Elements in Fabric:  Earth, Wind, Fire and Water   How do you create the four elements in fabric?  How do you make earth, wind, fire and water so vivid they leap off the surface?  In this class, you will gain a greater understanding of design principles as you work with a wide variety of techniques and products to thoroughly explore the possibilities open to us today.  Linda Schmidt will show you how to create water with fabric paints, painted melted cellophane, sheer fabrics and melted fibers.  Then, let the wind carry you up into the sky to make storm clouds and lightning with batting and sheers, fabric paints, Angelina fibers and bobbin work.  Next, you will feel the fire with Tintzl, shredded sheer fabrics, Bonding Agent 007, foil, fabric paints and markers.  Finally, come back to earth to learn to make Puff Paint, mica chip and Tyvek rocks and Fiber Etch trees.  You will experiment with paint sticks, metallic paint powders and more.  This class takes you from where you are to someplace else.  Level: Intermediate to advanced.  Requires substantial time commitment.  Six Lessons.  Extra week after Lesson Two.  Supply List.   See student projects in the Gallery.
$55      [credit card only]   Class starts September 3.

Hand Quilting   Whether you have never quilted at all or need helpful hints to improve your hand quilting, this class is for you.  Using a delightful heart pattern or your own quilt top, Nancy Chong will teach you several methods for hand quilting.  Her easy-to-follow instructions and excellent photos will provide just what you need to become a hand quilter.  Class includes photos for both right and left handed quilters.  Level: all.  Three Lessons.  Supply List. 
$27         Class starts September 17.

Fireworks!   Have you looked at fireworks and wondered how you could capture the moment when all the rockets explode into a rainbow of colors?  Helen Marshall has done it and would like to show you how.  The fireworks are machine embroidered onto the pieced surface with brilliant rayon machine embroidery threads.  A few beads can be added after the quilting to truly catch the light.  Fireworks! is 18" x 18" and is suitable for quilters with experience in accurate cutting and piecing and who are ready to try machine embroidery.  Four Lessons.  Supply List.  See student work in the Gallery.
$36         Class starts September 24.

Whisper Felting   The felting process doesn't have to give you a thick pad of uniform denseness.  The results can be light and supple.  Felting offers quilters a way to embellish fabric with a wide variety of textures and patterns.  By felting different materials together, you can change the color.  Lily Kerns will show you how to combine fibers, yarns and fabric using several different hand and machine techniques.  You will make a collection of samples and three small projects.  Little actual sewing is required.  All levels.  Four Lessons.  See Supply List.
$36         Class starts September 24.

Fabric Pages   Create a beautiful memento for a person, place or event in your life.  Martine House will show you how to incorporate pictures, text and other kinds of memorabilia into an embellished Fabric Page that folds up into a stylish envelope.  You will learn an array of embroidery stitches and surface embellishment techniques including stamping, foiling and making silk paper beads.  Perfect as a birthday or anniversary gift or to remember a special vacation.  Four Lessons.  Extra week after Lesson Three.  Bring your spirit of adventure. Supply List.  See student work in the Gallery.
$37         Class starts October 1.

Quilter's Palette   When you moved from pieced quilts to landscapes or portraits, did you have trouble finding the right fabrics?  Often, you will need several values of the same hue to achieve depth and dimension.  Marjie McWilliams will guide you as you learn to create hand dyed fabrics for sky, water, earth, hair and skin.  Working with small quantities, you will be able to create a broad range of fabrics with texture and shadows.  For best results, a minimum room temperature of 65 º F throughout the dyeing process is recommended.  Warmer is even better!  Five Lessons.  We recommend that you take Cotton Dyeing Basics first.  Supply List.  See student fabrics in the Gallery. 
$45      [credit card only]   Class starts September 3.

Fabric Painting is a satisfying art form.  No drawing or painting skills are required for this class.  It’s really quite simple.  The fabric paints  come ready-mixed.  Use Marjie McWilliams's designs or make up your own.  Together we will make color samples, experiment with color mixing, color thinning, and color layering.  Although this is a process class, the results may trigger great project ideas and expand your quilting horizons in new and exciting ways.  Five Lessons.  All Levels.  Supply List.  See Gallery for previous student work.
$45         Class starts September 17.

Gutta Resist On Silk   You may be saying, "Just what is gutta?  I've never heard of it and can't even pronounce it!"  Gutta is pronounced, "GOO-tah"; emphasize the "goo", literally and figuratively.  Originally gutta was a thick, slimy substance that came from latex in Indonesian rubber trees.  When drawn or painted onto silk, gutta will dry and become a barrier or wall that holds back the liquid dyes we apply.  Designs and patterns are the result, with a lovely white line left where the resist was originally laid down.  A simple washing out in the kitchen sink, and there you have it!  You have become a fabric designer!  Gutta resist is quite similar to the batik process, but easier, less dangerous, and faster.  It used to be a fairly complicated process involving dry cleaning, but you are going to learn some shortcuts in this class, taught by fabric designer and artist, Marjie McWilliams.  For best results, a minimal room temperature of 65º F throughout the dyeing process is recommended.   Four Lessons.  All levels.  Supply List.  Be inspired by student work in the Gallery. 
$36         Class starts October 1.

On Land And Sea   Do you just love landscape quilts, but have no idea how to make one yourself?  Explore techniques and strategies you can use to create beautiful quilted landscapes and seascapes.  Starting with fabric selection and design planning, Susan Brittingham will teach you how to translate a sketch or photograph into fabric for a stunning quilt.  Learn how to combine various forms of machine appliqué and decorative embellishments to create a unique environment that will intrigue viewers.  Quilting strategies specifically suited to landscape quilts will also be covered.  Five Lessons.  Skill level: Intermediate to advanced.  Supply List.  See student projects from previous classes in the Gallery.
$45         Class starts September 10.

Viewpoints - A Quilter's Perspective   Bring the art of perspective, one of the most important of an artist's tools, to your quilt making as you learn to create the illusion of depth in your work.  The simple techniques you will study are essential for creating interiors and work well when combined with landscapes to create "a room with a view".  You will learn to make eye catching three-dimensional frames to border your quilts and practice some exercises in linear perspective.  This Susan Brittingham class will also teach you about columns, arches, and other architectural details.  This is a process class in which you will learn new skills to use in your own quilts.  Intermediate level.  Four Lessons.  Supply List.  You can see examples of student work in the Gallery.
$36         Class starts September 24.

Waves and Waterfalls   Join Linda Schmidt for an exploration of many non-traditional techniques for making moving water, including twisted tuck waves and painted waves.  You will embellish with beads, Angelina, Tinzl and Shiva Paintstiks.  In the first three lessons, you will make waves.  Lessons Four through Six start with a photo of Yosemite Falls and advance to a waterfall of your own creation.  Skill level: Intermediate to advanced.  This class involves many different techniques and will require a substantial time commitment.  The Supply List includes many of the same items used in Linda's Elements in Fabric class.  Six Lessons.  Extra week after Lesson Three.  See examples of student work in the Gallery.
$55         Class starts September 24.

Still Life   Everything you need is provided to complete this beautiful still life of a vase.  You can treat the class as a simple project or view the vase as a sample and move on to create your personal still life composition.  The vase is constructed with fabric and fusible webbing and enhanced with free motion threadwork.  You will be given basic instructions in GIMP, a free graphics program that you can use to draw your own templates.  Ruth Blanchet also provides detailed instructions for creating shadows with fabric, thread or paint.  Lesson Four has advanced directions for making a still life with reflection.  Do it all or as much as you feel comfortable with.  Level: all.  Four Lessons. Supply List.
$36         Class starts October 1.

Realistic Fabric Portraits is perfect for quilters who think they cannot draw.  Start with a photograph and you, too, will be accepting compliments for your skills.  Award-winning artist and quilter, Marilyn Belford, will guide you step-by-step through the techniques that enable you to produce realistic fabric portraits of loved ones.  In this class, you will learn how to use the computer to adjust photos, appliqué by fusing, deal with the features on a face and use thread painting for the finishing touches.  Good basic sewing skills are necessary in this machine class.  Five Lessons.  Extra week after Lesson Four.  Supply List. See completed student quilts in the Gallery.
$46         Class starts October 1.

  Artist's Toolbox   If you have always had the  desire to be an artist or simply wish to increase your creativity, Lyric Kinard will teach you the basic alphabet of art as a visual language.  You will learn by completing a series of exercises in paper and cloth in your sketchbook.  By the end of class, you will have a complete and unique textbook of your new tools.  A supportive and encouraging environment will boost your design abilities and your appreciation of fine art, whether you are a traditional quilter or an aspiring art quilter.  Level: Anyone interested in improving their understanding of art principles. Four Lessons.  Supply List.
$36   Registration closed   Class starts September 3.

Fractal Fragments   Do you know about fractals?  You might think they are a computer age phenomenon, but they are as old as creation itself, and as ordinary as clouds, a flower or the circulation of your blood.  Fractals are a special kind of pattern and a vast and mostly untouched resource for quilt design.  In this class, Lily Kerns will give you an overview of typical fractal elements and then show you how to apply them to familiar quilting techniques.  Working with just a fragment of the fractal is one of the secrets of translating a complex fractal image into fabric.  Skill level: This class is about design and the only skill required is a willingness to experiment.  You can even play with ideas now and worry about learning quilt construction skills later.  Detailed sewing and quilt construction directions are NOT included.  Supply List.  Four Lessons.  See student projects in the Gallery.
$36      [credit card only]   Class starts September 3.

Color Companions   Are you intimidated by the color wheel?  Don't be.  These guys are all the best of friends and they would love to have  you join them.  You just need to learn the secret handshake!  Seriously, learning who gets along and why is the key to putting together fabulous color combinations.  This class expands on a series of articles Carol Miller wrote for Traditional Quilter magazine.  Never again be the victim of a boring quilt!  Learn by doing as you make your own fabric color wheel and five 24" blocks.  The blocks can be joined together or displayed singly.  All levels.  Five Lessons.  Extra week after Lesson Four.  Supply List.  See Gallery for previous student work.
$46         Class starts September 17.

Inspired to Design  Learn how to develop designs for art quilts based on your photographs.  Your inspiration can be flowers, landscapes, cityscapes, patterns in nature, engines – anything!  How do you go from a visual or aural idea to a finished design?  Elizabeth Barton will show you how to develop your drawings and how to use the shape, line, color and value to bring them to life.  You will create designs that are abstract, impressionistic and realistic, and then choose one to make in fabric.  While class emphasis is on design, constructing your piece in fabric is an important part of the process.  Elizabeth's simplified layered appliqué construction method lets you see how your finished quilt will look before you have sewn a stitch.  This method does not use fusibles.  Level: competence with machine appliqué is helpful, but a little practice will give you all the skills you need.  Four Lessons.  Supply List.  See Gallery for previous student work.
$36    Registration closed   Class starts September 17.

Structured Fabrics: Stripes, Checks and Plaids   Step away from straight seam construction and reliance on commercial fabric design.  Build your own structured fabrics using materials in your stash.  You will learn how to combine freehand rotary cutting techniques and machine appliqué with zigzag stitching to make stunning stripes, checks, and plaids.  Dena Crain will teach you an easy way to design your own wall quilt or you can use one of the layouts provided.  Dena will also show you how to enhance your structured fabrics with embellishments.  Every piece of fabric you build will have your personal signature look.  Skill Level: Intermediate.  Every piece of fabric is stitched down on both sides, so this is a time intensive class.  Four Lessons.  Supply List.  See student work in the Gallery.
$36         Class starts September 17.

Darned Quilts   Discover the world of raw edge piecing as you create a quilt reminiscent of waves and bubbles, planets in space or sand and volleyballs.  Dena Crain will show you how to cut gentle curves in gradated fabrics with a rotary cutter and how to sew them together easily.  Adding embellishments with a variety of threads, cords and stitches will build an interesting background.  Then you will learn how to cut out and reposition the circles, securing each in its new place with machine darning.  With Dena’s guidance, you will design and make an original contemporary abstract quilt, sewn entirely by machine.  Yes, you read that right.  You will learn Dena's method for binding a quilt completely by machine.  Level: Intermediate.  You must know how to sew and quilt by machine, including some experience with free motion sewing.  Four Lessons.  Supply List.  See finished student quilts in the Gallery. 
$36         Class starts October 1.

EQ6 Appliqué Design   Have you been avoiding appliqué in EQ6 because you feel like you have no control of the drawing tools?  Patti Anderson will show you how to master the PatchDraw drawing board.  You will create smooth, neat and symmetrical appliqué motifs that can be used over and over again in any EQ6 project.  Acquire the skills to make perfect posy petals, and discover the secrets to creating curvy stems and spirals.  If that's not enough, Patti will show you how you can use EQ6's WreathMaker to create beautiful wreaths with all the new appliqué motifs you created in this class.  Use of EQ6's new Precision Bar will be covered in detail, as well as how to use some of the more advanced features in PatchDraw.  Skill level: Basic knowledge of EQ6 and PatchDraw is required.  Three Lessons.  Supply List.  See student projects in the Gallery.
THIS CLASS IS APPROPRIATE FOR VERSION 6 OR VERSION 7.
$27         Class starts September 10.

Getting Started Online   Are you ready to take your place online?  Whether you are planning to enter the marketplace, help run your guild Web site or just establish a showcase for your quilting talents, Julie Neu will guide you to the correct choice and help you establish your Web presence.  Defining your goals will determine whether you choose to enter an established community, start a blog or launch a Web site.  Julie will also show you the best ways to publicize your site and use social networking sites.  No Web experience or design software is needed, but you should be comfortable with your computer and with navigating online.  All levels.  Three Lessons.  See Outline.
$27         Class starts September 24.