Quilters Calendar & Guild Network

resources for quilt guild volunteers

hand quilting

Irene Blanck

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I live in Melbourne, Australia. I have been quilting for the last 30 years but only started designing since 2007. I have done all sorts of quilting but my love is needleturn applique.

I enjoy teaching classes in all aspects of needleturn applique and instilling in quilters the love for needleturn applique. I try and make my classes fun and stress-free. I like to think of my classes as “sit and sew” sessions – or “mini quilt-ins” – where we have a fun and relaxing day, chatting to friends as well as learning a new technique or perfecting on techniques.

In my classes I teach all the short-cuts which I’ve learnt over the years – mostly from making mistakes and doing things over and over again. I have been extremely fortunate to be able to teach in Australia, the US and Europe. Quiltmania published a book of my quilts in 2015 – titled “Focus on Applique” and I think this helped launch my international career.

I recently watched Irene do a trunk show via Zoom, then a demo on her clam shell hand applique techniques and she was wonderful.

She is very entertaining, her quilts are gorgeous and she clearly demonstrated and explained the entire process she uses, from start to finish, for her clam shell quilts.

She was actually onscreen for almost two hours, laughing and joking with us through it all. She even gave us a sneak peek of what she’s working on now, a 2021 applique BOM that is stunning. Book her soon, she’s an expert at live streaming and a wonderful teacher.

Marguerita McManus
Irene, demonstrating her clamshell technique.

Hire Irene soon before her schedule books up, your guild will love her! She’s very experienced at presenting virtually via Zoom and she’ll inspire you with her gorgeous quilts and easy to follow tips.~Marguerita

Download Irene’s Current Contact and Rates Info (2020) — [ddownload id=”17273″]

Visit Irene’s website for more info on her – https://focusonquilts.com.au/irene/

Be sure to tell Irene that you found her on The Quilters Calendar!

Barb Eikmeier

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Home: Lansing, Kansas

Barbara J. Eikmeier (Barb) has been quilting since 1984 and teaching quilting since 1990.

She is the author of four books, published by Martingale and Co, including “Back Basting Applique Step by Step”, has designed seven fabric collections for Paintbrush Studio Fabrics and is a Bluprint instructor (formerly Craftsy).

In 2016 she became the authorized distributor for the Magic Triangle Ruler. Married to a retired army officer, she has lived in several regions of the US and South Korea. Barb considers herself a traditional quilter and although appliqué is her favorite quilting technique she also offers programs on sashings, random block samplers, solids, and other traditional quilting techniques. She lives in Lansing, KS with her husband Dale and two dogs and is pleased to now offer all regular lectures as virtual programs.

Barb has announced a retirement date: November 2024. I saw Barb do a trunk show via Zoom on July 11, 2020 and she was MARVELOUS! Hire her fast before her calendar fills up! ~Marguerita

From Barb’s Trunk Show for The Applique Society in July 2020. Used with permission.

Find out more about Barb on her website and drool over her quilts at https://www.barbsfavorites.com/

Be sure to tell Barb that you found her on The Quilters Calendar!

Stephanie Hackney

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Home: Austin, Texas

Stephanie Hackney is a world-traveling branding professional and professional speaker who’s known for her expertise on batting (wadding).

Stephanie has shared her knowledge through lectures at many major quilting industry shows and events, including: Quilt Market, Quilt Festival, Road to California and AQS Spring Paducah (as well as numerous other AQS events).

She has also provided batting education to the members of numerous guilds in North America, as well as to customers of numerous retail stores, and she is often called upon to share this education (and sales training) to industry sales teams.

She serves as the director of sales and marketing for Hobbs Bonded Fibers, an industry leader in non-woven textiles manufacturing, and has made it her mission to provide quilters, sewers and crafters with the knowledge they need to choose the best batting option(s) to garner the results they desire in their quilted, sewn and crafted projects.

The lecture she offers, ‘Batting: What’s Inside Matters,’ is presented via a 1-hour lecture and customization of the information is possible.

For more information on Stephanie’s professional background, please visit her LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniehackney

Please let Stephanie know that you found her on The Quilters Calendar.

Lynn Kane

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I live, as I have most of my life, in rural Rensselaer County in upstate New York.

Puppy Girl Designs celebrates 10 years!

I design hand embroidery and quilt patterns and finish each piece with a unique border or binding.

I travel New England giving Presentations and Workshops to guild and shops.

Always enthusiastic and entertaining, I’m ready to come have fun with you!!

Learn more about me on my website Puppy Girl Designs and please let Lynn know you found her on The Quilter’s Calendar!

Check out Lynn’s Facebook page: Puppy Girl Designs

Check out Lynn’s Instagram page:- Puppy Girl Designs

Check out Lynn’s YouTube Channel: Puppy Girl Designs

And email Lynn here: lynn @ puppygirldesigns.com (remove spaces)

Robin Koehler

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Home: Tarpon Springs, Florida, USA

Life is a journey! My husband’s Coast Guard career allowed NESTLINGS by
Robin to fly for the past 15 years as we traveled; quilting, teaching, and designing.

NESTLINGS by Robin is a Quilt Design/ Pattern Publishing, Hand quilting,
and Appraisal services business.

“Robin’s Wreaths” is the 2018 series quilt in AQ magazine.

In my continuing Appraisal training, the designers of the past have become
my inspiration for my newer work combining traditional elements with my
own whimsical style. Inspiring creativity through collaboration and allowing students to find their inner creative is a common element in my classes. I offer many lectures and workshops including my popular Fabric Collaborations.

My website is www.nestlingsbyrobin.com Please visit me there for more information.

Please let Robin 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!

Patricia Belyea

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Patricia BelyeaHome: Seattle, Washington

Patricia Belyea, an artisan quilter, imports vintage hand-dyed yukata cottons from Japan. In 2013, she opened a petite yukata cotton shop in the lower level of her Seattle home where she also teaches quilting classes.

An avid traveler, Patricia visits guilds and shares her passion for quilting.

Visit Her Website

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

Peggy Gelbrich

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Home: Yamhill, Oregon.

Peggy’s teaching style is Modern Traditional taking traditional patterns and making them new again with new, easier techniques, fabrics and settings.

She teaches machine piecing, including foundation piecing using freezer paper. This techniques leaves no paper to tear away and a reusable pattern.

She also teaches needle-turn applique and hand quilting.

She has been nominated as Teacher of the Year for the Professional Quilter Magazine. Check out her website: www.yellowhousequilter.com

Visit Peggy’s Website

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