Let’s Make a Lydia Bag! – Second Tuesday of the Month – 10 AM to 1 PM
Starting in September and for each month thereafter, Ms. Carolyn Gibbons will lead a group of volunteers in making Lydia Bags for donation to the foundation that provides the bags to women in treatment for cancer.Carolyn will provide all the fabrics needed for the bags, and the instruction; we need volunteers to help with the construction of the bags each month.You can work independently making your own bag, or set up in assembly-line fashion – one cutting, one sewing, one ironing, you get the picture.Come join us for this community project in support of our sisters who could use a little loving thought delivered in the wonderful Lydia Bags!
Wool Gatherings - First Thursday of the Month – 10 AM to 12 Noon
This is a class specifically designed for those who enjoy working with beautiful felted wool fabrics and hand stitching with pearl cotton and embroidery floss, creating primitive designs that add warmth and texture to the home.Sally King will instruction on working with felted wool, decorative stitches, embellishments, and patterns and kits.
Kid’s Club – Summer Classes Offered in July and August from 10 AM to 12 Noon
Starting in September, classes will be offered the Second and Fourth Wednesday of the Month – 3:30 to 5:00 PM
Susan Congdon, Lead Instructor for AQS and a retired school teacher, will be offering sewing and quilting lessons to children.All children with the capacity to operate a sewing machine and follow instructions are welcome to attend this class.Ms. Susan will choose a project for each class that the children will be able to finish within the timeframe of the class.
NEW – TWO CLASSES TO CHOOSE FROM EACH MONTH !Toppers and Runners and Mats, Oh My!This is a new class designed by AQS instructors, and the focus will be, of course, table runners, table toppers, and placemats.Each month, a different “Guest Instructor” will provide instruction on making a runner, topper or mat using a pattern selected by the instructor.Projects will have a seasonal and holiday focus, and promises to be a lot of fun!
Bag Ladies – Fourth Tuesday of the Month – 3:30 to 6:30 PM
This class is always a fun-filled time!Susan Congdon provides instruction on making a pocketbook, shoulder bag, purse accessories, etc., that will be featured in the class.The classes are designed to be easy enough so you will waltz out of the shop with your new bag hanging from your shoulder.Susan is so very accomplished at making pocketbooks and handbags, and has lots and lots of patterns and projects to share with you in this class.This class is a lot of fun – even though everyone is using the same pattern, each of the bags looks so much different based on the fabric and colors used!
Celtic Knot Instructor:Maureen Bishop Two Sessions:Tuesday, August 5th and 12th - 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM Cost of Class:$40 plus cost of pattern book and bias bars
Maureen has agreed to do an encore of this class, and has chosen a new simple, elegant and beautiful design for making the mystical Celtic Knot block.Using the bias bars, you will create tubes of fabric, lay them out in the selected design, and hand appliqué the fabric tubes to your background fabric.When the center design is complete, Maureen will provide instruction in machine piecing a beautiful contrasting border that will enhance the Celtic design.Maureen has loaned one of her masterpieces for display in AQS.You will be amazed at the beauty of the piece.And Maureen promises that anyone can complete this project!
A Wool Gathering Instructor:Sally King Thursday, August 7th -10 AM to 12 NoonCost of Class:$10
Sally King will be exploring hand stitches and embellishments for felted wool pieces, methods for applying appliqués, appropriateness of patterns – who knows, the Wool Gatherers may even decide to do a “Block of the Month” in felted wool!This promises to be a wonderful class working with the beautiful colors of hand-dyed wools and contrasting pearl cottons and embroidery floss!
“My First Quilt” – A Beginning Quilt Class Instructor:Margot Salzman Three Session Class:Saturdays, August 9th, August 23rd and September 6th from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM Cost of Class:$60
The Aiken Quilt Shoppe will be offering a three-session beginner’s quilting class on Saturday mornings!Expert and experienced Instruction will be provided by Margot Salzman in constructing and completing a wall hanging.Students will learn all of the techniques needed to make a quilt, from beginning to end.You can then use these techniques to make a quilt of any size, from lap size to king size!Instruction will include:Discussion of fabric and what types of fabric to use, how to prepare and lay out fabric for cutting; proper use of the rotary cutter, cutting mat and ruler; methods for cutting the fabric; laying out the pieces and sewing perfect 1/4" seams; sewing squares into blocks, blocks into rows, and rows into completed quilt tops; adding an inner border and outer border; making the "quilt sandwich" of top, batting and backing; machine and/or hand quilting; binding your quilt; adding a sleeve for hanging your quilt; and, most importantly, instruction on how to admire your handy work and your finished project.
MONDAY!Toppers and Runners and Mats, Oh My! Guest Instructor:Susan Congdon Project:Do-Si-Do from the “Straight to the Point” Series Monday, August 11th – 10 AM to 1 PM Cost of Class:$20 plus pattern
Susan Congdon will provide instruction on completing the “Do-Si-Do” from the Straight to the Point Series.If you are not familiar with the “Straight to the Point” series of patterns, you are in for a shock.In this method, you construct the pieced top in horizontal/vertical blocks and rows.When it is completed, you take a rotary cutter to it and cut it into three pieces!Shuffle the pieces around strategically, and sew the three pieces back together again, and you have a pieced top set on point!You are going to love this method and will want to make this pattern over and over, for yourself and for gifts for loved ones!
Kid’s Club! Instructor:Susan Congdon 2nd Wednesday – August 13th – 10 AM to Noon Cost of Class:$15 Project:Coloring Pillow
Susan Congdon’s class this month will feature a throw pillow with a twist!The children will color muslin fabric designs and set the colors with an iron; then construct the personalized pillow and stuff it with fiber fill.All children with the capacity to operate a sewing machine and follow instructions are welcome to attend this class.The kids will surely enjoy decorating their fabrics and making their very own pillow.Sounds like a lot of fun!
“Snippets” Christmas Tree Wall Hanging Guest Instructor:Nora May Thursday, August 14th – 10 AM to 1 PMCost of Class:$20
Wait until you see the sample Nora has on display in AQS – it is just beautiful.Using snips of multiple green fabrics, you will arrange your “snippets” into the shape of a Christmas Tree, decorated with beads and baubles, and create a beautiful frame using inner- and outer-borders.This is a beauty that will be a welcomed decoration to your home during the holidays, or a terrific gift for that special friend!This is a new, easy method for creating something of beauty that you will really enjoy!
Special Edition: The Bag Ladies Class Featuring: The Bella Bag by Indigo Junction Instructor: Susan Congdon Tuesday, August 19th - 10 AM to 1 PM Cost of Class: $20 plus cost of pattern
This is a great bag with a wonderful rounded profile, great lines, and beautifully shaped handles. And the interior of the bag is loaded with pockets! This bag will be a great addition to your summer wardrobe with its easy and classic lines!
The Dime Quilt! Instructor:Sally King Two Sessions:Thursday, August 21th and 28th – 10 AM to 1 PMCost of Class:$40 - Kits available at AQS!
Sally is sharing a terrific design distributed by Timeless Treasures for Tonga Batiks to make this exotic quilt called “The Dime Quilt.”The name of the quilt design is derived from the size of the fabrics used – the quilt is made from fabrics cut into squares measuring 10” X 10”!Sally, a true lover of batiks, has created a sample on display at AQS made up of dark and medium batiks, and it is beautiful. Sally and I have created kits for interested students, made up of 30 different medium-to-dark batiks already cut into 10" x 10" squares. And this quilt will look wonderful done as a monochromatic, based on one color in dark and medium shades with multiple fabrics used to create interest.I can picture it in blacks-and-whites, shades of green, red (my favorite quilt color!), beiges – the possibilities are just about endless!Stop by to see this wonderful quilt on display at AQS!
My First Quilt – Monday Morning Class Instructor:Maureen Bishop Three Sessions:Mondays, August 25th, September 8th and September 22nd – 10 AM to 1 PM Cost of Class:$60
The Aiken Quilt Shoppe will again be offering a three-session beginner’s quilting class on Monday mornings!Expert and experienced Instruction will be provided by Maureen Bishop in constructing and completing a wall hanging.And Maureen has come up with a new design for our new students that is a wonderful sampler of several different traditional blocks!Students will learn all of the techniques needed to make a quilt, from beginning to end.You can then use these techniques to make a quilt of any size, from lap size to king size!Instruction will include:Discussion of fabric and what types of fabric to use, how to prepare and lay out fabric for cutting; proper use of the rotary cutter, cutting mat and ruler; methods for cutting the fabric; laying out the pieces and sewing perfect 1/4" seams; sewing squares into blocks, blocks into rows, and rows into completed quilt tops; adding an inner border and outer border; making the "quilt sandwich" of top, batting and backing; machine and/or hand quilting; binding your quilt; adding a sleeve for hanging your quilt; and, most importantly, instruction on how to admire your handy work and your finished project.
“The Bag Ladies” – The Veronica by Lazy Girl Designs Instructor:Susan Congdon Tuesday, August 26th - 3:30 PM– 6:30 PM Cost of Class:$20.00 plus pattern
This month’s class will feature the Veronica Bag by Lazy Girl Designs.This is a small, structured bag with a sexy profile that looks great with a fabric handle, a fashion handle, or a shoulder strap.Susan has created the sample in batik fabrics and it is lovely.Lazy Girl Designs are so flexible, you can add so many options as you go along, including pockets inside and outside, flaps, zippers, button closures, the options are just limitless.Stop by AQS to see the sample on display!
A Wool Gathering Instructor:Sally King Thursday, September 4th -10 AM to 12 NoonCost of Class:$10
Sally King will be exploring hand stitches and embellishments for felted wool pieces, methods for applying appliqués, appropriateness of patterns – who knows, the Wool Gatherers may even decide to do a “Block of the Month” in felted wool!This promises to be a wonderful class working with the beautiful colors of hand-dyed wools and contrasting pearl cottons and embroidery floss!
Let’s Make a Lydia Bag! – Tuesday September 9th – 10 AM to 1 PM
Ms. Carolyn Gibbons will lead a group of volunteers in making Lydia Bags for donation to the foundation that provides the bags to women in treatment for cancer.Carolyn will provide all the fabrics needed for the bags, and the instruction; we need volunteers to help with the construction of the bags each month.You can work independently making your own bag, or set up in assembly-line fashion – one cutting, one sewing, one ironing, you get the picture!Come join us for this community project in support of our sisters who could use a little loving thought delivered in the wonderful Lydia Bags!
Santa in Applique Instructor:Nora May Two Sessions:Monday September 9th1:30 to 4:30 pm and September 23rd – 10 AM to 1 PM Cost of Class:$40
If you have been thinking about trying the appliqué technique, this is your project!This is a wonderful wall hanging that you can create to decorate your home for the holidays, or make it as a house warming gift to give to a friend during the Holidays.You will be surprised how much fun and how easy it is to make this whimsical design, you will wonder why you haven’t tried appliqué before!Stop by AQS to see the delightful sample on display.
Kid’s Club! Instructor:Susan Congdon 2nd Wednesday – September 10th – 3:30 to 5 PMCost of Class:$15
Susan Congdon, Lead Instructor for AQS and a retired school teacher, will be offering sewing and quilting lessons for children.All children with the capacity to operate a sewing machine and follow instructions are welcome to attend this class.Ms. Susan will choose a project for each class that the children will be able to finish within the timeframe of the class.The kids always have a wonderful time in this class and just love to be able to say, “I made this all by myself!”
FREE DEMONSTRATION - SATURDAY, September 13th - 10 AM to 12 Noon Kat Desfresne, our resident quilter extraordinaire, has agreed to present a Free Demonstration on the techniques she uses to create her marvelous designs. Kat's rules: take your scraps of fabric, cut them up, sew them together, cut them again, sew again, trim to the block size you desire, and sew the blocks together. Add some bias pieces gliding through the middle, and you have a piece of modern art suitable for framing! This demonstration should be a lot of fun - I mean, Kat is doing the presenting! So there is bound to be a lot of belly laughs!!
SPECIAL EDITION:“The Bag Ladies” – The Towne Purse by Lazy Girl Designs Instructor:Susan Congdon Monday, September 15th – 10:00 AM– 1:00 PM Cost of Class:$20.00 plus pattern
We have received a special request to do a class on The Towne Purse by Lazy Girl Designs, so here it is!This purse has always been a favorite of our customers.Small on size but big on holding just about everything we need, with ample pockets inside and out, with a zipper closure.You determine the length of the strap – either a short handle strap or a shoulder strap.You are going to get a lot of use out of this light-weight bag.Stop by AQS to see the sample on display!
A TUESDAY TOPPER!Toppers and Runners and Mats, Oh My! Guest Instructor:Susan Congdon Project:Waffle Time! Tuesday, September 16th – 10 AM to 1 PM Cost of Class:$20 plus pattern
The Waffle Time Table Topper design offered in this class is a real eye-catcher!It actually looks like the inner border was woven through the fabrics!Susan did a great job making the sample for this class, on display at AQS.You can make just one block, three blocks sewn together to make a longer runner, or a full length runner with the design running from end to end.And you get an added bonus with this class:The quilt pattern includes a recipe for Waffles – and they are delicious!
Beaded Ring Instructor:Sachi Friday, September 19th – 10 AM to 1 PM Cost of Class:$20 - Includes Kit with beads and string to make one ring and printed instructions with diagrams!
We have all admired the beautiful rings that Sachi wears, but something that you may not have known is that Sachi makes all her rings herself!And she has experience teaching others how to make these beautiful rings. Sachi presented a practice class with Susan, Margot and me and the rings we made, along with some of Sachi's rings are shown above. The class was a blast! and the results were terrific! Sachi has agreed to do a class for us at AQS to make a ring of our own.She will prepare kits with the beads and string needed for one complete ring, and provide instruction on how to assemble the ring.We will have a few samples of the rings on display at AQS – stop by and take a look.You will want to make more than one, I can guarantee
SATURDAY - Toppers and Runners and Mats, Oh My! Guest Instructor:Margot Salzman Project:Sail Boat Sailing Saturday, September 20th – 10 AM to 1 PMCost of Class:$20
In this month’s Saturday class, Margot will provide instruction on making the Sail Boat Sailing quilt that can be used as a table topper, or a wall hanging.This is an interesting quilt in that it combines multiple techniques, including paper piecing and machine piecing; appliqué; and hand quilting and machine quilting.You will use all of these techniques to create this lovely design.Stop by AQS to see the sample on display – you are going to love it!
“The Bag Ladies” – The Miranda by Lazy Girl Designs Instructor:Susan Congdon Tuesday, September 23rd - 3:30 PM– 6:30 PM Cost of Class:$20.00 plus pattern
She’s Back!Again!The Miranda Day Bag has been the most popular and requested class yet!The latest design from Lazy Girl Designs, this bag is large and roomy, with plenty of pockets, and unlimited options to make it your own.The bag is highly structured and can stand on its own, and is large enough to be used as a briefcase or a baby bag!You will just love this bag, and it is sure to become the one bag that you can’t live without!
Kid’s Club! Instructor:Susan Congdon 4th Wednesday – September 24th – 3:30 to 5 pmCost of Class:$15
Susan Congdon, Lead Instructor for AQS and a retired school teacher, will be offering sewing and quilting lessons for children. All children with the capacity to operate a sewing machine and follow instructions are welcome to attend this class.Ms. Susan will choose a project for each class that the children will be able to finish within the timeframe of the class.The kids always have a wonderful time in this class and just love to be able to say, “I made this all by myself!”
The Aiken Quilt Shoppe and the talented instructors offering classes at AQS are very flexible!If you see a class that you have missed and would like to take, or if you have a class in mind that you would like to see offered, just ask!And we will schedule a class to meet your needs.Private one-on-one quilting classes are also available to our customers.
