Hi everyone!
I hope your new year is starting off strong! This is the time of year that many of us reflect on the past year and set goals to make this coming year even better.
Well, I have one big goal that centers around you. As most of you know, The Quilting Connection puts a huge value on education. So, one of my 2024 goals is to make this the biggest and best year yet for offering the longarm quilting education you want and need!
Check out what we’ve come up with so far to start this year!
Back by popular demand: Free-motion and Ruler Work Quilting Classes
If you haven’t had the opportunity to take one of Wendy Fuller’s free-motion or ruler work classes, you’re missing out! Wendy is an award-winning quilter and teacher from the Green Bay area.
Wendy’s classes have met with rave reviews since we started offering them back in 2022. They’ve grown in length and scope since then, offering content that meets the skill-level of each class participant and providing hands-on machine time allowing you to practice the concepts being taught!
These classes are so packed with information and helpful tips that even if you’ve taken them before, you’re bound to leave with improved skills and new ideas to try!
Join us this spring for the latest round of Wendy’s classes. Our Appleton location will be hosting full-day sessions on Fridays and Elkhorn will be offering the same sessions on Saturdays. Be sure to register for these classes ASAP as they always fill up fast!
Class 1 Free-Motion Longarm Quilting – Explore the Possibilities!
Friday, February 16th 9am – 4pm in Appleton
Saturday, February 17th 9am – 4pm in Elkhorn
Class 2 Feathers, Flowers and Leaves
Friday, March 15th 9am – 4pm in Appleton
Saturday, March 16th 9am – 4pm in Elkhorn
Class 3 Rulers and Gridwork
Friday, April 12th 9am – 4pm in Appleton
Saturday, April 13th 9am – 4pm in Elkhorn
Class space is limited to 8 students.
Register soon!
Pro-Stitcher Designer Classes
Are you challenged by choosing quilting designs that perfectly complete the specific quilt you’re working on? Finding just the right shape to complement and fit each space can be so frustrating. But I have a solution! Try using Pro-Stitcher Designer!
We are offering a two-class series on Pro-Stitcher Designer this year. This is a Zoom class so ANYONE can join in the fun from ANYWHERE!
The first class is two-days and covers the basic concepts of Designer.
The second class is one-day and covers the advanced concepts of the software.
We’re offering the two classes so you can choose just how much you want to learn about this versatile tool. Our recommendation, as you might expect, is to take both classes so you can learn and appreciate the full depth of this amazing program!
Our Pro-Stitcher Designer instructor is Handi-Quilter national educator Audrey Vrooman. She is passionate about sharing her expertise and experience with other quilters to help them progress along their own quilting path.
Audrey will guide you step-by-step through the tools and techniques needed to maximize your use and appreciation of Designer! Handouts will be provided to supplement your learning and to serve as reminders once class is over.
Class 1 Pro-Stitcher Designer Basics 2-day Class via Zoom
Friday, February 23rd – Saturday, February 24th 9am – 4pm (CST)
Class 2 Pro-Stitcher Designer Advanced 1-day Class via Zoom
Sunday, February 25th 9am – 4pm (CST)
Class space is limited to 15 students.
EARLY BIRD SPECIAL: Register before January 23rd and save $20 on each class!
(That’s a savings of $40 if you register for both classes!)
Pro-Stitcher Designer Magnified Classes
Do you want to delve even deeper into the functionality and possibilities offered by Pro-Stitcher Designer? Then consider taking our series of Pro-Stitcher Designer Magnified classes!
In these 2-hour Zoom classes, Audrey Vrooman continues to share her expertise as she works through a specific function of Designer. She’ll create 1 or 2 designs each session that will be emailed to you. She will also lead a Q&A session that allows you to work through your ‘real-life’ Designer quilting scenarios.
These classes are meant to help you practice and feel more comfortable with all the amazing features Designer has to offer!
Pro-Stitcher Designer Magnified Classes via Zoom
2nd Tuesday every other month: March 12th, May 14th, July 9th, September 10th, November 12th
10am – 12pm (CST)
5 classes in total – register for each session individually
Class space is limited to 15 students.
BONUS: These classes are recorded so you can rewatch them after class!
PREREQUISITE: You MUST have attended the basic 2-day Designer class taught by Audrey in 2021, 2022, 2023 or 2024 to be able to attend the Designer Magnified classes.
Beginning Renter Classes
Don’t own a longarm but want to try your hand at machine quilting? If you live near either our Elkhorn or Appleton, Wisconsin locations, join us for one of our Beginning Longarm Rental classes!
This class will teach you the basics of longarm quilting and qualify you to come and rent time by the hour on one of our machines allowing you to finish your own quilting projects.
We’ll teach you how to prepare your quilt for longarm quilting; let you try your hand at free-motion and pantograph quilting; show you the basics of computerized quilting; and provide you with a set of Quick Zip System Zippers™ so you can easily load your quilt top and back on our machines.
And when you’re ready to rent time, our expert staff will be there to guide and assist you every step of the way!
Beginning Longarm Rental Class
Flexible scheduling – ½ day class
Come Learn with Us Classes
Do you already own a longarm and need a little help with loading your quilt or a refresher on the basics of Edge-to-Edge quilting with Handi Quilter’s Pro-Stitcher?
Consider purchasing our video Come Learn with Us classes. Available on USB stick drive, you can download and watch these classes as often as you like.
Load It! Square It! Quilt It! Class on USB
Pro-Stitcher Edge-to-Edge Basics Class on USB
That’s our class lineup to start 2024! I hope you’ve seen something that piques your interest and triggers your imagination! Please let us help you increase your longarm quilting skills and build your confidence level while having some fun in the process!
And if you have any requests for additional classes, please let me know!
As always, if you have ANY questions or want additional information about the products and services we offer, please call us at (262) 723-6775 or email us at info@QuiltingConnection.com.
You can also visit us online at QuiltingConnection.com or in person at 21 Adams Street in Elkhorn, WI (usually M-F 9-4, please call to confirm we’re open) or 1017 W. Northland in Appleton, WI (W, Th & F 10-4, S 10-3).
Finally, check out our blog at QuiltingConnection.com/blog and our Facebook posts.
Please share your thoughts and questions with us. We love to hear from you!
Angie