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 

FULL CIRCLE AT EMPTY SPOOLS SEMINAR

More than two years ago I was invited to teach at EMPTY SPOOLS SEMINAR held every year at Asilomar Conference Center on the Monterey Peninsula in central CA. I have been looking forward to it since then. This is the 39th year, it began the year I became a quilter.

See my post about the place and the experience here: Empty Spools Seminar Part 1

The class I was asked to teach is FULL CIRCLE, a pattern by Wendy Williams. This is a great project for a 5 day Seminar--it has lots to teach and would keep the students engaged for the entire time. My sample turned out great and the quilting by local longarmer extraordinaire Patty Wilson made it that much better:

I have written several blog posts about this quilt, read them here for more info:

What You Can Learn

See the Quilting

Class Taught Locally September 2023

Each student bought the pattern and my 10 page addendum with tips and clarifications. 

I was thrilled to have 21 students, one of the largest classes that Session. They came from all over the country: OH, WI, HI, WA, UT, CO, and CA. The two from Hawaii had taken Western Sun with me in Houston last fall--I was so pleased they wanted another class. The two from Colorado took class with me in Durango last spring--so great to see familiar faces again. 

This class had to be fast-paced as I had to be sure we covered all 9 of the patterns in Quadrant A as well as how to assemble the outer borders and complete quilt. "We advance for the swift and repeat for the deliberate." Everyone was encouraged to ask all the questions they might have, as frequently as necessary until they "got it". 

The first day was 1.5 hours of instruction before dinner and the evening welcome program. They got right to work drawing their patterns. The first full day, Day 2, we spent the morning on more pattern drawing. After lunch it was time to sew and sew they did. 

Here is what I saw before class began the morning of Day Three:

Wow! I was so happy to see so much progress. Everyone was cheerful, eager to learn, fun to talk to and kept up with what is a pretty fast-paced class. 

A couple showed me quilts they were inspired to make from my blog:

Suzanne made X blogs from Charm Squares from my tutorial

Susan was happy to have the outer road on Color My World, another Wendy Williams pattern that was the 2021 Block of the Month quilt for The Quilt Show

And here are the photos I took at the end of day 5:

And there has to be a CLASS PHOTO. I would be delighted to see any of these students in class again. They worked hard, learned more than they know, and will be able to make the entire quilt now. Although a couple plan to make only Quadrant A. I look forward to seeing their completed quilts sometime in the future:

Empty Spools Seminars is such a magical experience! I will teach there as often as I am invited--it's just that kind of place. I came home with my cup of creativity full to overflowing. I am working on a new sample or two for future class offerings.

AND IF YOU WANT TO LEARN THIS QUILT, YOU HAVE ONE MORE CHANCE: I am teaching this at Southern Charm Quilting in Huntsville, AL as a 5 day SPECIAL EVENT May 6-10, 2024. The fee includes the pattern, my addendum, 5 full days of class instruction, lunch the first day and $100 toward fabric purchases. Don't miss this opportunity. Fifteen students attended the first of these Special Events last September. There is a great hotel nearby if you are traveling from out of the area. I hope to see you there. Register online today.

Let's quilt!

Barbara