Denise’s quilts depend on the extensive use of multiple appliqué and (often integrated and intermixed) construction techniques. Her one-day hands-on Construction Techniques workshop focuses on appliqué and insetting – explaining and demonstrating why and when she uses reverse appliqué versus turned edge appliqué versus raw edge appliqué versus insetting; the relative strengths, benefits, and challenges of each technique; and how to consistently produce predictable, desired results. Her two-day workshop adds couching, free-form strip piecing, “thread shadowing” (similar to thread painting), and quilt finishing.

For example, as shown below, turned edge appliqué helps “pop” out objects from the background, whereas raw edge appliqué does exactly the opposite (in that it tends to flatten objects). Reverse appliqué, in contrast, helps with shadowing (lights and darks) and textures, adding to an object's distinct dimensionality and "personality" in ways not otherwise possible. Insetting is an alternative technique to turned edge appliqué, providing very clear fabric boundaries and no visible stitching.

Denise's Construction Techniques workshops focus on ensuring that each participant becomes fully comfortable with these various techniques, plus understanding the "when, why, and how" of their use.

Example of Reverse Appliqué

Example of Raw Edge Appliqué

Example of Turned Edge Appliqué

Example of an Inset Moon and Stones