Workshop Happenings

2018 has been the Year of the Workshop for me. After retiring from teaching in May 2016, I wanted to start teaching people how to quilt. However, I was not sure how to begin. Then I saw that Quilt in a Day was offering a course that would enable people to become Quilt in a Day Certified Teachers. Eleanor Burns has been my mentor since the 1980's. I learned to piece on a sewing machine by watching her on television, participating in her block parties, and making the majority of her patterns. Being a Certified Quilt in a Day Teacher seemed perfect for me. 

I went to the training in Paducah, Kentucky and met some wonderful quilters. The training was thorough and very helpful. You can read more about it here.

Quilt in a Day Certified Teachers with Sue Bouchard

However, after I was certified, I was still unsure about how to get started. Where would I teach? How would I recruit students? 

I tried many of the venues that were suggested in the training. I tried contacting local quilt shops. There are very few local quilt shops in rural Oklahoma, which is where I live. I tried contacting quilt guilds. I wrote to program chairs for local quilt shows. Nothing seemed to be working for me. Then I decided that rural Oklahoma is different from large cities. I have to think local. 

I live in the country. The closest town is Tahlequah, Oklahoma. The city of Tahlequah has an Armory and Municipal Center that rents space at a very reasonable rate. I visited the facility and found that one of their rooms would fit my needs, There was good lighting, a cabinet available for ironing and cutting, six-foot tables, and adequate electrical outlets. In addition, the staff were very helpful. I decided to launch my workshops in my own rented space!

I set up a workshop schedule. I had some false starts, but eventually I figured out that people like a six-hour workshop for each project. I now schedule one Saturday a month for the workshops, except for November and December when we are selling Christmas Trees on our farm.

Here are some of my workshop participants. A big thank you to participants who shared their work.

Seven Pointed Star, March, 2018

Girl's Best Friend, April, 2018

My Sample, Patriotic Table Runner, May, 2018

T-Shirt Quilt, June 2018

T-Shirt Quilt, June 2018

In the Pines, July 2018, Photo by Rhonda Stanley, used with permission

Dessert Time, September, 2018

Dessert Time, September, 2018

Christmas Wedge Table Runner, October 2018

The Seven Pointed Star was made using the Phillips Fiber Art Perfect Seven Ruler (not an affiliate link).  The patterns Girl's Best Friend, In the Pines, and Dessert Time are from Quilt in a Day (not an affiliate link). The Patriotic Table Runner and Christmas Wedge Table Runner were designed by JANDA Bend Quilts.

I want to thank everyone who participated in my first year of workshops. I met so many wonderful women who share my love of quilting. It was so much fun for me. I hope that you enjoyed it as well.  Thank you!

I have planned new workshops for 2019. To find out what I will be offering starting in January, go to Scheduled Workshops. Registration will be available soon.

Thanks for joining me and Happy Quilting!

​This post was originally published at JANDA Bend Quilts.