Mark Lipinski's "One Hundred-One Tips on Quilting"
Membership Meeting Program—Friday, October 7, 2005
Review by JoAnne Powell
If EVER there was a program presenter or workshop teacher who underscored the
value of attending meetings and classes, Mark Lipinski is the poster boy!
You can read the tips below, but if you attended the October ELIQG membership
meeting, you'd still be smiling from his hysterical comments! Mark warned us, right
off the bat, that his program was rated R—but I didn't see a single person leave
before the polka music ended and Mark jumped off the stage, despite the fact that
his comments ran an hour beyond the usual schedule! All over Long Island, husbands
were wondering what their wives were up to. . .
Mark Lipinski's "Simple Simon Quilts"
Workshop - Saturday, October 8, 2005
Review by JoAnne Powell
From Mark's website, www.marklipinski.com: "There is just about no quilt that
comes together faster than these quick-to-piece Simple Simon blocks. The best part
is that using this pattern’s method of cutting and piecing, a quilter can do a queen-
sized quilt in just about the same amount of time as piecing a run-of-the-mill crib
size quilt! That’s why the Simple Simon is the perfect quilt to make to give to a friend
or family member as a token of your affection and good wishes. Simple Simon is so
versatile and easy to make that there is no end to the possibilities of color and style
combinations; your Simple Simon is bound to be a hit!"
In one day, I completed two sets of 25 blocks! While I might be able to do so at home,
I would not have had NEARLY the joyous experience Mark provided! And, as an art
teacher, I especially enjoyed his creative twists once the blocks were thought to be
complete! We examined a cluster of blocks from each of the 15 participants. First the
blocks were alternated, then staggered, then folded (to simulate cutting)—in half
vertically, in square quarters, in half diagonally, in triangular quarters—rearranged
into multiple combinations, layered, placed on point, and/or distorted with crazed
angles. (Mark named some of these variations: Simple Simon Met the Pie Man,
Simple Simon Blowing in the Wind, Simple Simon at the Pub, and Simple Simon on
Crack.) Because of the different fabric selections, the workshop participants were
amazed that a particular variation was perfect for one combination of fabrics, while
another variation was the answer for someone else. Each was unique and VERY
exciting! THIS is the kind of experience one would miss by just ordering a pattern.
Don't miss the next membership meeting when many of the quilts-in-progress will be
displayed. Pictures of the finished workshop quilts may be sent to Mark Lipinski,
13 Pickle Road, Califon, NJ 07830 (908-876-1208, www.marklipinski.com).
Mark was so generous with his time, talent and tips—let's have him back for his new
"Ribbons & Pinwheels" class (to be taught this summer in NJ). And be sure to look
for his new magazine for quilters, "Quilter's Home," due out in April 2006!