Workshop Schedule 2023 » Workshop Descriptions

Thursday, July 27, 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM 

Let’s Talk Rulers

SOLD OUT

Workshop 201
Beginner
Kit Fee $10 – payable in class

Longarm machines provided by Handi Quilter and sponsored by Sanford Sewing Machines

Rulers/Templates are a great tool for the hand guided longarm quilter when precision is the goal. With proper technique and the right rulers for the task, you can design and execute a stunning quilt. We will discuss and practice: 

• Ruler Safety Measures 
• Proper Equipment 
• Ways to mark a quilt 
• Straight line quilting including Stitch in the Ditch (SITD) and Piano Keys 
• Dot to Dot Quilting 
• Quilting Curves 

At the end of class each student will be able to take their quilt sandwich home as a reminder of the skills learned. All materials needed in class will be provided. Students may wish to bring a notebook and writing utensil. 

Thursday July 27, 1:30 PM – 4 PM

Dynamite Longarm Quilting Results with TNT

SOLD OUT

Workshop 203 
All Levels
Kit Fee $25 – payable in class

Longarm machines provided by Handi Quilter and sponsored by Sanford Sewing Machines

 An understanding of Thread, Needles and Tension (TNT) will explode in this informative class for everyone from beginner to advanced quilters. Students will learn to troubleshoot tension issues and choose the proper needle for a project. The fun of the class is hands-on experience with two students at each longarm machine experimenting with many different types and weights of thread. We will play with many different products from Superior Threads including cotton, tri-lobal polyester, metallic, and glitter threads. This class will boost the student’s confidence to try all sorts of threads. 

• Understand the many types of thread available for longarm quilting 
• Learn about longarm needles 
• Understand the correlation between needles and thread 
• Learn techniques for using all threads 
• Learn to use a horizontal spool pin Improve tension troubleshooting skills 
• Improve tension troubleshooting skills 

At the end of class each student will be able to take their quilt sandwich home as a reminder of the skills learned. Each student will receive a class handout and a goodie bag. All materials needed in class will be provided. Students may wish to bring a notebook and writing utensil. 

*If you have a thread that has given you problems in the past, please feel free to bring it and try it during class.

Friday, July 28, 8:30 AM -1:30 PM

Fun Free Motion Fills

SOLD OUT

Workshop 301
Beginner
Kit Fee $10 – payable in class

Longarm machines provided by Handi Quilter and sponsored by Sanford Sewing Machines

Free-Motion Quilting should be FUN! In this class we will explore designs appropriate for all over designs on a quilt. Some of these designs can also be used at a smaller scale and in micro-quilting. We will discuss the impact of density and how to adjust the designs for various spaces. 

• Add designs to your free-motion quilting toolbox 
• Practicing doodling before quilting 
• Understand the impact of quilting density 
• Determine and maintain density in an all-over design 
• Introduction to Micro-Quilting adjustments. 

Students will practice these designs working on a longarm machine with a partner in a low-stress and non-judgmental atmosphere. Each student will receive handouts and materials to help them practice and refine their quilting designs. At the end of class each student will be able to take their quilt sandwich home as a reminder of the skills learned. All materials needed for the class will be provided. Students may wish to bring a notebook and writing utensil. 

Friday, July 28, 1:30 PM– 4:30 PM

Free Motion Designs for the Artistically Challenged

SOLD OUT

Workshop 303
Intermediate
Kit Fee $15 – payable in class

Longarm machines provided by Handi Quilter and sponsored by Sanford Sewing Machines

Let’s face it- we are not all comfortable with our artistic abilities, but there are ways to be more successful in your longarm and art quilting. This class will be great for anyone with a basic understanding of how to use a longarm quilting machine- we will NOT be spending time on the basics. 

In this class we will learn to: 

• Learn to mark and use stencils 
• Make an original Edge to Edge (E2E) stencil 
• Mark a quilt to assist free-motion quilting (FMQ) 
• Discuss various marking options 
• Use a stencil to mark an owl and make decisions about how to fill the spaces 

At the end of class each student will be able to take their quilt sandwich home as a reminder of the skills learned. They will also be able to take home the stencils they make and use during class. All materials needed in class will be provided. Students may wish to bring a notebook and writing utensil. 

Saturday, July 29, 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Confetti Quilting on the Longarm

Workshop 401
Intermediate
Kit Fee $20 – payable in class

Longarm machines provided by Handi Quilter and sponsored by Sanford Sewing Machines

Students enrolled in this class should be familiar with free-motion (FMQ) and ruler techniques on a longarm quilting machine. We will NOT be covering the basics. 

This project-based class will give practical application of many techniques to produce a placemat. Begin with some ruler work and toss in some free-motion quilting for a party on your quilt! 

Some of the skills taught will be: 

• Stitch and flip piecing 
• Changing and using different feet 
• Making designs that will fit in sashing or borders 
• Raw-edge applique on the longarm 
• Apply binding on the frame 

Students will be working with a partner on a longarm machine. At the end of class each student will be able to take their quilt sandwich home as a reminder of the skills learned. If we work efficiently, this will be a completed placemat with binding attached to the front. All materials needed in class will be provided. Students may wish to bring a notebook and writing utensil. 

Thursday July 27, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Suspended

Workshop 210
Confident Beginner

Bernina Sewing Machines provided by The Cotton Cupboard

A monochromatic three-dimensional design made with half-hexagons and diamonds. As a fully pieced organic quilt: you’ll play with design and cube placement, learn how to construct a perfect “Butterfly Seam” for effortless inset stitching, and master partial seams to float the cubes within the pieced background. I’ll walk you through step-by-step and will not leave you “suspended”.

Friday July 28, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Modern Free Wheeling Circles

Workshop 309
All Levels

Bernina Sewing Machines provided by The Cotton Cupboard

Modern and bold stitched with speed and ease with an extra curve or two. Is that possible? This is my 2017 Iron Quilter Challenge design. Learn the raw edge technique to achieve perfect “stress-free” curves without piecing. Experiment with different layouts to produce a unique design. Game on!

Saturday, July 29, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Caribbean Star 2

Workshop 407
All Levels

Bernina Sewing Machines provided by The Cotton Cupboard

The view, the Caribbean is all about the view. The water and sky, drinks every shade of blue. The daily attitude is relaxed with a hint of breeze. That’s the feeling I wanted in Caribbean Star 2. How do you see it?

Saturday July 29, 9 AM – 12 Noon

Stuffed Dachshund Puppy

Workshop 701
Children ages 7-12 (no previous sewing experience)

Kids will sew a new best friend with the cutest stuffed dog! These sweet dog plushies will be customized by using beautiful, colorful cotton fabric chosen by the students.  After learning how to operate a sewing machine, kids will use their machine to stitch their floppy ears and sew around the body of their dogs.  Finishing their cuddly dogs will include stuffing, hand stitching the opening closed, embellishing with ribbons, and sewing a matching dog bone for their new favorite pet! 

Saturday, July 29, 1 PM – 3 PM

Dinosaur or Flamingo Tote Bag

Workshop 702
Children ages 7-12 (no previous sewing experience)

It’s always fun to sew something you can use!  Kids will rock their new one-of-a-kind tote bag!  Using a lightweight canvas, students will sew either an adorable dinosaur bag or a cute flamingo bag.  These bags will be great for trips to the library or helping them stay organized. After learning how to operate a sewing machine, kids will use their machine to zig-zag around their dinosaur or flamingo applique, stitch down their handles, sew a lining, box their corners and finish the bag using a simple tote bag construction method.

Thursday July 27, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Repeated on Saturday July 29, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Hand Piecing

Workshop 209 (Thursday) and 408 (Saturday)

During this workshop Jen will cover the gentle art of hand piecing, drafting patterns, cutting templates & working with pre-cut acrylic templates. Jen will supply a drunkard’s path pattern for you to use or you can choose to bring any of Jen’s patterns to work on.

Friday July 28, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Adventures in Hand Appliqué

Workshop 310

During this workshop you will be exploring appliqué techniques, tips & tricks that Jen uses in many of her finished projects. With a focus on unique designs to personalize your projects, you will explore each step of the appliqué process and the different methods that can be applied. Bring along your own work in progress or start something new.

Thursday, July 27, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Grow With the Flow

Workshop 205
All Levels
Grow with the Flow (any skill level)

Easy techniques and beautiful colors lead to this cute little sprout project.

• We’ll go with the flow and do some free rotary cutting for the background. SO easy and fast!
• Next, we’ll do some “Fussy Fusing” for the plant. It’s a technique for fusing lots of small pieces of fabric into one larger shape. Also easy and fast.
• Finally, you’ll learn how to finish your quilt with a facing.

A one day class with lots of “growth!” (Yes, pun intended.)

Friday, July 28,  8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Double Reverse Appliqué

Workshop 305
Free motion skills needed

Check out the killer project for this class! You’ll finish an apple in class and start on a pear. This raw edged appliqué technique is extremely accurate. Ellen’s tricks for staying organized will ensure that your class time is efficient, productive, and free of frustration. You’ll also learn tips for making your own DRA patterns.

Saturday, July 29, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Design Your Own Nature Quilt 

Workshop 404
Note: No artistic skills are needed, but artistic courage is required. 

This class will help take the fear out of design. Using your own nature photo, you’ll learn how to interpret it in fabric. Multiple group and solo exercises will give you the skills and confidence you need to start your own design. A raw edge collage technique will ensure maximum flexibility and speedy results. Your quilt will look entirely different from the photo shown since you’ll design it from your own photo. 

Thursday, July 27, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

City Girl Chevron

Workshop 207 
Confident Beginner

Janome sewing machines provided by Seams Sew Perfect

An Art Deco twist to a Chevron quilt — Do you want to make a Chevron Quilt, but need a little more pizazz than the tried and true? This fun take gives you the option of using multiple color combinations in one quilt. Use gold accent strips to make these Chevron diamonds sparkle. Or lay out your diamonds light to dark for an ombre effect. This quilt is entirely strip-pieced and foolproof. No fussy piecing techniques. If you are just getting into quilting, this would be a good next step on your new quilting journey. 

Friday, July 28, 8:30AM – 4:30 PM

Entangled Sky

Workshop 307
Confident Beginner to Intermediate

Janome sewing machines provided by Seams Sew Perfect

Make a Statement!

The Entangled Sky quilt is made entirely out of 2½” strips and is deceptively easy to assemble. All the magic happens with three shades of each color, light, medium, and dark. Constructed essentially from two different blocks, get a 3D effect by arranging the A and B blocks to meet each other. Achieve a complicated architectural look without all the fussy piecing and no Y seams! Come learn from Krista all the tips and tricks for cutting and piecing trapezoids and triangles in an easy, fast, and precise way. If you have been wanting to break out of the same old quilting routine and try something different, this class will inspire confidence and equip you with new techniques.

Saturday July 29, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Biggy The Bee

Workshop 406
Confident Beginner

Janome sewing machines provided by Seams Sew Perfect

Playful and fun! Biggy the Bee has a big personality for a little quilt. This baby-sized quilt is simple to make using the Creative Grids 60-Degree Diamond Ruler. Gain confidence in piecing with angles (no Y seams) and fabric selection. The pieces are large and uncomplicated letting the fabric do the talking. If you have been wanting to break out of the same old quilting routine and try something different, this class is just the thing. Krista will teach different techniques that will be valuable additions to your quilting skills library. 

Thursday July 27, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Moths and Moons

Workshop 206
Beginning to intermediate     

We will spend the day making marvelous moths! Each student will get a patterns and directions for making the Moths and Moons Quilt, $18. Bring your favorite fabrics or purchase a kit from Jane’s stash of FreeSpirit designs to create one to three giant moths (approximately 27”W X 21”H each). They will be assembled using Jane’s accessible appliqué method. After class you will be able to stitch your background and apply your gorgeous critters.

Friday, July 28, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Pattern Play

Workshop 306
Level – Beginning to advanced

This workshop will explore many classic and nontraditional ways of applying pattern.   We will examine historic ornament and decorative design throughout the course.  We will do several design exercises on paper that will evolve onto a unique fiber project.

This course strives to stimulate new ways to add energy and excitement to your work with surface decoration.  It will also supply you with a collection of unique designs to apply to your surface design or fiber art.

Saturday July 29, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

Wings & Wedges

Workshop 405
LEVEL –All
Sewing machine needed (at least a few of decorative stitches)

In a fabric collage of simple symmetrical shapes, you will learn the basics of Jane’s accessible machine appliqué techniques. We will cut into stabilized fat fabric quarters and use the resulting shapes in a unique collage composition. This will also provide a chance to sharpen your design and machine embroidery skills.

Thursday, July 27, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

The Best T-Shirt Quilt Ever 

Workshop 208
Suitable for intermediate quilters (basic quiltmaking skills are assumed).

Our favorite t-shirts (or the collection of a loved one’s t’s) usually have lots of really special memories tied to them. Loved to death and ready to retire, Blair will guide you through turning your tees into the coziest quilt you’ve ever snuggled under. We will cover design ideas, how to tame stretchy and unconventional fabrics, and discuss design strategies to showcase the best part from each tee.

Friday, July 28, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM

The Starflake Quilt

Workshop 308
Confident Beginner 

Let’s take a deeper look at your fabric stash and use it in a whole new way. The Starflake quilt is a harmoniously scrappy quilt, utilizing the power of color value. Blair will walk you through how to divide your fabrics into dark, medium, and light color values using her Ruby Ruler®️, then you’ll use those values to create the beautifully faceted Starflake quilt. This quilt simply glows, and showcases your favorite fabrics in a way you may never have even considered before.  The main focus of the class is on designing the quilt and working with student’s chosen fabrics to do that.

Saturday, July 29, 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM

Finding the Value in your Stash

Workshop 402
Skill level-Easy for confident beginners, eye-opening for seasoned quilters.

Let Blair open your eyes to brand new ways to play with fabric and color in your quilt designs! In this workshop, we will experiment and let chance be our guide as Blair shows you the magic of color value and how to use it. We will design our own scrappy quilt using what that new color value knowledge. 

*Note-This workshop requires the purchase of one Ruby Ruler®️ per student.

Saturday, July 29, 1:30 PM – 4:30 PM

Modern Chicken Scratch Embroidery

Workshop 403 
Easy to learn for all skill levels, but experience with hand embroidery is a bonus.

This brand-new workshop is all about the vintage craft of Chicken Scratch, or Snowflake, embroidery. Handstitched on gingham, this endlessly customizable method creates a sort of lacy optical illusion on your base cloth. It’s magic! We will learn the basics of Chicken Scratch stitching and weaving as we make a 20” square star motif panel. It can be finished into a pillow or used as a quilt square when completed.