Rookies & Refreshers: Cleveland
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Sewing For Rookies & Refreshers
If you've never sewn, hardly sewn at all or haven't sewn in the last who-knows-how-many years, "Rookies & Refreshers" classes are perfect for you. Discover how today's tools and techniques turn tedious details into the simplest of tasks. You'll be ready to tackle lots of new projects with confidence. Sewing and quilting offer you a lifetime of creative pleasure and fulfillment. Here's your chance to get started – or re-started – on just the right foot.

Freshman Embroidery
with Katie Bartz
Start right, right from the start! Learn the basic language of embroidery as you uncover how to approach your projects for certain success. Begin correctly, choosing the best procedures, basic tools and appropriate supplies, including how to decide which stabilizers to use in various situations. Move on to the not-so-obvious ways used to prepare the harder stuff for stitching, as you learn about hoops and why you might use more than one; get your hands on stretchy, thick, shifty and recalcitrant fabrics as you practice preparing them for successful embroidery without stress. It's a fantastic class for embroiderers at all levels of skill and experience. (Professionals need not attend.) Counts as 3 sessions.  
Thursday   6:30 – 9:00   F82 & G98

Embroidery Lab 101
with Katie Bartz in the Sewing Spot
Get started on the right foot with your first embroidery. All the theory comes into focus as you watch the thread form the beautiful, perfect stitches, then remove the hoop and finish trimming, remove your stabilizer and viola - an embroidered fingertip towel! Success! Pre-requisite: Freshman Embroidery (above). Materials Fee: $10. Limit 12.
Friday   10:30 – 12:00   J143X
Friday   12:30 – 2:00   K159X

Cut It Up!
with Debra Bohn
If you’re working with one large and one small scissors, you’re doing it the hard way! Discover how using the right tool makes a big difference in your finished project as you learn why the scissors you use is the first (and the last) step in a successful process.
Saturday   12:30 – 1:30   S258

Easy Skirts from Rectangles
with Barb Callahan
With a simple shape you can make a very flattering skirt in many different styles. Learn to fit easily, and to create many looks with different fabrics, adding details, godets, panels, ruffles and textured overlays. They’re easy, attractive and they fit!
Thursday   1:00 – 2:00   C36
Saturday   3:30 – 4:30   V295

Felting Basics
with Barb Callahan
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What’s the deal with felting? Learn about tools, supplies and finished projects they help you create as you take a needle and roving in hand. Discover how easy it is to create artistic embellishments on jackets and coats, knitted and felted projects and more. While you make your first project – a “magic ball”, you’ll see just where all this needling can take you! Materials Fee: $10. Limit 24.
Thursday   10:30 – 11:30   B29

Serging For Rookies
with Diana Cedolia in the Serger Studio
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If you've never serged but want to see what it's all about, this is your class. Learn why sewing without a serger is like cooking without a microwave as you complete your cardigan in class. You'll learn basic seaming for straight and curved seams, corners, easing a neck edge and a neat trick for bound cuffs without exposed seams and a no-pin match point system which works so well you'll use it in all your sewing. All cardigan kits are size XL, 100% cotton interlock. Some sewing machine experience helpful. Counts as 3 sessions. Materials Fee: $26. Limit 20.
Wednesday   10:00 – 12:30   MDB200
Thursday   1:00 – 3:30   C42 & D58
Saturday   9:00 – 11:30   Q234 & R250

Crochet 101: Flowers
with Megan Engelmann
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Learn the basic stitches for crocheting and at the same time incorporate them to form different flowers to take home. The flowers make wonderful embellishments for bags, gloves, coats and more. All materials included. Supply List. Materials Fee: $25. Limit 18.
Thursday   8:30 – 10:00   A13X
Friday   8:30 – 10:00   H118X

Beginner Steps to Free Motion Quilting
with Sheila Finklestein in the Quilting Studio
Leave your walking foot behind and glide into scribbles, stipples, and continuous curved free motion machine quilting. Master the steps to get you dancing toward heirloom-caliber results. Discover how to prepare the quilt surface, layer the quilt sandwich, use invisible and removable markings, judge your stitch length and estimate stitch pattern density in hands-on painless steps. Counts as 4 sessions. Materials Fee: $28. Limit 20.
Thursday   6:00 – 9:00   F89X & G105
Saturday   8:30 – 11:30   Q232X & R248

New Embroidery Basics
with Diane Gloystein
Be successful from the start when you choose your components correctly. Catch up on all the newest developments in decorative threads, needles, backings and toppings for every need. Discover how painted, stitched and imaginatively embellished backgrounds set off your embroidery, making it truly extraordinary. An essential class for those just starting their embroidery adventures, an invaluable update for everyone else!
Friday   2:30 – 3:30   L172
Saturday   9:00 – 10:00   Q229

Needle Tatting 101
with Nancy McElhinny
Learn the basics of needle tatting....the easy alternative to shuttle tatting, but with the same result. Review the differences and follow easy step-by-step illustrations as you work through the process of tatting a trim that can be applied to any garment, pillowcase, hanky or other gift item. Includes 4 different size tatting needles, ball of thread and illustrated instruction book. Materials Fee: $25. Limit 20.
Thursday   9:00 – 10:00   A6

Satin Stitch Machine Appliqué
with Jerri McKee in the Sewing Spot
Learn how to approach your satin stitch appliqué with the correct tools and machine settings and you’ll have success every time! Create your seasonal tea-towel as you master appliqué curves, points and corners at the machine. Practice makes perfect! Materials Fee: $12. Limit 12.
Friday   8:30 – 10:00   H127X

Truly Reversible Pillow
with Chris Modig in the Sewing Spot
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Stitch a truly reversible pillow as you learn to insert a reversible zipper, work with a pillow form and stitch corners properly. Create your pillow for two different looks, using the same techniques you’d use for a duvet or comforter cover. Materials Fee: $20. Limit 12.
Thursday   2:30 – 5:00   D63 & E79

Knitting 101: Felted Bowl
with Shannon Okey
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Learn to cast-on with the long tail method, connect the two ends and start knitting in the round! You’ll work on circular needles to make a small felted bowl, and how to decrease to make a flat bottom. Directions for felting at home included, as well as all yarn, circular needle and fun! Supply List. Materials Fee: $30. Limit 18.
Friday   10:30 – 12:00   J134X
Saturday   10:30 – 12:00   R253X

Vintage Apron #2
with Ellen Osten in the Sewing Spot
Direct from an extensive apron collection, this new design looks retro with its half-circle design, fanciful pocket and trim, but construction methods couldn’t be more current. Learn to use a few sewing machine accessory feet and new notions as you complete this ‘couldn’t-be-easier’ fun and decidedly feminine project. Counts as 2 sessions. Materials Fee: $18. Limit 12.
Saturday   2:00 – 4:30   T287 & V303

Introduction to Sashiko Stitching: Japanese Apron Pocket
with Nancy Shriber
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Discover the history of the humble Sashiko stitch as you fall into the rhythm with needle and thread. You’ll use these stitches to create special embellishments on clothing, gifts and accessories, as the elegant simplicity lends itself to all types of fabrics, including fine silks and linens. By the end of class you’ll have a perfectly stitched, indigo cotton pocket for a simple Japanese apron. Directions and grid for the apron included. Materials Fee: $12. Limit 24.
Saturday   9:00 – 10:00   Q237

Paper Piecing Workshop
with Connie Spurlock in the Sewing Spot
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Learn the basics of paper piecing as you create this rich 12" x 14" seasonal wallhanging. Piece the top in class, then take home the original pattern, backing, batting and bindings to complete the hanging at home. Don't miss this chance to learn hands-on from the expert! Counts as 2 sessions. Materials Fee: $18. Limit 12.
Friday   2:30 – 5:00   L175 & M191

Digitizing for Rookies: What We Really Want to Know
with Jim Suzio
You keep hearing about digitizing, now see it in action. Learn about selecting the artwork (the picture), getting it to the machine (through the computer) and stitching it out (tweaking at the machine). Discover the basics of what it means to digitize, what digitizing software is all about and how clever shortcuts can make your work simple and more satisfying. Counts as 3 sessions.
Friday   6:30 – 9:00   N194 & P210

Embroidery Software for Rookies
with Jim Suzio
You bought a new embroidery machine and it came with lots of stuff: threads, stabilizers, software . . . It's all opened, the software is installed, you've looked around and embroidered your first shirt. Now what? See how easily you can work your way through embroidery software while learning what the various "buttons" do. Topics covered include how to open a design file, alter it and save it to the machine, as well as to a new folder (and see how easy it can be to create one). The "beginners-beginners" class that you've asked for is here!
Saturday   2:00 – 3:00   T274

1st time at the Expo? Just starting out? Need help picking classes? Call us at 800-699-6309

Fashion Sewing I Quiltmaking I Machine Embroidery I Home Décor I Sergers I Rookies & Refreshers
Knit & Crochet I Fiber & Needle Arts I Accessories I Embellishment & Art-to-Wear I For Profit
Time-Saving Sewing I Wish List Workshops I More the Day Before I Experienced Sewers I Technology