TAKE CLASSES WITH ME!

 Here is a quick look at where I will be teaching through the end of this year.

June 27, 2026--Lecture "A QUILTER'S LAST WILL AND TESTMENT--AKA YOUR KIDS DON'T WANT YOUR STUFF" Things we should be doing now to help our family when the inevitable happens

Colorado Quilting Council General Meeting, 10 am, St Phillip Lutheran Church, Littleton, CO

June 28, 2026--Workshop OH MY STARS! 9-4, Above and Beyond Sewing and Vacuum, Littleton CO 

See the guild website here: Colorado Quilting Council

OH MY STARS

September 29-October 4, 2026--FALL RETREATERS, Hilton Garden Inn, Livermore, CA

Early sew days are September 29-30, Classes October 1-2. 

I am teaching OH MY STARS October 1 and THE VILLAGE October 2. During the two Early Sew days I will be working on the 2027 Block of the Month FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLEBEE--see some of the amazing things you will learn in 2027. 

The Village

Alex Anderson will be a special attendee!

Contact Debbie Stephens by phone or email NOW to register:

October 20-21, 2026--Loose Threads Quilters, Spring City, PA. Tuesday October 20 is a full day workshop, still waiting to see which great class they pick. 

Wednesday October 21, Lecture "TIME MANAGEMENT FOR QUILTERS", 9:30 am.  First United Church of Christ, 145 Chestnut Street, Spring City, PA 19475

See the guild website here: Loose Threads Quilters

November 11-14, 2026  International Quilt Festival Houston. 

Wednesday November 11: Class OH MY STARS, 9-5:

Enrollment will open in mid-July: Quilt Festival Houston

LECTURES: 

Thursday November 12: HOW TO MAKE A WINNING QUILT, 11:30 am

 Friday November 13: TIME MANAGEMENT FOR QUILTERS, 4:30 pm

You can pay at the door for Lectures, no pre-enrollment required.

In 2027 there will be big changes: I am cutting back on travel. The plan is to teach at special events like EMPTY SPOOLS SEMINARS. Registration opened June 20, 2026 for the 2027 Sessions.

My class FULL CIRCLE filled quickly a few years ago when I taught it there. Don't miss what is likely to be your last opportunity to join me for this class.

FEBRUARY 28-MARCH 5, 2027:

Shows like HOUSTON, PADUCAH, and others like that are where I hope to concentrate my teaching time. And another few CRUISES are in the works. 

In 2027 I will be teaching/assisting Ricky Tims and Alex Anderson with the 2027 BOM: FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLEBEE. I am learning things as I make this quilt and you will too. It starts in January 2027; look for TIPS and HOW TO GET READY in November. THE QUILT SHOW with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims

The BIG NEWS is my JOYFUL JOURNEY RETREAT, #7, is back. MARCH 31-APRIL 4, 2027,  Red Rooster Retreat Center,  Crane Hill, AL. Not just a free sew retreat, this EVENT aims to build friendships, offer TEACHABLE MOMENTS, and make it worth your time to participate. Contact me directly for more information--or to be added to the waitlist--we are almost full. bbquiltmaker AT gmail--you know the rest. 

Locally, I hope to offer more classes here so I can sleep in my own bed and have more time to make my BUCKET LIST quilts.

I love teaching and hope to continue to share my knowledge with you.

Let's quilt.

Barbara

Quilting and More Quilting

 I am in the middle of a quilting frenzy. Not in a bad way. 

Now that the "secret sewing" is done, and the taping of The Quilt Show is behind me, I have started lots of basting and quilting of tops that are ready to be finished.

Just a taste:

A NEW class to be taught locally at a NEW shop September 26, It's a Puzzle:

Another NEW class, to be taught October 10, Cobblestones: 

The back of Cobblestones: 

Yesterday, I started this--Afternoon Delight--Small Sample, made with demo blocks from the blog. So far I have stitched in the ditch with Microquilter thread, stitched around all of the Shoo Fly blocks, and echo quilted two of the applique blocks. Next up is a switch to red thread to quilt diagonal lines through the Double 9 Patch blocks:

Every time I baste a quilt, I prepare a small test sandwich with the same fabrics, top and bottom, and the same batting, so I can test thread color and tension before quilting the actual quilt: 

A good tip: use a busy, printed back if you don't want every wobble or oops to show: 

Yesterday I made this 9 patch top, nine 12" blocks, to use for Natalia Bonner's "9 PatchALong" using her mini 4-in-1 tools---I have both of them and want to learn to use them better. The sashing here is 1.5" finished, I wish I had made it 2" finished. She is quilting a printed panel you can buy--I have a sinful amount of fabric so dug into my Amish solids boxes. The Patch-A-Long is free and will run for 5 weeks, twice a week, Tuesday and Thursday--find it on YouTube, or her website or Facebook page: 

More basting, Stars and Stripes, a Quilt of Valor:

The next to be basted, Patriotic Pineapple, another Quilt of Valor:

And the next to be basted after that, "Janet's Happy Village", a top by my friend Janet. I will use this fantastic fabric I also got from Janet--it was the perfect size for the back of this quilt so I changed my original plan to make the village smaller:

One other finish, a donation quilt, one of the 50 of Janet's project quilts that the Sunday Sew and Sews are finishing for her. This Sunday we will present the 50 completed quilts to Janet's daughter and she will get them to the organizations which will receive them:

I still find it a little sad that I have no airplane rides booked currently, but that will change in the future, lots of contracts are being written for future travel. In the meantime, I keep happily busy in my studio.

Let's quilt,

Barbara

Love Your Layout

I am developing a new class called "Love Your Layout". Basically, a design class to help quilters embrace "quilter's math" and gain confidence to design their own quilts.

So far, there are 3 samples.

Double 4 Patch Zig Zag set:

Double 4 Patch with Alternate Blocks:

Double 4 Patch, Strippy Style:

One of these is set in straight rows, two are on-point sets. All use a 4" finished block. I had a huge pile of 2" finished 4 patches so that is what I used--four of those together make a Double 4 Patch in my book.

Lots of ideas swirling about how best to present this in a one-day class. Ideally, a two day class would get students well underway with this project.

Stay tuned for more samples and class schedule. Most likely, Fall of 2020 I'll be ready to offer it to "test subjects". 

Let's quilt.

Barbara

Local Classes--Winter 2019

The new year is upon us and I have several local classes scheduled for the next few months. If you are near, I'd love to see you in class.

At Patches & Stitches, my perpetual Quiltmaking 101 class will be offered twice:

I have taught a 5 week beginners class for 30 years--the quilt has changed many times over those years. This one has stuck for a while--it is based on a pattern from Glad Creations and teaches ALL the basics of good quiltmaking skills. Many people who have taken this class get "hooked" on quilting--that is my goal.

A new class: Spectacular Scraps, will be a fun way to work with half-square triangles to create your own design:

When I posted this quilt several months ago, the positive response inspired me to offer this class again--I made this quilt more than 15 years ago and taught it then.

In the years when my guild, the Heritage Quilters of Huntsville has our quilt show, I offer a 3 hour lecture/demo class on Beautiful Borders and Bindings. Many quilters don't enjoy the binding process or don't do it as well as they could because they don't know the tricks. A poor binding really hurts a great quilt and you can improve your binding technique--let me show you how.

Trying something new, My Favorite Things will be offered as a 2 part class, 7 hours each time. Part 1 is in March, Part 2 in May:

An original design, I recently taught this as a 6 month lecture/demo class and the students loved it. This time it will be an all-day sewing class, moving through each of the 6 lessons at a good pace. Allowing a month and a half between classes will allow students to do most of their sewing at home, while getting started sewing in the classroom. This also will make a great multi-day retreat class and is being considered by several groups for their students.

At Huntsville Sew Creative, the wonderful quilt SIZZLE will be taught as a year-long lecture/demo class. The pattern is the 2019 Block of the Month from The Quilt Show --it is FREE to Star Members--that membership costs $49/year--just last night one of my students told the rest of the class that was money well-spent--she found so much content throughout the site that was valuable. I have written before about why I think this subscription is one every quilter should seriously consider: Why Join the Quilt Show?  

You can purchase a Kit if you want to make either of these beauties or select your own fabrics. This class will teach you so much and there is still room for a few more--I hope you will join us if you are local. No sewing machines--I do the sewing, while students learn and ask great questions.  Huntsville Sew Creative has recently moved locations and their website is under construction--call 256-536-3757 to sign up before space is gone.

That is all I have time for this winter--lots of sewing will be happening for future classes and preparation for 10 away-from-home trips this upcoming year. I hope to see you in class.

Let's quilt!

Barbara

Class Progress

It's always fun to see how far students get on a class project. Recently, Spellbound was an all-day class. This is a great pattern from Calico Carriage Quilt Designs, home of Debbie Maddy.

A few shots from class, starting with their progress by the end of the day:

The morning was spent organizing, then cutting the various size strips in the proper order. After lunch it was time to sew. They all did great and will continue to sew until their top is done. I encouraged them to add borders if they want the quilt larger and I hope someone does.

In class progress:

Rhonda with her Featherweight

Marilyn has her first several rounds laid out 

Judy made fast progress

Here is mine, all done:

In another class, a student brought her finished Quiltmaking 101 quilt to show me. This is the beginning class I have taught locally for 30 years, this particular quilt has been the project for 10 years. I love it when a student makes changes, making the quilt her own. Nikki added additional wider borders:

Sunday was the monthly Sunday Sew and Sews class, focused this year on The Patchwork Barn from The Quilt Show. We are getting toward the end of this year-long Block of the  Month, designed by Edyta Sitar. It is not too late to get all the patterns for this quilt. They remain FREE for Star Members to The Quilt Show until December 31, 2018. In addition, this year, the 2017 Halo Star Medallion, designed by the late Sue Garman is still FREE for Star Members, until December 31, 2018. Download and/or print them before it's too late.

Three of the Sunday Sew and Sews show off their work:

Janet's before lovely  borders, still to come. She added sashing between the blocks.

Terri used the Crystal Farms fabric kit and she also added sashing between the blocks

Here is Donna's top, all finished. Don't you love how she made the center HER house?!:

My top is done. Now to figure out a quilting plan:

We are getting excited about the 2019 Block of the Month from The Quilt Show: SIZZLE, designed by Becky Goldsmith. Find more info here.

Yesterday, we had Session 5 of My Favorite Things--a 6 month lecture/demo class featuring the quilt I designed just for this class--it is made of my favorite blocks. Here are a few photos of the works in progress from some of the students:

Rhonda's is done--AND her husband loves it so it will be his Quilt of Valor

Holly got hers done too

Joan has a wonderful selection of fabrics--we all say OOOOHHH! when we see her blocks

More of  Joan's

Kathy has used a lot of Kim Diehl prints along with other lines

More of Kathy's blocks

Sally has a quiet reproduction palette--so lovely

Cyndi is wild, about Kaffe and Tula and lots of  everything

More of Cyndi's work 

It is so fun to see what each student comes up with and I love when they make the quilt their own. My Favorite Things ends in December, I hope to have more finishes to show. Here is mine:

Let's quilt!

Barbara

New Classes

I've been digging in my shoeboxes of scraps to make a new sample for Scrappy Trips:

Scrappy Trips 50" square so far

Next, I added  piano key borders--to use up some more of those scraps:

60" square

 Last year I completed one of these with no borders:

Quilts just don't look "done" to me without a final border. I am happy with the piano key border.

This class will be Saturday January 27, 2018, 9 a.m. to Noon, at Huntsville Sew and Vac.

I also had fun using some leftovers from Spellbound to make "Bonnie's Baskets":

Bonnie's Baskets, 30" square

This class is Saturday February 24, 2018, 9 a.m. to Noon, also at Huntsville Sew and Vac. It is paper-pieced and this is a great project to learn that fun technique--even if you think you don't like to paper piece, this is the class to show how how easy and accurate it can be.

Both of these patterns are from Bonnie Hunter and are found on her Free Patterns tab on her Quiltville blog.

In February I'll offer my  one hour Ruler Work Demo on the Bernina Q20 Sit-Down Longarm at Barb's Sewing Center--Friday February 16, 2018, 10 a.m. and again at 11:30. See all the designs you can quilt on your domestic machine, using rulers, also called "Templates". Read more about that process here. Bonnie's Baskets was quilted with rulers in the center and Free-motion on the border. Fun and fast!

Let's Quilt!

Barbara