This is a template class for those that are beyond the newby user, but are in search of guidance on how to create great patterns like Cathedral windows, curved-crosshatching and mandalas. Students will quilt a sampler-style quilt using several different templates.

One student per machine. Bring thread snips.

In this class you will learn over 20 free motion background fill designs that create amazing texture and add visual interest to your quilting. You will also discover how much fun it is to combine freeform ruler work and free motion quilting together in a few of the designs. We will also cover pebble quilting, and some of the fun ways you can change it up, to make it your own. In addition to the actual designs, I will share with you some very simple design ideas, such as adding in small areas of interest, and implied frames and borders that will take your background fill designs to a new level.

One student per machine. Bring thread snips.

Nothing pops creative quilting like great background fills! This class teaches bold, freehand background (negative space) designs, some which use a grid, some deriving from Sashiko and others reminiscent of zentangles. This class takes over where Dense & Dainty and Beautiful Backgrounds Grid-Based Fills end. Note: all patterns taught are different from these previous classes.

One person per machine. Bring thread snips.

So you’re not ready for the Major Leagues when it comes to working with rulers, no worries. Join Lisa in Rulers for Rookies and be ready for four full hours of ruler action. This class is a comprehensive hands on class incorporating not only straight edges and circles BUT some of the other Quilter’s Groove Rulers as well. Regardless of whether you’ve never touched a ruler, or feel that your skills could use a little coaching, this class is for you! Lisa will coach her team of temporary Rookies to victory while working on the Ohio star quilt block panel. She will have you pushing those days of feeling like a Rookie aside and have you ready for the Pros!

Bring thread snips. One student per machine.

If you are a newer longarm quilter ready to move beyond loops and swirls and get down to the business of becoming a confident freehand quilter, this 6 hour split class is the perfect choice. Begin with two hours of drawing and transition to the longarm. Master smoothly nesting freehand shapes using an echo style for professional edge to edge coverage, transforming your shapes into complex modern fills. Learn a complete repertoire of non-backtracking freehand feathers, gaining confidence until you are able to complete freehand, unmarked serpentine designs and master tucking feathers into curls. Address the use of threads, trouble shooting, and especially ergonomic safety to protect your body for years of happy quilting.

One student per machine. Bring thread snips.
2 part class
9am-11pm  Drawing
1pm-5pm  Hands-On  

This class is geared to new longarm users, those who are new to using templates or desire confidence-building skills. Starting at square one, I will teach technique and basic patterns that use straight and curved templates. We will learn line work, crosshatching and other fun and useful patterns.

One person per machine. Bring thread snips.

In this class, I will show you some of the amazing things that can be done with simple lines! Based on designs from my new book “More than Just Lines”, I will show you that lines do not have to be quilted simply one after the other … they can do SO much more. You will learn designs that can be used in all areas of your quilts; blocks, borders, backgrounds, etc. You are going to be amazed by the movement, and illusions that can be created by simply bending, or curving the lines in specific areas. Students should be confident stitching with a straight and curved ruler.

One student per machine. Bring thread snips.

Discover the creative possibilities that can be achieved when you start with a foundation of grid lines. By laying down a grid you now know where to place, position, and scale all the elements of the design. In this hands on class you will learn how to stitch out over 20 intricate grid based designs.

One student per machine. Bring thread snips.

Ever wonder what attributes of design make quilts go from pretty to stunning? Join me as we do a 2 part class. Three hours in the morning will be devoted to studying the features of design which make quilts great. We'll discuss making the most of negative (AKA empty!) space, marking tools, and which combinations of designs work best together (and why!). Then, each student will create their design for a lovely quilt top, with assistance from me. In the afternoon, we will execute these designs on the longarm, learning the proper order for quilting the many motifs. For students who have previously taken my "A is for Applique" class, this is very similar.  Note that the sample quilt for the class will not be an applique quilt. It will be a piece of my choosing with significant background space.

Part 1: 8:00-11:00 Design
Part 2: 1pm-5pm   Hands-On
One student per machine. Bring thread snips.

Straight line rulers are not just for “Piano keys” and Crosshatching! Let’s use your straight ruler to create some interesting designs. They can be used either in borders, blocks or even as background fills and allover designs. Switch the angles, add elements to the lines or even in between and be amazed at the effect. Straight line designs add visual impact to traditional and modern quilts alike. Your straight ruler will become your best friend!

 One student per machine. Bring thread snips.

 Are you new to long arming? Tired of working from the back of the machine? Then, this class is for YOU!!! We’ll explore fills, simple ruler work, and even simple feathers. We’ll discuss basics such as tension, basting, thread burying, and whatever else you wish! This is a great ‘starter’ class that’s meant to get you Ready to GO! Let’s put those Nikes on and “Just Do It”!!!! If I can, YOU can!!!

One student per machine. Bring thread snips. 

All the exotic shapes of your garden are at your command. Every shape in the garden can be broken down into three simple thread paths. Learn them and find your floral creativity exploding on the surface of your quilt. Quilt your bouquets on blocks, borders, and edge to edge. Bethanne’s easy step by step construction method will help you master any floral shape! Bring some photos for on the spot design fun!

One student per machine. Bring thread snips.

Let me show you a fun way to create unique designs that are so versatile you can use them as background fills, in borders and blocks, and as feature designs in large areas of negative space. By marking a basic “Tilework” layout (think: straight grid, circular grid, triangles, mosaic, and more), then filling in areas with multiple freehand designs, you will create designs that are unique to you! You will see how endless the options are when you discover how many creative options you have.

One student per machine. Bring thread snips.

Crosshatching comes in many forms. From straight, curved, wavy to modern. So where do you start? Join Dorie as she shows you some creative ways to quilt out Crosshatching designs with ease. Students will quilt out these designs on a border style sampler. You will leave the class with the confidence needed to try crosshatching on your next quilt project.

One student per machine. Bring thread snips.

Confidence is the key to success in Longarm quilting and the best way to gain confidence is through learning. Gina Perkes will help you discover the proper steps to take and share many tips as you embark on your new and exciting journey. You will learn freehand exercises which will train you to become fluid in your free motion quilting and how to mirror image & execute shapes with ease. You will learn to love working at the front of the machine and the many benefits of doing so. In addition to learning to quilt simple yet beautiful designs, you will come away with the basic knowledge of machine set up, trouble shooting, thread and tension tips, and much more! This is a great class for beginners and is taught in a positive and stress free environment.

One student per machine. Bring thread snips.

Julia will take her students through the whole process of creating a beautiful and unique panel they will be proud of! Julie will teach you how to plan the quilting, where to start, how to work with outlining and fillers and how to emphasize the beauty of this gorgeous panel. 

One student per machine.

Have you made an ice or snow dyed mandala or purchased one? What a work of art you have!!! But what do you do now? Well……It’s time to get your work of art quilted!! In this two part class, we will work on a quilting plan in the first part of the class and the second part of the class, you will be putting your plan into action by quilting your mandala!! This will be an exciting class where the colors and designs in your hand dyed piece will lead you towards the quilting design. Use free motion and ruler work to make your mandala come to life!!!!

Part One:  9am-11am Design
Part Two:  1pm-5pm Hands-On 
One student per machine.  Bring thread snips.

Using rulers and some amazing background fills on a custom-printed panel, Karen will share how to make your ruler work pop! You will take basic ruler work to the next level as well as learn some unique ruler ideas. Straight edge and curved longarm rulers are required. Karen will have her rulers available for purchase.

One student per machine. Bring thread snips.

I love texture and how unique it makes each quilt feel. Best of all, texture is easily created and mastered by the use of grids, tools and templates! This class focuses on giving you those skills and letting you decide when, where, and how much texture you want in any given quilt!  

One student per machine. Bring thread snips.
Also available as a lecture/demo on Wednesday 9-11, E112

Do you have Beginner’s free motion quilting experience, and don’t know where to go from here? Are you afraid of moving on? Let me share a multitude of fun designs that will help bring your quilt tops to life. We will have so much fun learning more designs than you can imagine. Wait till you see what you will be able to do to your quilts after this class!!

One student per machine. Bring thread snips.

Karen will share stitch variations of several common blocks - using only one start and stop. You'll leave class with a multitude of ideas for any type of block. This class is a spin-off of her Block Breakdown series. You will then stitch your favorite version of each block on a custom printed panel.

One student per machine. Bring thread snips.

Julia is gong to teach 50 different quilting fillers, from classic to modern. Julia will show groups of fills (modern, geometrical, curl based, pebble based, feather based etc.) and teach how to quilt them all.

One student per machine. Bring thread snips.

In this hands on class we will explore all things Floral. Flowers, stems and leaves...with cherries, swirls, ribbons, starburst, butterflies, bees, and dragonflies 'sprinkled' all around. Freehand overall designs that are simple, yet when combined, appear to be very complex. Join Dorie as she breaks down these designs and teaches you how to stitch them out continuously.

One student per machine. Bring thread snips.

Take your free motion quilting to the next level by adding ruler work. Take Longarm rulers and use them to get perfect designs and precision with your quilting. Learn what rulers work best and how to add great texture and designs to your quilts by using different rulers mixed with free motion quilting.

One student per machine. Bring thread snips.

There is no doubt that the “Dream Big” panel by Hoffman has captured the attention of the quilting community and none more so than the longarmers! SO many petals, each of which can be filled differently, giving the quilt an amazing amount of visual interest! However, that means we need a lot of fills at our disposal. This Hands -On Class focuses on fills, large and small, simple to complex to give YOU the confidence to have your own, one-of-a-kind “Dream Big” thing!!!! Join us- this class will be tons of fun!!!!

One student per machine. Bring thread snips.