Discover, Create & Connect

CREATIVITY IN BITE SIZE PIECES

Ready to take your quilting to the next level?
Block Studies Collective is about tapping into your own brand of creativity, making time for play, and developing your unique creative voice.

The membership is not just about creating beautiful pieces, it's also about creating within a community, exchanging ideas and encouragement, and spending some quality time both at our sewing machines and with a group of like-minded folks!

Dive into a world of vibrant colors, learn new techniques, and create beautiful quilt studies that spark your creativity! I hope you’ll join me on this 6 month adventure! Read on below for all the details.

Membership runs from October 2025-March 2026.
You will have ongoing access to the course content after the membership ends as well!

Video

WHAT'S INSIDE?

6 months of color palettes, block patterns and creative prompts delivered on the 1st of each month from October 2025- March 2026.

MONTHLY BLOCK PATTERN
Every month you will receive a technique focused block pattern and various creative prompts. The blocks are designed to grow your skills and can be made with precision or ruler free! The creative prompts are to help you practice the technique and play with different color and block variations. Techniques we will be exploring range from traditional piecing, to improv, no tear foundation paper piecing, curves, hand piecing and more!

CURATED COLOR PALETTE
Each color palette coordinates with the block pattern for the month. The palettes might range from just a few colors to more complex palettes focused on color interaction and value contrast.

Use the given palette or create your own, as there will always be prompts to help you explore your own color choices!!

THE FABRICS -USE YOUR OWN STASH OR PURCHASE FABRICS ONLINE
Use the fabrics and scraps you have on hand, purchase fabric bundles form Tara or order fabrics from your local quilt store. Whatever works for you!

Pricing options

Choose the option that’s right for you

VIDEO TUTORIALS
Every month Tara will take you step by step through the block, giving you insights into the colors and values in the palette, tips and tricks for the block and ways to take the block of the month forward.

TWICE MONTHLY ZOOM MEETUPS
Get together for presentations from Tara and guest speakers. This is a place to connect in real time to share your thoughts, questions and progress. All meetings will be at 4 pm Pacific time, and will always be recorded for later viewing.

DROP IN SEW DAYS
One weekend day each month Tara will have open drop in hours, so you can hang out and sew, ask questions, share your work and get to know other members.

GUEST SPEAKERS
Libs Elliott, Zak foster and Jen Carlton Bailly will be coming on to chat about their sewing practice and share their work!

A SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY OF LIKE MINDED QUILTERS
There is nothing quite like being with a group of creative folks to get inspired and make new friendships! This is one of my favorite aspects of a membership- these are your people!! There will be a members only community on Thinkific, a private space to share our work, ask questions and cheer each other on.

MORE GOODIES:
• How to scale up the design for a larger throw size quilt.
• How to change and customize the monthly palettes.
• Palettes will be offered in several manufacturers.
• Variations on the monthly prompt- from improv to precision!
Ready to join the fun?

Here's what folks are saying about the Block Studies Collective

5 star rating

Mindblowingly A W E S O M E!!

Elizabeth Goldbaum

I watched segments twice, took notes, printed the written instructions and notated those.....so clear, concise and helpful! Tara, you are a natural instructor and your can-do, try-it-out, experiment philosophy - and the speed with which you tackle...

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I watched segments twice, took notes, printed the written instructions and notated those.....so clear, concise and helpful! Tara, you are a natural instructor and your can-do, try-it-out, experiment philosophy - and the speed with which you tackle what seems like insanely complicated techniques - helped build my confidence!

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5 star rating

Block Studies with Tara Faughnan

shelley paine

Tara Faughnan is an extraordinary artist. She shares freely and is incredibly supportive.the video tutorials breakdown each block and technique into great detail. I would recommend this class to anyone wanting to learn quilt technique and wants to...

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Tara Faughnan is an extraordinary artist. She shares freely and is incredibly supportive.the video tutorials breakdown each block and technique into great detail. I would recommend this class to anyone wanting to learn quilt technique and wants to launch into their own design work.

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5 star rating

Wonderful experimentation and play

Val Shewell

Lots of fun learning about MY color preferences!

Lots of fun learning about MY color preferences!

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5 star rating

Free your creative spirit in a supportive community

Debra Stoner

This course is a unique combination of structured freestyle quilting. I love it. There is plenty of instruction to put you at ease and vibrant encouragement to push you into experimenting. Thank you, Tara, you rock color and design!

This course is a unique combination of structured freestyle quilting. I love it. There is plenty of instruction to put you at ease and vibrant encouragement to push you into experimenting. Thank you, Tara, you rock color and design!

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5 star rating

An adventure in colour and improvisation

Cathie Delaney

This course was the first time I have ever been given a colour palette and a pattern, and then encouraged to make it my own. The course community page provided wonderful inspiration, along with Tara's discussions about colour and pattern

This course was the first time I have ever been given a colour palette and a pattern, and then encouraged to make it my own. The course community page provided wonderful inspiration, along with Tara's discussions about colour and pattern

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5 star rating

Inspiring and motivating

Sherry Keller

Tara, just finished watching all the month's videos and I have to say that I am raring to go and so impressed by the generosity and the way you share your ideas and process. AWESOME! Hope to see you soon.

Tara, just finished watching all the month's videos and I have to say that I am raring to go and so impressed by the generosity and the way you share your ideas and process. AWESOME! Hope to see you soon.

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5 star rating

Inspiring

Debra Stoner

I was never comfortable playing with colors. I was a quilt kit person. Now I'm crazy about playing with colors. I trust myself to have fun and follow my intuition. It's freeing! Tara is a fantastic teacher. She encourages exploration and experimen...

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I was never comfortable playing with colors. I was a quilt kit person. Now I'm crazy about playing with colors. I trust myself to have fun and follow my intuition. It's freeing! Tara is a fantastic teacher. She encourages exploration and experimentation, then praises all the effort.

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Why join the Block Studies Collective?

The Block Studies Collective is your space to dive into new techniques, get creative, and connect with a wonderful and encouraging community of quilters.

  • YOU LOVE PLAYING WITH COLOR
    and would like to explore new palettes

  • YOU LOVE TO SEW
    but need some smaller projects you can actually finish!

  • YOU WANT TO EXPERIMENT WITH NEW TECHNIQUES
    and having videos to learn from is a great way to see how its done

  • YOU ARE AN EXPERIENCED QUILTER
    and want to spend time exploring your creativity!

  • YOU ARE A NEW QUILTER
    and want to spend time exploring your creativity AND learn new techniques!

Meet the Guest Speakers

Libs Elliott

Guest Speaker

Elizabeth (Libs) Elliott is a textile artist and designer exploring the intersection of technology and traditional craft by using generative design to build handmade quilts. A deep appreciation for craftsmanship, design history and future-focused applications are all reflected in her work. She studied Material Art & Design at OCAD University and received a B.A. in Cultural Studies at Trent University. Her commissions include work for individuals and corporate clients such as Absolut Vodka. She has exhibited her work and done speaking engagements internationally. She designs fabric collections for Andover Fabrics, Inc. Her work has been covered by press such as Gizmodo.com, DesignMilk and Casa Vogue Brazil. She lives and works in Toronto, Canada.

Zak Foster

Guest Speaker

Jen Carlton Bailly

Guest Instructor

In a previous life Jen Carlton Bailly probably sold you a pair of jeans or khakis at The Gap. Today you’ll find her covered in thread and searching down the latest inspiration for a quilt. A self proclaimed master at curves, she finds pleasure in creating quilts with secondary patterns that make you stop and wonder. Originally from Utah, Jen found her way to Portland, Oregon via Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Seattle. While Portland is amazing, she misses the dry desert and the Rocky Mountains. Jen has a love for: cats, cats on quilts, cats wearing costumes, baking, sewing, gin rummy, fabric, Vespa’s, and the Oxford Comma. Jen has no love for: Radio Head (she knows, she knows), socks, wool (she’s allergic), Candyland, and being called Jenny.

Meet Tara

Tara Faughnan

I am a professional textile designer and quilter living and working in Oakland, CA. I started to quilt around 2001 or so, using a reprint of the 1931 edition of 101 Patchwork Patterns by Ruby Short McKim as my guide. I had no idea such things as rotary cutters, rulers or plastic templates existed, and spent many happy weeks tracing around cardboard templates and cutting out pieces with a pair of scissors. Somewhere along the way, my love of quilting led to school and on to a career in textile design, with clients including Michael Miller Fabrics, Riley Blake and Pottery Barn Kids.  I find inspiration in forms, shapes and the place where 2 seams meet. Color interaction is the key inspiration that drives me. It's that intuitive moment when you put two colors together, and then two more, and two more after that that I focus on. The explorations are endless and  I strive to try to walk the line of discomfort and still make everything work together as a whole.     I draw a lot of inspiration from the simple bold geometry of antique quilts, the gorgeous bright colors from textiles around the world, and freedom and spontaneity found in unconventional and improvisational quilts.  When I look at my current work, I see all 3 of these aspects represented.  I like to use simple geometry, complex color interaction and find the line the exists somewhere between harmony and discord.

FAQ

  • Do I need to buy fabric each month?

    No, you can use the fabrics and scraps you have on hand! You can always purchase fabrics from me or participating shops as well.

  • Can I cancel my membership at any time?

    Of course!
    Pay in full memberships ($210 one-time fee level) may be cancelled at any time and will be refunded at the $39/month rate.

    Pay as you go memberships ($39 monthly fee level) may also be cancelled at any time.

    Once you cancel, you will lose access to all content at the end of your current billing cycle.

    All refunds will be less any processing fees incurred by the payment service providers.

  • How long will I have access to the content?

    You will have unlimited ongoing access!! If you cancel your membership, you will lose access to the content on your renewal date.

  • Will I be making a quilt each month?!

    You can make the block for each month, and if you love the technique, guidance will be provided for creating something larger or a finished product like larger quilts, pillows, zip pouches, bags and wall hangings.

  • Will the Zoom sessions be recorded?

    Yes! It will take about 24 hours to make the recordings available after each meet up

  • Still have a question?

    Email me at [email protected]

More goodies for members

  • Tutorials on wrapping small studies

    Tara will share her technique of how to wrap the studies on canvas frames to create gorgeous wall art and gifts

  • Bonus presentations on color and value

    Each month, Tara will go in depth on why the palette was chosen, what effect value has on the colors, and how you can take it in a new direction

  • Access to a Mastermind Group

    A place to connect with other quilters in small groups- to share ideas and support one another!

Pricing options

2 pricing tiers to fit your budget!

Zoom Schedule

All Zoom meetings will be recorded and available to view on-demand.

OCTOBER: Wednesday Oct 1st & Tuesday Oct 14th

NOVEMBER: Monday Nov 3rd & Tuesday Nov 18th (with Libs Elliott)

DECEMBER: Tuesday Dec 2nd & Thursday Dec 18th (with Zak Foster)

JANUARY: Monday Jan 5th & Thursday Jan 22nd (with Jen Carlton Bailly)

FEBRUARY: Tuesday Feb 3rd

MARCH: Tuesday March 3rd & Monday March 23rd