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What's Happening?

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We are excited to share our news and upcoming events with you.

We are working to keep this page updated frequently,

so you can see what is happening through our needles' eyes!

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Please check the dropdown menu under News and Events for more

specific information about our ongoing projects.

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We would love to hear from you and perhaps plan a visit for 2025 or 2026.

Lecture

The Texture Lecture

Quilters Unlimited

Vienna Chapter

Virtual Via ZOOM

February 18, 2025

7:00 PM Eastern Time

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hand appliqué, ribbon flowers, silk appliqué, embroidery, embellishment, Through the Needle's Eye,

Adding texture to our quilts adds a wonderful, new dimension to them whether they are appliquéd or pieced. In this lecture, we will share the many different ways to add texture through embroidery, fibers, and embellishment. We invite you to join us as we explore techniques to bring your quilts to life with texture.

The Academy of Appliqué will be held in Williamsburg, Virginia, March 3–8, 2025.  The Class Catalog is now posted for you to peruse in August 2024, and registration opens on Labor Day. We are excited to share our class offerings, and we hope you might join us next spring! 

Class: Session 1

Woodland Reverie—

Fox and Berries or Dragonfly

Academy of Appliqué

Kingsmill Resort

1010 Kingsmill Rd.

Williamsburg, VA 23185

March 3–5, 2025

www.academyofapplique.com

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For more information,

CLICK HERE​!

Our woodland journey continues with two new blocks from our Woodland Reverie quilt. Both of these dimensional blocks are filled with many different fibers and stitching techniques. The Fox and Berries include a handsome fox flanked by foxglove, sitting in a woven wreath of silk flowers and lifelike luscious berries. The Dragonfly lights in the center of lovely papercut-style greenery with dainty wired-ribbon blooms.  All skills for both blocks will be covered in this class—and some will overlap—so you will be able to increase your appliqué and embellishment skills. Multiple methods of appliqué will be taught, along with ribbon work and embroidery. We will explore back-basting and reverse appliqué, stumpwork, and even some wool needle-felting.

Which block will you choose? Or perhaps you will venture into our Woodland Reverie and choose both! Click here to see more of our Woodland Reverie quilt.

fox and berries, hand appliqué, ribbon flowers, silk appliqué, embroidery, embellishment, Through the Needle's Eye, wreath, beads, foxglove,
fox and berries, hand appliqué, ribbon flowers, silk appliqué, embroidery, embellishment, Through the Needle's Eye, wreath, beads, foxglove,

Fox and Berries on a light or dark background; what will you choose?

fox and berries, fox, hand appliqué, ribbon flowers, silk appliqué, embroidery, embellishment, Through the Needle's Eye,

We will do some needle-felting

to embellish Mr. Fox.

through the needle's eye, hand applique, ribbon embroidery, bead, hand embroidery, raspberries, applique embellished with beads, asters, silk ribbon flowers
through the needle's eye, hand applique, ribbon embroidery, bead, hand embroidery, raspberries, applique embellished with beads, asters, silk ribbon flowers

You can choose red raspberries and purple asters or black raspberries and golden asters.

Through the Needle's Eye, hand applique, ribbon flowers, foxglove, dimensional applique, hand embroidery,
Through the Needle's Eye, hand applique, ribbon flowers, foxglove, dimensional applique, hand embroidery,

Foxglove in yellow or purple

dragonfly and fern, hand applique, back-basting hand applique, ribbon flowers, dragonfly, through the needle's eye, wired ribbon flowers
dragonfly and fern, hand applique, back-basting hand applique, ribbon flowers, dragonfly, through the needle's eye, wired ribbon flowers
dragonfly and fern, hand applique, back-basting hand applique, ribbon flowers, dragonfly, through the needle's eye, wired ribbon flowers
dragonfly and fern, hand applique, back-basting hand applique, ribbon flowers, dragonfly, through the needle's eye, wired ribbon flowers

Dragonfly on a light or dark background

dragonfly and fern, hand applique, back-basting hand applique, ribbon flowers, dragonfly, through the needle's eye, wired ribbon flowers, dupioni silk applique
dragonfly and fern, hand applique, back-basting hand applique, ribbon flowers, dragonfly, through the needle's eye, wired ribbon flowers, dupioni silk applique

Silk dragonfly wings are free to fly, and his body gleams with shimmering thread and beads.

dragonfly and fern, hand applique, back-basting hand applique, ribbon flowers, dragonfly, through the needle's eye, wired ribbon flowers,
dragonfly and fern, hand applique, back-basting hand applique, ribbon flowers, dragonfly, through the needle's eye, wired ribbon flowers,

Simple gathered wired ribbon flowers grace the corners of this leafy papercut design.

Class: Session 2

Filigree Fiesta

Academy of Appliqué

Kingsmill Resort

1010 Kingsmill Rd.

Williamsburg, VA 23185

March 6–8, 2025

www.academyofapplique.com

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For more information,

CLICK HERE​!

Filigree Fiesta is a vibrant block reminiscent of Mexican embroidery, and it contains a plethora of skills that you may not have tried before. Have you ever wondered if there were ways you could approach appliqué that are “out of the box” from what you already know? Could you use more than one method in your design? This class will explore multiple appliqué techniques, tips, and tricks that will help you select the best method for each element in your design. While appliqué is going to be an important part of this class, we will also cover how to enhance that appliqué with simple embroidery stitches that are not only beautiful but functional as well. All these techniques taught in a relaxed, no-pressure setting will give you the tools in a medallion block that is bright and full of life and visual interest. 

The design size is 24” square.

hand applique, filigree fiesta, tilda fabrics, back-basting applique class, broderie perse applique, applique with embroidery, hand embrodery, through the needle's eye

Filigree Fiesta

hand applique, filigree fiesta, tilda fabrics, back-basting applique class, broderie perse applique, applique with embroidery, hand embrodery, through the needle's eye
hand applique, filigree fiesta, tilda fabrics, back-basting applique class, broderie perse applique, applique with embroidery, hand embrodery, through the needle's eye

Simple embroidery stitches that look complicated.  (We promise, they are not!)

hand applique, filigree fiesta, tilda fabrics, back-basting applique class, broderie perse applique, applique with embroidery, hand embrodery, through the needle's eye

Blanket-stitch magic

hand applique, filigree fiesta, tilda fabrics, back-basting applique class, broderie perse applique, applique with embroidery, hand embrodery, through the needle's eye
hand applique, filigree fiesta, tilda fabrics, back-basting applique class, broderie perse applique, applique with embroidery, hand embrodery, through the needle's eye
hand applique, filigree fiesta, tilda fabrics, back-basting applique class, broderie perse applique, applique with embroidery, hand embrodery, through the needle's eye

We will learn a variety of appliqué techniques, including prepared edge, fusing, back-basting, and even some broderie perse. 

This is a great class to try some new methods and develop your own favorite way to appliqué.

We are delighted to announce that we will be teaching in Gettysburg, PA, at the Mid-Appalachian Quilters Annual Educational Seminar this June. We would love to see you at Gettysburg College!

Registration opens on March 1, and classes fill fast!

Workshop: Friday-Saturday

Vintage Belle

Mid-Appalachian Quilters

Gettysburg College

300 North Washington Street
Gettysburg, PA 17325

June 6–7, 2025

https://maqonline.org/

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For more information,

CLICK HERE​!

Do you have a drawer full of vintage linens and lady’s handkerchiefs that you don’t want to throw away, but you don’t know what to do with them? Well, pull that drawer open, as we have the perfect project! Vintage hankies are used to create these graceful ladies holding a bouquet of embroidered flowers. In class, we will learn how to manipulate the handkerchief into a beautiful skirt, with enough left over to create a bodice and/or bonnet—or you can create your own dress combination with other fabrics for the bodice. There will be lots of design choices based on one beautiful hanky. As an added bonus, we will also learn how to play with doilies and lace trims to create a beautiful frame around your design. You may decide to make multiple ladies and turn them into a quilt. These gals are addicting to make, and you might not be able to stop at just one! There is no kit fee, but we will have a few hanky/background combinations available for $17 if you want to purchase a set.

Workshop: Sunday

Hopeful Flowers

Mid-Appalachian Quilters

Gettysburg College

300 North Washington Street
Gettysburg, PA 17325

June 8, 2025

https://maqonline.org/

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For more information,

CLICK HERE​!

This floral wall hanging, is filled with a variety of unique stitches, and is a great start to embellished wool appliqué.  Your stitch repertoire will grow as you complete each of the four blocks. This class will focus on basic wool appliqué and introduce some creative ways to use embroidery stitches to bring your appliqué to a new level. This would be a good introductory course for beginners but still challenging enough with new stitching applications for those with experience. Each student will receive a practice embroidery piece and practice thread. We will have wool kits available for $15 if you choose to purchase one.

hand applique, wool applique class, Elly's Elegance, wool applique with ribbon flowers, ribbon flowers, hand embroidery, through the needle's eye,

Silk and wool tulips

hand applique, wool applique class, Elly's Elegance, wool applique with ribbon flowers, ribbon flowers, hand embroidery, through the needle's eye,

Learn how to make this 5-petal posy.

Fun with 3-dimensional leaves

hand applique, wool applique class, Elly's Elegance, wool applique with ribbon flowers, ribbon flowers, hand embroidery, through the needle's eye,

Baltimore on the Prairie 2025 in open for registration, and we are excited about our classes! Next year's conference will be a special one, and we hope to see you there.

Class, Session A—

Elly's Elegance

Baltimore on the Prairie

Lied Lodge and Convention Center 

Nebraska City, NE

Session A:

Wed., Sept. 3–Thurs., Sept. 4, 2025

www.baltimoreontheprairie.com

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TO REGISTER, CLICK HERE​!

These four blocks are inspired by designs created by Elly Sienkiewicz in her Baltimore Elegance book. Creating them in wool was a joy and privilege that was graciously given by Elly herself. Each block is done with wool appliqué, and we have  added ribbon skills to embellish each. Three-dimensional leaves, a new flower we have never taught before, and some very fun embroidery stitches are just a few of the things we will cover in this session. We will be covering all the skills needed to stitch all four blocks. 

hand applique, wool applique class, Elly's Elegance, wool applique with ribbon flowers, ribbon flowers, hand embroidery, through the needle's eye,
hand applique, wool applique class, Elly's Elegance, wool applique with ribbon flowers, ribbon flowers, hand embroidery, through the needle's eye,

Blooms in our Family Tree

hand applique, wool applique class, Elly's Elegance, wool applique with ribbon flowers, ribbon flowers, hand embroidery, through the needle's eye,

Embroidered floral center

hand applique, wool applique class, Elly's Elegance, wool applique with ribbon flowers, ribbon flowers, hand embroidery, through the needle's eye,

Elegant velvet flower centers

hand applique, wool applique class, Elly's Elegance, wool applique with ribbon flowers, ribbon flowers, hand embroidery, through the needle's eye,

Simple embroidery adds a lot!

Class, Session B—

Bird and Basket

Baltimore on the Prairie

Lied Lodge and Convention Center 

Nebraska City, NE

Session B:

Fri., Sept. 5–Sat., Sept. 6, 2025

www.baltimoreontheprairie.com

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TO REGISTER, CLICK HERE​!

Inspired by an antique French fabric panel, our Bird and Basket comes to life with a multimedia rendering. Wool appliqué will be enhanced with velvet and ribbon flowers and embroidery, and you can even use a vintage doily for your basket to rest on if you wish. We will learn several methods for wool appliqué, as well as the simple embroidery stitches to embellish it, including the bird’s luxurious tail feathers.

bird and basket, wool applique class, hand applique, ribbon flowers, silk ribbon flowers, wired ribbon flowers, ribbon embroidery, hand embroidery,
bird and basket, wool applique class, hand applique, ribbon flowers, silk ribbon flowers, wired ribbon flowers, ribbon mbroidery, hand embroidery, through the needle's eye
bird and basket, wool applique class, hand applique, ribbon flowers, silk ribbon flowers, wired ribbon flowers, ribbon mbroidery, hand embroidery, through the needle's eye
bird and basket, wool applique class, hand applique, ribbon flowers, silk ribbon flowers, wired ribbon flowers, ribbon mbroidery, hand embroidery, through the needle's eye

Our basket sits on a doily, but it could be wool appliqué.

Wool and silk rosebuds

Two techniques for ribbon roses

bird and basket, wool applique class, hand applique, ribbon flowers, silk ribbon flowers, wired ribbon flowers, ribbon mbroidery, hand embroidery, through the needle's eye

Colorful bird with luxurious tail 

bird and basket, wool applique class, hand applique, ribbon flowers, silk ribbon flowers, wired ribbon flowers, ribbon mbroidery, hand embroidery, through the needle's eye

Hand-dyed silk ribbon buds

bird and basket, wool applique class, hand applique, ribbon flowers, silk ribbon flowers, wired ribbon flowers, ribbon mbroidery, hand embroidery, through the needle's eye

Poppy with dimensional center

bird and basket, wool applique class, hand applique, ribbon flowers, silk ribbon flowers, wired ribbon flowers, ribbon mbroidery, hand embroidery, through the needle's eye, velvet ribbon flower, beads

Velvet blooms with faceted beads

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