Instructors:

Donna Furrow
Donna has worked with sewing machines all of her life and has a vast knowledge of sewing techniques. She took her first quilting class in 1979. Donna began teaching hand piecing and hand quilting techniques, and in 1985 switched to piecing on the sewing machine. Since then Donna has taught many machine classes through the Adult Education program, in quilt shops, at quilt retreats and in quilt guilds. Donna is a member of the Mississippi Valley Quilters Guild, and The Iowa Quilt Guild and has served in many positions on their boards. Donna is also a member of Friends of Pioneer Village at Scott County Park and can often be found demonstrating sewing on their treadle sewing machine.

Linda Haugen
Linda has been quilting since the art first made it's come back in the early 1970's. Back then we all did everything by hand, it was practically a sin to mention a sewing machine, and rotary cutters had not yet been invented! This background has given Linda a comprehensive understanding of quilt design and color interaction. Having her own store, Linda was among the first to try our the "new" ideas of rotary cutting, strip quilting by machine and many other techniques we now consider the main stream. You name it, and Linda has tried it! Her favorite quilts involve intricate color change and precise piecing techniques.
EMail Linda@expressionsinthreads.com

Nancy Boomgarden
Nancy has a teaching degree and has spent several years teaching in the public school system. She began quilting several years ago and it soon became a passion, then a new career. Nancy has left the schools and now teaches quilt classes in shops and also makes quilts to sell. Nancy has been teaching for us since our very first set of classes and is a favorite among our customers, her years in the public school system have given her a great deal of patience as well as a good sense of humor!

Terre Klipsch
Terre has an easy going nature that sets her students at ease. Terre has been sewing most of her life and loves doing it, she has made everything form Bridal gowns to place mats! Terre took her first patchwork class 7 or 8 years ago and was truly hooked. She even went so far as to purchase a long arm quilting machine which has become her pride and joy. Terre has a teaching degree and also works as a personal trainer. Terre firmly believes that everyone is creative. In some of us that creativity has just been suppressed and she loves the opportunity to help to help people re-discover that part of themselves!

Kim Norton
Kim has also been quilting since the days of doing everything by hand, but has since seen the light! Kim has worked both for Linda when she had her shop and has been at Expressions since we opened. Kim doesn't finish as many quilts each year as some of the other teachers, but she sure likes to start them! Now she has her eye on one of the new Janome machines - so watch out! Kim's favorite quilts are scrap quilts with lots of fabrics - if 10 fabrics are good, then 100 are better!
EMail kim@expressionsinthreads.com

Class Supply Lists

Supply list for Binding Basics

Fabrics: (to make binding sample)
1 or 2 prepared sample quilt sandwich – see pre class preparation
Fabric in a contrasting color for binding strips
Finished quilt of your choice to bind (if you do not have a project we will supply a charity quilt for you to work on.)

Basic Quilting Supplies:
Sewing Machine
Extra Needles
Extra Bobbins
Rotary Cutter
Cutting Mat
Acrylic Ruler
Thread
Pins
Seam Ripper
Scissors or snips for cutting threads

Pre Class Preparation:

To be able to practice putting on a quilt binding you will need something to bind. We would like you to prepare a sample piece to work on; this can be kept and used as a reference piece in the future.

Sample quilt sandwich: for the “top” choose a piece of fabric no less than 12 inches square and no more than 18 inches square. This can be a single piece of fabric, or an extra quilt block from a project. Choose a backing fabric and piece of low loft batting; these should be a couple of inches larger in each direction than your top is. Layer the three pieces and quilt as desired. This does not need to be fancy; you just need to do enough quilting to hold the layers together.

Class Highlights

During class we will be exploring the different types of batting available and how to decide which to use for your projects.
We will be binding a sample to keep as a reference, and you will have the opportunity to bind a project of your own while there is someone around to help you if you get stuck.
 

Supply list for Jody's Jems: Shining Stars

Pattern:
Shining Stars by Jody’s Jems

Fabrics:
22 fat quarters (these can be lights and darks or two different colors 11 of each)
¼ yard for frame
½ yard first border
1 1/8 yard second border
2/3 yard binding


Basic Quilting Supplies:
Sewing Machine
Extra Needles
Extra Bobbins
Rotary Cutter – 60 mm
Cutting Mat
Acrylic Ruler
Thread for piecing
Pins
Seam Ripper
Scissors or snips for cutting threads
 

Supply list for Bali Bag

Pattern:
Bali Bags by Aunties Two

Fabrics:
1 jelly roll with no less than 40 strips
1 yard lining fabric
125 feet cotton clothesline

Basic Quilting Supplies:
Sewing Machine
Extra Needles (top stitching or jeans needle)
Extra Bobbins
Rotary Cutter
Cutting Mat
Acrylic Ruler
Thread for piecing – this will show make sure it coordinates
Seam Ripper
Scissors or snips for cutting threads

Note:
These are the supplies you will need if you choose to make the bag. DO NOT bring supplies to class – this is a lecture and demonstration only, you will not be working on your project.
 

Supply list for Bottle in a Fish

Pattern:
Bottle-in-a-Fish by Pat-e-Patterns

Fabrics:
3 coordinating fabrics for fish body, fins and lining (a fat quarter of each works well)
1/3 yard Insul-Brite
1/3 yard of fusible interfacing

Basic Quilting Supplies:
Sewing Machine
Extra Needles
Extra Bobbins
Rotary Cutter
Cutting Mat
Acrylic Ruler
Thread for appliqué
Thread for piecing
Pins
Seam Ripper
Scissors or snips for cutting threads
Scissors for cutting fabric
 

Supply list for Free Motion Quilting
Free Motion Quilting Supply List

Book:
Skillbuilder Companion for Machine Quilters by Renae Allen

Fabrics:
1 Skillbuilder panel
1 yard fabric for back of piece
1 piece low loft quilt batting approximately 36 X 45
2 fat quarters of any fabric for practicing techniques

Basic Quilting Supplies:
Sewing Machine
Extra Needles
Extra Bobbins
Thread in a contrasting color to show well
This is also an opportunity to play with specialty threads such as variegated and metallic threads, if you wish to experiment with these please be sure to bring the appropriate needles for your thread.
Scissors or snips for cutting threads
Cut away stabilizer (not tear away)
This is for practicing techniques 2 pieces about 18 X 20
Embroidery hoop
The one that came with your sewing machine or other thin hoop that you can slide under your presser foot. The 7 inch spring style hoops work well.
 

Supply list for Rangely Wall Quilt

Pattern:
Rangeley Wall Quilt by Studio 180 designs
Tool:
Tucker Trimmer by Studio 180 designs

Fabrics:
Focus fabric: ¾ yard
Star points: ¾ yard
Accent fabric: ½
Background fabric: 1 1/3 yards
Binding: 3/8 yards
Backing: 1 1/3 yards

Basic Quilting Supplies:
Sewing Machine
Extra Needles
Extra Bobbins
Rotary Cutter
Cutting Mat
Acrylic Ruler
Thread for piecing
Pins
Seam Ripper
Scissors or snips for cutting threads

Pre Class Preparation:

Please refer to the cutting chart on the first page of your pattern and cut out the fabrics for one of each size and style of star. This will get you started in class.

Supply list for X-Block: Mo's Basket

Pattern:
Mo’s Basket by Quilt Queen Designs

Tool:
X-Blocks tool by Quilt Queen Designs

Fabrics:
3 coordinating fabrics plus borders
See pattern for the requirements in the size you wish to make


Basic Quilting Supplies:
Sewing Machine
Extra Needles
Extra Bobbins
Rotary Cutter
Cutting Mat
Acrylic Ruler
Thread for piecing
Pins
Seam Ripper
Scissors or snips for cutting threads