing Hawaiian folded cutwork patterns. During this workshop, students will make a Hawaiian appliqué project by machine. Kathy will bring her Christmas designs for students to use or they can create their own individual designs. A sewing machine with a decorative blanket stitch or satin stitch is needed for this workshop. The history of Hawaiian quilt making will be shared. The students will leave with their top completed and ready to quilt.

Kathy Kansier became interested in textile competitions through her early involvement in 4-H programs in Wisconsin. During the early 1980s, she began entering food, clothing and quilts in adult classes of a local county fair. After moving to Missouri in 1992, she began entering her quilts into quilt competitions. Kathy became interested in the process of judging quilts and took a seminar on quilt judging in 1999. Since that time, she has worked either as a volunteer or the actual judge in over 35 shows. Her experience includes quilt show judging on the local, regional and national level.

Judges for quilt shows come from all sorts of backgrounds. They should be knowledgeable in the field of quilt making and judging. Each entry is evaluated on its strengths and weaknesses. Judges are expected to provide fair and unbiased decisions regarding comments and awards.

The purpose of judging a competitive quilt show is generally three-fold: 1) to evaluate each quilt in each category, using the same criteria, 2) to choose the award winners for the competition, and 3) to encourage and educate the entrants by providing a written critique for each entry. Kathy prefers the elimination process rather than a point system for competitive judging.

Kathy enjoys working with local volunteers on the judging floor. The volunteers often develop a better understanding of the process of judging. They also gain valuable information about good techniques and designs and become better quilt makers as a result of their volunteer work. The number of volunteers needed for a judging floor varies based on the size of the show. Normally six volunteers per four hour shift are sufficient. It is expected that the show coordinator or a judging coordinator will be available to help with the process.

Not all quilt shows are judged shows. These non-competitive shows are called exhibitions. They are popular with small guilds and shows. As a service to the quilt makers, the show sponsors may still high an experienced judge to provide written evaluations of the quilts. As with competitive judging, Kathy provides 5-7 written comments per entry for these exhibition shows. Her comments contain a balance of positive and constructive observations.

Most shows combine Kathy's teaching and appraisal services with her judging services. She is experienced in judging on a team as well as judging alone in a competition. To provide adequate time for each entry, it is best for Kathy to judge no more than 125 quilts in a given day. For shows that contract her judging services, Kathy is available to provide consultation regarding rules, categories and the judging process. She also provides a customized critique sheet for the judging and written instructions for volunteers.