A peek at 2027 quilt class/event possibilities

September 6, 2026

I don’t know if the ECQG webmaster meant to publish the guild’s 2027 speaker/class schedule just yet, but it’s definitely LIVE. I already see workshops in April and July that I’d like to take! This was a nice surprise to see when I went in to register for an upcoming charity sew day in October.

Myrtle Beach Quilt Party sign up is now active. I shared the info with my guild friends. It’ll be even more fun if a couple of them can also attend. One has indicated she’ll stay with family in the area if she’s able to go. Meanwhile, I’m exploring other accommodation options besides the retreat hotel.

As I noted the ECQG class dates in my calendar, I reviewed what I’d already scheduled for early 2027:
January – Myrtle Beach Quilt Party (going)
February – Quiltcon 2027 in ATL @ AmericasMart (going to socialize and shop)
April – Guild class on mariner’s compass using a special ruler technique (note on calendar to sign up 3/5)
July – Guild class on improv – dresden blocks and/or bird/nature blocks (note on calendar to sign up 6/5)

Other possibilities: Middle Georgia Shop Hop (early February), Jabez Quilt Seminar – KY (early March), Sewing Expo (mid-March), Mountain Quilt Fest – TN (early June)

There are definitely classes, retreats and conference opportunities out there. You just have to make the effort to look for them because they get hidden under all the social media posts and emails we get on a daily basis.

You may have noticed my 2027 events are within driving distance (6 hours or less). Airfare has gotten crazy expensive. I’ll either need a fabulous deal on the flights or the location has to be one I’d absolutely regret not going while I had the chance.

Photo by Erik Mclean on Pexels.com

Travel irons for quilt retreats and classes

September 3, 2026

I now understand how Oliso mini iron aficionados must feel as they open the final instructions checklist for an upcoming retreat or class only to learn that they need to leave their 1,000 watt Oliso mini iron at home and bring something more in the 400 watt range to avoid tripping circuit breakers at the retreat center.

My recent experience was just the opposite. I have a 420 watt Beautural iron that I take to classes, sew days and retreats since a few of them limit the wattage on personal irons at our sewing stations. (One facility even prohibits the use of wool pressing mats after a couple of tables were damaged at a recent charity sewing event.) Yesterday, I opened the final instructions/packing list for a retreat I’m attending in a few weeks. The only iron that’s allowed is the M3Pro Oliso iron. I couldn’t help but laugh.

I thought back to 2022 when I nearly burned my fingers picking up an earlier version Oliso mini iron that had been set out for classroom use. And it’s why I refused to buy an Oliso mini iron, even though I had a full-size one in my studio (which has since been replaced by a Chi iron from Wal-Mart). After a little research, I think I understand why the M3Pro iron only rule is in place. This particular model has built in safety shut-off features similar to full-size irons, which my Beautural travel iron does not.

Our retreat is at a large hotel, so iron wattage shouldn’t be an issue. Retreat projects consist of multiple small units that’ll need to be pressed frequently and my little seam roller isn’t going to cut it. I used a gift card I’d been saving to order the least expensive M3Pro iron and cover combo (raspberry color) I could find on Amazon. I’ll try it out at this week’s library sew day.

CraftLAB – introducing counted cross-stitch

September 3, 2026
A CraftLAB participant trying counted cross-stitch

Looking for an low-hassle way to introduce cross-stitch or hand embroidery to your students? Consider inexpensive kits (under $5) found at Dollar Tree, Hobby Lobby, Michael’s and Wal-Mart. Choose small projects that include fabric, floss, needle, needle threader and hoop.

The cherry project kits I picked up at Hobby Lobby were $2 each. I merely pulled out my big beeswax bar and the small scissors we use in CraftLAB to complete my prep for this week’s CraftLAB session. All leftover kit supplies went home with the student in a quart-size zipper bag. (And there was enough leftover floss to make several cross-stitch Christmas ornaments!). One of the girls remarked that this would give her something to do on the plane when she travels during Fall Break.

Our next session will likely involve transforming the finished cross-stitch into something that can be clipped to their backpacks as a decoration. Following that will be a hoop art project with hand embroidery. We will start with a simple design using a back-stitch (think redwork or a line drawing with a few colors). Each girl can determine how fancy she wants her project to be. I will create the kits as I already have the supplies on-hand from previous classes taught. If not, I would consider the $3-$5 embroidery kits available at Hobby Lobby.