No workshop, single room.
No workshop, shared room.
(spouse/friend/partner) sharing a room.
Barbara Black [18 remaining]
Fast, easy piecing creates this dynamic, beautiful quilt where each group of eight fabrics becomes TWO Blocks—one light, one dark. A great stash-buster and a Doritos quilt — one you just have to make more than once. This one is so FUN to make! A wide range of fabrics can be used: batiks, teproduction, modern, solids, whatever you love. Detailed fabric selection and pre-work cutting instructions are provided for those who want to be ready to sew right away. Contact Barbara by email for specific fabric selection advice prior to class if you wish. Rotary cutting and precise quarter-inch piecing skills recommended. Required Lab Fee: $5.Level: Confident Beginner
Andrea M. Brokenshire [5 remaining]
Independent Study: Painting Florals on SilkYay!! It’s time to play in my paintbox again! Using the knowledge gained from your previous Painted Project, you will now be free to work on your own chosen floral project with me to guide you along the way. So, let’s get our creativity flowing and play. See the supply list for more details. Pre-requisite: You must have previously taken the “Floral Painted Applique on Silk” workshop from me. Lab fee: $75.00Level: Intermediate
David Owen Hastings [1 remaining]
Inspired by ArtModern quilt design, inspired by classic art! Starting with a favorite work of art, develop your own unique modern abstract quilt design. Be inspired by shapes, colors, structure, or the feeling you get and design a whole quilt with an eye on modern minimalism. We will explore the many ways you can take inspiration from a piece of art to develop your own modern quilt. David will demonstrate sewing curves without pins, and without fear. You will develop a complete modern quilt, with time to start quilting and ideas for binding with a modern touch.Level: All
Sue Heinz [8 remaining]
Fill Harmonic SamplerExplore your quilting design toolbox! Create this fantastic (and unique) whole cloth design as Sue guides you with step-by-step instructions and ‘how-to’ hints. You will learn each shape by practicing on paper first, with machine time provided each day. Ingenious basting, squaring, blocking, and binding techniques are also included in this “Yes, you can do this!” workshop.Level: All
Sandra L. Mollon [Sold Out]
Fused Art Quilts from PhotographsStudents select a photograph they wish to work from, get it enlarged and trace a pattern from which to work. Another option is to use any pattern by Sandra, which may be appropriate for beginning students who do not have an image they want to use. Students will select appropriate fabrics to use, which are then fused into place, enhanced with media, and quilted to create an art quilt.Level: Confident beginner
Linda Neal [19 remaining]
Independent Study: Off the BlockJoin award-winning quilter Linda Neal for a week of applique, embellishments, and inspiration! Bring an appliqué block in progress or start a new project as you learn how to make perfect circles, curves, sharp points, deep V’s, stems, skinny stems and very, very skinny stems (Linda’s own technique). This class teaches the prepared edge technique using freezer paper, starch, and a small iron. Each piece is glue basted to the background in preparation for hand stitching. The class will also include hands-on embellishment demonstrations: organza ribbon candy wrapper, silk ribbon and embroidery stitches, ric-rac, buttons, beads, ultrasuede, and English paper pieced flowers. All demonstrations are optional – it’s YOUR week!Level: All
Laura Nownes [23 remaining]
Independent StudyThis class is an opportunity for self-guided quilting. You can choose to use this time to work on a long-anticipated project or finally complete one or more UFOs (unfinished projects). Work at your own pace, without distracting responsibilities. During your time in class, you will have access to 35-plus years of quilting expertise; both technical and inspirational from Laura. The bonus is spending this time at the beautiful Asilomar Conference Grounds with other like-minded quilters.Level: All
Judy Coates Perez [18 remaining]
Ink. Print. Repeat.Explorations in textile pattern design using acrylic inks. Learn how surprisingly easy (and affordable) it is to make fiber-friendly acrylic inks using dispersed pigments and a few simple ingredients. Judy will teach the basics of color theory while making and mixing inks and how to avoid mud (unless that’s your thing!) Learn how to choose and combine colors when printing for maximum visual impact. Explore a multitude of ways to create richly textured ‘base’ fabric by applying acrylic inks to fabric with different types of brushstrokes, sponges, altering ink and water ratios, adding salt, mono-printing, and scrunching, as well as pleating, stitching, clamping and pole-wrapping fabric with a variety of shibori techniques.Level: All
Jennifer Sampou [Sold Out]
Octagon ShimmerJennifer teaches Improvisation within Structure and Good Design Principles. You’ll make this jumbo quilt block with success and individuality. Focusing early lectures on color and value, you’ll learn how to pair neutrals with pop of brights and saturated prints to create a bold spiderweb quilt. Learn how to capture dynamic movement in your quilt as you explore positive and negative space, color, and proper value placement. Later in block making, improvise with accent color, like a painter, to finalize the look you want. Understand ways to make perfect points and the shortcuts for the wonky Flying Geese border. Octagon Shimmer looks great simple or scrappy, your choice! Complete, technically accurate pattern in beautiful reusable package.Level: Confident Beginner to Advanced
Maria Shell [12 remaining]
Under The Influence — Beg, Borrow, And StealThis piecing workshop is for students who are interested in creating their own original quilt compositions based on subject matter that is meaningful to them. Students will actively search for artistic influences and inspirational subject matter to incorporate into their own authentic quilts. Students will be led through a series of exercises that will result in a final large quilt composition.Level: Allv
Non-Workshop
Non-Participant ESS attendee. Please only select this option if you are wanting to be a part of the Empty Spools Seminars programs but don't wish to take a class. If you are a non-workshop companion do not select this option unless you need a separate room. Use the section at the top of the page if you are sharing a room.
Please select a 2nd and 3rd choice teacher in the event your class cancels.
Sewing Machine Rentals
A limited number of Bernina sewing machines will be available for those who cannot travel by air with their own machines. Reservations and payments may be made through the Empty Spools Registration. Sewing machines are provided by The Cotton Patch of Lafayette, California.
Yes, it's okay to send me text messages including confirmations, changes, and updates. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. View our terms of service & privacy policy.
