FALL RETREATERS IN LIVERMORE CA

Recently I had the opportunity to travel to Livermore CA to participate and teach at the Fall Retreaters Retreat. It was a great trip. Held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Livermore, the big room was bright and everyone had their own table. It is hard to get good photos of a large room but this gives you an idea:

For many years this was the "Alex Anderson Retreat".  Alex taught a class and many people attended every year, for at least 20 years. Now Alex gets to attend and I was brought in to be the "teacher". A total of 35 attended. 

The first two days are Add-On days, free sew days and most of those who came were returning folks. They came from Hawaii, Texas, South Carolina, and a few western states, including CA, of course. It was fun to watch their reunions, as these friends mainly see each other at this event annually. Many have come each year. 

During those first two days I was just another of the attendees, sewing my own project. I began my Ocean Waves version of Flight of the Bumblebee and got a good bit done:

back of Honeydrops

                                                   

front of Honeydrops--I forgot to bring the last fabric, will complete at home

A practice Mariner's Compass--I will make this in Ocean Waves for my center

                                                   

Star points for some of the pieced Star blocks

Everything I got done--I realized I needed to save a few of each unit so I have something to Demo with during the Block of the Month teaching part of 2027

An added treat for me was to have dinner at Alex Anderson's home the night before Retreat began. Her friend Wendy G, made us a terrific meal, which we enjoyed in the backyard.  The group was Debbie and Deb, who run the Retreat, Wendy, Alex and I. John came home in time to take a photo:

If you watch Alex LIVE you know where we are standing in her studio

Entrance to her studio

One view of her studio

The inside of the BOX from the Mountain Meadows Kit

The BOX from the Mountain Meadows Kit--I can't wait to get my Ocean Waves BOX

Her fabric stash--we did play a little--Debbie needed Star fabrics

The actual Retreat started on Thursday and ran until Sunday evening. Six more people had arrived, all new and eager for class. I taught Oh My Stars Thursday. Those who were interested started the day in another nearby room for instruction then went back to the big room to sew. I walked around all day, giving individual attention as needed:

Danell's Star--with added hand embroidery. She handled unusual fabrics so well

Danell's star is intended to be a pillow for her bedroom--the rug set the colors and tone of her star

Wendy G is thinking Christmas

Happy Students

On Friday I taught The Village--paper pieced houses, skinny trees and tiny floating stars:

Great Houses!

Theresa and Tracy's corner

                                     

Happy Students

Another attendee was working on a House quilt that has MUCH BIGGER HOUSES:

                                                         

When teaching a small group in the midst of a large group, class runs differently. No talking to the entire room. Only providing what each student needs to succeed. It's a different experience for both the students and the teacher. I think everyone got what she needed from the classes and I enjoyed getting to know them.

One person made a big impression on me. Linda Neal is an award winning applique artist. She lives in Mckinney Tx and teaches locally as well as on the road. I spent a lot of time watching her process of preparing small applique shapes to be hand appliqued later. By the time she had all the blocks prepped and could start stitching, I was on my way home:

What Linda accomplished Tuesday morning to Friday night

Seeing her work made me eager to return to two old hand applique projects I started many years ago.

Linda makes templates from CutRite freezer paper. She cuts out the shapes with a narrow seam allowance then turns the edges over onto the freezer paper and starches them in place. Using a small iron she dries the starch then removes the paper template. Each shape is glued to the background fabric, using a lightbox for placement. Once the block is completely prepped she is ready to sew--no pins to get in the way as the shapes are glued to the background.  

It was fascinating to watch her process. She is teaching a class in CA in January 2027. I cannot squeeze another thing in to January but it is certainly on my radar to attend in 2028. I hope that happens.

I learned something new on this trip. At first, I thought Livermore painted the fire hydrants just for me:

Even my civil engineer husband didn't know that PURPLE fire hydrants signify NON-POTABLE WATER. DO NOT DRINK!! This water is used for fire suppression and landscaping. Learn something new every day. 

I left early Saturday morning for the almost 2 hour drive to Sacramento airport. Debbie needed to get back for the 11 am Brunch. I am happy to be early at an airport, never late. Both my flights were on time, no issues, 5 hours Sacramento to Atlanta, then on to Huntsville. The 3 hour layover in Atlanta wasn't fun and getting home at midnight made for a long day. But, all in all, it was a great trip. 

Next up is my trip TODAY to Philadelphia then on to the small town of Spring City, PA. Another Oh My Stars class and a Lecture on Time Management for Quilters for the Loose Threads Quilters. I will get to see friends and family on this trip. Then, just two weeks later it's HOUSTON!

Let's quilt.

Barbara

SEND ME YOUR STRINGS!

I am working on a new Class--SAVE OUR STRINGS. My ideas are flowing and I need to make a variety of string blocks for possible ideas. It would be great to have lots of scrap fabrics from lots of people so none of the pattern blocks look like each other. If they are all made from my fabric, they will all look the same. 

My strings are thrown into a tote bag beside my cutting table and when full, I play with them:

What am I looking for? Quilting cottons, no less than 1" wide, no more than 4" wide, any length, small to long. All colors, solids and prints. If you loved it when you used it in a quilt, I will love it too. 

Here are a few of my block ideas:

At the moment I have 10 blocks/units I plan to offer so there will be lots of sewing in my future.

If you want to have your SCRAPS included, gather up a big Ziploc bag full, put them in an large envelope and send them my way. If you don't have my address, send me an email: bbquiltmaker AT gmail--and I will provide my mailing address.

IF you will be attending International Quilt Festival in Houston November 9-13, 2026 and want to hand me your strings, that works too.

Everyone who sends me a package will be in a random drawing for a GREAT GIFT: rotary cutter, thread, scissors, new fabric. Trust me, you will want to win this! 

Please plan to ship no later than November 20, 2026. The winner will be selected on Thanksgiving, November 26, 2026. 

Let's quilt.

Barbara

FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLEBEE QUILTING PHOTOS

This quilt, FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLEBEE, is the 2027 Block of the Month quilt for The Quilt Show. Patterns will be released monthly FREE to Star Members of The Quilt Show. They will not be available for purchase. This alone, is reason enough to join. See the website to JOIN NOW

This is the Mountain Meadows colorway. I made the top along with Alex Anderson and this quilt belongs to Alex. She did all the applique, I did all the piecing and assembly. It was quilted by Patty Wilson of SewN2U Quilting, an extraordinarily talented longarm quilter who I am fortunate to live near.

Ta-da! The quilt is finished and Alex and I got to pose with it, together:

Here are a few more photos to inspire and encourage you to join us. Designed by Alex Anderson and Ricky Tins, this project will teach you things--it did me. There is Foundation Paper Piecing, precision piecing, Ricky's "LOCOMOTION" technique--freeform, no pins, precision curved pieing, embroidery and MORE:

The big REVEAL at my local guild 

The Back

What I did while Alex was doing all the applique sections

The completed top ready to take to Patty Wilson, longarmer extraordinaire

This is the FIRST one of these quilts ever made. During the year, I will be assisting Ricky and Alex as a co-teacher as I make another one--the OCEAN WAVES colorway that will belong to me.  I will also answer all your questions on the Community Forum. And if you are local, I will teach a demo class every other month at Barb's Sewing Center for those who like a little personal "hand holding". 

In the next two months look for several posts from me and Newsletter information from The Quilt Show on how to prepare for this year-long learning experience. Those who pre-ordered the Kits several months ago will receive them. Tools and notions to help you be successful will be available and it all leads up to the starting date: January 1, 2027. I hope you will join us in this worldwide quilting community effort of learning and fun!

Let's Quilt!

Barbara

GAME ON! MONTH 10

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 the RIGHT LARGER BORDER: 

This pattern is very similar to Month 7, a 3" border, except there are TWO SMALL TRIANGLES in each unit and it takes 4 units to make the full block:

Becky provides excellent pattern instructions, including how to press correctly. And her videos walk you through everything. Take the time to watch. 

For my SOLID Kit, I substituted Sky Teal for the Dusty Teal as I was low on that fabric. Those who bought the Solid Kit have received additional Dusty Teal for Month 10. The kit has enough Dusty Teal for Month 11 so only use the additional fabric for Month 10:

My Sky Teal choice vs, the Dusty Teal

This is a simple block that is actually 4 simple units. Looking at simple units and how you can combine them into larger blocks will give you new ideas. 

Next month we make the BOTTOM LARGER BORDER. There are no papers to print for that one. Once it is done, your center will have grown substantially since we finished Month 7. 

Be sure to share your progress on the FORUM.

Let's quilt.

Barbara

2027 LOCAL CLASSES

As I have cut back travel a little, I have more time to teach a few local classes and do a few special events. Here is the 2027 schedule so far:

January 21, 2027  Heritage Quilters of Huntsville. Faith Presbyterian Church, 6:30 pm. Heritage Quilters of Huntsville  

I am the guest speaker. "MY JOYFUL JOURNEY--LET'S MAKE BETTER QUILTS". I was asked to talk about how I got to where I am today as a speaker/teacher who travels all over for quilting. But expect the emphasis to be on how we can all make better quilts. PowerPoint presentation and a few "rarely leave the house" quilts will be on display. 

January 23, 2027 Workshop: Oh My Stars!  ,  9-4, HERITAGE QUILTERS of HUNTSVILLE               Registration for HQH members through December. Non-members may be able to register after that         date if space is available.

Class Sample 34" square

Queen Size Project from the pattern

2027 Block of the Month FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLEBEE Demo Class,  Saturday 10 am-noon,  January 9, March 13, May 8, July 10, September 11,  AND November 13, 2027:  Barb's Sewing Center

Each meeting we will discuss two months of instructions. I will demo-sew to walk you through this ambitious quilt that will teach you a LOT! 12 hours of class time.

You must be a Star Member of The Quilt Show which will allow you access to the monthly patterns for FREE. The patterns cannot be purchased separately. Use your own fabrics--I will help you select them--if you did not pre-order one of the two colorways of the Kit. The quilt is 84" square: 

January 29, 2027 Papaw's Choice, True Southern Charm Quilting   

Learn to make this versatile yet easy block then play with a variety of design possibilities. Sample is 72” square before borders. It is easy to make this quilt any size you want. Let me show you how. Pattern Design by Ricky Tims who has given me permission to teach it to you!

February 12, March 12, April 9, May 14, 2027  MY FAVORITE THINGS.    True Southern Charm Quilting 

Learn how to make my favorite blocks in this comprehensive 4 month fun and educational class. So many tips and tricks will be taught--increase your quilting skills as you make several smaller quilts OR combine ALL the individual blocks into one complete bed-size quilt, a totally original design, your choice. Yours does not have look like mine. Twenty two hours of class time and a month in between each class gives you lots of time to be successful.

You will learn things that improve your quiltmaking journey going forward. My Sample is 65” x 76” but can easily be enlarged--I will teach you how:

There may be another class or two later in the year. Let me know what you want to learn and I'll try to make that happen. 

This gives my local friends a chance to take classes without having to travel. And for friends around the country to travel here. Ask me for the hotel recommendation if you are coming from out of town. 

Let's quilt. 

Barbara