Quilters Calendar & Guild Network

resources for quilt guild volunteers

Diane D. Knott

Diane D. Knott

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Home: Cumming, Georgia, USA

Author of books Scrap Quilt Secrets (2016) and Strip Quilt Secrets (2018) published by C&T.

Diane’s loves to share all of her secrets for making scrap quilts using fun and easy techniques to ensure success.

Choose from several guild presentations with 20+ quilts each, and workshops that specialize in sewing curves, strip piecing, and sewing strategies for successful patchwork in less time. For more about Diane please visit her website: www.butterflythreadsquilting.com

Please let Diane know you found her on The Quilter’s Calendar!

Heather Kojan

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Home: Owings Mill, Maryland

I’ve been sewing since my teens and quilting for more than 25 years.

My first quilt was an Eleanor Burns Quilt in a Day. Since I had a king sized bed, it made sense to me to make a king sized quilt. Go big or go home, right? That quilt was in shades of mauve and dusty blue (hello mid ’80’s!) Let’s just say my fabric tastes have changed since then!

I consider myself a modern quilter, with traditional roots. I’m the founder of the Baltimore Modern Quilt Guild and love speaking to different groups and sharing the modern aesthetic. I’m foremost a teacher. I teach modern quilting classes in local shops, guilds and shows across the country.

I’m a contributing author to the book Classic Modern Quilts and a featured quilter in The Improv Handbook for Modern Quilters by Sherri Lynn Wood, and 50 Little Gifts published by Lucky Spool. You can frequently find my work in Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks Magazine and Modern Patchwork Magazine.

Let’s connect! You can find me on my blog: www.heatherkojan.com or on Instagram @heatherkojan.

Please let Heather know you found her on The Quilter’s Calendar!

Marci Baker

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Home: Fort Collins, Colorado, USA

Recognized internationally for her expertise in quilting, Marci enjoys sharing ideas that simplify the process of quilting.

A native of Dallas, Texas, Marci has loved sewing for years, making her first quilt at age 9 and sewing her own clothes in high school and college. She began teaching quilting in 1989 for her local quilt guild. Marci has applied her love of math (she has a bachelor’s and master’s degrees in applied mathematics) to her love of quilting to develop easier ways for quilting success. Through her excellent teaching skills, her students learn new and exciting methods that simplify and improve their quilting.

Teaching quilting is Marci’s true passion and will travel to anywhere there are quilters. Across the US and Canada, from Brazil to Dubai, she has shared her expertise. Online you can see her in action on The Quilt Show, Creative Spark, and videos on her website.

Collaborating with Sara Nephew, they have written 3-D Magic, Stack and Cut Hexagon Quilts, Wonderful One Patch, and Not Your Grandmother’s Log Cabin. Solo, she has written ABC 3-D, Tumbling Blocks and More and The Quilters Binding Bible, and developed Sewing Edge and The Ultimate Value Tool in partnership with C&T Publishing. Marci’s simplifying methods can be seen at QuiltwithMarciBaker.com, where quilters enjoy their quilting even more!

Marci and her husband, Clint, live in Fort Collins, Colorado, where they enjoy the beauty of nature. Of course, she makes it back to Texas, for family and longtime quilting friends.

Her lectures always have a learning component with demonstrations and quilts. Workshops are intended to be focused on the topic/project with an overall inclusion of valuable quilting tips. Her most popular topic is 3-D designs followed closely by binding, fabric value selection, tips on all things quilting, and quilt designs (hand, machine, and long arm).

My goal for quilters:

When I teach my techniques, my mantra is ”Enjoy your quilting even more!”

Quotes from customers:

“Thank you greatly! I have never experienced such accuracy and it is incredibly easy. I don’t have to think. The fabric glides through the machine and I find my sewing relaxing.” – Joanne, shop owner and quilter for over 50 years.

“You are the best teacher we have ever had for our guild!” – Laurie, guild programs person

“Thank you so much for all your info and patience. All the hints are greatly appreciated!!” – Sheila, workshop student

“Thank you for your visit to [our guild]! We always enjoy your approach to quilting!” – Joan and Sandi, workshop students

Check out Marci’s website and video page.

Please let Marci know you found her on The Quilter’s Calendar!

Mel Beach

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Home: San Jose, California

Mel Beach is a San Jose, CA based quilt artist, teacher and lecturer, who breaks away from tradition by adding her own modern, beautifully textured and colorful twists. She loves stretching her creativity through her completion of 60+ quilt challenges at the local and international level. Her quilt challenge entries draw upon her inquisitive nature of asking “What If?”, working in a series, comedy improv studies along with her love of nature, photography and sketching.

Many of her challenge quilts have been exhibited locally, juried into national quilt shows and traveling exhibits, published in books/magazines, earned awards/ribbons and selected as Finalists.

She is an Aurifil Artisan and a Featured Artist on The Quilt Show with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims (episode 2112).

Mel is an industry leader in online teaching for guilds. She works closely with many guilds, including the Studio Art Quilt Association and the Northern California Quilt Council, to bring the best possible learning experience to her students. ~Marguerita

Multi-Media Lectures/Trunk Shows: Quilt challenges, fabric dyeing and free-motion quilting.

Quilting Workshops: Pebble & Play!, Mod Molas & Bright Blooms, Magnificent Mandalas, Walking Foot WOW.

Modern Design Workshops: Slice of Improv, Free Styling & Spiraling, Mod Mandalas, Intriguing Interleaves, Improv, Improv Piecing, Improvisational.

See more about Mel on her website Mel Beach Quilts.  Please let Mel know you found her on The Quilter’s Calendar!

Please let Mel know you found her on The Quilter’s Calendar!

Tammy Silvers

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Home: Acworth Georgia, USA

I design under the label Tamarinis, and specialize in – well, pretty much fun, inspiring projects. Guided improv and paper piecing patterns offer a modern spin on classic designs.

I am a Certified Studio 180 instructor, offering Tucker University sessions, as well as lectures, classes and workshops on Studio 180 tools, techniques and patterns and a certified Aurifilosopher. I teach regularly at Stitch’n Quilt, in Mableton GA.

I have been published in several quilting magazines and have multiple fabric lines with Island Batik.

My lecture options, supported with tons of quilt examples, focus on color and fabric choices, and how selections can transform a project.

Interrogating Your Quilt:
Don’t be nice about it – force that fabric to talk to you! Get the real info on how it can work for you to help you achieve your “quilt” vision. This humor-laden lecture focuses on getting the most from your fabric choices and how fabric can (and does) influence the finished quilt! Supported by plenty of quilt examples from my retinue of quilts – good and bad!

Seeing Double:
Ever wonder – what would this quilt look like if I made it in another color way? If I used plaids and stripes instead of florals? Well, I can’t tell you what EVERY quilt would look like, but we can explore some practical examples together! In a fun format, we will compare quilts made in florals versus batiks, reproduction fabrics versus crisp modern prints, brights versus pastels. Gather inspiration and insight into the choices for your next project!

Auriphilosophy Lecture

Aurifilosophy is…
— The search for Knowledge and Truth, especially about the nature and behavior of Aurifil thread.
— A program designed to unlock the mysteries of thread, educate, inspire, and enable all users to achieve brilliant results.

We’ve trained and certified a team of dynamic, charismatic, and brand-loyal designers, artisans, and educators to offer Aurifilosophy using a structured presentation and thread demonstration. Aurifilosophers will cover thread basics, including information on weight and ply, spool positioning, needle recommendations, and tension settings. They’ll offer helpful tips and tricks, share projects and photos aimed to inspire and expand your use of Aurifil threads, and will gift each program attendee with a bag of exclusive Aurifil swag!

I offer many different workshops including online presentations focusing on a variety of techniques, including paper piecing, guided improv and faux curved piecing methods. You can see my patterns and workshops at www.tamarinis.com.

My Brochure – [ddownload id=”6400″]

Contact Email me at tamarinisquilts @ gmail.com or info @ tamarinis.com to come teach for your guild, or give me a call at area code Four Zero Four 388-9820 [Eastern Time Zone]. Please let Tammy know you found her on The Quilter’s Calendar!

To The Point – A Guided Improv Quilt

 

18 Sound Waves

Featured Teacher Tammy Silvers

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Tammy Silvers mixes guided improv and paper piecing patterns to offer a modern spin on classic designs. She is a Certified Studio 180 instructor, offering lectures, classes and workshops on Studio 180 tools, techniques and patterns. Contact: tamarinisquilts @ gmail.com

Cindy Grisdela

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Home: Reston, Virginia, USA. Online classes for guilds, as well as presentations, are available!

Cindy is the author of Artful Improv: Explore Color Recipes, Building Blocks & Free Motion Quilting.

Cindy specializes in improvisational piecing and free motion quilting. She offers a variety of classes, both technique based and project based, using improv techniques to help quilters explore their own creativity. She also offers trunk shows on using color effectively and combining stitch patterns to create compelling quilts.

Cindy’s work was featured in Quilting Arts TV’s season 2100 on curved piecing and improv log cabin blocks. Find out more about Cindy by visiting her website.

Cindy is experienced in offering online classes, presentations, workshops specifically for guilds. Be sure to check her website for more details. ~Marguerita

Please let Cindy know you found her on The Quilter’s Calendar!

Valerie Goodwin

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Home: Tallahassee, Florida, USA

Author of Art Quilt Maps available through C&T Publishing, Valerie S. Goodwin is an artist who began designing and making quilts in 1998. Her work uses architectural elements such as built form, city planning, and mapping as inspiration. These pieces usually focus on the geometrical relationships, patterns and ordering principles found in architecture.
Valerie has taught workshops nationally and internationally, including Australia, Canada, & Switzerland. These classes focus on the creation of fiber art maps, design thinking, and mixed media techniques. Workshops include MAP PLAY, MAPPING PERSONAL PLACES, FAVORITE PLACES, MAP HAIKU, & MONO-PRINTED MAP COLLAGE.
She also offers several lectures and trunk shows. Her workshops can be done virtually or in-person.
She is a retired Professor of Architecture at Florida A & M University’s School of Architecture; she was educated at Yale University and Washington University in St. Louis. Her work has been exhibited locally, nationally, and internationally. Selected venues include Quilt National, Art Quilts at Sedgwick, and Visions.
Student Comment:
I have attended many workshops and classes at locations such as Arrowmont, Penland and Split Rock and I state that Valerie’s course was one of the strongest workshops I have experienced. Because of the fact that her workshops increase the participants’ sensitivity  to the development of composition as well as mixed media quilting techniques, I would gladly recommend her workshops to friends, students, and colleagues!
Elizabeth V

Visit Valerie’s website: Valerie Goodwin Art

Visit Valerie’s Instagram: Valerie Goodwin Art

Visit Valerie’s Facebook: Valerie Goodwin Art

Contact Valerie: [valeriegoodwin] @ comcast.net  (remove brackets and spaces)

Please let Valerie know you found her on The Quilter’s Calendar!