Classes
Our classes are now posted through December 2010!
Please scroll down for our current Class List below.
General Information about our classes:
How to sign up for classes: You may sign up for our classes online and use Paypal for immediate online payment. Paypal is a highly secure internet payment service. We can accept all credit card types for web payments. You may still pay by phone or in the store if you prefer. After you register for a class, within a day or two you should receive a confirmation email that includes the Supply List.
But there is no date listed! If you click on "Find out more" and see no dates listed for a class,
this is because the class has already occurred. However, we may offer
it again next quarter.
There is a date, but no Sign Up button! If a class has no fee, there will not be a "Sign Up Now" button for it. However, you may still register online for a no-charge class by sending us an email.
What if a class is already full? You will be notified by email and placed on the waiting list. If a spot opens up we will call or email you. If you do not get in to the class and have paid, we will give you a full refund. We try to make a note below the class description as soon as possible when a class is full.
What if I sign up and pay, then need to cancel? We make a commitment to our teachers one week before the class. If you need to cancel and give us at least 7 days notice before the start of the class, you will be given a full refund. We will apply a store credit in your name, unless you specifically request otherwise. The same policy applies if we need to cancel due to low enrollment. We normally make this decision one week prior to the class.
BEGINNERS / BASICS
No quilting experience is necessary except as noted. Machine quilting classes require that you own a portable sewing machine that you will bring to class. Your machine should be in good working order and you should be familiar with your own machine’s features. If you are not fully comfortable with your machine, please take Welcome to Your Machine first.
ON-GOING GROUPS AND CLASSES
Basic quilting experience is required. Please know your sewing machine. It should be in good working condition. Please register by email even for classes that have no fee. We need to know how many students are coming and there may be a supply list.
MACHINE PIECING, QUILTING and CRAFTS CLASSES
Basic quilting and rotary cutting experience is required. Please know how to operate your sewing machine. It should be in good working condition. Bring your manual. All supplies should be gathered prior to the day of class. We will be glad to help.
Beginning Sewing-Immediate Gratification 1
You will create a unique little zippered pouch called a Humbug Bag. You will learn to install a simple zipper and you will be introduced to quilting. Pre-requisite: Welcome to Your Machine. (1 session)
The August 21 class is FULL!
Eileen Hogan
Beginning Sewing-Immediate Gratification 2
This class will take you to a step further in learning to sew as you follow a sewing pattern. You will make an apron using an Amy Butler design. Pre-requisite: Welcome to Your Machine. (1 session)
Eileen Hogan
Beginning Sewing-Immediate Gratification 3
In this 3-hour class you will gather basic sewing skills by making a handy and functional fabric grocery sack. Pre-requisite: Welcome to Your Machine. (1 session)
Eileen Hogan
Beginning Sewing-Lounge Pants
This three-part class will help you begin to sew on your machine (any model) and get you going on a project to help build your sewing skills. This class, the Kimono, and the Laundry bag may be taken in any order. (3 sessions) Pre-requisite: Welcome to Your Machine (or permission from the instructor). You will be working from Amy Butler's book, In Stitches.
Eileen Hogan
Quilt School I by Machine
Learn to make a small quilt or wall-hanging from start to finish. This class is designed to introduce you to the techniques used to make beautiful quilts quickly and accurately. You will learn rotary cutting, piecing, applying borders, basting, simple machine quilting, and binding. Sewing machine and basic machine sewing skills are required. If you are not familiar with all the functions and parts of your sewing machine please take Welcome to Your Machine first. (4 sessions) Please follow the "Sign Up Now" buttons across for the start date of each 4-week session.
Required book: First-Time Quiltmaking. We will reserve a copy for you when you sign up for the class.
The September 20th class is FULL!
Karen West (Mondays) or Barbara Wilson (weekends)
Quilt School II by Machine
Build on the new skills you learned in Quilt School I by taking this class specially designed to take you a step further in the quilt making process. This lap size quilt involves slightly more intricate rotary cutting and piecing, using triangles. Prerequisite: Quilt School I (taken recently) (4 sessions)
Required book: Quilts from the Quiltmaker's Gift. We will reserve a copy for you when you sign up for the class.
Diane Donovan
Thread Your Serger
Four threads and no bobbin! Loopers, needles, and a zillion little slots and spots. This class focuses on just one thing-how to thread your serger. You will leave feeling much more confident and ready to use your serger. This class is required before taking any other serger classes. No charge if you just purchased your serger in our store. (1 session)
Eileen Hogan
Welcome to Your Machine
This class is open to owners of any brand of sewing machine that is in good working order. You will discover what all those feet, accessories, buttons, dials and funny-looking icons are all about. You will also learn the basics of how to thread and manage tension (of the machine, that is!). You will show off your new skills by sewing a scarf designed by Amy Butler. Don't let a piece of machinery intimidate you! If this is your first class be sure to read the Supply List that will be emailed to you. Let us know if you need help gathering your supplies. (1 session)
This class fills up-please do not delay in registering.
Eileen Hogan
All About Machine Embroidery
Monthly project-based embroidery club designed to increase your knowledge of machine embroidery and introduce new ideas and products. All makes and models of embroidery machines welcome. Comfort working your machine is necessary.
Each month will have additional kit fee. You will receive one free embroidery design each month that you attend.
Sharon Callaham
Evening of Embroidery
Experienced and newbie embroiders come stitch together for an evening. In August we will be making thread lace!
Stephanie Pennington-Grant and Karen West
Fee per month
Finish-It Friday
Bring in those unfinished projects, and we’ll provide dinner and five hours to get them done! If you would like to join us, but don’t have a project going, Celeste will help you get started on a great quilt. (on-going monthly)
Please note that this class is for adults only (over 21), and is intended for quilters beyond the beginner level.
Celeste Lestienne
Fee per month
Sewing Clinic
Are you stuck mid-way on a clothing project and not sure how to proceed? Do you want a bit of guidance to see you through? Join us for a three hour stretch of coaching and sewing so you can complete those unfinished projects. (1 session)
Eileen Hogan
Sophia Trench Coat
Pre-requisite: Fitting I/Skirt. In this class you will learn to use stiff interlining with soft fabrics creating collars, sleeves and cuffs, and how to create a lining for a garment without a pattern piece. You will also learn how to make fabric covered buttons. This class is a great exercise to complete before taking Fitting II/Dress! (6 sessions)
Bargello
Bring from 5-64 quarter yards of fabric, and design your own bargello! We will begin by placing the fabrics in a pleasing order, and then design your quilt. You decide the size, make a wallhanging to a bedsize quilt. (3 sessions)
Stephanie Pennington-Grant
Bargello-Links
This incredible design by Dereck Lockwood is not as difficult as it looks using strip-piecing methods. If you have not yet tried Bargello, this is a fascinating technique that has endless design possibilities. This makes a striking large wall-hanging or lap size quilt.
Stephanie Pennington-Grant
Beginning Machine Applique
Do you love the look of needle-turn applique but prefer to work on your sewing machine? This is the class for you. With a few simple tips, glue sticks, orange sticks, wash away foundation and a sewing machine that sews a narrow zig zag stitch you will create the look of needle-turn applique in a fraction of the time. Pattern provided. (1 session)
Sharyn Cole
Block of the Month Machine Applique
Love the look of appliqué but you just don’t have the patience to do it by hand? This is the class for you. Create your own heirloom quilt in Sharyn’s machine appliqué block-of-the-month class. In six monthly sessions you will complete nine (9) blocks plus the borders for a beautiful bed topper, lap quilt or wall hanging. Each month a different block pattern or two will be introduced. Sharyn will focus on teaching a technique using a wash-away foundation and an invisible zig-zag stitch. (6 sessions through March 2011) Fee includes the entire series.
Sharyn Cole
Bloomin' Nine-Patch
This classic design from the book Tradition with a Twist, "blooms" into a gorgeous bed-size quilt. The first session will be devoted to choosing your fabrics with assistance, to help ensure a healthy bloom. Most of our staff has one of these quilts on their bed, so if you haven't yet made one, don't miss this! (3 sessions)
Kat Nicholas
Bond with your BSR
If you are not quite comfortable using your BSR, you are missing out on one of your Bernina’s best features. This class will push you over that hump and help you get to know that amazing little foot backwards and forwards (literally!). We will make a wholecloth table runner. (1 session)
Karen West
Cityscapes
Have you ever wondered what happens when you don’t follow the rules? Susan's methods will free you up to leave patterns behind and find new freedom in quilting and this class will guide you through the process. You will make your own original city scape. (1 session)
Susan Powell
Colorplay for Quilters
Finally, the class you've been waiting for....calling all quilters- traditional, art quilters, beginners, advanced and everyone in between. We will explore the element of color in designing your quilts by using simple exercises in FABRIC (after all that's our medium!) First you will learn about value and the importance of it in all your work. We will do some fabric exercises to help you master value. Then you will learn about different color schemes and create 2-3 small abstract fused quilt tops to demonstrate these color schemes. Your confidence in choosing colors for your quilts will be greatly enhanced. Don't be intimidated by all those colors-take your quilts from boring to gorgeous! (1 session)
Roxane Lessa
Design Your Own Art Quilt
Have you ever wanted to make an art quilt from a photo, sketch or idea, but don’t know where to start? In this class, we will learn an easy method of transferring your image to a workable pattern. From there, we will work on selecting fabric for your design, and cut and fuse your design onto a background fabric. No sewing machine required. This method is suitable for beginners and advanced students. (2 sessions)
Roxane Lessa
Easy Striped Table Runner
The easiest project you will ever make! For fast and easy gifts, only five seams ant the top is finished. No need for binding. It's magic! (1 session)
Diane Donovan
Free-Motion Quilting
This series of classes is intended to teach you how to machine quilt using free-motion. You will learn to enhance the surface of your quilt with or without the use of a pattern. Information on use of various threads and marking methods will be included. (3 sessions)
Stephanie Pennington-Grant
Hoopsisters EmbroidaBlock TNT
Textures & New Techniques is the theme of this amazing new design from Hoopsisters. This quilt is entirely pieced and quilted in the embroidery hoop using ingenious digitizing by Hoopsisters. This is offered as a block-of-the-month series. Students learn a new block in class each month. It is so much fun to watch the blocks develop and is another way to get the most out of your embroidery module and your amazing machine. Held one Saturday a month for 10 months. (10 sessions) Continues through August 2011, skipping December. If you must miss a class you will be given the patterns. Fee includes the entire series of classes.
Stephanie Pennington-Grant
Lyric Kinard- Photos on Fabric
Please do not miss this opportunity to participate in this class with well-known art quilter, Lyric Kinard! Make a lovely art-quilt while learning this low-tech method for transferring photocopies onto fabric. While you ink in some color, stitch, and bead, Lyric will demonstrate and compare various ink-jet products so that you know what your high-tech options entail.
Students will learn to transfer photocopies onto fabric and will also review bubble-jet-set and various ready-to-print products. Students will make a small art quilt and learn a variety of finishing and embellishing techniques. (1 session) Lunch is included if you are attended both of Lyric’s classes. $10 supply fee payable to Lyric.
Lyric Kinard
Lyric Kinard-Bead it Like You Mean It
Add beads of all shapes and sizes to your quilts and wearable art, easily and after you are done quilting. Here’s the prize: no knots or mess on the back! Learn to embellish in a way that adds to the overall design instead of looking like an afterthought.
Students will create a small fabric collage on batting, learn different beading techniques, and come home with a small art-quilt. Techniques will also be taught for applying beads to clothing. Kits will be available for purchase from Lyric for $25. No need to reserve one, Lyric will bring plenty. (1 session) Lunch is included if you are attended both of Lyric’s classes
Lyric Kinard
Mama's Four-Patch
Start your fall season off right with a new quilt project that is appropriate for all levels after Quilt School I. Our sample is made from a variety of reproduction fabrics to give it a vintage warmth and scrappy look. However this quilt could be made with many different color combinations. Really easy and fun! (2 sessions)
Kat Nicholas
Painting Your Masterpiece
Start with your completely fused quilt top from Design Your Own Art Quilt Class. Design your Own Art Quilt is a pre-requisite for this class. We will work on using fabric paint to enhance depth and details in your piece. I will be various showing techniques for painting on fabric, and will have you painting on your quilt in no time! Paint and brushes are available for purchase, or you can use the instructor's at no cost. Paint kits are $25 and brush kit is $30. (1 session)
Roxane Lessa
Quilted Symphony
This small wall hanging is a great place to start when trying out new surface techniques such as appliqué. It is also perfect for practicing embellishing and new stitching techniques. (1 session)
Gail Greene
Quilting Your Masterpiece
So now you have a beautiful quilt top and it's all layered and ready to go. Where do you begin? What threads should you use to enhance your work? What tensions and needles should you use for your chosen threads? What kind of quilting patterns should you use for each area of your piece? If you are like me, these are the questions I am always faced with when starting to quilt a new piece. In this class, we will answer all these questions with group and individual instruction. Bring your quilt top completed from Design Your Own Art Quilt, Painting Your Masterpiece or any other art quilt that you wish to quilt that you have finished and is ready to quilt. Previous free motion quilting experience is a must! (1 session)
Roxane Lessa
Sexy Hexy
This awesome strip-pieced quilt become a series of interlocking hexagons. No one will ever be able to figure out how you made it. Dig into your stash and use a wide variety of light, darks and mediums. All levels after Quilt School I. (3 sessions)
Tammy Triglianos
Wildflowers Embroidered Quilt
This gorgeous embroidered quilt will take your machine to new levels as you learn how to appliqué in the hoop. We have fabric and thread kits available for our lap-size sample quilt while supplies last. All you need to add is stabilizers. (6 sessions) The dates for 2011 will fall on the second Thursday of each month.
Karen West
Wintergraphix Table Runner
Take the traditional rectangular table runner to the next level! Setting the blocks on point and framing them with a beautiful border really make these runners an extraordinary addition to any table. They also make great gifts. You will achieve sharp points and accurate stars by employing foundation paper piecing. (2 sessions)
Diane Donovan
Block Portfolio
Here’s the perfect way to transport your quilt blocks in style or store quilt blocks-in-progress. Perfect for using some of those gorgeous large print fabrics currently available, this 18” x18” portfolio goes together in just a few hours. Once you learn how to make one you’ll want to make several more in various fabrics and other sizes as well. (1 session)
Sharyn Cole
Bon Appetit Apron
Just in time for the holidays! This apron makes a great gift and is a fun, quick project you can complete in one evening. Use your creativity and make the apron for a special occasion, or personalize your gift by your choice of fabric. (1 session)
Sharon Callaham
Coiled Fabric Baskets
Learn to create these fantastic baskets that make wonderful gifts and household organizing containers. The technique is simple but you will need a sturdy sewing machine that can handle some thickness. Check with us if you are not sure about your machine, and you can reserve a Bernina if yours is not up to the task. (1 session)
The September class is FULL!
Karen West
Minkee Blankees
This is the ultimate cuddle-bug blanket, and if you need a fast and inexpensive baby gift, it is perfect. You will learn to finish this the blanket with easy mitered corners. This is a blankie that toddlers will drag around for years! (1 session)
The August class is FULL!
Karen West
Pillowcase Challenge
The One-Million Pillowcase Challenge is a year-long national challenge to create and sdonate one million pillowcases to local charities. We are hosting Pillowcase Workshops through the year to encourage you to participate. All you have to do is come in, buy a kit, and sew a pillowcase. We will provide sewing machines.
Serger Workshop
Get out that serger that has been sitting unused and make a variety or small quick gift items in this class. You will be amazed at how fast you can whip things up using your serger! Pre-requisite: Thread Your Serger (1 session)
The Messenger Bag
With this bag, waste no time fumbling for your iPod, cell phone or even a pen - there's a pocket for everything, including 3 zippered pockets. It's fashionable and functional for anyone! Sewing or quilting experience is required. (3 sessions)
Tammy Triglianos
The Tuffet
Learn to sew a gorgeous cover from a collection of wonderful fabrics and then come back and turn it into an upholstered footstool during the second session. You will provide your fabric and the bun feet. Sharyn will make the other wood and hardware pieces available to each student as a kit for a fee of approximately $45. (2 sessions)
For each class, the first class is 3 hours (you will be sewing), and the second class is 4 hours (you will be upholstering).
Sharyn Cole
The Tuffet Part 2 (Your Second Tuffet)
This class is for tuffet makers who have already taken the two-part tuffet class and would like to create more tuffets. Sew the tuffet top at home on your own and come to class to turn it into an upholstered footstool. You buy the bun feet and a kit will be available for purchase, (approximately $45) which includes the wood circle, foam, batting and other hardware pieces. Be sure to order your kit in advance of the class date. (1 session)
Sharyn Cole
The Tuffet-in-a-Day
Have you met the newest addition to the tuffet family at Thimble Pleasures yet? It’s a charming 15” diameter tuffet that can be completed in one five-hour workshop. Yes, you read that correctly; one day equals one tuffet and that’s why we’re calling it “Tuffet-in-a Day Workshop”. Is there someone special in your life who deserves a very special gift? A “Tuffet-in-a-Day” may be just the thing. Sign up early as this workshop will fill fast. (1 session)
Sharyn Cole
Toothbrush Rugs
Do you have lots of leftover fabric from making quilts? Are the piles getting higher and you have no idea what to do with them? Here is the answer! Turn them into one of these gorgeous, and sturdy rugs. Once you make one, you will be hooked! (1 session)
Karen West
Artista Software Mastery
Open to all Bernina Software owners of Editor Lite, Editor Plus and Designer Plus Versions 5 and 6. This series of training classes is designed to help you feel more comfortable using your embroidery design software for altering, creating and digitizing your designs. Laptops or PC’s are required. Sewing machines are not needed in class. (6 sessions)
Nancy McGilvary
Software Sampler
You will learn tips and techniques to get the most out of your embroidery software, and spark your creativity to digitize designs in new and exciting ways. The class is virtually taught by Bernina Educators and followed-up with hands-on training right after the lesson. Bring your laptop, security dongle and software installed. (1 session)
Stephanie Pennington-Grant
Bernina Club
The May Bernina Club will be hands-on and you will make a beautiful spring table cloth. Learn to finish the edges with an easy mitered border. Please join us!
Staff
Bernina Machine Mastery
This is a series of classes offered to Bernina owners that are on-going and will help you become more familiar and comfortable using your new machine. Please note that session #1 is repeated the first week of each month. There is no charge if you purchased your machine in our store, but please be sure to sign up! (4-8 sessions) All classes are offered 10 am-1 pm OR 6-9 pm.
The upcoming schedule is as follows:
Class #1: October 5, November 2 or December 7
Class #2: October 12
Class #3: October 19
Class #4: October 26
Class #5A: November 9
Class #5B: November 16
Class #6: November 30
Class #7: December 14 (Artistas only)
Eileen Hogan
You may sign up by email. Please specify morning or evening in your message.
Embroidery Mastery
Open to all Bernina embroidery module owners! A one day class to learn how to set up your machine to embroider. Includes preparing your design, hooping, stabilizers, threads and stitching-out. There is no charge if you purchased your machine and embroidery module in our store, but please be sure to sign up! You may sign up by email. All session are held from 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (3 sessions)
Class #1 The Basics and Beginnings-Saturday, October 2
Class #2 Lettering, cuffs, collars and multi-hooping-Saturday, November 6
Class #3 On-line design downloads and computer communication-Saturday, September 4 and December 4
Stephanie Pennington-Grant