A FEW FRIENDS YOU SHOULD MEET

 Here are a few quilter friends you might not know. In Alphabetical Order:

1. NINA CLOTFETER:

Nina lives in Mobile, Alabama. She is peppy, funny, smart and an excellent quilt teacher. Machine quilting classes are her specialty but she teaches other things too. Find her website here: Ninaquilts 

You can also follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

Last year Nina came to Huntsville to take MY class Oh My Stars! She did so well and it is always helpful to have a sounding board when teaching a new class that might be challenging for some students:

Nina recently was the Guest Artist on The Quilt Show--the show was great! If you are a Star Member be sure to watch it: Show 3808

Nina and I teaching at Houston 2025

2. BEN DARBY: 

Ben is a member of my guild, the Heritage Quilters of Huntsville. He has won Best of Show twice at our very good local show. He has been a ribbon winner in a few AQS shows and has had several quilts juried into the International Quilt Festival in Houston.

Ben is an engineer by trade and his quilts are always complex, interesting and amazing. He does all the work and quilts on a domestic sewing machine. His quilting just keeps getting better, if that is even possible: 

His Blog is always fun to read: Huntspatch Quilts. I encourage you to take a look. And follow him on Instagram: huntspatchquilts

Most of Ben's quilts are original designs and he often creates acrylic templates to make them when that is helpful. On his blog he gives a lot of information on his process. 

MIAMI MEETS MANHATTAN by Ben Darby

3. TARA MILLER: 

Tara lives in the Atlanta area. She is a quilt historian, pattern designer, speaker and teacher. She is the ONE teacher I am trying to get my local guild to hire--she is the ONE teacher I am eager to take a class from. She is the master at MIXING LARGE PRINTS, something I have not done. 

Her Lectures are full of great information and entertainment. Her knowledge of quilt history is boundless. 

Currently she is the Curator of a major exhibit at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, California: The American Quilt: Cloth and Commerce. Learn more about it here:  BOWERS MUSEUM EXHIBIT

Tara has a YouTube channel and you can find her website here: quiltdistrict.com  I also encourage you to follow her on Facebook and Instagram:  quiltdistrict    

I hope to see Tara Miller here in Huntsville in the near future--she is "one to watch".

4. PATTY MURPHY: 

Patty lives in the Atlanta area. She is a designer, quilter, teacher, author. We worked together at the Virginia Consortium of Quilters a few years back. The quilt she was teaching spoke to me: Aether. I bought her pattern and ultimately made this quilt:

Her books offer a lot of great information:

Her latest book shows how to use those wonderful fabrics for more than one project:

Her first book is great for new to intermediate quilters who can't quite get things as perfect as they would like. Patty shows how to make small changes that make ALL the difference:

Find her website here: Patty Murphy Handmade and follow her on Instagram: pattymurphyhandmade

5. Elaine Wick Poplin:

Elaine lives in Huntsville and I have known her almost 40 years. She is currently the guild President and has been a member for that long too. 

She is a retired high school math teacher and that shows in a lot of her work.  Her website is: messygoat.com but she shares more information on Instagram: messygoat_elaine

Elaine is a Cherrywood Fabrics Ambassador and often uses those fabrics for her innovative designs. 

Elaine now travels some to teach and lecture and does ZOOM classses/lectures as well as local classes. 

She has won Best of Show at our guild show and been juried into AQS shows and International Quilt Festival Houston. You may know her quilts even if you don't know her:

A local TV channel did an interview with Elaine about her quilt: "THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS":

WHNT NEWS

In August 2026 Elaine will be part of a RETREAT put on by Cherrywood Fabrics called COLOR CAMP IN COLORADO: COLOR CAMP   It looks like fun!

So there you have an introduction to some terrific people in my QUILT WORLD who you may not know. I encourage you to visit their websites and social media feeds for more inspiration.

Let's quilt.

Barbara

GAME ON! MONTH 6

 Game On! is the 2026 Block of the Month quilt designed by Becky Goldsmith exclusively for THE QUILT SHOW: find Game On! information here. Join as a Star Member to get all the patterns and all the videos FREE. Membership is just $49/year and provides access to almost 20 years of shows and tremendous additional content. Join HERE

This month we make another 3" border and one more 6" Corner block. 

This border is comprised of 2 units--A and B--they are Reverse Mirror Images of each other. It is important to keep organized, especially with the white fabrics.

As always there are excellent instructions and Becky's Videos to guide you.

MY CUTTING SUGGESTION: The only cutting change I made was for the white fabrics, large and small triangles. To save time and fabric I cut 6 rectangles of white, 2.5" x 8.5". (You could make them slightly larger for more "insurance".)

Stack in 3 PAIRS. It is VERY IMPORTANT they be RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER.  Using a ruler with a 30 degree marked line, cut from the lower left corner up to the other side:

You now have 6 large triangles, 2A and 2B, 3 Left and 3 Right. And 6 small triangles, 4A and 4B, 3 Left and 3 Right.

After sewing each unit, trim carefully and join the units as shown in the PRINTS photo above. Or the SOLIDS  photo, as I have done with my SOLIDS version:

This Border is a great one--the Blue/Aqua center strips really make it flow and the large colorful triangles add a lot of interest. I liked it so much I decided it was perfect for my Star of Texas I've been working on, off and on, for many years:

The 6" corner block is easy too. Here are my SOLIDS and PRINTS versions. Feel free to use any fabrics you like should you want to make changes to the KIT selections:

Next month we make the final 3" inner Border and another 6" corner block. 

Be sure to Share Your Progress on the FORUM. We love to see how you are doing.

Let's quilt. 

Barbara

OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOU!

 By now you may have seen and heard all the BUZZ! The 2027 Block of the Month from THE QUILT SHOW is FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLEBEE:

Designed by Ricky Tims and Alex Anderson, this project will be a year-long journey that is sure to TEACH YOU THINGS--I am learning new things. Ricky and Alex and I will teach you lots of techniques during this joint adventure of learning and creating together. 

The Kits of both colorways are ONLY AVAILABLE as a pre-order from the Shop at The Quilt Show. Pre-orders are due by May 31, 2026 to allow all the time necessary for Riley Blake Fabrics to get the thousands of yards of hand-dyed Batiks made in time for shipping later this year. So everyone is ready to begin January 1, 2027 when FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLEBEE takes off.

The Kit includes almost 28 yards of top quality hand-dyed Batiks and a few great extra things. The price of $399 with FREE SHIPPING in the US is a bargain, hard as that is to say. When I got both Kits last Fall I was amazed at just how beautiful these fabrics are. And they will not all be available in stores--they are being specifically hand-dyed for The Quilt Show. I can think of several quilts I could easily choose to make with these beautiful and carefully curated collections of Batiks.

I have been "Secret Sewing" on this project since December 2025. Using the Mountain Meadows colorway, I am helping Alex Anderson get her sample made. I am piecing it, she is doing the applique. 

Just a few of my photos, taken to use when I start writing blogs and going LIVE monthly:

Honeydrops

Curved Flying Geese

Center Wedges in progress

All my parts on the wall—awaiting the appliqué parts

During 2027 I will be making the OCEAN WAVES version for myself. And if you know me, I have a few ideas for making this quilt my own. There won't be nearly as much applique in mine. Stay tuned for future ideas.

If you want one of these two KITS: DON'T WAIT. You only have until May 31, 2026 to order. 

2026 FALL RETREATERS--for all my WEST COAST FRIENDS: 

See the Flyer larger here: Fall Retreaters Quilt Retreat

I don't get to the West Coast very often to teach. Going forward it is likely to only be at Empty Spools Seminars. This is YOUR CHANCE if you are anywhere near Livermore, CA.

October 1 and 2, 2026 I am teaching TWO classes at the Fall Retreaters Quilt Retreat in Livermore, CA.

I will be there for the two Add-On days too--September 29 and 30. During those days I will be working on MY Ocean Waves 2027 BOM quilt. You can see me in action, ask all the questions you want, see a lot of the various techniques you will learn THREE MONTHS BEFORE  the first month's pattern is released. No, you won't get the patterns. No, I won't tell you EVERYTHING. But this may be just the spark you need to see that this amazing quilt project is something YOU can do.

 Also in attendance as a participant will be Alex Anderson. I will have Alex's Mountain Meadows completed top to present to her. Come hang out with BOTH OF US!

For more information or to register contact Debbie Stevens: quiltretreatdebbie@gmail.com or call 

1-925-321-8435

I hope you will take advantage of these opportunities if you can. 

Let's quilt.

Barbara

EMPTY SPOOLS SEMINARS -- THE PEOPLE

Teaching a 5 day seminar to one group of students at EMPTY SPOOLS SEMINARS is one of the best jobs possible in the quilt/fiber art world. And it is one of the BEST EXPERIENCES for creative people.

PART ONE: The PLACE—See it HERE

The STUDENTS:  This is the "end of class" group photo, minus Terrie who was dealing with a car issue. Three of these women are repeat students--Mollie and Anne for the third time, Connie for the second. It is a treat to have familiar faces and happy, dedicated students. The others came as strangers, but all left as friends:

Terrie, not to be forgotten

Some students at each Session are "first timers", all of them say they will be back. "Why did I wait so long for this amazing experience?" Some come every year, currently poring over the 2027 Class Catalog to make their first and second choice selections. (Registration opens June 20, 2026 for the 2027 Seminars.)

The chance to learn from one teacher for 5 days in an in-depth setting is just hard to describe. Many students try out new-to-them techniques. Others are looking to expand their knowledge in a new direction. The class offerings are a mix of so many techniques/learning opportunities.

My goal for ALL my classes, whether 5 hours or 5 days, is that each student, regardless of skill level, will leave class learning more than they expected to learn. I often say "I am here to teach you everything I have learned in the last 40+ years as a quiltmaker." The Empty Spools experience allows that to happen.

Two of these students told me straight away this was their first quilting class ever. They thought they would be slow or even over their heads. Both did great work, learned a lot, and never felt behind. I "advance for the swift, and repeat for the deliberate." Each student gets all the help they need or want.

Two rented sewing machines as they flew in--there is always a learning curve at a new machine. They both did fine, learned what they needed to, and will proceed to make full star blocks at home.

Their WORK:

The STAFF:  

Wendi is the daughter of Gayle Wells, one of the founders of Empty Spools Seminars, now in it's 41st year. Penny is the granddaughter of Gayle, so niece to Wendi. They do an excellent job, learning the ropes with each new year. While living full lives, with full time jobs "on the side".  

Wendi Wells

Penny Wells

Suzanne Cox, the other founder is a delight, still attending in an advisory capacity. Photo in the lower left is Wendi, Suzanne, and Penny:

The FACULTY:

It is always good to be surrounded with amazing teachers. Some of this Session's teachers I have known for years, the rest I was happy to meet. Traditionally, the teachers go to dinner together on the one night of the Session when there is no evening program. We go to The Fish Wife restaurant, a short walk from campus. It is a great chance to find out things in the quilting/fiber art community and to make new connections:

From left to right: Sue Benner, Gloria Loughman, Timna Tarr, Maria Shell, Jenny Haynes, David Taylor, me, Cindy Grisdela, Kevin Womack.  Great food, even better conversation.

Each teacher has an assigned night to present a brief show of their work and introduce themselves to the entire audience. Merrill Hall is the "Seminar Central" all week--a beautiful building. My view from the stage:

The audience

Janet Fogg's quilt behind me--she was the Artist in Residence this week

It isn't easy to keep to the specified 9 minutes time--I did my best--and since no one was after me a few extra minutes to show off students work from prior years was ok.

The RELATIONSHIPS: 

Many of the students meet others here and form lasting friendships. They return year after year, to learn, discover, unwind, and build on those friendships.

Last year a wonderful woman came to my session the first day, not as a student, but as a member of The Quilt Show for many years. She wanted to meet me. She brought me beautiful flowers from her garden and the most sincere and heartwarming note of appreciation:

2025

This year she was back, as a student in another class during Session 5. I spotted her in the Dining Hall and we had a great but brief Reunion. Next year I will present a Lecture to her local guild:

Linda Herrera and I, 2026

It is moments and PEOPLE like this that keep me going and bring me back to such amazing places on my Joyful Journey as a quiltmaker.

What's NEXT:

February 28-March 5, 2027 SESSION 1 of EMPTY SPOOLS SEMINARS 2027 I will be teaching FULL CIRCLE, a Wendy Williams pattern.  My quilt:

92" square

I taught it in 2024 at Empty Spools, the class filled quickly with more than 20 students. Everyone did very well. Last year Anne and Mollie brought their completed quilts for Show and Tell--it was so good to have them there. They were enthusiastic students who said "Don't try this one without Barbara to guide you."  My 10 page typewritten Addendum to the 32 page pattern is very helpful. Anne and Mollie kindly brought them again this year so everyone could be inspired to join us NEXT year.

Anne Flanigan's FULL CIRCLE

Mollie Gilliam's FULL CIRCLE

As this quilt teaches SO MUCH, it can only be taught in this format, 5 technique-packed days. And as this is the second time I am offering it at Empty Spools it is very likely the last time it will be offered. SO, if this is one you REALLY want to make, NOW is the time to plan on registering--2027 Registration opens JUNE 20, 2026, 10 am PST. Find the FULL CATALOG with all the necessary information HERE

Planning for EMPTY SPOOLS SEMINARS 2028 gets underway later this Summer. I have a few ideas for great classes to propose. What would YOU WANT TO LEARN if you had 5 days to just delve into quiltmaking full time, with all your meals provided, nothing to do but just delight in and ABSORB it ALL?

Let's quilt.

Barbara