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

My parts on the wall

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